The Constant Princess-ARC

by Philippa Gregory | Women's Fiction |
ISBN: 074327248x Global Overview for this book
Registered by AMarie of Omaha, Nebraska USA on 12/23/2005
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3 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by AMarie from Omaha, Nebraska USA on Friday, December 23, 2005
from www.bn.com

Constant Princess

FROM THE PUBLISHER
I am Catalina, Princess of Spain, daughter of the two greatest monarchs the world has ever known...and I will be Queen of England."

Thus, bestselling author Philippa Gregory introduces one of her most unforgettable heroines: Katherine of Aragon. Daughter of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain, Katherine has been fated her whole life to marry Prince Arthur of England. When they meet and are married, the match becomes as passionate as it is politically expedient. The young lovers revel in each other's company and plan the England they will make together. But tragically, aged only fifteen, Arthur falls ill and extracts from his sixteen-year-old bride a deathbed promise to marry his brother, Henry; become Queen; and fulfill their dreams and her destiny.

"They tell me nothing but lies here and they think they can break my spirit. I believe what I choose and say nothing. I am not as simple as I seem." Widowed and alone in the avaricious world of the Tudor court, Katherine has to sidestep her father-in-law's desire for her and convince him, and an incredulous Europe, that her marriage to Arthur was never consummated, that there is no obstacle to marriage with Henry. For seven years, she endures the treachery of spies, the humiliation of poverty, and intense loneliness and despair while she waits for the inevitable moment when she will step into the role she has prepared for all her life. Then, like her warrior mother, Katherine must take to the battlefield and save England when its old enemies the Scots come over the border and there is no one to stand against them but the new Queen.

"It was my dying husband's hope, my mother's wish, and God's will that I should be Queen of England; and for them and for the country, I will be Queen of England until I die." Raised on the battlefield and in the most beautiful Moorish palace in the world, sent to England alone at the age of sixteen to take her place in a court where she couldn't speak the language, and abandoned and forced to endure poverty after the death of her husband, Katherine remained a woman of indomitable spirit, unwavering faith, and extraordinary strength. Philippa Gregory brings to life one of history's most inspiring women and creates one of the most compelling characters in historical fiction.


Journal Entry 2 by AMarie from Omaha, Nebraska USA on Tuesday, March 28, 2006
A book on MORSECODE's wish list as well!

Hopefully you enjoy it!

Journal Entry 3 by morsecode from Woonsocket, Rhode Island USA on Tuesday, April 4, 2006
I am especially pleased to get this book because it is one of the May selections for the Virtual Book Club in the bookrelay.com forums.
I'm planning to read it quickly and send it off as a ring/ray so that others have the opportunity to read it too.

Journal Entry 4 by morsecode from Woonsocket, Rhode Island USA on Sunday, April 9, 2006
I read The Other Boleyn Girl in February so it was really interesting for me to read this book... kind of like getting a different perspective on the same story (particularly seeing Gregory's version of Henry VIII's childhood and why he became the man he did).

I really liked how Gregory created and developed Catalina's character.
My favorite thing about the book, though, were the descriptions of "Moorish" Spain and the Alhambra palace.

It did seem that the italicization was off (reasons for sections to be italicized were inconsistent), but that is probably just an error in the proof that will be corrected in the final version.

Journal Entry 5 by morsecode from Woonsocket, Rhode Island USA on Monday, April 17, 2006
I'll be sending this book to cougmax tomorrow.
When she's done with it she'll be sending it on to blaisezambini12.

Journal Entry 6 by cougmax from Seattle, Washington USA on Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Arrived safe, thanks!

Journal Entry 7 by cougmax from Seattle, Washington USA on Saturday, May 6, 2006
This is my first Gregory book and I thought it was fabulous. Catalina was a wonderfully proud and strong heroine. So much fun to read her goals as Queen of England. Though after awhile if she said one more time "I was born to be Queen of England"...! (Then she said it again!!) Every page had a new twist and turn, she kept us scandalized by all the happenings. I will look to purchase the Other Boleyn Girl now.
off to blaisez...

Journal Entry 8 by cougmax from Seattle, Washington USA on Saturday, May 6, 2006
sent to Romania today!

Journal Entry 9 by cougmax from Seattle, Washington USA on Sunday, May 21, 2006
reserved for blaiz m-bag that I will send on in July 2006

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