From the Bookshelf of Retro Reads…

Katherine

Anya Seton,

Philippa Gregory (Foreword)

Start date: May 12, 2017

Finish date: June 7, 2017

Discussion: Buddy reads

Discussion leader: Hana

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What Members Thought

May 21, 2017 Kiri Fiona rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance-5-stars, romance-almost-5-stars, heroic-fantasy-historic-fiction, romance-slow-burn-awesomeness

I've come for you, Katrine

This whole, magnificent epic is based on a true story. Either Katherine Swynford, her beloved John of Gaunt, or both (because she gave him 4 - 4 - kids as his mistress), gave rise to the royal lines that include Kings Henry IV, V, VI & VII, Richard III, Edward IV, a Queen of Scots, every sovereign of Scotland since ages ago (sorry, my google is down or I'd sound way smarter right now) and every sovereign of England in the last 400 years. Meanwhile, my branch o ...more

93 likes · Like · see review

Sep 03, 2015 Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: historical

“Cease, daughter!" said the priest at last in a trembling voice. "I cannot grant absolution, no priest could...”

Widely considered to be Seton's best work, this is a fast paced and fascinating interpretation of Katherine's life lived in a time of turmoil and copious bloodshed.

The only thing that made me read this slowly was the edition I had

has a small font and little space between the lines. At first I could only manage 20 pages at a time. I guess kindle has left me spoilt. However, I soon ad ...more

46 likes · Like · see review

Jan 18, 2016 Mela rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-fiction, region-british, re-read, historical-romance, historical-fiction-to-learn-history, favourite-authors, historical-period-middle-ages, greatly-impressing

That it is a great historical fiction is without doubt (see my review after first reading or reviews of others).

But, I found this time the story of John and Katherine a bit wanting. So, I am very happy that Elizabeth Chadwick in a year or so is going to publish her own story of the couple. I am sure (full of hope), her version of their love story will be more satisfying.

------ Below is my review after first reading ------

Once I heard a historian say that we are making a big mistake when we are t ...more

11 likes · Like · see review

Dec 07, 2014 Hana rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance, 10th-15th-century, historical-fiction

Harrowing story of Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, the ancestors of most of the British royal family. Set in 14th century of Chaucer and the Black Death.

10 likes · Like · see review

Jun 09, 2017 Andrea AKA Catsos Person rated it liked it

Shelves: 2017-reads, library-hoopla, gave-away-box

Retro Reads BOTM May 12 - June 8, 2017

Classic Bingo 2017 O4: Classic Romance

*I listened to eAudio from Hoopla, though I have a dead-tree edition.

Yet another example of political correctness gone amuck.

I guess the folks in charge of casting a narrator didn’t want to seem ageist/sexist agains elderly women, so they gave this here gig to narrate a story that starts with the heroine at age 15. Blech!

I think this Woman sounds like a British, older (than she is now) Kathy Griffin (Who is from US) if ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

May 10, 2018 Tania rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

Finally!

I feel as though I have failed a bit as a reader because I didn't like this as much as I thought I would. It is, after all, widely regarded as a classic of Historical fiction.

The book is rich in period detail, but this meant that it seemed confused as to whether it was a history lesson or a romance and so the story didn't really flow. Sad to say, I found this book to be a little *whispers* boring.

...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Nov 03, 2016 Carinne Gee rated it really liked it

Shelves: to-read-again, books-i-d-recommend

This is one of those great historical epics full of lots of plot, many characters and lots of history. Political intrigue, forbidden relationships, love, loss and a great example of how even if you can talk yourself into believing you're not hurting anyone with your unwise choices....you usually are. I learned a lot about this time period of English history. I was fully invested in the plot. Great book. I will have to say though that I got confused more than once about the characters. Everyone i ...more

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