The Taming of the Queen - Softcover

Gregory, Philippa

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1471132994 ISBN 13: 9781471132995

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd, 2016

Synopsis

By the #1 "New York Times" bestselling author behind the Starz original series "The White Queen," 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.

About this title

About the Author:

Philippa Gregory was an established historian and writer when she discovered her interest in the Tudor period and wrote the internationally bestselling novel The Other Boleyn Girl. Her Cousin's War novels, reaching their dramatic conclusion with The King's Curse, were the basis for the highly successful BBC series, The White Queen. Philippa's other great interest is the charity that she founded over twenty years ago: Gardens for the Gambia. She has raised funds and paid for over 200 wells in the primary schools of this poor African country. Philippa is a former student of Sussex University and a PhD and Alumna of the Year 2009 of Edinburgh University. In 2016, she was presented with the Outstanding Contribution to Historical Fiction Award by the Historical Writers' Association. Her love for history and commitment to historical accuracy are the hallmarks of her writing. Philippa lives with her family on a small farm in Yorkshire and welcomes visitors to her site www.PhilippaGregory.com

Review:

Praise for "The King's Curse"
"Infuses vitality into an oft-forgotten player in the aftermath of the War of the Roses--Margaret Poole, heiress to the defeated Plantagenet clan."--"Closer"

"Margaret's story is shocking, deeply moving and offers an alternative view on a much-told tale. Gregory is on form here; her depiction of Henry VIII's transformation from indulged golden boy to sinister tyrant is perfectly pitched and seems more horrific still when we are made intimate witnesses to the devastation of Margaret's family. . . . I defy anyone to remain dry-eyed as the story reaches its tragic denouement."--"The Sunday Express (UK)"

"[A] gripping and detailed chronicle, with plenty of court intrigue and politics to spice up the action . . . . Highly recommended." --"Library Journal "(starred review)

"Nobody does dynastic history like Gregory."--"Booklist"

"Gregory manages to keep us in suspense as to what will befall her characters....Under [her] spell, we keep hoping history won't repeat itself."--"Kirkus Reviews"

"An illuminating portrait. . . Gregory moves confidently through a tangle of intrigue, revenge, and tyranny toward a shocking betrayal."--"Publishers Weekly"

"Loyalties are torn, paranoia festers and you can almost hear the bray of royal trumpets as the period springs to life. It's a bloody irresistible read."--"People"

Praise for "The White Princess"
"Bring on the blood, sex and tears! . . . You name it, it's all here."--"USA Today"

"This rich tapestry brings to vivid life the court of Henry and Elizabeth. Meticulously drawn characters with a seamless blending of historical fact and fiction combine in a page-turning epic of a story. Tudor-fiction fans can never get enough, and they will snap this one up."--"Library Journal" (starred review)

""The White Princess" features one of the more intriguing theories about the possible fate of the princes."--"The Washington Post"

About this edition

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1471132994
• ISBN 13: 9781471132995
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 436