Tudor Times

[Pirate Kate]

I know this is another thread i've started, but there aren't exactly many, and this is a different author and about a different era of history.

Philippa Gragory has written many books. The one's i've read are based in the Tudor era, but i know she's written books set in the reighn of Charles I.

I've read, The Other Bolyen Girl (adapted for the television), The Queen's Fool and her new one, The Virgin's Lover. I've also read her collection of short stories - Bread and Chocolate.

I thoroughly enjoyed these books and would recommend them to everyone.

Any one else read them? If so, post your comments below!

[Andrea]

I was absolutely smitten with The Other Boleyn Girl, so picked up The Queen's Fool and was less smitten. I've just finished The Virgin's Lover and was even less smitten. It seemed to me really clumsily written, a walk-through rather than an evocation.

Am I alone?

[Pirate Kate]

Yes, the Other Boleyn Girl was probably the best of these three, i agree.

[angie]

I'm also a fan of Philippa Gregory. If you're looking for something to sustain you until her next novel, try her Wideacre trilogy: Wideacre; The Favoured Child and Meridon. They're set much later than the Tudor novels, following the fortunes of an aristocratic family in 18th century England, some pretty outrageous stuff, but won't spoil by telling here, do read though - hugely enjoyable.

[Pirate Kate]

I think I may well have a lookie. I've thought about looking at them, but I've never had enough time. Have you read 'Bread and Chocolate', a collection of short stories by her?

[angie]

Never read short stories, just can't seem to get into the form, but will try this title if it's recommended. Keep your eye out for reissue of 'A Respectable Trade', due in June if you haven't already read it.

[Elfstar]

I thought The Other Boleyn Girl was good, the Queens Fool ok and The Virgins Lover pathetic!! If you like historical, sorry havent looked at your other threads, have you tried Sharon Penmans "Sun in Splendour" about Richard III? I really enjoyed it , in fact i've reread it.

[donnae]

Same here. In fact, I was sorting out some of my books the other day, and actually discovered that I hadn't even finished The Virgin's Lover! It was quite a disappointment after the other two books.

Has anyone seen the television adaptation of The Other Boleyn Girl? I watched it and thought the book was much, much better.

[Pirate Kate]

I've found a new author, and her books, I guess, are quite similar to Philippa Gregory. She's called Posie Graeme-Evans, and the first book of her trilogy is called "The Innocent", the second "The Exiled" and the last hasn't been published yet. These are really good books (ok, I'm only up to chapter 10 in the Exiled).

It follows Anne, a peasant girl who goes to court, and then her 'adventures' there. These are really good, and I think that anyone who enjoys Philippa Gregory will enjoy these book! :D

[donnae]

I was just going to ask if anyone as read anything by Jean Plaidy, when I see that you have recently read one, PirateKate. I have recently bought 2 of her books, one about Ann Boleyn, the other one I think is about Catherine Howard. I think they are from a series called Henry VIII's Wives. Did you enjoy "Heart of the Lion"? Would you recommend her books?

[Elfstar]

I used to read Jean Plaidy, I especially enjoyed the Mary Queen of Scots books. I know one was called Royal Road to Fotheringay but I cant remember the other. Like a lot of historical fiction I found her books varied considerably. Some are great some are awful. I always find books about Anne Boleyn tricky. She is a great heroine of mine and much maligned so I get upset when things that are obviously untrue are included etc.

[Pirate Kate]

I have indeed read some of Jean Plaidy's books. I've read the Medievil ones though, and although I keep meaning to read others, have never actually got round to it.

The one's I've read though are good, so I guess her stories in general are also good.

Good luck, and tell me how they go,

Kate x

[bookgirl]

I know this is an old post but suppose that doesn't really matter and I have only just joined.

I was interested to read people's views of Philippa Gregory's Tudor novels as I relly love them all but think my favourite is The Queen's Fool and my least favourite is The Other Boleyn Girl which differs from everyone else's view. My husband is going through them on audio book so will be good to see which he likes best.

I do agree that the TV adaptation of The Other Boleyn Girl was absolutely rubbish and didn't capture the feel of the book at all. But then this is often the case with film/TV following a book.

[megustaleer]

We're happy to have an old thread re-ignited, Bookgirl, there's probably quite a few new members who hadn't seen it.
Much to my surprise I find that I didn't read any Philippa Gregory in my 'historical' period, although her name and reputation are known to me.

[Elfstar]

I seem to remember a VERY good book called Young Elizabeth by Margaret Irwin?

Off to check :o

[Elfstar]

Young Bess.

I remember the one I read had an orange cover and was probably from a bookclub.

I think I read the 2 follow ups as well Elizabeth - Captive Princess
Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain

The Gay Galliard rings a bell too.

But I was VERY VERY young when I read them.....................

[Viccie]

I thoroughly enjoyed it as a good read, thought the scenes at court were especially good but the historical pedant in me (which comes from having a historian grandfather) got increasingly irritated by some of Mary's attitudes which smacked a lot more of twentieth century feminism than of sixteenth century courtier.
I've never been able to get on with Jean Plaidy - she really did play around with the facts.

[Pirate Kate]

I know that obviously Philippa Gregory is writing a novel, but I am now studying Henry 8th and the Reformation for AS level and have found that her books have helped me a bit.
I know that they don't really go into any detail of the reformation, but knowing Anne's 'nature' helps to give the history depth.

Also, for other Tudor studyiers, Henry the 8th's 'biography' with notes by Will Somers (it IS a novel!) by... Margret.... can't remember! I will look! Hang on....

Anyway, it's good and quite educational.

[Pirate Kate]

Ohh, I got myself a job at the library! How great is that!! :D

[donnae]

Ohh, I got myself a job at the library! How great is that!! :D

Belated congratulations Kate, but well done! I always think I would like to work either in a library or a book shop, bet you can't read all day though as I would want to (and I spose like the rest of us on here!),

Still haven't gone back to finish The Virgin's Lover, but I see that Philippa Gregory has a new book out - The Constant Princess. Let's hope this one is an improvement on The V.L.

Amazon synopsis:
Splendid and sumptuous historical novel from this internationally bestselling author, telling of the early life of Katherine of Aragon. We think of her as the barren wife of a notorious king; but behind this legacy lies a fascinating story. Katherine of Aragon is born Catalina, the Spanish Infanta, to parents who are both rulers and warriors. Aged four, she is betrothed to Arthur, Prince of Wales, and is raised to be Queen of England. She is never in doubt that it is her destiny to rule that far-off, wet, cold land. Her faith is tested when her prospective fahter-in-law greets her arrival in her new country with a great insult; Arthur seems little better than a boy; the food is strange and the customs coarse. Slowly she adapts to the first Tudor court, and life as Arthur's wife grows ever more bearable. But when the studious young man dies, she is left to make her own future: how can she now be queen, and found a dynasty? Only by marrying Arthur's young brother, the sunny but spoilt Henry. His father and grandmother are against it; her powerful parents prove little use. Yet Katherine is her mother's daughter and her fighting spirit is strong. She will do anything to achieve her aim.

[dingsy]

Quite a few people I have spoken to didn't like "The Constant Princess" at all. I have to say, I love Gregory, and found this one excellent too. It was good to get an insight into one of Henry's lesser known wives. I was also intrigued to learn about her marriage to Arthur, which was beautifully portrayed.
The style of writing was also unusual for Gregory, as she alternated the narrative between the storyline and Katherine's thoughts, which I felt gave us additional insights to her character.
For some reason, it hasn't been as well received as her Boleyn books (which I admit, are a hard act to follow). but taken as a standalone novel in it's own right, I would highly recommend it.

[Ruth]

I had a bit of a Philippa Gregory book buying binge the other week. I have The Boleyn Inheritance, The Other Boleyn Girl, A Respectable Trade, The Queens Fool and The Virgin's Lover all on my tbr.

[the lady]

I was just going to ask if anyone as read anything by Jean Plaidy, when I see that you have recently read one, PirateKate. I have recently bought 2 of her books, one about Ann Boleyn, the other one I think is about Catherine Howard. I think they are from a series called Henry VIII's Wives. Did you enjoy "Heart of the Lion"? Would you recommend her books?
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I like Jean Plaidy she writes in a more old fashioned way than Phillipa Gregory about the tudor times and I think she may be slightly more historically accurate in her books. I have read the heart of the lion and did enjoy it. Her characters perhaps are not as present as they could be you don't feel you know them really well but you do get a really good insight into history and events.

[PookieBear]

I own and have read all of Phillipa Gregory's Tudor Court Novels...My favourite being The Virgin Lover and my least favourite being The Constant Princess.

I found all of them extremely interesting and full of life...the way in which Phillipa writes in her fluid style does in fact impress me somewhat.


I couldn't put her books down, and I'm looking forward to reading more of her work.

xxxx