Katherine

Rating:
Summary: The Best Book I Have Ever Read --- 20 STARS
Review: I enjoyed GREEN DARKNESS so much I decided to make my next read Anya Seton's KATHERINE. It has now become my FAVORITE READ OF ALL TIME. It is a love story of epic proportions unlike anything I've ever read or experienced. This is truly a real-life fairytale.

As historically detailed as GREEN DARKNESS, I was amazed to find I loved this book even better. Set in the mid 14th C. Katherine de Roet is a convent-raised young woman who, with her sister, comes under the care of Queen Philippa (wife of Edward III), and despite being without dowry marries the rather difficult Sir Hugh Swynford. Eventually she becomes the mistress of Philippa and Edward III's son John of Gaunt, and after bearing him four children, becoming his wife. The children's births are eventually legitimized and John and Katherine eventually are the forebears of both the Tudor and Stuart dynasties.

But this story is of the relationship between Katherine and John and the many twists and turns it takes before these lovers can be together. When Katherine turns 15 the Queen summons her from the convent to Windsor and she soon gathers much attention for her beauty. When Sir Hugh Swynford attempts to ravish her, the King's third son, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster comes to her rescue. Hugh gets out of the situation by saying he wishes to marry the fair young maiden. Sir Hugh is a rather disagreeable and homely man, but it is seen as a step up for young Katherine, without dowry, to marry him. She does but very reluctantly. Meanwhile she is befriended by the Duke's wife, Blanche, and returns her friendship for which young Katherine is eventually richly rewarded.

Katherine and Hugh go to live at his mismanaged estate, Kettlethorpe, near Lincoln which is not too far from the Duke and Duchess of Lancaster's favorite home of Bolingbroke Castle. Katherine is not exactly happy but accepts her life. But when she befriends Blanche again and then sits with her as she lays dying from the black death, her whole life changes.

To give more details than this is to rob the first-time reader of the discoveries they will read. It is a story to particularly savor as when the Duke tells Katherine "She is my heart's blood. My life. I want nothing but her." Talk about a Cinderella story! Those better versed in English history of the mid to late 14th C than I am will realize just what is happening in some of the dramatic historical scenes than I did.

But even after Katherine and the Duke are finally together, all does not go well. Seton details the history of this time beautifully and, sometimes, painfully.

Seton includes quotes from Chaucer (who was married to Katherine's sister Philippa). It is also surmised Chaucer may have had Katherine in mind for some of his passages, particularly in "Troilus and Criseyde."

This book made slow reading for me as every few pages I was either picking up a historical reference to read more or searching on the internet. I do have to warn readers though, keep the hankies handy. I could have used an entire box and even woke my husband up with my sobbing. Most of these tears were tears of joy though.

And I have to add a "shame on you" to the eejit who gave this book only two stars and said it reads "much like any other "romance" novel put out by the thousands on a daily basis," which not only is a disservice to this book but to the historical romances as a whole which, it is obvious this person has very little experience with. First of all this is a romantic historical and does not fit the definitiion of a romance novel at all. Secondly, to say romance novels are "put out by thousands on a daily basis" is not only inaccurate but ignorant. This book has both huge differences and many similarities to romances, but isn't a romance novel by any stretch of the imagination. That said, readers who enjoy their books both historically accurate and very romantic are sure to enjoy this beautiful story.

Rating:
Summary: I, too first read this book as a teen-ager - and loved it!
Review: It was heartwarming to read through the other reviews, most written by women (I assume) who discovered Katherine, John, Hawise and the others many years ago and felt history come alive through the pages of this finely wrought novel. Kudos to the teacher mentioned in one of the other reviews who assigned this book to her seniors! I have always thought a well-researched historical novel is an excellent way to interest young readers in history. When I was a history major at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I checked out many of Seton's sources at Memorial Library and learned what a meticulous researcher she was! Anya Seton's fine research and attention to detail inspired me, both as a writer and an historian, even though I majored in American history. Katherine Swinford's story has special meaning for me, as I too married a long lost love after his first wife died. Think of it - this novel was written more than 45 years ago and it still moves us. The book is timeless.

Rating:
Summary: Going Back to What Was Good
Review: I have just ordered Katherine to read again, also Green Darkness and Winthrop Woman. I loved these books when I was a teenager. I wish that a publisher would sell Anya Seton's books as a boxed set. A new generation of readers would appreciate her writing. No better author of historical fiction/non-fiction is out there. Anya Seton's books are no longer available in the library, so I came to Amazon to be pleasantly surprised that they are available! I would recommend these books to anyone, of any age. I first read Anya Seton as a teenager in a condensed Reader's Digest version (Winthrop Woman)and have been hooked ever since (at the age of 47 I am rediscovering her work again).

Rating:
Summary: Enthralling Story
Review: This has to be one of my favorites. The reader is transported to the court of Edward III in 14th century England and is given a very detailed view of the economic, political, and cultural conditions of the period. Focusing on the romantic relationship between Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, the story is entertaining, well written and researched. It is a great read for a rainy day off from work.

One interesting note is that Katherine and John of Gaunt really did have a romantic attachment to eachother and the current British monarch is a direct descendant of that relationship.

Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece - historical fiction and Catholic spirituality
Review: I have always thought that this book should be a must-read fiction selection for armchair historians and Catholic women everywhere. The historical aspect is fascinating; whatever isn't actually documented, Anya Seton makes plausible and fits in with the mode of the time in a very true voice.

But Katherine's spiritual journey is the most compelling part of the book, for me. The changes she goes through in her relationship with God ring so true. This is the most subtle, yet the most powerful part of this book and Seton's obvious respect for what Jesus can do in a person's life through the Truth and beauty of the Catholic faith is a wonder to see. I read this novel once a year and every time I do, I marvel at Katherine's continuing conversion to Jesus Christ throughout her life and pray that I will continue to grow closer to Him as she did.

(Dame Juliana of Norwich is not a member of the calendar of saints, but she is a Blessed, and with good reason. Amazon has a couple of titles available about her as well.)

Rating:
Summary: This is a great book
Review: Anya Seton takes you back into the world of 14th century England and makes it come to life. Not only is the book entertaining, but it has quite a bit of accurate historical information. It helped me out in some of my history classes, because it enabled me to imagine what John, Duke of Lancaster & his son Henry Bolingbroke (King Henry IV), were like. Seton brings her characters, both real & fictional, to life, she makes you really care what happens to them. The story of Katherine Swynford is one about a love that withstands marriage, children, murder & death. It also tells of how the people, both rich & poor were effected by war, political alliances & the plague. Yes, this is a rather long book, but it is well worth the read & has something in it for everyone.

Rating:
Summary: One of may favorite books
Review: This is one of the best books I have ever read. This is the book that got me hooked on historical fiction. I have made new friends because of this book: when a woman I worked with and I both discivered that we loved this book, we bacame fast friends.

I treasure my old worn copy and plan to re-read it soon. It is a book I will not lend to anyone because it is so precious to me.

Rating:
Summary: A LOVE FOR THE AGES...
Review: Written nearly half a century ago, this well-researched historical fiction is as vibrant and as stirring today, as it, undoubtedly, was when it was first written. It regales the reader with the story of Katherine De Roet and John of Gaunt. Beautifully written, it tells the story of Katherine, the youngest daughter of a herald who was knighted before he died.

Born commoners, Katherine and her older sister Philippa, who went on to marry Geoffrey Chaucer, were left poor as church mice. While Philippa managed to obtain a post in the household of the Queen, wife to King Edward III, Katherine went to a convent where she grew up.

When she had grown into her early teens and become a raving beauty, she left the convent to join her sister at Court. Upon doing so, her youthful beauty captivated a boorish knight, Sir Hugh Swynford, who lusted after her. He, eventually, married Katherine, when it became clear that it would be the only way by which he could satisfy his desire.

At the same time that she met her husband to be, she also caught the eye of John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster, son of King Edward III and brother to the heir to the throne, Edward, the Black Prince. John was, at the time, happily married to a beautiful woman named Blanche, who would befriend Katherine.

After reluctantly becoming Lady Swynford, Katherine retired to her husband's estates. She would meet John of Gaunt again, igniting a passion that upon the death of Blanche and that of Sir Hugh Swynford would be consummated. For John of Gaunt, Katherine would remain the love of his life and his mistress, even though for reasons of state, he could not marry her, at the time. He, instead, married the heiress to the throne of Castile.

Still, Katherine remained with him, bearing him many children. Their illicit union was to cause much unrest and scandal throughout England, until they finally parted, only to reunite in their later years. John of Gaunt would then do something unprecedented. This act would bring them much happiness in their final years.

This is a richly drawn portrait of a scintillating love affair in a time that was rife with political intrigue. Set in a medieval landscape with all the pageantry, strife, and turbulence that constituted fourteenth century England, this narrative is peppered with those characters and individuals that made the period memorable. Beautifully written, it is a novel to be savored and one with which the most discerning reader would be well satisfied.

Rating:
Summary: A story of courage, faith , and love.
Review: I first read this book thirty years ago and have since checked it out of the library at least once a year. Whenever I feel discouraged or overwhelmed, I remember Katherine and her journey through heartache and tragedy to a personal knowledge of God's love and faithfulness. Enmeshed in tragedy not of her making, struggling to keep her family together, Katherine persevered and found that God had been there all along. It is an inspiring story of courage, faith, and deepening love. It stands as a testament to the reality that God is the rewarder of those who seek Him. Ms. Seton is a gifted storyteller. She is also a skilled historian and brings the England of Geoffrey Chaucer to the reader with discerning and authentic clarity. You will never forget this book.

Rating:
Summary: Medieval History brought vividly to life
Review: One April morning of 1366, a young girl rides to join her sister at court in Windsor. The young girl was Katherine. There, a boorish knigh, Sir Hugh falls madly in love with her, but Katherine isn't interested. She is persuaded to marry him for her own security, but she has no love for him, nor even any affection.

Katherine has also caught the eye of the King's third son, John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster. Something in the handsome duke's kiss on her wedding day, arouses in Katherine feelings she had never known and she seeks out the duke at every opportunity.

In the laws of God and man, their love is forbidden, but the seed of passion has been sown which will change the course of English history...

This was a brilliant book, difficult to put down. All the history is there, but told through the eyes of the characters, making it that much more real. There's even a cameo appeareance by Goeffrey Chaucer! (Who wrote the Canterbury Tales.)

One to re-read again.

Reviewed by Annette Gisby, author of Silent Screams and Shadows of the Rose.