Genre: Historical fiction
Series: Six Tudor Queens #6
Page Count: 544
Publication Year: 2021
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Special Notes: I received an early copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Summary: The life of Henry VIII’s last wife.
As some of you might know, I love Tudor England. Anytime I see a book centered around that time period, I’m instantly interested.
I’ve read two books in this series, so I knew what to expect and I feel the same about this one as I do the others.
Pros:
The history. This is the reason I wanted to read this book. I didn’t know much about Katharine and now I feel informed. Of course it’s just one person’s interpretation and bound to be incorrect in places, but I still love all the shenanigans and drama at play. Because I’ve read/watched quite a bit about this time period, my acquired knowledge made the story mostly familiar and this story helped fill in some gaps.
The culture. I think it’s fascinating/depressing to see just how much things have changed in the last 500-ish years. I know this is a stark comparison, but take Henry’s son Edward. By the time he’s about eight he’s extremely well-behaved and has been taught Scripture, theology, Latin, Greek, classics, philosophy, astronomy, mathematics, grammar, rhetoric, horsemanship, archery, fencing, tennis, music, dancing and military skills. If only that’s how schooling looked now.
It’s not just the education I wish we still practiced. What’s inspiring to see is how much the family name meant back then. You weren’t just some random person with no roots; you had a title, a history, a clan. Families were important and they took their legacy seriously. It’s a shame that’s not the norm in today’s world.
The last half. Once she marries Henry, things pick up. Not only was I in known territory but the plot gained some much needed action and interest.
Cons:
The names. Even though I am fairly acquainted with the players of that time, I still lost track occasionally. They apparently had only a handful of names to choose from and it gets confusing when half the people in a room are named Mary and Thomas. Or Jane and Henry. Or Katherine and Edward. I was shocked when the name Dorothy appeared.
But it’s not just the first names you have to worry about, it’s the titles too. Suffolk, Norfolk, Surrey, and Bishop, Lord Chancellor, and Lord Privy Seal; it’s a lot.
If you know nothing of Henry VIII’s court, you will quickly be lost.
It’s a little boring. Until she marries Henry, the plot doesn’t do much. Her early life and first two marriages are a mixed bag and don’t provide riveting action or court intrigue. All the important movement happens off the page and we’re stuck with Katharine’s limited and plodding lifestyle.
The writing style. I already knew the author’s not a gifted storyteller as far as dialogue, characterization and overall prose goes. When you’re writing about real people, I understand there are limits you must adhere to, but that doesn’t mean you have to be starchy in every area.
The way it’s written is: this happens, then this, then this and so on. It doesn’t feel personal. It’s like a history book with dialogue. The people telegraph their emotions in dialogue tags and it leaves no room for speculation on the reader’s part because everything is told to you. Compare this to the Wolf Hall trilogy (my reviews here and here) and its lackluster style becomes even more obvious.
Could be a pro or con:
The details. Some people want to hear every historical detail. I personally don’t care what kind of fabric the dresses are made from or what jewels are encrusting an item, especially when they’re mentioned all the time. It’s kinda interesting to hear about all their “homes” being constructed/renovated. They did provide a lot of jobs, but I can’t help think that if they didn’t spend so much money on another house, the country wouldn’t have been as bankrupt.
I’m glad to know more history, but if you want an easy and entertaining entry point for the Tudor years, I’d look elsewhere.
Check out my rating here.