Good, but not as great as I thought it would be

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	• Katherine Anya Seton Chicago Review Press, 2004 - 512 pages average customer review:based on 241 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

A gem that will always sit upon my shelf

I read this book not knowing what lay ahead. All I knew that Katherine had been John of Gaunt's long time mistress who bore him four children. But from the first sentence I was hooked. I was taken back to a time that I have so longed to explore-the 1300's and the Plantagenet rule.

As I read, I saw Katherine and her world so clear that it was if I could have been there myself. I felt glad when she was glad. I felt pain when she did. I felt sad when she was sad. I found myself weeping and sobbing. Even days later, after finishing it, I cried as I recalled particular scenarios- i.e- Katherine's fateful pilgrimage where she encountered a hunchback and an anchoress who would help save her soul.

The final hundred or so pages were immensely gripping and although I read this book almost three months after I type this, I can never forget it. Anya Seton's words were like vivid pictures that have been transferred to my memory.

This novel is a true gem and I will never part with it. I have read many, many books and Katherine has to be my number one favorite. I highly recommend it for anyone wanting a history lesson or to lose yourself in a medieval romance unlike any other.

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An Old Read!!

I first read this book over 30 years ago. I just ordered it yesterday and can't wait to read it again! I had long forgotten about it but now remember it was one of my favorites! My daughter is all into the show "The Tutors" which is based on the times of King Henry the V111, 15th century and I know she is going to love this book as well so I got her a copy too. This book was first published in the 50's. I remember History was so very accurate and well written you could almost believe you were walking the halls of the castles right along with Katherine!! Again I can't wait to get my hands on this book again!!

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Good, but not as great as I thought it would be

Several of my friends raved about this book. I liked it okay. And I love to read so much; I'm not that hard to please. There were several kind of raunchy parts that I didn't expect, as well as numerous bawdy references. But there is a theme of redemption in the end that I liked quite a lot that makes the story more...well, redeeming. The last 150 pages or so were the best, I think. It wasn't riveting for me, but the history was really interesting, and I learned a lot.

Favorite

This is one of my very favorite books ever. In fact I've gone through 2 copies already I read it so often. I'll keep buying it because each time I read it I find it more fascinating. I would highly recommend this book.

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Plodding Through

I find myself plodding through this book little by little instead of my usual method of not putting it down until the last page. For me the character study is lacking and I find I lack empathy for these characters. Maybe I should lack empathy for the actual historic figures but in the novel setting, caring about the characters is crucial for me. There is very little "edge of the seat" reading. Not a page turner. I chose this book because It came highly recommended and I thought it would fill in some blanks after Philippa Gregory's very readable novels. This story is earlier, in the jousting period. It is the story of Lady Swynford, mistress of the Duke of Lancaster. This story marks the beginning of the War of the Roses (York and Lancaster), which ends just prior to the Tudor period. It is filled with loads of detail and description and is historically informative and interesting. It just lacks a passion and depth of character I seem to relish. I recommend it for anyone who won't miss that feeling of being personally bound to the story.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

This classic romance novel tells the true story of the love affair that changed history?that of Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, the ancestors of most of the British royal family. Set in the vibrant 14th century of Chaucer and the Black Death, the story features knights fighting in battle, serfs struggling in poverty, and the magnificent Plantagenets?Edward III, the Black Prince, and Richard II?who ruled despotically over a court rotten with intrigue. Within this era of danger and romance, John of Gaunt, the king?s son, falls passionately in love with the already married Katherine. Their well-documented affair and love persist through decades of war, adultery, murder, loneliness, and redemption. This epic novel of conflict, cruelty, and untamable love has become a classic since its first publication in 1954.

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