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Six Tudor Queens: Katherine of Aragon, the True Queen 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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Six Tudor Queens: Katherine of Aragon, the True Queen

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

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Alison Weir
Audible Audiobook
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Alison Weir
Audible Audiobook
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Alison Weir
Audible Audiobook
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Alison Weir
Audible Audiobook
$0.00 with Trial
Alison Weir
Audible Audiobook
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Alison Weir
Audible Audiobook
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Product details

Audible Audiobook
Listening Length: 27 hours and 43 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Headline Review
Audible.com.au Release Date: 5 May 2016
Whispersync for Voice: Ready
Language: English, English
ASIN: B01BH9D6S0
Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 21,395 in Audible (See Top 100 in Audible)
- #1074 in Historical Fiction (Audible)
- #7093 in Historical Fiction (Books)

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Lisa Frahm

Five Stars

17 July 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

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

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Jacquelyn

Multifaceted depiction

9 February 2019

Format: Kindle Edition

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

22 November 2016

Format: Kindle Edition

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".

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

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