Status
Available
Series
Description
Fiction. Literature. Romance. Historical Fiction. HTML:#1 New York Times bestselling author and "queen of royal fiction" (USA TODAY) Philippa Gregory brings to life the passionate, turbulent times of seventeenth-century England as seen through the eyes of the country's most famous royal gardener. John Tradescant's fame and skill as a gardener are unsurpassed in seventeenth-century England, but it is his clear-sighted honesty and loyalty that make him an invaluable servant. As an informal confidant of Sir Robert Cecil, adviser to King James I, he witnesses the making of history, from the Gunpowder Plot to the accession of King Charles I and the growing animosity between Parliament and court. Tradescant's talents soon come to the attention of the most powerful man in the country, the irresistible Duke of Buckingham, the lover of King Charles I. Tradescant has always been faithful to his masters, but Buckingham is unlike any he has ever known: flamboyant, outrageously charming, and utterly reckless. Every certainty upon which Tradescant has based his life�his love of his wife and children, his passion for his work, his loyalty to his country�is shattered as he follows Buckingham to court, to war, and to the forbidden territories of human love.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Brandie
As with her other books, I just love this book!!! I hope she comes out with another one soon! LOL!
LibraryThing member herschelian
John Tradescant was a real man, an extraordinary gardening pioneer and collector who transformed the English landscape by the introduction of trees and plants which we now take for granted. This fictional account of his life gives some idea of his background, the times and society in which he
Show More
lived, and of his legacy - including his Collection which formed the basis for the Ashmoleon Museum in Oxford, and which should in my opinion have really been named after Tradescant. Show Less
LibraryThing member akritz
Not as captivating as her other works. We get to see how Charles' reign affected England through Tradescant the gardener. There is a lot of information on plants, flowers, and trees. And the information of the stock market of tulips is fascinating too.
LibraryThing member turtlesleap
Well written and well researced. Perhaps it's unfair bt I was put off by Tradescant's persistent wrong-headedness.
LibraryThing member sonyaseattle
This was the book that started me on historical fiction; because it was gardening-related, I thought I'd give it a try. The result was that I found a whole new genre that I enjoyed.
LibraryThing member Whisper1
Oh my! Did Gregory really need to go into graphic detail regarding John's homosexual liason with the Duke of Buckingham? Yikes...The book should come with a warning label on the cover...
LibraryThing member meadow68
This was my first Phillipa Gregory book, and I am hooked! I love historical fiction and I love this setting and time period. The book is a "biography" of John Tradescant, a talented and sought after gardener. The book follows John's life as he creates and tends fabulous gardens, works for various
Show More
noble and royal houses, marries, travels, goes to war for his country, and more. The details are wonderful. I did not read this book straight through, as it is not a "page turner", but I really enjoyed picking it up and escaping into the life of someone else for a time Show Less
LibraryThing member stonelea
Historical account of England in the 17th Century as told through the eyes of the Royal Gardener, who is very much involved in the lives of the King and his advisers. Interesting and fun reading for history buffs, as well as gardeners as they follow John Tradescant in his quest for rare and exotic
Show More
flora to bring to the King's gardens. Very good reading. Show Less
LibraryThing member unlikelyaristotle
This book mixes great storytelling with a brief education on 17th Century England, definitely a great time to read about. The writing was a little bit florid and I think sounded a bit contrived, but I loved reading about gardening, something which I never would have imagined, as much as I loved
Another thing which I was a bit weird about was the blind loyalty the gardener had to the monarchy. I know that many people did (maybe even still do) have such servile patriotism to their government, but it's something I could never imagine, and frustrated me to no end!
Oh, and the title, as well as several scenes throughout the book, read like book porn.
Show More
reading about corrupt government: some things never change!Another thing which I was a bit weird about was the blind loyalty the gardener had to the monarchy. I know that many people did (maybe even still do) have such servile patriotism to their government, but it's something I could never imagine, and frustrated me to no end!
Oh, and the title, as well as several scenes throughout the book, read like book porn.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Suuze
Another very well researched historical novel that teaches as you read and are entertained. The main character is a royal gardener in England during the reign of King James. I had no idea the gardens were so elaborately planned - at each castle! I was continually amazed, and grew to love the
Show More
characters.Will read again. Show Less
LibraryThing member amandacb
It was interesting to read about the intricacies regarding gardening for royalty, but the plot lines outside of that were rather operatic.
LibraryThing member coffeenut1992
I love Philippa Gregory. She's gifted writer and has the wonderful ability to make her characters come alive. I think there's a sequel to this story so I'm going to look it up!
LibraryThing member luckycharm6139
Another wonderful book written by Philippa Gregory, This is a story of the historical account of England in the 17th Century as told through the words and work of the Royal Gardener, who is very much involved in the lives of the King and his advisers. Interesting and fun reading for those who enjoy
Show More
British history be it historical fiction or factual. Philippa Gregory never disappoints me. I learned much as I follow John Tradescant in his quest for rare and exotic flora to bring to the King's grand gardens. Show Less
LibraryThing member Twink
While mysteries and suspense are my favourite genres, I do enjoy historical fiction as well. I've often had patrons at the library recommend Philippa Gregory to me. Earthly Joys is the first book I've read by Gregory.
Earthly Joys opens in 1603 with the death of Queen Elizabeth and the succession of
Gregory's research is detailed and her fictionalization of Tradescant's life is fascinating. He is a strong personality, but loyalty, honour and duty drive the decisions in his life. I quite liked him to begin with, but found my opinion often changed as his life progressed. And that was true of many of the characters, including his wife Elizabeth and son John. They are not as mercurial as John the Elder, but I applauded their views, beliefs and hopes for a different society. There are some particularly vile characters - notably the Duke of Buckingham.
Tradescant's love of plants and trees and his skills are so vividly depicted that I felt I could 'see' his garden. Rich detail is woven throughout Gregory's narrative clearly illustrating both time and place.
Now, this isn't a time period I would normally gravitate to, but I chose to listen to Earthly Joys, which made a huge difference. I felt drawn into the story, could make sense of what political machinations were afoot and the characters sprang to life for me.
The reader was David Rintoul and he was absolutely wonderful. He has a powerful voice and uses it well. He captured the character of John the Elder perfectly, using his voice to interpret Gregory's work and bring it life. His tones are rich and sonorous with a lovely gravelly undertone. He uses a softer tone for the female players that works just as well. His voice is pleasant to listen to and easy to understand. He matches his voice to the tenor of the tale. Listen to an excerpt of Earthly Joys.
Earthly Joys covers the whole of John the Elder's life. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Tradescant story continues in a sequel titled Virgin Earth with John the Younger taking the lead role.
Earthly Joys opens in 1603 with the death of Queen Elizabeth and the succession of
Show More
her cousin King James VI of Scotland - the beginning the Stuart reign of England. Earthly Joys is written through the eyes of and life of gardener John Tradescant. It was only on further investigation that I learned that Tradescant is an actual historical figure. He was gardener to the aristocracy , a traveler, a collector and much, much more.Gregory's research is detailed and her fictionalization of Tradescant's life is fascinating. He is a strong personality, but loyalty, honour and duty drive the decisions in his life. I quite liked him to begin with, but found my opinion often changed as his life progressed. And that was true of many of the characters, including his wife Elizabeth and son John. They are not as mercurial as John the Elder, but I applauded their views, beliefs and hopes for a different society. There are some particularly vile characters - notably the Duke of Buckingham.
Tradescant's love of plants and trees and his skills are so vividly depicted that I felt I could 'see' his garden. Rich detail is woven throughout Gregory's narrative clearly illustrating both time and place.
Now, this isn't a time period I would normally gravitate to, but I chose to listen to Earthly Joys, which made a huge difference. I felt drawn into the story, could make sense of what political machinations were afoot and the characters sprang to life for me.
The reader was David Rintoul and he was absolutely wonderful. He has a powerful voice and uses it well. He captured the character of John the Elder perfectly, using his voice to interpret Gregory's work and bring it life. His tones are rich and sonorous with a lovely gravelly undertone. He uses a softer tone for the female players that works just as well. His voice is pleasant to listen to and easy to understand. He matches his voice to the tenor of the tale. Listen to an excerpt of Earthly Joys.
Earthly Joys covers the whole of John the Elder's life. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Tradescant story continues in a sequel titled Virgin Earth with John the Younger taking the lead role.
Show Less
LibraryThing member mazda502001
What a wonderfully vivid read…..I so so enjoyed it, and it was so unexpectedly moving. Such great historical fact bought to life by the author