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The Taming of the Queen

A vivid insight into the life of Henry's final wife

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The Taming of the Queen

By: Philippa Gregory
Narrated by: Bianca Amato
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FROM SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR, PHILIPPA GREGORY, COMES A DEEPLY INTIMATE PORTRAYAL OF A WOMAN WHO LONGS FOR PASSION, POWER AND EDUCATION AT THE COURT OF A MEDIEVAL KILLER.

Why would a woman marry a serial killer?
Because she cannot refuse...

Kateryn Parr, a thirty-year-old widow in a secret affair with a new lover, has no choice when a man old enough to be her father who has buried four wives - King Henry VIII - commands her to marry him.

Kateryn has no doubt about the danger she faces: the previous queen lasted sixteen months, the one before barely half a year. But Henry adores his new bride and Kateryn's trust in him grows as she unites the royal family, creates a radical study circle at the heart of the court, and rules the kingdom as Regent.

But is this enough to keep her safe? A leader of religious reform and the first woman to publish in English, Kateryn stands out as an independent woman with a mind of her own. But she cannot save the Protestants, under threat for their faith, and Henry's dangerous gaze turns on her.The traditional churchmen and rivals for power accuse her of heresy - the punishment is death by fire and the king's name is on the warrant...

Praise for Philippa Gregory:

‘Meticulously researched and deeply entertaining, this story of betrayal and divided loyalties is Gregory on top form’ Good Housekeeping

‘Gregory has popularised Tudor history perhaps more than any other living fiction writer…all of her books feature strong, complex women, doing their best to improve their lives in worlds dominated by men’ Sunday Times

‘Engrossing’ Sunday Express

‘Popular historical fiction at its finest, immaculately researched and superbly told’ The Times Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Romance Royalty Women's Fiction Renaissance Biography Middle Ages Marriage Tudor
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Critic reviews

‘Gregory creates a world in which all but the most determined women are tools in the hands of powerful men… past-paced, convincing, vivid and engrossing’ (Daily Express)
‘Popular historical fiction at its finest, immaculately researched and superbly told’ (The Times)
‘The contemporary mistress of historical crime’ (Kate Mosse)
‘Gregory brilliantly captures the torn loyalties, treacheries and tragedies that lie beneath the historical detail, to entertaining effect’ (Good Housekeeping)
‘Meticulously researched…for each novel she immerses herself in dozens of primary and secondary sources, before transforming them into vivid fiction’ (Sunday Telegraph)
‘The Taming of the Queen reads like a clever, intimate thriller’ (The Times)
‘Gregory dramatises the story of a reluctant royal wife negotiating the anxious, dangerous years of her marriage… written with her usual authority and capacity for great drama’ (Sunday Times)
‘A cleverly wrought political novel. In introducing Parr to a new audience, Gregory has done the first lady of English letters something of a favour’ (Sunday Telegraph)
‘A master storyteller…Gregory captures the intrigue and suspense of life at the Tudor court in vivid detail. She skilfully combines painstaking historical research with a gripping fictional narrative and her characters are so lifelike and engaging that they practically leap from the page’ (Daily Express)
All stars
Most relevant
I felt that the narrator was not right for the part and spoilt what could have been a good listen.
Her pronunciation of certain words grinded on me and her interpretation of Henry was annoying

always love Philippa Gregory books.

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yet again I am drawn in to loving a character to worrying about what will happen to her
even though I knew the historical facts this brought katherine parr alive

Who was your favorite character and why?

katherine parr such a strong woman in a man's world

What about Bianca Amato’s performance did you like?

listening to her I felt the emotion of katherine

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Any additional comments?

if you love history and strong characters this is a must listen

fantastic

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes I enjoyed it but Henry didn't come out well.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Taming of the Queen?

Lots of good moments but the chastisement of The Queen was vivid and cruel.

What does Bianca Amato bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

She has a lovely voice.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I just felt sorry for the Queen who didn't want to marry Henry as she loved another man and Henry disgusted her.

Any additional comments?

Good description of the decaying King.

Cruelty personified.

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Really enjoyable story holds your attention until the end Phillipa Gregory brings history to life

Absolutely brilliant!

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was like you lived every part of it. thanks for keeping me so entertained great

brilliant in all ways did not want it to end it

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