I really enjoy Ms. Gregory’s books on the Tudor Era. This one doesn’t disappoint, and you can feel her admiration for the strength of Elizabeth of York.
Author
samburnell
3 years ago
Philipa Gregory’s skill at bringing the past to life between the printed page is unparalleled and she remains at the forefront of historical fiction writing. The detail included within the books tells us of the hours of painstaking research that has gone into each one of her novels. She brings to the reader historical fact not just about the …
Author
jamesjcudney
3 years ago
Great series. Good storytelling. Makes you constantly look at the family trees to understand all the connections. So much good drama.
Author
kmlarcom
3 years ago
Thoroughly researched history and characters. Enjoy her books!
Author
daybreak1012
3 years ago
Yet another book in this series that I found myself never wanting to put down. I have read a lot of criticism on the (lack of) historical accuracy in Gregory’s books, but here’s the thing: it’s historical *fiction*. If I want rote facts, I will read non-fiction. I like the style with which Gregory fleshes out what she imagines might have gone on …
Author
pamelawiacek
3 years ago
All the books in this series are great. Philippe Gregory does a lot of historical research. When I start one of these books I can not put it down.
Author
lisalogan
3 years ago
A great story about a woman not often written about except in passing. Her love for Richard and her forced marriage to Henry after he defeats Richard in battle. A story not easily forgotten.
Author
madinapapadopoulos
3 years ago
My middle-school English teacher always said that while she hadn’t traveled much, she had read aplenty, and through books, it was like she had voyaged the world. With Philippa Gregory’s novels, I not only get to travel to a different country, but a different time period, and to experience a different points-of-view. ‘The White Princess’ is of …
Author
hatcherwan
3 years ago
First of her books I have read. Really enjoyed. Plan to read her others.
Author
knerby4985
3 years ago
This book totally sicks you in and keeps you there. You will think of this book and her other other books in the series long after reading them. Wishing for more…
Author
andrea9721
3 years ago
I enjoyed most of The White Princess. I love Queen Elizabeth of York. I was very excited to see her relationship with King Henry VII grow. Unfortunately, I did not really get that growth. I was very sad for Queen Elizabeth and annoyed with King Henry. Every time I would begin to like King Henry things would change and I would detest him. I wish Queen Elizabeth had more of a backbone. I disliked King Henry’s mother even more in this book than previous books. I am not as eager to read the Constant Princess but will give it a try.
Author
theedteach
3 years ago
Phillippa Gregory is a wonderful author in this book is wonderful. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, especially if you love that time period
Author
jen2
3 years ago
I called this “informative” just because there wasn’t an adjective for “gotta-love-historical-fiction”. Greggory’s books are always a treat to be savored. I love feeling like I’m right there.
Author
stampin2day
3 years ago
I loved the entire series. Was a little sad when I finished the last book.
Author
donna0814
3 years ago
My favorite series
Author
karaoneal
3 years ago
This book is historically rich and immerses the reader in the time period. I enjoyed the characters.
I had a hard time connecting with the plot because every scene between Henry and Elizabeth was the same. And, unfortunately, Elizabeth doesn’t seem to have any ability to influence the king. I’m not sure why she is on the cover or why the book is titled “The White Princess”. I usually enjoy Ms. Gregory’s books, but this one was a little wanting. The scenes between Henry and Elizabeth are very similar. He is worried about a possible “pretender”, vents his worry and fear to her, she parrots his questions back to him. He questions her if she knows anything because he can’t fully trust her, and she always says she doesn’t know. Because she doesn’t. It goes this way through most of the book.
That said, I did find myself rooting for their relationship. There are decisions Henry makes that are not morally right, but I still found myself liking him. He had a lot of pressure and he grew up either in exile or in fear for his life.
I enjoyed the story about the “pretender”. I always appreciate Ms. Gregory revealing “the rest of the story”. She always finds those parts of history that people don’t usually talk about when looking at English history.
I’m glad I read it. But I couldn’t love it as much as I love her other books. I had hoped for Elizabeth to be more influential and she really wasn’t. If that is historically accurate, then I’m glad Ms. Gregory didn’t alter that, but it made for a story that left me wanting.
Author
cynthiasallyhaggard
3 years ago
THE WHITE PRINCESS by Philippa Gregory is the story of Elizabeth of York, daughter of THE WHITE QUEEN (Elisabeth Woodville) and granddaughter of THE LADY OF THE RIVERS (Jacquetta de St Pol). It spans the years 1485, when Elizabeth was 19 years old, to 1499, when she was 33, and it mostly concerns the conspiracy to topple Henry VII from the throne of England, and replace him with someone who was either Elizabeth’s brother Richard Duke of York, or a convincing impostor whose name may have been Perkin Warbeck. Unfortunately for Elizabeth, Henry VII happened to be her husband, and thus she is torn between husband and (possible) brother.
Some readers have criticized Philippa Gregory for writing a novel that is full of lies. Though her take on this period of history is certainly controversial, I believe that it is backed up by research, by the latest thinking on this subject. If is fascinating to think that one of the princes in the Tower, Richard Duke of York, may have actually survived and lived to see his eldest sister on the throne of England. Even more fascinating are the scenes in which they both appear together, for they could never acknowledge each other with Henry’s spies watching.
Ms. Gregory has been criticized for employing a prose style in this novel that “will either drive points home for readers or drive them batty,” to quote one reviewer. And it is true, the prose style is repetitive:
“You have defeated him, he is down in the mud.”
She turns her head away from me. “He could be diminished, he could be dirty, he could be starved, and yet he would still shine,” she says…”They said he looked like Jesus…They said he looked like a saint. They said he looked like a broken prince, a damaged lamb, a dimmed light. Of course, he can’t be freed. He can never be freed.”
For a writer who can write such beautifully lyrical prose as:
“With this contradictory parentage of mine: solid English earth and French water goddess, one could expect anything from me: an enchantress or an ordinary girl. There are those who will say I am both. But today, as I comb my hair with particular care and arrange it under my tallest headdress, take the hands of my two fatherless boys and lead the way to the road that goes to Northampton, I would give all that I am to be, just this once, simply irresistible…”
There must be a reason for the repetition. And I think that reason is that is conveys the suffocating paranoia of Henry VII’s court. If I am right, then Ms. Gregory has taken a risk in not writing the beautiful prose we know her to be capable of. Five stars.
Author
gloriamyky
3 years ago
I love all Phillips Gregory’s books about the Plantagenet family. The good old days really weren’t wonderful. Her series is so interesting. After reading the books, the movies are just no comparison. I love the way she gives two perspectives in the White Queen and the Red Queen. Get the whole series; you won’t be able to put them down!
Author
djmeisel
3 years ago
Love all of Philipa Gregory’s books!
Author
cvgallardo
3 years ago
You can never go wrong with Phillipa Gregory. This one of my all time favorite books!
I really enjoy Ms. Gregory’s books on the Tudor Era. This one doesn’t disappoint, and you can feel her admiration for the strength of Elizabeth of York.
Philipa Gregory’s skill at bringing the past to life between the printed page is unparalleled and she remains at the forefront of historical fiction writing. The detail included within the books tells us of the hours of painstaking research that has gone into each one of her novels. She brings to the reader historical fact not just about the …
Great series. Good storytelling. Makes you constantly look at the family trees to understand all the connections. So much good drama.
Thoroughly researched history and characters. Enjoy her books!
Yet another book in this series that I found myself never wanting to put down. I have read a lot of criticism on the (lack of) historical accuracy in Gregory’s books, but here’s the thing: it’s historical *fiction*. If I want rote facts, I will read non-fiction. I like the style with which Gregory fleshes out what she imagines might have gone on …
All the books in this series are great. Philippe Gregory does a lot of historical research. When I start one of these books I can not put it down.
A great story about a woman not often written about except in passing. Her love for Richard and her forced marriage to Henry after he defeats Richard in battle. A story not easily forgotten.
My middle-school English teacher always said that while she hadn’t traveled much, she had read aplenty, and through books, it was like she had voyaged the world. With Philippa Gregory’s novels, I not only get to travel to a different country, but a different time period, and to experience a different points-of-view. ‘The White Princess’ is of …
First of her books I have read. Really enjoyed. Plan to read her others.
This book totally sicks you in and keeps you there. You will think of this book and her other other books in the series long after reading them. Wishing for more…
I enjoyed most of The White Princess. I love Queen Elizabeth of York. I was very excited to see her relationship with King Henry VII grow. Unfortunately, I did not really get that growth. I was very sad for Queen Elizabeth and annoyed with King Henry. Every time I would begin to like King Henry things would change and I would detest him. I wish Queen Elizabeth had more of a backbone. I disliked King Henry’s mother even more in this book than previous books. I am not as eager to read the Constant Princess but will give it a try.
Phillippa Gregory is a wonderful author in this book is wonderful. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, especially if you love that time period
I called this “informative” just because there wasn’t an adjective for “gotta-love-historical-fiction”. Greggory’s books are always a treat to be savored. I love feeling like I’m right there.
I loved the entire series. Was a little sad when I finished the last book.
My favorite series
This book is historically rich and immerses the reader in the time period. I enjoyed the characters.
I had a hard time connecting with the plot because every scene between Henry and Elizabeth was the same. And, unfortunately, Elizabeth doesn’t seem to have any ability to influence the king. I’m not sure why she is on the cover or why the book is titled “The White Princess”. I usually enjoy Ms. Gregory’s books, but this one was a little wanting. The scenes between Henry and Elizabeth are very similar. He is worried about a possible “pretender”, vents his worry and fear to her, she parrots his questions back to him. He questions her if she knows anything because he can’t fully trust her, and she always says she doesn’t know. Because she doesn’t. It goes this way through most of the book.
That said, I did find myself rooting for their relationship. There are decisions Henry makes that are not morally right, but I still found myself liking him. He had a lot of pressure and he grew up either in exile or in fear for his life.
I enjoyed the story about the “pretender”. I always appreciate Ms. Gregory revealing “the rest of the story”. She always finds those parts of history that people don’t usually talk about when looking at English history.
I’m glad I read it. But I couldn’t love it as much as I love her other books. I had hoped for Elizabeth to be more influential and she really wasn’t. If that is historically accurate, then I’m glad Ms. Gregory didn’t alter that, but it made for a story that left me wanting.
THE WHITE PRINCESS by Philippa Gregory is the story of Elizabeth of York, daughter of THE WHITE QUEEN (Elisabeth Woodville) and granddaughter of THE LADY OF THE RIVERS (Jacquetta de St Pol). It spans the years 1485, when Elizabeth was 19 years old, to 1499, when she was 33, and it mostly concerns the conspiracy to topple Henry VII from the throne of England, and replace him with someone who was either Elizabeth’s brother Richard Duke of York, or a convincing impostor whose name may have been Perkin Warbeck. Unfortunately for Elizabeth, Henry VII happened to be her husband, and thus she is torn between husband and (possible) brother.
Some readers have criticized Philippa Gregory for writing a novel that is full of lies. Though her take on this period of history is certainly controversial, I believe that it is backed up by research, by the latest thinking on this subject. If is fascinating to think that one of the princes in the Tower, Richard Duke of York, may have actually survived and lived to see his eldest sister on the throne of England. Even more fascinating are the scenes in which they both appear together, for they could never acknowledge each other with Henry’s spies watching.
Ms. Gregory has been criticized for employing a prose style in this novel that “will either drive points home for readers or drive them batty,” to quote one reviewer. And it is true, the prose style is repetitive:
“You have defeated him, he is down in the mud.”
She turns her head away from me. “He could be diminished, he could be dirty, he could be starved, and yet he would still shine,” she says…”They said he looked like Jesus…They said he looked like a saint. They said he looked like a broken prince, a damaged lamb, a dimmed light. Of course, he can’t be freed. He can never be freed.”
For a writer who can write such beautifully lyrical prose as:
“With this contradictory parentage of mine: solid English earth and French water goddess, one could expect anything from me: an enchantress or an ordinary girl. There are those who will say I am both. But today, as I comb my hair with particular care and arrange it under my tallest headdress, take the hands of my two fatherless boys and lead the way to the road that goes to Northampton, I would give all that I am to be, just this once, simply irresistible…”
There must be a reason for the repetition. And I think that reason is that is conveys the suffocating paranoia of Henry VII’s court. If I am right, then Ms. Gregory has taken a risk in not writing the beautiful prose we know her to be capable of. Five stars.
I love all Phillips Gregory’s books about the Plantagenet family. The good old days really weren’t wonderful. Her series is so interesting. After reading the books, the movies are just no comparison. I love the way she gives two perspectives in the White Queen and the Red Queen. Get the whole series; you won’t be able to put them down!
Love all of Philipa Gregory’s books!
You can never go wrong with Phillipa Gregory. This one of my all time favorite books!