Thanks to Cathy Barwick for passing this to me, as I've already read it, I'm just posting my previous journal entry & then adding to Ravencat's Tudor Fiction bookray.

The usual fare from Philippa Gregory - she gives character & life to historical figures. Previously I've really enjoyed her books, but this one differs in one way. I've always subscribed to the traditional view of Katherine of Aragon as an honest, upright and God fearing woman. Somehow to characterise her as lying and manipulative didn't sit well with me. I can well believe that the author has researched her viewpoint and is quite probably correct in her assumptions, but it didn't work for me. Other than that, the book was easy to read and helped pass the time for me giving me a distraction at what was a difficult time for me.

Posted to Originalmulli

Thanks very much Cassandra! This will go really well with my current read Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel which covers Henry VIII trying to get rid of Katherine. In fact I think I'll stop and read this first so I'm all caught up!

I'll keep in touch with Ravencat afterwards to see if a Ray is set up following me.

I really enjoyed this, it made me realise that we see historical figures in a very one-sided way and forget that they were once young and might have been scared or confused. Katherine's only ever been the dowdy discarded wife to me, so I loved this different perspective. And I didn't have the same concern at her portrayal as the previous reader - it seems to me that any daughter of Isabella and Ferdinand could well be very ruthless and single-minded if necessary, without being any the less God-fearing! The repeated phrase "God and my mother" I thought summed her up well. :)

Sending this on to QueenSissi today.

It has arrived! Thanks!

I have been reading Gregory's books this last year and have enjoyed them very much. This one was no exception, moreover because as a neighbour of Spain and having lived in England, I can relate to missing the good weather :).

I knew nothing about Catalina and tought, based on movies, that she was really ugly (watch Elizabeth). Thank you for sharing.

Sendin it to foxy737 ASAP.

Foxy already has the book so I will try to continue the ray. Thanks Cassandra and Ravencat!

On its way to Australia to Abby-Gibby

Received book in post today, look forward to reading it and passing it on

Just started reading this book rather interesting to hear about Catherine's past before Henry 8th

Loved reading this book, found it very enjoyable, it's nice to hear the women's point of view during this part of history because all you hear is what the men did and not what the women did and how they suffered more than us women today.

In the book I found Catherine a bit on the arrogant and manipulative side of things, it's a good book but not one of Gregory's best books.

2014 Melbourne convention

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