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The Taming of the Queen

Gregory, Philippa. Book - 2015 Adult Book / Fiction / Historical / Gregory, Philippa 2 On Shelf No requests on this item Community Rating: 4.1 out of 5

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Call Number: Adult Book / Fiction / Historical / Gregory, Philippa
On Shelf At: Malletts Creek Branch, Pittsfield Branch

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Color illustrations on lining papers.
"A riveting new Tudor tale featuring King Henry VIII's sixth wife Kateryn Parr, the first English queen to publish under her own name. Why would a woman marry a serial killer? Because she cannot refuse... Kateryn Parr, a thirty-year-old widow in a secret affair with a new lover, has no choice when a man old enough to be her father who has buried four wives-- King Henry VIII-- commands her to marry him. Kateryn has no doubt about the danger she faces: the previous queen lasted sixteen months, the one before barely half a year. But Henry adores his new bride and Kateryn's trust in him grows as she unites the royal family, creates a radical study circle at the heart of the court, and rules the kingdom as Regent. But is this enough to keep her safe? A leader of religious reform and the first woman to publish in English, Kateryn stands out as an independent woman with a mind of her own. But she cannot save the Protestants, under threat for their faith, and Henry's dangerous gaze turns on her. The traditional churchmen and rivals for power accuse her of heresy-- the punishment is death by fire and the king's name is on the warrant... From an author who has described all of Henry's queens comes a deeply intimate portrayal of the last: a woman who longed for passion, power, and education at the court of a medieval killer"--Amazon.com.

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COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Katherine Parr submitted by Jen Chapin-Smith on June 26, 2017, 2:42pm One of Philippa Gregory's latest novels in her series about the Tudors, "The Taming of the Queen" tells the (mostly true) story of Catherine Parr, the sixth and last wife of English King Henry VIII. Interestingly, Gregory spells her name as Kateryn throughout the novel.
[Spoiler alert] While the book is mostly very historically accurate, some parts are not verifiable and some parts are quite graphic and disturbing--rightfully so in the case of describing torture and domestic violence. Gregory portrays Henry VIII as a selfish, power-hungry, fickle and moody leader who lashed out violently at anyone who disagrees with him. Reading the book gives modern day people a warning about the dangers of having someone hot-headed and self-centered in power.
The book describes the intricate power-plays between Catholics and Protestants during Henry's reign, with Katherine advocating on behalf of the Protestants, although doing so sometimes imperils her safety. Katherine is also in love with another man--not her husband--and must go to great lengths to hide this lest Henry decide she is unfaithful and execute her as he did his previous wife, Katherine Howard. Katherine Parr had no choice but to accept Henry's marriage proposal because to refuse would have meant death, even though marriage to Henry could also mean a death sentence.
The novel also includes the story behind the portrait on its front cover, which shows Henry, his heir Edward and (posthumously) Edward's mother Jane Seymour, although Katherine Parr sat for the portrait and thought it would be of her. This is yet another example of Henry's selfishness and lack of caring for anyone but himself.

Great book submitted by kbahleda on July 23, 2018, 9:13am I love the author's take on history. I know its not all accurate but it still makes you think.

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SERIES
The Plantagenet and Tudor novels
11



PUBLISHED
New York, NY : Touchstone, 2015.
Year Published: 2015
Description: 450 pages : illustrations (some color), maps, genealogical tables ; 25 cm.
Language: English
Format: Book

ISBN/STANDARD NUMBER
9781476758794

SUBJECTS
Catharine Parr, -- Queen, consort of Henry VIII, King of England, -- 1512-1548 -- Fiction.
Henry -- VIII, -- King of England, -- 1491-1547 -- Fiction.
Queens -- England -- Fiction.
Great Britain -- History -- Henry VIII, 1509-1547 -- Fiction.
Biographical fiction.
Historical fiction.