Katherine
Registered by gypsyrose02 of Byford, Western Australia Australia on 3/17/2005
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
18 journalers for this copy...
This classic romance novel tells the true story of the 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 14th 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 ruled 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 well-documented affair and love persist through decades of war, adultery, murder, loneliness, and redemption. This epic novel of conflict, cruelty, and untamable love has become a classic since its first publication in 1954.
just making a quick note on here. Im about half way through and trying desperatley to get it finished so that i can send it off to lauraloo. alot of rings have been sent to me lately, but i may put them aside to finish this. sometimes i make the decision to pass on books unread to keep others happy, but this one is really good. so im sorry laura, but ill try to finish it post haste.
Journal Entry 3 by gypsyrose02 from Byford, Western Australia Australia on Wednesday, September 7, 2005
this book was amazing. Kept me enthralled from beginning to end (but these types of books always do). Katherine will remain one of my heroines for a long time to come. She was a strong, fair, compassionate woman and i enjoyed the love between her and the duke.
This is finally going out to lauraloo29 tomorrow via airmail, so she should receive it in a week. Im so sorry it took so long, but its well worth the wait.
This is finally going out to lauraloo29 tomorrow via airmail, so she should receive it in a week. Im so sorry it took so long, but its well worth the wait.
Received today. Thank you. It looks like a nice read. :)
I'm going to send this out as a ray.Rules: Not many. Please journal the book's arrival and departure. And please keep it moving by keeping it no longer than 4 weeks. The last person is free to release the book as they wish.
1. buocl US (US)
2. Aramena US (US)
3. skizeye9 US (US)
4. tobysrus US (US)
5. MaryZee - US (NA)
6. CharmedKim US (Intl)
5. HoserLauren - Canada (Intl)
6. sally906 - Australia (Intl)
7. Wandering-B - Hong Kong (Intl)
8. Kiri - US (US)
9. trojanpotato - US (US)
10. perryfran - US (Intl)
11. ciloma - US (US)
12. imawinn2 - US (Intl)
13. Bookworm-lady - Spain (Europe)
14.
This book is starting its travels on May 20th. :)
Came in the mail today, I have one ring in front of it but should be done in a few weeks. Thanks lauraloo29 for inviting me to participate!
Very good book - took me a bit longer to read than I expected. I liked the inclusion of a family tree in the front, which I referred to often. Sometimes it was hard to keep the people straight with so many Johns, Philippas, Henrys, etc.
Will send to Aramena Saturday.
Will send to Aramena Saturday.
Journal Entry 8 by buocl at Book Relay in Book Relay, A Book Relay -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, June 28, 2008
Released 15 yrs ago (6/28/2008 UTC) at Book Relay in Book Relay, A Book Relay -- Controlled Releases
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En route to Oklahoma - enjoy Aramena!
En route to Oklahoma - enjoy Aramena!
Arrived today! Of course, it would arrive on the heels of another ring/ray book, but on that one I am the last person on the list, so I'll probably slip this one ahead of it!
This started out a little slow for me, but soon picked up and became quite enjoyable. I used to read a lot of historical stuff, but don't recall ever really reading anything about John of Gaunt and Katherine. Towards the end, it began to drag for me though, and I was ready for the book to be over, I think it just was a little too long. The only thing about the book I didn't really like was how there didn't seem to be a whole lot of interaction between the parents and the children. But in those days, in the noble families, that seems to be how it really was!
Mailing to skizeye9 today! Thanks lauraloo29!
Mailing to skizeye9 today! Thanks lauraloo29!
Ah! My bookrings are piling up! I'll try to get to this one as fast as I can--but it might take a little bit before I can start--my apologies!
Just finished-stayed up til 3-something last night to make it to the homestretch haha! I cried I really enjoyed this book. Though I didn't expect it, Katherine turns out to be a surprisingly complex woman. And the many different kinds of love are well captured. While a little slow and long it's well worth the read I think. There is a lot of depth that pops up when you least expect it. And you can't help but love the history entertwined in!
I'll PM tobysrus now to get the address and send along! Thanks everyone for their patience.
I'll PM tobysrus now to get the address and send along! Thanks everyone for their patience.
Journal Entry 13 by skizeye9 at Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Released 15 yrs ago (8/27/2008 UTC) at Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
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CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Put in the mail to tobysrus today! Enjoy!
Put in the mail to tobysrus today! Enjoy!
Book arrived today. I will start it just as soon as I finish the book I'm reading. Looks interesting!
This book was slow going for me. 250 pages into it and I was still thinking, "When is the action going to start?". The history was interesting. I never knew how many kings could trace their lineage back to this illicit relationship. The last 100 pages went fast. I liked the ending. This wouldn't be highly recommended to others by me. When I put it down I just wasn't that interested in picking it up again. I've sent an e-mail to MaryZee for her address.
Journal Entry 16 by tobysrus at Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Released 15 yrs ago (9/30/2008 UTC) at Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
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On the way to MaryZee. Happy reading!
On the way to MaryZee. Happy reading!
Arrived safely today. I'll start this as soon as I finish my current read, probably about a week or so.
10/10 update - Just starting on this now.
10/10 update - Just starting on this now.
Finally... finished this book. An enjoyable story, just rather long. The last book I read was was 530 pp., this one was 575, and the next bookring I have waiting here is well over 600 pp. (I am long-booked out...)
There were a couple of points in this story that I wondered if I may have read this book years (and years) ago. Since it was published in 1954, I may have. This story is typical of the ones I used to read almost exclusively. Historical, with a bit of romance. Learned lots about English history, near the end of medieval times. I do remember learning before that the onslaught of the plague did in the serf system, since there was no longer the population base that was needed for this system to work. I did enjoy this book, just that it's bad timing for another long book.
Thanks to gypsyrose02, lauraloo29, and everyone else for giving me the chance to read this book. I have CharmedKim's address, and this will be sent on in a few days.
10/30 update - Mailed to CharmedKim today.
There were a couple of points in this story that I wondered if I may have read this book years (and years) ago. Since it was published in 1954, I may have. This story is typical of the ones I used to read almost exclusively. Historical, with a bit of romance. Learned lots about English history, near the end of medieval times. I do remember learning before that the onslaught of the plague did in the serf system, since there was no longer the population base that was needed for this system to work. I did enjoy this book, just that it's bad timing for another long book.
Thanks to gypsyrose02, lauraloo29, and everyone else for giving me the chance to read this book. I have CharmedKim's address, and this will be sent on in a few days.
10/30 update - Mailed to CharmedKim today.
Arrived in the mail yesterday. I will get to it soon. Thanks!
Wow this is a big book! As soon as I finish my current book, I'll start on this one, but it looks like it's going to take me a while.
(#95 on the BBC Top 100 list).
Thanks!
(#95 on the BBC Top 100 list).
Thanks!
This book is listed as #95 on the BBC Top 100, which is why I read it. I had never heard of Anya Seton before but I'm very glad that the BBC list has exposed me to her.
Katherine tells the story of Katherine Roet, whose father was a knight but was killed in war and whose sister is a lady in waiting for the Queen in 1366. Katherine spends the first part of her life dedicated to church but her sister pulls her from religious life to court and Katherine's life is changed forever. She marries the knight Hugh Swynford who she is revolted by, but he accepts her with no dowry, which puts her in good standing. Her heart is with John of Gaunt, King Edward III's younger son. Their paths cross throughout her life and things become quite complicated as they try to share their love through wars, other marriages, children, riots, and disease.
This is an epic novel where Seton imagines what the characters said and felt in this true story. Even though the book is well over 500 pages, it kept me interested the entire time and I really enjoyed seeing Katherine evolve over her life. She was such a timid teenage and then really blossomed into an intelligent, gentle woman.
You can also tell that it was written a good time ago. If this same story were to be written in present day, it would be more risque and rude I think. This was exceptionally done and incredibly well researched. I will recommend this book to others and am looking to find some more Seton books to read!
Thank you lauraloo for including me on this bookring. I have the address for sally906 but I'm going to wait for a week to send it off, as I can mail it from the USA. Mailing to Australia from Canada can take upwards of 4 months so I don't want to send it from here. Mailing to Australia from the USA is much quicker so I'm hoping it's the same for this book!
Katherine tells the story of Katherine Roet, whose father was a knight but was killed in war and whose sister is a lady in waiting for the Queen in 1366. Katherine spends the first part of her life dedicated to church but her sister pulls her from religious life to court and Katherine's life is changed forever. She marries the knight Hugh Swynford who she is revolted by, but he accepts her with no dowry, which puts her in good standing. Her heart is with John of Gaunt, King Edward III's younger son. Their paths cross throughout her life and things become quite complicated as they try to share their love through wars, other marriages, children, riots, and disease.
This is an epic novel where Seton imagines what the characters said and felt in this true story. Even though the book is well over 500 pages, it kept me interested the entire time and I really enjoyed seeing Katherine evolve over her life. She was such a timid teenage and then really blossomed into an intelligent, gentle woman.
You can also tell that it was written a good time ago. If this same story were to be written in present day, it would be more risque and rude I think. This was exceptionally done and incredibly well researched. I will recommend this book to others and am looking to find some more Seton books to read!
Thank you lauraloo for including me on this bookring. I have the address for sally906 but I'm going to wait for a week to send it off, as I can mail it from the USA. Mailing to Australia from Canada can take upwards of 4 months so I don't want to send it from here. Mailing to Australia from the USA is much quicker so I'm hoping it's the same for this book!
Mailed today from the USA. Hopefully it arrives soon!
Arrived in the mail today - what a quick trip :)
Finally finished it - not because it was horrible - I was savouring it :)
Well written - Katherine is a wonderful person and I loved watching her grow into herself
Well written - Katherine is a wonderful person and I loved watching her grow into herself
Released 15 yrs ago (4/10/2009 UTC) at Casuarina, Northern Territory Australia
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CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Mailed off to Wandering-B in Hong Kong today
Mailed off to Wandering-B in Hong Kong today
Received with thanks to Sally906 (we are trading books I see), and lauraloo29 for making it a ring. Almost finished with my current read, so it should not be overly long.
Thanks again for sharing this one. I thoroughly enjoyed it as I had not read anything about John and Katherine. I enjoyed it for many of the same reasons already posted. Am mailing along to Kiri today, 4 May.
Read and enjoyed this with all due speed. Loved getting the card from Hong Kong too. Thank you! =)
Contacting trojanpotato for address 27 May 2009
Contacting trojanpotato for address 27 May 2009
Journal Entry 29 by Kiri at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Saturday, July 4, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (6/9/2009 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada
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Sent on to trojanpotato
Sent on to trojanpotato
This book may be lost in the mail. Hopefully it will turn up soon.
I had forgotten I was getting this one! It arrived in the mail today and has moved toward the top of my list.
I finished this a few days ago, and will send it on when the rain is not so bad.
I really enjoyed it, finding it very epic in scope and feel even though it only covered the lifespan of one person. Sometimes I was distracted by sentence fragments and other things like that, but overall, I enjoyed the ornate language and long-winded story.
I really enjoyed it, finding it very epic in scope and feel even though it only covered the lifespan of one person. Sometimes I was distracted by sentence fragments and other things like that, but overall, I enjoyed the ornate language and long-winded story.
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sent via media mail.
Sent via media mail.
Received today! I had about given up on this bookray but after a year and a half, here it is. I have about 3 other rings in front of this and this looks like a rather lengthy tome but hopefully I'll have some time during the holidays to do some extra reading. Thanks lauraloo29 for sharing.
Journal Entry 35 by 
perryfran
at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Monday, December 28, 2009
perryfran at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Monday, December 28, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (12/28/2009 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada
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Decided to send this one on after reading the first 30 pages or so. I just didn't seem to be in the mood for a long historical novel. I may at some point get back to this with a copy from the library.
Sending this on to Ciloma in Spirit Lake, Idaho. Enjoy!
USPS DC# 0308 0660 0000 7783 5821
Decided to send this one on after reading the first 30 pages or so. I just didn't seem to be in the mood for a long historical novel. I may at some point get back to this with a copy from the library.
Sending this on to Ciloma in Spirit Lake, Idaho. Enjoy!
USPS DC# 0308 0660 0000 7783 5821
Got it in the mail today. Thanx for sharing. Will get it read as quick as I can.
Finished this one last night. I must be in a historical novel zone - I really enjoyed reading this one - I was captivated at times - some of the events were so close to home that I was fully emotionally involved.
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
On it's way to imawinn2.
On it's way to imawinn2.
Katherine was waiting for me in my mailbox today. I will have to hang onto it longer than the normal 30 days as I had two other books that were formally "delayed" show up at my door the other day. I will try very hard to get through all these books as quickly as possible. Please be patient with me. I love historical fiction, so I am really looking forward to reading this book by Anya Seyton. Thanks so much for sharing, lauraloo20.
Update: I am starting Katherine today. Will journal my thoughts on the book when I am finished. Thanks again for sending this book to me.
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
A fantastic story and I'm glad that I had a chance to read this. I was especially glad to have some rare several hour long chunks of time to read uninterrupted, as this is a story that one should immerse themselves into. I thought Anya Seton did a fine job bringing Katherine Swynford's story to life with a nice mix of historical facts, romance and adventure. A must read in the historical fiction genre.
Now the book is on its way to Spain where Bookworm-lady is awaiting its arrival.
A fantastic story and I'm glad that I had a chance to read this. I was especially glad to have some rare several hour long chunks of time to read uninterrupted, as this is a story that one should immerse themselves into. I thought Anya Seton did a fine job bringing Katherine Swynford's story to life with a nice mix of historical facts, romance and adventure. A must read in the historical fiction genre.
Now the book is on its way to Spain where Bookworm-lady is awaiting its arrival.
Received, safe and sound!
Thanks a lot, Imawinn2, for sending it on and for the beautiful handmade bookmark and kind note; I really appreciate it!
Thanks for sharing, Lauraloo29; I seem to be the last in a looong list. What a well-read book!
Looking forward to reading what looks like a very interesting novel!
Eva
Thanks a lot, Imawinn2, for sending it on and for the beautiful handmade bookmark and kind note; I really appreciate it!
Thanks for sharing, Lauraloo29; I seem to be the last in a looong list. What a well-read book!
Looking forward to reading what looks like a very interesting novel!
Eva
Reserved for Eastbaybookmsr, who was kind enough to offer some much sought after books to me...
Sent to Eastbaybookmsr as a swap for two Thomas Tryon's books on my WishList.
This WishList book travels along with "The Perfect Husband".
Thanks for offering the Tryons to me; please take your time, and I hope you'll enjoy these two!
This WishList book travels along with "The Perfect Husband".
Thanks for offering the Tryons to me; please take your time, and I hope you'll enjoy these two!
"Caught" this in the mail today as an international Wishlist book swap. Thank you! I am one third of the way through the promised Tryon books in exchange, so making slow but steady progress :)
1986 Coronet paperback of the 1954 English history tale. This book recalls all the royal genealogy tree I compiled at one time, but have mostly forgotten.
I can let this go after I read:
1941 My Theodosia [n/a]
Edit July 9, 2013: This book is so long that it took me a year to read it. Actually it's not all that long, less than 600 pages - but I had to constantly flip back to the genealogy chart. The author does a good job of exactly placing each character in the story, even when they are mentioned only in passing, but the chart is indispensable. The story is very well done, though I am left wondering how much of the Blanchette story and such is quite true. This is a good foundation for going back and reading all those royal Shalespeare plays, which are all about Katherine's descendants, except for Henry IV, V and VI, which belonged to Katherine's husband John of Gaunt. And Richard II, who was John's nephew - that one sounds intriguing.
1986 Coronet paperback of the 1954 English history tale. This book recalls all the royal genealogy tree I compiled at one time, but have mostly forgotten.
I can let this go after I read:
1941 My Theodosia [n/a]
Edit July 9, 2013: This book is so long that it took me a year to read it. Actually it's not all that long, less than 600 pages - but I had to constantly flip back to the genealogy chart. The author does a good job of exactly placing each character in the story, even when they are mentioned only in passing, but the chart is indispensable. The story is very well done, though I am left wondering how much of the Blanchette story and such is quite true. This is a good foundation for going back and reading all those royal Shalespeare plays, which are all about Katherine's descendants, except for Henry IV, V and VI, which belonged to Katherine's husband John of Gaunt. And Richard II, who was John's nephew - that one sounds intriguing.
Journal Entry 46 by eastbaybookmisr at LFL - Maybelle Ave (3939) #1009 in Oakland, California USA on Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Released 10 yrs ago (7/10/2013 UTC) at LFL - Maybelle Ave (3939) #1009 in Oakland, California USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
... in the box.
And a plug for the next meetup of TriValley BookCrossing group, at Panera Bread in Dublin, the second Tuesday of each month.
Aside from loving shared books, my main passion in life is supporting the human rights work of my good friend, Anni Cyrus. 💖 💖 Her life story of survival as a childhood refugee is astounding, and quite moving!
Please look her up on Google and YouTube. You can also follow her on Facebook and Instagram, among other platforms.
And a plug for the next meetup of TriValley BookCrossing group, at Panera Bread in Dublin, the second Tuesday of each month.
Aside from loving shared books, my main passion in life is supporting the human rights work of my good friend, Anni Cyrus. 💖 💖 Her life story of survival as a childhood refugee is astounding, and quite moving!
Please look her up on Google and YouTube. You can also follow her on Facebook and Instagram, among other platforms.
