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Liked It “This is the story of Queen Katherine Parr after the death of Henry VIII to her death. I enjoyed this book because of it's prespective from Catherine, Dutchess of Suffolk. It's the first book I've read devoted to Queen Katherine Parr, and I feel it was well written. I like the story that Dunn...” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“One of the things I really liked about Dunn's novel is her non-use of the first person view. At least, not Parr's.
Ms_JO wrote this review Wednesday, June 3 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Dunn builds Parr's characterisation by telling the story not from Parr's own perspective, but using that of her best friend and namesake, Caterine of Suffolk. This makes the story tragic since it seems to the reader that Parr has no control over her life. Having read Plaidy's story (of the same title, incidentally), I understood that Parr did not choose to marry Henry VIII, but had no other options. While Henry is portrayed as being proud of her intelligence, it also became a double-edged blade when he grew tired of her. She had to tone down her intelligence in order to keep her head on her shoulders. Thus Parr is a woman destined to be a puppet of her circumstances and the power surrounding her. In Dunn's story, with the death of Henry, Parr is effectively the most powerful woman in England (since little Edward had no bride yet, effectively making her, the Dowager Queen, England's Queen). However, by telling the story through Suffolk's eyes and words, Dunn turns Parr into a bystander of her own life. Even on an account of her life, she is reduced to a character who comes and goes, and is seemingly unknowing and powerless against the things that are going on around her. I think this technique effectively encapsulates everything that Katharine Parr was: a tragic woman who was the victim of the time and circumstances.”“This is the story of Queen Katherine Parr after the death of Henry VIII to her death. I enjoyed this book because of it's prespective from Catherine, Dutchess of Suffolk. It's the first book I've read devoted to Queen Katherine Parr, and I feel it was well written. I like the story that Dunn weaves into Queen Kate's true history. It's a quick read, very fun and enjoyable. I also like the twist of how Dunn portray's Princess Elizabeth. I would definately recommend this book to anyone that enjoys the Tudor history.”
tabby_k wrote this review Sunday, February 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A very nice read. I enjoyed this book and finished it in only 6 hours. I haven't read much about Catherine Parr, in fact I've always felt annoyed with her as she was painted as dressing like Henry VIII (and for some reason that annoyed me), but after reading this, I have found a new appreciation for the woman she must have been, and the way in which she filled the position she was in (with Henry and later with Thomas). Dunn's use of modern wordage does not distract from the story, and I fail to see why people whine incessantly about it. I like the technique of using a third party to tell the story of someone else. I am longing to read "The Queen of Subtleties" next. My only question is, why has no one bothered to write a novel solely about Anne of Cleaves. I'm not talking about the tri-focused work of "The Boleyn Inheritance", but rather a novel, just like this one, focusing on Anne of Cleaves. We've had novels about all of Henry's other wives, why not her? But, I digress.
Amy V wrote this review Thursday, August 7 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Give this novel a shot. You won't be disappointed.”
“This is historical fiction based upon the short life of Katherine Parr and the tiny baby child she eventually gave birth to. A baby who was born of a dowager queen and a father who was already marching unawares to the block. The story is told from the point of view of Kate's best friend, Catherine, Duchess of Suffolk. It is a story of love, gossip, suspisions, betrayal, cold hearts, and royal passions.”
khabira wrote this review Wednesday, April 9 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This was an interesting presentation of historical fiction. It is written in the first person as if Catherine, Duchess of Suffolk is speaking. Further, it is written not as people would have spoken in that time, but as we now speak. Odd juxtaposition of language and century, but as the author suggests of Tudorspeak..."Oh, you have an idea how they spoke then, do you?"
Anne S wrote this review Thursday, March 13 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Still, the story sucked me in and was a fun read.”
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