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kimreadz's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book!
I read this one in practically one sitting...with breaks for laundry, etc. I am a fan of historical FICTION, and particularly drawn to this era (1500's). I can't say if the book was historically accurate, but it has made me want to learn more about the royal families of England to find out how accurate it is. A good story showing many facets to the main characters, both negative and positive. This book expanded my view of King Henry the VIII, making him a more 'human' character than I'd previously thought. Before now, I never knew how many wives he'd had, let alone their names. I am eager to read more of Carolly Erickson's fiction, as well as more about the central characters of this book!
I read this one in practically one sitting...with breaks for laundry, etc. I am a fan of historical FICTION, and particularly drawn to this era (1500's). I can't say if the book was historically accurate, but it has made me want to learn more about the royal families of England to find out how accurate it is. A good story showing many facets to the main characters, both negative and positive. This book expanded my view of King Henry the VIII, making him a more 'human' character than I'd previously thought. Before now, I never knew how many wives he'd had, let alone their names. I am eager to read more of Carolly Erickson's fiction, as well as more about the central characters of this book!
kristens_bookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
Good but not great. Wouldn't read it again but MUST read every Tudor book published because forever and always a period piece girlie!
amiespeak's review against another edition
4.0
Another great read by Carolly Erickson! I can't decide between the first Catherine or the last as my favorite wife. They are all so tragic, it's no wonder they are the subject of so many books. I can't wait for the next lady that Ms. Erickson writes about.
lizzycatslibrary's review against another edition
2.0
I don't know if I am just not as into historical fiction anymore or if it was this book itself but overall I was just not impressed. First of all... I didn't feel like it really enmeshed me in the historical time frame. I feel that there could have been more added to the narrative to really get you into the story. The thing about historical fiction is you assume that parts of the story are untrue and that they have had to create feelings and emotions that aren't necessarily accurate to truly get you involved with the characters. It follows the broad historical context but also creates a narrative that you are able to live in. I didn't feel that way about this book. Not only did I not feel emotionally involved with Catherine Parr but I felt like way too much of her life was skipped over. It went from one time frame to the next to the next skipping huge gaps in between. There wasn't the flow I would have hoped for and I felt disappointed that I was only able to know her story through these brief glimpses of time. I suppose I just wanted more from it overall. As Jay and Grant would say (Ghost Hunters reference)... onto the next.
mbenzz's review against another edition
5.0
I'm usually pretty wary of books that take place in this time period. They tend to be stuffy, and hard to read, but this book was impossible to put down! I'm so glad I gave it a try. I learned so many things I never knew about Henry VIII and all his wives.
This story is told entirely from Catherine Parr's perspective, Henry's 6th, and final wife. It starts when she's a young girl, and goes straight through to her death. Now, I'm certainly no Tudor-era expert and was pretty sure that much of what I was reading was made-up or inflated for fiction purposes, but after I finished, I spent a couple of hours on Wikipedia searching most everyone in this book. Surprisingly, much of it was accurate. A few things here and there were changed to make things more interesting, like Anne 'Daintry', Will's wife (Will is Catherine's brother). She did not die as depicted in the book but actually outlived Catherine herself.
The few discrepancies here and there didn't bother me though. I didn't pick this up as a tool to learn the facts of history, I picked it up hoping for an entertaining distraction, and that's exactly what it was. Ms. Erickson has done a fine job telling Catherine's story and has a very easy writing style that isn't bogged down with the heavy talk of the era. I absolutely look forward to reading more of her books!
This story is told entirely from Catherine Parr's perspective, Henry's 6th, and final wife. It starts when she's a young girl, and goes straight through to her death. Now, I'm certainly no Tudor-era expert and was pretty sure that much of what I was reading was made-up or inflated for fiction purposes, but after I finished, I spent a couple of hours on Wikipedia searching most everyone in this book. Surprisingly, much of it was accurate. A few things here and there were changed to make things more interesting, like Anne 'Daintry', Will's wife (Will is Catherine's brother). She did not die as depicted in the book but actually outlived Catherine herself.
The few discrepancies here and there didn't bother me though. I didn't pick this up as a tool to learn the facts of history, I picked it up hoping for an entertaining distraction, and that's exactly what it was. Ms. Erickson has done a fine job telling Catherine's story and has a very easy writing style that isn't bogged down with the heavy talk of the era. I absolutely look forward to reading more of her books!
jgintrovertedreader's review against another edition
3.0
Catherine Parr's mother is a lady-in-waiting to Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife. Her life intersects with Henry's in various ways like this through the years. She loves, marries, mourns, and just generally lives her life until Henry beheads wife number five, Catherine Howard. It isn't long before Henry's avaricious gaze falls on her as wife number six.
I think I was expecting something a little meatier. There is so much drama in that whole period, juicy material shouldn't be hard to find. This story of Catherine Parr's life felt rushed through her early years. Once Henry started courting her, I expected the pace to slow down and linger over all that. But it still felt rushed. This mostly felt like an overview of her life. Give me details when it comes to those infamous Tudors!
The writing was okay. It felt a little simplified and in parts it felt a little cheesy, like the author was trying too hard. I can see that she could be a good author, but I think that will come as she publishes more novels. It looks like this was only her second.
I did enjoy reading about Henry's last queen. It sounds like she had an interesting life. I didn't know much about her before this. I'll probably try to find a different book that tells her story in a little more detail. But this was a decent book and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone who is Tudor-crazy.
I think I was expecting something a little meatier. There is so much drama in that whole period, juicy material shouldn't be hard to find. This story of Catherine Parr's life felt rushed through her early years. Once Henry started courting her, I expected the pace to slow down and linger over all that. But it still felt rushed. This mostly felt like an overview of her life. Give me details when it comes to those infamous Tudors!
The writing was okay. It felt a little simplified and in parts it felt a little cheesy, like the author was trying too hard. I can see that she could be a good author, but I think that will come as she publishes more novels. It looks like this was only her second.
I did enjoy reading about Henry's last queen. It sounds like she had an interesting life. I didn't know much about her before this. I'll probably try to find a different book that tells her story in a little more detail. But this was a decent book and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone who is Tudor-crazy.
ashleysilver7's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I've read a lot from this time period, and feel as though I am very familiar with Queen Kaherine of Aragon and Queen Anne Boleyn. Queen Katherine, the sixth wife, is a lesser known figure, and this book seems very realistic. Katherine Parr was an amazing woman, but she wasn't perfect, and this book greatly captures what her life may well have been like. A must-read for those who love historical fiction, especially of the scandalous court of Henry VIII.
krobart's review against another edition
2.0
See my review here:
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2015/02/02/day-651-literary-wives-the-last-wife-of-henry-viii/
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2015/02/02/day-651-literary-wives-the-last-wife-of-henry-viii/
tinokette's review against another edition
4.0
If you enjoy frothy and scandalous tales of Henry VIII that take creative license with the facts, read this immediately. If you are looking for a tome on medieval history, look elsewhere. This is an entertaining quick read!
emjay24's review against another edition
4.0
This is a historical novel about Kat, the last wife of King Henry VIII. This doesn't just focus on when they were married, the main character is Kat herself so it begins when she's a young child and ends when she dies. There are some historical inaccuracies, but it's historical FICTION not a textbook. Still, it's basically history and no spoiler to say it ended sadly, since anyone can look up the story of her life and know that. This was a very engaging book, the characters were written well and I got very into it. Kat was likeable, if rather foolish. It's also interesting seeing the story of Henry's other wives and mistresses that i read about in other books, from a different perspective. It's always kind of shocking how in all these books henry so quickly goes from being described as a very handsome man to a disgusting, diseased one with pus oozing out of him. I wonder how handsome he really was at the start. Anyway, very good book, read it!