Why would a woman marry a serial killer?
Because she cannot refuse…
Kateryn Parr, a thirty-year-old widow in a secret affair with a new lover, has no choice when a man old enough to be her father who has buried four wives – King Henry VIII – commands her to marry him.
Kateryn has no doubt about the danger she faces: the previous queen lasted sixteen months, the one before barely half a … before barely half a year. But Henry adores his new bride and Kateryn’s trust in him grows as she unites the royal family, creates a radical study circle at the heart of the court, and rules the kingdom as Regent.
But is this enough to keep her safe? A leader of religious reform and the first woman to publish in English, Kateryn stands out as an independent woman with a mind of her own. But she cannot save the Protestants, under threat for their faith, and Henry’s dangerous gaze turns on her.The traditional churchmen and rivals for power accuse her of heresy – the punishment is death by fire and the king’s name is on the warrant…
From an author who has described all of Henry’s queens comes a deeply intimate portrayal of the last: a woman who longed for passion, power and education at the court of a medieval killer.
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I went on vacation by myself last November, so I read multiple books in one sitting (which was heavenly). The one I enjoyed the most was Philippa Gregory’s newest release at the time, The Taming of the Queen. I love everything Philippa Gregory writes and this one did not disappoint!
Another wonderfully researched, rich in detail, well crafted book that transports us back in time to life inside the royal court of Henry the 8th. I loved the author’s depiction of Henry and the festering leg that never quit. When I read books by Phillipa Gregory, I always feel I’m in an expert story teller’s hand and this book was no exception. I believe in the worlds she creates, they are always my favourite history lessons, and I agree with the author that Katherine Parr’s story was one that needed to be told.
As a big fan of historical fiction, particularly related to anything Henry VIII, I was eager to dive into THE TAMING OF THE QUEEN. Although I know quite a bit about Henry’s last queen, Katherine (Kathryn) Parr, it was interesting to read Philippa Gregory’s take, which is different.
Gregory’s presents Katherine coming to the crown as a twice-widowed and lovesick (for Thomas Seymour) woman, not particularly well-educated or knowledgeable about religious reform. Only after becoming Queen does Katherine begin to explore, appreciate and support religious reform, eventually publishing her own translations and prayers — something virtually unknown for a woman at this time, even for a Queen.
I personally found it a bit hard to swallow that in her brief time (3 and a half years) as Henry’s wife, Katherine was able to develop the skills needed to be a published author and renowned translator. It seems to me she must have been better educated and already interested in reform by the time she married the King. But this may simply be my personal preference and maybe Gregory’s version makes a more interesting story.
The novel itself felt a bit long to me and I found the back and forth religious beliefs of Henry somewhat tedious, as he pitted both conservative Catholics and dedicated Protestants against one another in an effort to exercise absolute power. Henry himself comes off as a horrid despot of a king and husband. In fact, the portrait Gregory presents of the King was more intriguing to me than the way she portrays Katherine Parr. I was also disappointed that she didn’t include in this novel what happened to Katherine after the King’s death.
Not as good as some of the others in the series, but perhaps it is the subject matter. Henry VIII was terrifying, and don’t get me started on the “Christian” religions. Don’t miss the author’s note at the end of the book.
Phillipa at her usual high standard. I do not tire of her Tudor books.
Yet another Philippa Gregory novel that plays fast and loose with the subject matter. I realize that this is historical fiction and not a work of history. However, the best works of historical fiction incorporate the events and personalities of the period. This one really lost me when King Henry, angry at Katherine whips her and then literally rubbed her face on his codpiece. Sure, the man was extremely temperamental in his waning years, but this could have been demonstrated without the S&M scene.
I love historical fiction, and this is one of the best. Phillipa Gregory does outstanding research into the period and then weaves personalities around historical fact. Highly recommended.
I actually spent the first third of this book wondering why I was bothering, since most of it feels repetitive from the three wives who came before Kateryn Parr. More of how foul Henry VIII was, both in mind and in body. More of the conniving and scheming and constantly changing tides of his court. More accusations, more deaths. I get that he went through wives like they changed with the season’s fashions, but I started to wonder if they all needed to have their own story or if the point could have been made by putting some of them into a single book. I mean, some of them were barely on the throne beside his for a year. Just about the point I was really starting to get annoyed, though, I started to like Kat. By the end, I truly felt for her. In fact, awful as he was to his wives, I may have had more sympathy and compassion for his final wife than any of her predecessors. And now, Henry is gone, finally expired, and I know that the next book will be on to someone new.
HenryVIII you wouldn’t want to be near him. Kathrine Parr his 6th wife survives him, just. Tense.