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Six Tudor Queens: Katherine of Aragon, the True Queen Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Alison Weir (Author), Maggie Mash (Narrator), Headline Review (Publisher)

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The lives of Henry VIII's queens make for dramatic stories, and Alison Weir writes a series of novels that offer insights into the real lives of the six wives based on extensive research and new theories.

In all the romancing, has anyone regarded the evidence that Anne Boleyn did not love Henry VIII? Or that Prince Arthur, Katherine of Aragon's first husband, who is said to have loved her, in fact cared so little for her that he willed his personal effects to his sister? Or that Henry VIII, an overprotected child and teenager, was prudish when it came to sex? That Jane Seymour, usually portrayed as Henry's one true love, had the makings of a matriarch? There is much to reveal....

Alison writes about the wives in the contexts of their own ages and of the court intrigues that surrounded these women and - without exception - wrecked their lives. She will transport listeners into a lost and vivid world of splendour and brutality: a world in which love, or the game of it, dominates all.

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Product details

Listening Length	27 hours and 43 minutes
Author	Alison Weir
Narrator	Maggie Mash
Whispersync for Voice	Ready
Audible.com.au Release Date	05 May 2016
Publisher	Headline Review
Program Type	Audiobook
Version	Unabridged
Language	English
ASIN	B01BH9D6S0
Best Sellers Rank	23,476 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals) 1,448 in Historical Fiction (Audible Books & Originals) 7,287 in Historical Fiction (Books)

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Lisa Frahm

Five Stars

Reviewed in Australia on 17 July 2016

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Just loved this book, a history lesson in a very entertaining package.

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Jacquelyn

Multifaceted depiction

Reviewed in Australia on 9 February 2019

Katherine of Aragon has been my favourite of Henry VIII's famous eight wives for many years. In fact ever since it was pointed out that it was really she, and not Anne Boleyn, who was the woman who changed history for Tudor England. It was her conviction and steadfastness to the validity of her marriage and to the Roman Catholic Church which forced Henry's 'Great Matter' to become so notorious around Europe and pushed the Reformation forward in England in such a forceful way. Who knows how long religious reforms may have taken if Katherine had simply signed a statement and took vows to live out her life in a convent in rural England?

Once again Weir has impressed me with her ability to bring these real historical figures to life while staying true to the history of events and the context. Her depiction of Katherine is multifaceted and allows her faith to shine through in a very real sense rather than seeming like simple unenlightened superstition or self preservation as can sometimes be the case in historical novels. She also allows for the social norms and expectations of the time to be the guide for character responses rather than viewing the situation through a 21st century lens.

It took me longer than I would've liked to get through this one but that was mostly due to a chaotic couple of months meaning I didn't always have the brain space to absorb Weir's highly researched writing in a way that could do it justice. Definitely looking forward the rest of the Six Tudor Queens series.

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An excellent start to a new series

Reviewed in Australia on 22 November 2016

The two biggest challenges with writing historical fiction need to be overcome from the get-go. It is necessary to engage the reader from that first chapter so that they are not constantly running off to fact check. So the first challenge is adhering (or appearing) to the constraints of historical accuracy.

Author Alison Weir has done a sterling job at building upon the facts of King Henry VIII's first wife that we (at least feel) we already know. None of what we read here is overblown; Catalina's/Katherine's story is a fascinating one and the re-telling of it has that luxury of time ie the twenty four years in which the two were married.

The second challenge is making what we already know to be seen more whole, or fresh. With Henry VIII's six wives, so much has been written about them and played out on the big and small screens that they have lost their identity; they have become secondary characters or footnotes only in relation to the larger than life figure of the English king whom were all (unfortunate enough) to be married off to. The queens are not usually depicted as fully developed individuals who had their own hopes and plans, children and their own personal relationships.

Catalina of Spain was betrothed to the English heir, Prince Arthur, when she was only three years so the expectations of a royal life were with her from very early childhood.

The world that young Catalina enters is completely foreign to her. Even her name is taken away from her. She does not speak the language, she does not understand the culture and the intricacies and treachery of court life are at first frighteningly beyond the understanding of the self possessed young princess. The politics of a country on the brink of religious reform are fraught with hidden dangers for a young woman separated so far from the support of family and loyal countrymen and women.

It is almost exhausting to contemplate all that came after with Henry, as after the passing of her first husband Katherine was married to the younger brother Henry for a very long time until her death. We have a front view seat of Henry's descent into madness and debauchery from the perspective of a young wife who is betrayed in every possible way by someone she loves. Katharine's marriage, her child, her position and her dignity are all taken away from her by her immature and selfish husband. Katharine is depicted as always having looked ahead with a mother's steely intent to keep her daughter, the princess Mary, safe in a hostile environment.

Weir has written a lengthy novel here of the life and loves of the first queen of Henry VIII. Katharine's stoicism and optimism is both tragic and admirable. This depiction of her well intentioned life gives an authentic insight into the inner strength of a person history has regarded as "a good queen".

2 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Mr Tim Cole

New Alison Weir Novel: Katherine Of Aragon- The True Queen

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 December 2016

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I am a huge and devoted fan of Alison Weir one of the most popular and best-selling historians of all-time. In her new novel, meticulously researched as ever, She tells the dramatic and compulsive story of Katherine of Aragon, the first queen of King Henry VIII famously cast aside for failing to produce a living male heir and for which she was eventually divorced by Henry in 1533. But ,as Alison Weir clearly states, Katherine was far from the victim portrayed in so many history books. In fact, she was a passionate highly intelligent, courageous woman who deserves greater respect then she has been given over the centuries. Her remarkable abilities have all too often been cast aside in light of her sad and tragic end. There was far more to Katherine then this and this tremendous novel does full justice to this formidable and incredible queen who stood defiantly against her king and inspired the love and loyalty of the vast majority of her English subjects who were devoted to her. This book also reveals Katherine's importance in the governance of the kingdom particularly in the first decade of Henry's reign. This novel is the first in a series of six distinct novels about the six wives of King Henry VIII. This debut novel on Katherine has set a high precedent which may be difficult to better.This is a cracking read and one that will surprise you along the way. Go and order your copy from Amazon now!

14 people found this helpful

S. Donnellan Jones

Disappointing

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 August 2017

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Let me start by saying I am a huge fan of Alison Weir the historian, but in my view she is not a novelist. She forgets that a novel has to tell a story with real human characters and instead bogs down the narrative with every single historical detail she knows - and she knows a lot - slowing the pace and blurring the line between fiction and non- fiction. I also find the speech unconvincing. While I fully accept there is a balance to be struck to bridge the gap between past and present, I felt at times the characters spoke as if they were in a modern-day romance. I'll continue to read and recommend her non-fiction, but I think she should leave storytelling alone and stick to the facts. Give me Jean Plaidy any day.

12 people found this helpful

Andy161

The True Queen

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 November 2019

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Daughter of the Catholic Monarchs, Isabela and Ferdinand, Catherine of Aragon left her homeland at the age of 15 to marry Arthur Tudor, heir to the throne of England. Catherine’s future, however, is rocked when Arthur dies mere months after the marriage; will she return to Spain, or is her destiny still to be queen through marriage to Arthur’s younger sibling, the future Henry VIII. Despite plans for the union, Catherine is forced to endure a long, uncertain interlude under her merucrial father-in-law. However, during this time, her formidable personality and sense of purposes take hold. And, when Henry VII dies, Henry VIII offers his hand in marriage.

In this first instalment in her fictional series on the six queen-consorts of Henry VIII, Alison Weir deftly weaves history and fiction, to tell the tale of a strong and endearing woman.

I must confess that my favourite parts of the novel are Catherine’s early years in the court of Henry VII and her marriage to Henry VIII. Drawing from long research, Weir challenges the stereotypical dour view of Catherine of Aragon. She was a robust and formidable presence. Catherine’s passion and intelligence shine in Weir’s prose, emphasising the vital role she paid in Henry VIII’s early years. The long, sad chapter of the Great Matter makes far more sense with Weir’s deft characterisation.

I thoroughly enjoyed this opening chapter to the series. Lovers of both historical fiction and the early modern period will find much to enjoy.

2 people found this helpful

Claire

Absolutely Fantastic!!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 January 2021

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wow.. WoW... WOW!!!!! What a fantastic book!! It’s very insightful and Alison Weir has done an amazing job at creating a fiction that stays true to the historical facts from the period of 1501 when Katherine landed in England to marry Arthur, through to her death in 1536.

What I enjoyed the most was how Alison portrayed this from Katherines point of view, and how she took into account what Katherine knew about the events going on around her and how she would of found out about what was going on in the world. Chapuys being her main link.

After reading lots of books on the Tudors there have been questions surrounding Katherine as to whether her marriage to Arthur was consummated. Many people believe that it was consummated and that it was a noble lie of Katherine as her purpose was to be Queen of England. But with recent research by Giles Tremlett and Patrick Williams it now looks certain that her marriage to Arthur was not consummated. I really like how Alison has portrayed this in the book.

Honestly out of all the books I have read, I highly recommend this book. Especially if you want to learn more about Katherine of Aragon. Of course you have to take into account that things they say may not be quite accurate but as Alison has said “I have kept closely to the historical record” and she really has!

Absolutely brilliant! I could go on and on about how wonderful this is but go and check out for yourselves!

Nessie

A Good Read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 December 2017

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I bought this book to read for my Book Club. I have never had much interest in history, having had it taught so badly at school.However, this book taught me more than I learned in five years at secondary school. It is written in a fairly simplistic way, and Katherine at times is very frustrating in her obstinate belief that Henry would 'see the light' and come back to her, when it was clear he had moved on. She stuck to her religious beliefs, despite being treated appallingly by Henry, and at least died with her head intact. I will move on to Ann Boleyn now and further my knowledge.

4 people found this helpful

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Six Tudor Queens: Katherine of Aragon, the True Queen Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

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