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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Jean Plaidy's greatest trilogy, June 5, 2005
This review is from: Katharine of Aragon: The Wives of Henry VIII (Paperback)
This book is actually three books published as one volume for what may be the first time. This is the story of the Spanish princess Katherine of Aragon and it's beautiful, tragic and stirring. Katherine was the daughter of Queen Isabella of Spain. Isabella was a bold, powerful and capable ruler and there was no reason in Katherine's experience why she or a daughter of hers couldn't be the same way. And then she goes to England.
As we all know Katherine's marriage to Prince Arthur lasted for one hot minute. The gentle, sickly boy dies leaving her in political limbo. It was an unpleasant time filled with worry but Katherine bravely gets through it and has a fairy tale ending. Henry, Arthur's younger brother marries her. Plaidy is particularly good at describing Henry. He goes from being a wonderful/horrible boy to a beautiful, dangerously sexy and impulsive young man. He's a romantic dream and all he wants is Katherine.
And then a cloud appears. Katherine gets pregnant but her son dies. And then other babies are lost. In the end only her daughter Mary survives. Plaidy deftly shows Henry begining to change. He's still beautiful, still a romantic dream but he wants a son and he begins to stray. Some of the most touching passages in the whole series describe how Katherine toughs this period out.
And then comes the final act. Henry turns mean and dangerous. Katherine is divorced, cast aside, friends are killed, her child is taken from her. Her faith, her dignity and her entire world is attacked and still she stands. The book ends with delicate touch. Katherine hasn't quite lost and Anne Boleyn, who is shown only from a distance in this series hasn't quite won.
Jean Plaidy was a fabulous writer and the Katherine of Aragon series was one of the top five greatest things she ever wrote.
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20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
For the best historical fiction, try Jean Plaidy first, April 17, 2005
This review is from: Katharine of Aragon: The Wives of Henry VIII (Paperback)
Katharine of Aragon, first of Henry VIII's six wives, is brought to life in the three books which make up this volume. Katherine comes to England from Spain to marry Henry's older borther, Arthur; after his death she marries Henry. The three novels cover the time she spent in England, up through Henry's divorce from her. Katherine is a figure who is often passed on for more exciting fare such as Henry's second wife, Anne Boleyn, and I'm pleased that Jean Plaidy chooses to spend time upon her. As always, each writer of historical fiction has a different conception of the people and places he or she writes about, but Plaidy plays much attention to detail- whether or not what she recounts in fact took place.
This book follows the story of Katharine, but it doesn't focus soley uopn her; we also see bits and pieces of the politics which occur at court. Thomas Wolsley plays a small role here as the upstart butcher's son who dreams of someday becoming Pope.
The Princess Mary, who later becomes the infamous "Bloody Mary," is only a child here, deeply devoted to her mother. Affianced to her cousin, the Emperor Charles, at the age of six, Mary is subsequently passed over in favor of a French Princess. The connection between Mary and Katherine is poignant, and shows a side of court life which is much different from what one would normally expect. The book also reveals Jean Plaidy's impression of Henry; he is made out to be less cruel than other writers would have him be. Anne Boleyn only appears as an afterthought; for more on her, read Jean Plaidy's excellent book on her life as recounted when Anne was in the Tower of London awaiting execution.
Jean Plaidy for the most part is historically accurate, though to many this book might seem to be dry reading material. However, if you have even a passing interest in the lives of Henry VIII and his wives, Jean Plaidy's books are some of the best out there on the subject.
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Yet another complete gem by Plaidy, April 1, 2005
This review is from: Katharine of Aragon: The Wives of Henry VIII (Paperback)
As the wife of a Crown Prince and a King, one would think that Katherine of Aragon led a charmed life, yet just the opposite is true. A match was made between Katherine and Arthur Tudor, Henry VIII's older brother, for state reasons and after only six months of marriage, sickly Arthur dies.
While Katherine wonders what is to become of her now that her status as Queen-To-Be has been revoked, it is decided that although she was married to Henry's brother, the marriage was never consummated, so therefore, a dispensation can be made to marry her off to Henry, and this is where her true great love and eventual downfall begins.
Beginning with Katherine, the recurring theme throughout Henry's six marriages was the inability to beget male heirs. She becomes pregnant many times, but suffers from miscarriages and stillbirths with the result that the only healthy, living child she produces is their daughter Mary. Of course, Henry won't stomach this and believes that the reason he can't get a male heir is because he married his brother's wife and God is punishing him. He petitions the Pope to annull his marriage, and when the Pope won't agree to do so, he breaks with the Catholic church and forms the Church of England with himself as the head so that he can divorce Katherine and marry Anne Boleyn (read Plaidy's The Lady In the Tower to find out her eventual fate).
Katherine is sent into seclusion and separated from her beloved daughter, Mary, who isn't even allowed to attend to her mother as she hovers near death, as punishment for not making it easy for Henry to marry Anne by agreeing to an annulment which would have bastardized Mary and made her ineligible to inherit the crown of England.
This novel is actually three books in one - Katherine, The Virgin Widow, The Shadow of the Pomegranate, and The King's Secret Matter - that are all meticulously researched and written in a way as to make you feel that you are actually there watching it happen.
I think that even readers who aren't enamored of historical fiction will devour Plaidy's novels...you will learn much about English history and find yourself completely enjoying it!
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