“A glorious example of romance in its most classic literary sense: exhilarating, exuberant, and rich with the jeweled tones of England in the 1300s.” —Austin ChronicleKatherine is an epic novel of a love affair that changed history—that of Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, the ancestors of most of the British royal family. Set in the vibrant fourteenth century of … vibrant fourteenth century of Chaucer and the Black Death, the story features knights fighting in battle, serfs struggling in poverty, and the magnificent Plantagenets—Edward III, the Black Prince, and Richard II—who rule despotically over a court rotten with intrigue. Within this era of danger and romance, John of Gaunt, the king’s son, falls passionately in love with the already-married Katherine. Their affair persists through decades of war, adultery, murder, loneliness, and redemption. Anya Seton’s vivid rendering of the lives of the Duke and Duchess of Lancaster makes Katherine an unmistakable classic.
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well researched and interesting presentation of the time, but frankly I couldn’t stand the main character. I seriously doubt that Kathryn Swynford was such spineless, indecisive ninny..
I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction about an English figure of whom I’d never heard
I deducted a star for two reasons: there were far too many run on sentences and comma spliced. Where was the editor?
The final chapters were really religious arguments for her faith. I felt it was much overdone and meant to “convert” the reader.
Excellent historical writing. Great telling of a true story.
Love history. This was one of my favorite historical novels.
I read this as a sophomore in high school 41 years ago. I am excited to be reading it again. I loved it then, but now I know more of it’s true historical place.
I love Anya Seton’s books. Her prose is lovely, her books are well researched and well written. This was a very interesting adaptation of a long ago love story. Highly recommend if you like British history and want to learn more about the 14th century.
I’ve bought multiple versions of this book. One of my all-time favorites.
I really enjoyed this book. I find the time period so interesting and this story was even more so.
I read this book in the 1960’s.. I liked it very much then and reread it, which I do infrequently. I remember it being romantic. I cannot give a current relevant review
because it was so long ago. But I suddenly remembered it when I saw the title.
Fictionalization of real characters, really brings John of Gaunt ,his ambitions and his scandal with his last wife into focus. Be sure to Google him after the book to see how his children from all three wives populated European royalty.
Based on historical fact, Kathrine is one of the best historical romances ever written.
I first read this book when I was 13 and it was serialized in Ladies’ Home Journal. I fell in love with it then and have owned several copies of it since. The story of Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt led me to a lifelong fascination with the Plantagenet kings but most especially that branch of the family. Anya Seton’s characters are so …
An easy way to look at the Plantagenet period, thru a sympathetic female character doing the best she can in a very patriarchal world.
Katherine, by Anya Seton, is the story of Katherine Swynford (pronounced like swine), the mistress and finally the third wife of John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster and the 4th son of Edward III of England. Because there is very little written information that has come down from the 14th century concerning Katherine, a large part of this novel …
I read somewhere that this book is considered the definitive standard for Historical Fiction and having read it, I understand why!
It is a beautiful book, painstakingly researched and intricately realized with the minutest of details written with the accuracy of the era’s language to the point where the reader truly experiences the feel of 1300’s …
Read this when I was about eleven. It introduced me to the world of historical fiction. A good read.
This book is interesting enough that I remember reading it with interest and pleasure while I was still in high school. Which was many, many, many years ago.
KATHERINE a epic tale and a hauntingly-beautiful love story. Anya Seton an incredible author in her time, as many other good books, but make no mistake — this is her masterpiece. Katherine is the kind of novel that sucks you right in to its time and place. The author showing a deep understanding of medieval English history. Colourful wording, and …
Beautiful descriptive writing! A joy to read.a story that touches your heart.
This incredible historical fiction novel is a window into the world of the Plantagenets during a time of upheaval and uncertainty