Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Ballantine Books [First Edition]
Pages
602
Description
"Bestselling author and acclaimed historian Alison Weir takes on what no fiction writer has done before: creating a dramatic six-book series in which each novel covers one of King Henry VIII's wives. In this captivating opening volume, Weirbrings to life the tumultuous tale of Katherine of Aragon, Henry's first, devoted, and "true" queen. A princess of Spain, Catalina is only sixteen years old when she sets foot on the shores of England. The youngest daughter of the powerful monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella, Catalina is a coveted prize for a royal marriage--and Arthur, Prince of Wales, and heir to the English throne, has won her hand. But tragedy strikes and Catalina, now Princess Katherine, is betrothed to the future Henry VIII. She must wait for his coming-of-age, an ordeal that tests her resolve, casts doubt on her trusted confidantes, and turns her into a virtual prisoner. Katherine's patience is rewarded when she becomes Queen of England. The affection between Katherine and Henry is genuine, but forces beyond her control threaten to rend her marriage, and indeed the nation, apart. Henry has fallen under the spell of Katherine's maid of honor, Anne Boleyn. Now Katherine must be prepared to fight, to the end if God wills it, for her faith, her legitimacy, and her heart. Advance praise for Katherine of Aragon, The True Queen "In this first novel of the Six Tudor Queens series, Alison Weir dazzlingly brings Katherine of Aragon to life. Based on extensive new research, it is a portrayal that shatters the many myths about Henry VIII's long-suffering first wife. Far from being the one-dimensional victim of history, she emerges as a charismatic, indomitable, and courageous heroine whose story never fails toenthrall."--Tracy Borman, author of Thomas Cromwell "Yet again, Alison Weir has managed to intertwine profound historical knowledge with huge emotional intelligence, to compose a work that throws light on an endlessly fascinating figure. But her real gift in all of this is making it feel so fresh and alive."--Charles Spencer, author of Killers of the King Acclaim for the novels of Alison Weir The Marriage Game "Entrancing. Weir manages to weave actual history and the imagined kind together seamlessly."--Huntington News "Weir's credible characters and blend of the personal and political will sweep up readers of this engrossing behind-the-scenes psychological portrait of Elizabeth."--Publishers Weekly A Dangerous Inheritance "A juicy mix of romance, drama and Tudor history. pure bliss for today's royal watchers."--Ladies' Home Journal "Highly compelling [with] plenty to keep readers enthralled."--Historical Novel Review Captive Queen "Should be savored. Weir wastes no time captivating her audience."--Seattle Post-Intelligencer "Stunning. As always, Weir renders the bona fide plot twists of her heroine's life with all the mastery of a thriller author, marrying historical fact with licentious fiction."--The Denver Post"-- "Young Katherine of Aragon, daughter of Spain's powerful monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella, was an exquisite prize in the royal marriage market. Golden-haired, sixteen years old, she was sent to England to marry the future king, Arthur, Prince of Wales. But when Arthur died a few months after their wedding, Katherine's bright future was suddenly eclipsed. It took his younger brother Henry VIII eight long years to do the honorable thing and marry her. Their union was briefly happy until Katherine failed to bear a son, and Anne Boleyn caught Henry's eye."--… (more)
Series
Collection
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2016
Physical description
602 p.; 9.5 inches
ISBN
1101966483 / 9781101966488
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User reviews
LibraryThing member wagner.sarah35
*I received this book through GoodReads First Reads.*
Alison Weir treads familiar ground in this novel about Henry VIII's first wife Katherine of Aragon. (How many books has she written on the Tudors, fiction and nonfiction?) A few times while reading this book, I thought I was rereading some books
Alison Weir treads familiar ground in this novel about Henry VIII's first wife Katherine of Aragon. (How many books has she written on the Tudors, fiction and nonfiction?) A few times while reading this book, I thought I was rereading some books
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written by an older historical fiction writer on royalty - Jean Plaidy. While I did enjoy this book (who doesn't love the Tudors?!), I must admit that the author doesn't truly provide much that is new in this very familiar story, nor does the approach vary from many other novels set in the Tudor period. I would recommend this book primarily for dedicated fans of the Tudor era. Show Less
LibraryThing member BettyTaylor56
I never really had an interest in British royal history, however, Henry VIII surely intrigues everyone. This book is the first in a planned series of books about Henry VIII’s wives. And who better to tell these stories than Alison Weir.
Ms. Weir has spent her life doing research and writing books
“Katherine of Aragon, The True Queen” is her sixth historical fiction book based on British royalty. The book is a fascinating read. I learned so much about this period of history from reading it. She includes a timeline and list of characters in the back of the book – great tools since there are so many characters and events for someone not well-read on this historical topic. All the historical figures are brought to life in the telling of the marriage between Henry and Katherine and their ups and downs. Anne Boleyn is portrayed as a marvel manipulator, Henry is besot and controlled by her, while Katherine bears the brunt of both Anne’s and Henry’s attempts to do away with her. I was thoroughly intrigued with how Anne’s schemes led to long-term historical changes. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.
Thank you to Random House for sending me an Advance Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Ms. Weir has spent her life doing research and writing books
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on British royalty. Her nonfiction works include: “Britain's Royal Families: The Complete Genealogy”; The Six Wives of Henry VIII”; “Lancaster and York – The Wars of the Roses”; “Eleanor of Aquitaine: By the Wrath of God, Queen of England”; “The Lady in the Tower: The Fall of Anne Boleyn”; and “Elizabeth of York – A Tudor Queen and Her World”.“Katherine of Aragon, The True Queen” is her sixth historical fiction book based on British royalty. The book is a fascinating read. I learned so much about this period of history from reading it. She includes a timeline and list of characters in the back of the book – great tools since there are so many characters and events for someone not well-read on this historical topic. All the historical figures are brought to life in the telling of the marriage between Henry and Katherine and their ups and downs. Anne Boleyn is portrayed as a marvel manipulator, Henry is besot and controlled by her, while Katherine bears the brunt of both Anne’s and Henry’s attempts to do away with her. I was thoroughly intrigued with how Anne’s schemes led to long-term historical changes. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.
Thank you to Random House for sending me an Advance Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member mryan40
Too long and nothing new.
LibraryThing member nhalliwell
I am familiar with Alison Weir’s work, both fiction and non-fiction. I have also read several biographies of Katherine of Aragon as well as books that cover the reign of Henry VIII. Yet I was surprised. It is refreshing to find new information in a subject I thought I knew so well. So hats off to
Having read Ms. Weir’s fiction and nonfiction books, I have to say I prefer her nonfiction. This novel is a good example of why. In the nonfiction books, Ms. Weir’s exhaustive research produces a feeling like total immersion for the reader. You get lost in the detail. You can see and feel and touch what Ms. Weir is describing. I have not found that in her fiction writing. It is comparatively flat. I just did not get lost in the story.
This is still an enjoyable book. Anyone who enjoys historical fiction or Tudor related books, will enjoy this novel.
I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
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Ms. Weir for the surprise concerning Arthur, Prince of Wales. Once I finish writing this review, I am off to find more information.Having read Ms. Weir’s fiction and nonfiction books, I have to say I prefer her nonfiction. This novel is a good example of why. In the nonfiction books, Ms. Weir’s exhaustive research produces a feeling like total immersion for the reader. You get lost in the detail. You can see and feel and touch what Ms. Weir is describing. I have not found that in her fiction writing. It is comparatively flat. I just did not get lost in the story.
This is still an enjoyable book. Anyone who enjoys historical fiction or Tudor related books, will enjoy this novel.
I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
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LibraryThing member flourgirl49
OK, I like reading novels about the wives of Henry VIII, but I have read quite a few of them and maybe it's time to stop. This particular book about Katherine of Aragon (and there's 5 more coming in this series) will immerse you in what seems to be every single conversation that Katherine ever had
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with anybody - it just goes on and on and on. Particularly at the end of her life, when Katherine has been "divorced" by the King and is in exile, being moved from castle to castle while her hopes are raised up and then dashed by Henry again and again and again, the book just seems interminable. For these reasons, I give it a mediocre rating. Show Less
LibraryThing member Cariola
Sometimes I wonder why I bother to read any new books on the Tudors. Yes, I am rather a Tudor junkie But the point is: what is there to learn that's really new? And in fictional accounts, most new approaches are highly unsatisfying, usually sexing up the heroines and adding a lot of anachronistic
Of course, one can't totally blame Katherine, the daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella, for not wanting to give up her rights and title as queen and for refusing to be locked away in a convent, as Henry wished. But in Weir's depiction, she never once gets angry at Henry for rejecting her, whine as she will about being his "one true wife" in God's eyes. When the Catholic church has been dissolved and your ex sets himself up as the head of the new Church of England whose archbishop declares your marriage invalid, it's over in everyone's eyes but your own (and maybe the Pope's, but his only intervention was to excommunicate Henry, to whom it no longer mattered). History is history, however, and it would be pointless to hope for Katherine to turn over a new leaf and either fight harder or start a new life--that just wouldn't have happened.
So here we are, with yet another dull novel about a dull woman. Weir just came out with a novel about Anne Boleyn, so apparently she plans to walk us through all six wives. (And unfortunately I bought this one before I started on her Katherine novel. At least Anne is more inherently interesting, so there's so hope.)
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20th-century feminism. At least Alison Weir did not fall into that pit; thankfully, she's too much the historian first. That, however, creates another stumbling block for the reader: Truth be told, Katherine is makes a boring protagonist. She is too good, too righteous, too oppressed, too long-suffering, and, sadly, just too darn attached to that loser Henry. It would be pitiful to see her on her deathbed, praying for Henry's eternal soul and mooning over memories of the honeymoon days, if only I didn't want to slap her and scream, "It's over, capiche? Snap out of it!"Of course, one can't totally blame Katherine, the daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella, for not wanting to give up her rights and title as queen and for refusing to be locked away in a convent, as Henry wished. But in Weir's depiction, she never once gets angry at Henry for rejecting her, whine as she will about being his "one true wife" in God's eyes. When the Catholic church has been dissolved and your ex sets himself up as the head of the new Church of England whose archbishop declares your marriage invalid, it's over in everyone's eyes but your own (and maybe the Pope's, but his only intervention was to excommunicate Henry, to whom it no longer mattered). History is history, however, and it would be pointless to hope for Katherine to turn over a new leaf and either fight harder or start a new life--that just wouldn't have happened.
So here we are, with yet another dull novel about a dull woman. Weir just came out with a novel about Anne Boleyn, so apparently she plans to walk us through all six wives. (And unfortunately I bought this one before I started on her Katherine novel. At least Anne is more inherently interesting, so there's so hope.)
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LibraryThing member caslater83
Very long read!!!!
Wow! Six hundred pages detailing the life of Katherine of Aragon. As the first wife of Henry the Eighth, she was married to him the longest and I do believe that she loved him better than his subsequent wives. The pressure to bear an heir was tremendously overwhelming in her time.
Wow! Six hundred pages detailing the life of Katherine of Aragon. As the first wife of Henry the Eighth, she was married to him the longest and I do believe that she loved him better than his subsequent wives. The pressure to bear an heir was tremendously overwhelming in her time.
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Imagine having the future of your own country riding on you. She bore the pressure as well as she could, but it obviously was not enough. Henry's treatment of her is appalling. Putting her away and breaking away from the church sounds very extreme. But in this book, Henry proves that he will do anything for a son. It's a long long book that is well researched and very informative. However I don't think I am going to reread this book again. Show Less
LibraryThing member cyderry
I've been wanting to read this series for a long time, because I have been interested in British Royalty since a child and read the Last Plantagents by Thomas Costain. The BBC series on the 6 Wives of Henry VIII in the 70's was fantastic and only fueled my interest. So why did I have such a hard
I know that this author is very well thought of for historical accuracy and for bringing to life the people of the past, but this Katherine, IMHO, should have stayed buried. She was constantly complaining to people that she was put upon by Henry VII and when she did marry Henry VIII, she was constantly whining about how God wouldn't bless her with a healthy child and how Henry had a roving eye.
So many times while I was reading I just wanted to say "Suck it up, princess!"
Would I recommend this book, maybe if you know nothing of the period or the people, but otherwise it was extremely repetitive throughout.
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getting through this book? I got it out of the library 3 times and just couldn't get very far. But this time I promised myself that it would be different and I would finish it because I have the next 4 wives waiting to be read. I knew a little about Katherine of Aragon, but I'm not sure that I wanted to know as much as was included in this book.I know that this author is very well thought of for historical accuracy and for bringing to life the people of the past, but this Katherine, IMHO, should have stayed buried. She was constantly complaining to people that she was put upon by Henry VII and when she did marry Henry VIII, she was constantly whining about how God wouldn't bless her with a healthy child and how Henry had a roving eye.
So many times while I was reading I just wanted to say "Suck it up, princess!"
Would I recommend this book, maybe if you know nothing of the period or the people, but otherwise it was extremely repetitive throughout.
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LibraryThing member wishanem
Insightful, tragic, and educational, but not fun. I didn't know much about Katherine of Aragon, and only a little about her awful second husband Henry VIII. The story of her life was interesting throughout, though very sad. I really appreciated the way that the values and priorities of the
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characters reflected their own time and were so out of place with modern sensibilities. Katherine was so often painfully naïve and failed to act in what seemed to me to her own best interests, but her reasoning was consistently sound and clearly rooted in her clearly-expressed emotions and deeply-held beliefs. I don't know if there would be a way to tell this story that was heartwarming or exciting, but the (real-life) depressing and frustrating elements of the story kept me from enjoying it all the way through. Show Less
LibraryThing member Whisper1
Katherine did not bring a male heir to Henry, four babies were born, and shortly after breathing, they died. Of those babies, three were teeny males.
When a child was born and survived, and thrived, her name was Mary. Henry VIII celebrated this life because Katherine was still relatively young, and
Alas, that never happened. Despite Henry's frequent visits to Katherine's bed, she never became pregnant again. At 39, she entered menopause and the hopes were forever dashed.
This tragedy lead to the end of hope, and the eventually death of Katherine. A sassy young women by the name of Anne Boleyn, who was a lady in Katherine's retinue, caught the eye of Henry. His obsession with obtaining a male heir, lead to the change of the Catholic reign in England, tearing the country apart with the teachings of Martin Luther and the embracement of protestant teachings. A long battle ensued as Henry declared himself the supreme head of religion in England., tearing the country apart with the aim of marrying Anne.
Katherine came to England to be wedded to Henry's brother Arthur. Sickly, scrawny, and hacking to an end of death, Henry VII denied Katherine's ability to go back to Spain. He placed her in a cold castle with little company, the inability to pay for her staff, and measly cold plates of a few pieces of fruit and left over broth. Demanding the second portion of her dowry, Henry was brutal as Katherine's father in Spain refused to hand over another large portion of money.
When Henry VII died, when old enough, his son Henry VIII claimed Katherine as his prize. They spent years in a very solid marriage consisting of two like minded intellectuals bound together in love. Then, so very sadly, it ended as Henry grew more and more dissatisfied. He produced a male child with a woman at court, and Bessie Blout was married off to another, supported by Henry, who could not make the baby his heir, but he could tout that he was able to produce a son.
As Anne Boleyn, young and comely, promised what Katherine could not deliver -- a male heir. Off to a bitter cold castle for Katherine where she died broken hearted. Her punishment was that she never again saw her beloved Mary. She died from what historians now believe as cancer. A heart wrenching letter to Henry was delivered wherein she wrote she would always love Henry, and would pray for his sins.
Alison Weir wrote an excellent telling of court intrigue, a wonderful Catholic woman who was devoted to Henry, after the tempest tossed hell of waiting for years for a solution to severe mistreatment, and her demise because of something she could not control.
When Henry VII died, his son Henry VIII claimed Katherine as his prize. They spent years in a very solid marriage consisting of two like minded intellectuals bound together in love. Then, so very sadly, it ended as Henry grew more and more dissatisfied. He produced a male child with a woman at court, and Bessie Blout was married off to another, supported by Henry, who could not make the baby his heir, but he could tout that he was able to produce a son.
The story of Katherine is sad and tragic.
I've read many books about Henry and all his six wives. Katherine is the one who haunts me.
In slowly sorting through piles and piles of books, I discovered that I have enough books about Henry and his wives to fill an entire book case.
When a child was born and survived, and thrived, her name was Mary. Henry VIII celebrated this life because Katherine was still relatively young, and
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Henry believed a male baby was soon to follow.Alas, that never happened. Despite Henry's frequent visits to Katherine's bed, she never became pregnant again. At 39, she entered menopause and the hopes were forever dashed.
This tragedy lead to the end of hope, and the eventually death of Katherine. A sassy young women by the name of Anne Boleyn, who was a lady in Katherine's retinue, caught the eye of Henry. His obsession with obtaining a male heir, lead to the change of the Catholic reign in England, tearing the country apart with the teachings of Martin Luther and the embracement of protestant teachings. A long battle ensued as Henry declared himself the supreme head of religion in England., tearing the country apart with the aim of marrying Anne.
Katherine came to England to be wedded to Henry's brother Arthur. Sickly, scrawny, and hacking to an end of death, Henry VII denied Katherine's ability to go back to Spain. He placed her in a cold castle with little company, the inability to pay for her staff, and measly cold plates of a few pieces of fruit and left over broth. Demanding the second portion of her dowry, Henry was brutal as Katherine's father in Spain refused to hand over another large portion of money.
When Henry VII died, when old enough, his son Henry VIII claimed Katherine as his prize. They spent years in a very solid marriage consisting of two like minded intellectuals bound together in love. Then, so very sadly, it ended as Henry grew more and more dissatisfied. He produced a male child with a woman at court, and Bessie Blout was married off to another, supported by Henry, who could not make the baby his heir, but he could tout that he was able to produce a son.
As Anne Boleyn, young and comely, promised what Katherine could not deliver -- a male heir. Off to a bitter cold castle for Katherine where she died broken hearted. Her punishment was that she never again saw her beloved Mary. She died from what historians now believe as cancer. A heart wrenching letter to Henry was delivered wherein she wrote she would always love Henry, and would pray for his sins.
Alison Weir wrote an excellent telling of court intrigue, a wonderful Catholic woman who was devoted to Henry, after the tempest tossed hell of waiting for years for a solution to severe mistreatment, and her demise because of something she could not control.
When Henry VII died, his son Henry VIII claimed Katherine as his prize. They spent years in a very solid marriage consisting of two like minded intellectuals bound together in love. Then, so very sadly, it ended as Henry grew more and more dissatisfied. He produced a male child with a woman at court, and Bessie Blout was married off to another, supported by Henry, who could not make the baby his heir, but he could tout that he was able to produce a son.
The story of Katherine is sad and tragic.
I've read many books about Henry and all his six wives. Katherine is the one who haunts me.
In slowly sorting through piles and piles of books, I discovered that I have enough books about Henry and his wives to fill an entire book case.
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LibraryThing member john257hopper
This is the first in the author's six novel series tracing the lives of Henry VIII's six wives. Katherine of Aragon's marriage to the Tudor monarch was longer than all the other five marriages put together and far more significant in its longer term impact than any of the others, only Anne Boleyn's
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coming anywhere close. It finished in a hugely protracted divorce, the consequences of which were surely more far-reaching than those of any other divorce in history, certainly in British and arguably European and world history, as it gave rise to an irrevocable split in the Christian church, the most powerful international force of the time. Katherine's profound sense of duty comes across very clearly here, as does her almost unbelievable levels of personal sense of love and loyalty to Henry, amounting to what comes across to the modern reader as utter naivety at the time when her successor Anne Boleyn is already married to the King and crowned Queen, when Katherine even believes she will be recalled to court and reinstated after the Pope eventually after years of delay pronounces Katherine's marriage to the King legitimate. Katherine does nevertheless come across as a noble, if somewhat irritatingly stubborn, character and I felt sadness at her eventual death in the quietness of an isolation in the countryside amounting effectively to imprisonment. Alison Weir writes the Tudors like very few other authors and I think in particular is one of the very few who is equally effective at both fiction and non-fiction. Show Less
LibraryThing member mazda502001
A princess of Spain, Catalina is only sixteen years old when she sets foot on the shores of England. The youngest daughter of the powerful monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella, Catalina is a coveted prize for a royal marriage - and Arthur, Prince of Wales, and heir to the English throne, has won her
Katherine’s patience is rewarded when she becomes Queen of England. The affection between Katherine and Henry is genuine, but forces beyond her control threaten to rend her marriage, and indeed the nation, apart. Henry has fallen under the spell of Katherine’s maid of honour, Anne Boleyn. Now Katherine must be prepared to fight, to the end if God wills it, for her faith, her legitimacy, and her heart.
What a wonderful book this is. The Tudors are one of my very favourite periods of history and this book brought to life that very much-loved and courageous Queen. It is such a very well researched and engrossing novel. Can’t wait to read the next in the series.
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hand. But tragedy strikes and Catalina, now Princess Katherine, is betrothed to the future Henry Vlll. She must wait for his coming-of-age, an ordeal that tests her resolve, casts doubt on her trusted confidantes, and turns her into a virtual prisoner.Katherine’s patience is rewarded when she becomes Queen of England. The affection between Katherine and Henry is genuine, but forces beyond her control threaten to rend her marriage, and indeed the nation, apart. Henry has fallen under the spell of Katherine’s maid of honour, Anne Boleyn. Now Katherine must be prepared to fight, to the end if God wills it, for her faith, her legitimacy, and her heart.
What a wonderful book this is. The Tudors are one of my very favourite periods of history and this book brought to life that very much-loved and courageous Queen. It is such a very well researched and engrossing novel. Can’t wait to read the next in the series.
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Call number
FIC J Wei