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Summary: Read this Book! It's everyone's favorite!
Review: I highly recommend this book. I first heard of it when my British Literature teacher said it was her favorite book. I went to the library to rent it and the librarian said it was her favorite book. I read it, now it is my favorite book. I bought the book (so I could read it again) and lent it to my mom. It is now her favorite book. It's romantic and entertaining and historical and just great.
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Summary: Wonderful Historical Romance
Review: I was a teenager when I first read this book. I have re-read it many times since then. My mother had tried to get me to read this book a few times, but I was too young, I suppose, to appreciate it ("yucky romance"). I picked it off the bookshelf one day out of boredom, and was unable to put it down. It was my first "romance", and held my interest because it was historically accurate. The fact that John and Katherine actually lived and that their great love is the foundation for the Tudor and Stuart dynasties is fascinating. John is the ancestor of the legitimate Lancastrian line, the Yorkist line, Tudor and Stuart lines. Anyone interested in English history should read this book. Anyone who wants a good romantic read should read this book. My niece just started it, so three generations have been enthralled by it. If you enjoyed "Gone With the Wind", you will LOVE this book!
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Summary: My All-time Favorite
Review: "Katherine" is my all-time favorite book. Not only is the story an inspiration, the history is rich with detail and you learn a lot from reading it. I have probably read it 6 times over, and am ready to do so again. I also wish the Savoy was still standing! I have yet to make it to England from my home in the United States, but it is my dream to go someday and see all these places for myself. If you want to be transported, read this book (again and again).
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Summary: Oh where is a man like John of Gaunt!
Review: Katherine was a book a came across in my high school library. I was always one for romance and adventure. It was a thick old looking book. And the name "Katherine" was written on the spine and I knew she must have been quite a woman to have such a thick book written about her. So I checked it out and read veraciously. I had tried several times to find it again in adulthood but to no avail as it was out of print for a time. But thanks to Amazon.com I was able to find it again and this time buy it. I have turned many a friend on to it.
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Summary: My favorite book!
Review: I have recommended this book to so many people and have given it as so many gifts! Katherine was my mom's favorite book and one day she gave it to me to read. It is the story of John of Gaunt and his mistress, Katherine. As srange as it seems, I honostly read this book at least once if not twice a year. Of course first I prepare myself to get nothing done for a few days. When you read Katherine you become so wrapped up in the story. If I put it down to go somewhere I cant stop thinking about the part that is coming next. As I get closer to the end I read slower so as to make the story last longer. If you love romance, happy endings, castles, pretty dresses, and stories of the past, Katherine will make your heart happy and leave you with a wonderful feeling.
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Summary: Fabulous historical drama/romance
Review: "Katherine" is Anya Seton's finest book, which is high praise considering her talent. She is a very fine writer with excellent attention to detail and historical accuracy, as well the ability to make the characters come vividly alive.This is of course a very fine and entertaining story. There is our heroine Katherine, with all of her trials and tribulations, and who finds herself unexpectedly thrust into a turbulent life with a turbulent royal family! It is interesting to note that through the children she had with John of Gaunt, she is a direct ancestress of all of ruling Kings and Queens of England from that time on (and a great many members of European royal families as well)! Katherine made her mark on history in many, many ways. This is an utterly charming and beautiful book. I was about 12 when I first picked it up and was immediately enchanted by the writing, the adventure and the history, and return to it time and time again. The book is peppered with other interesting historical characters - for example Geoffrey Chaucer was married to Katherine's sister, and appears from time to time full of wit and stories. So read it for yourself, and introduce it to a young lady in your life. You could not bestow a finer gift.
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Summary: THIS IS A TRUE JOURNEY OF "EROTICA"
Review: FEW UPPER CLASS GIRLS IN LATE VICTORIAN ENGLAND REMAINED INNOCENT FOR LONG, AND KATHERINE WAS NO EXCEPTION. NINETEEN AND NAIVE, KATHERINE THROWS HERSELF INTO MARRIAGE TO ESCAPE THE EROTIC WILES OF HER GUARDIAN.LITTLE DOES SHE FORESEE THE EROTIC EPISODES HELD OUT TO HER BY HER NEW IN-LAWS----ON LAND AND SEA AND FROM BOUDOIR TO RIDING STABLE.
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Summary: A Book for All Ages
Review: I was the first in my family of seven girls to read this book more than thirty years ago. Before long, it had been borrowed from the library so many times by my sisters and me that we should have purchased our own copy! Anya Seton brought the middle ages alive for us and we all still have more than a passing interest in British history. This book is suitable for adolescents, even though it deals with some real-life issues that are grim and worldly. As with all historical novels, the reader sees the story from the point of view that the author chooses. Although she is decidedly pro John of Gaunt, Seton's research and details are historically accurate. I usually warn people not to read this book, unless they have nothing else to do until finished. It is that compelling. Every year, it turns up on one of our Christmas lists!
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Summary: A Favorite
Review: I first read Katherine in junior high ... and was captivated then, and am captivated now by this lovely book. I believe this is Ms. Seton's masterpiece, and have recommended it and loaned it to many friends. The 14th century is brought to life, the love story is wonderful and the afterword ("and from them all the kings and queens of England have been descended") reminds you that John of Gaunt and Katherine Swynford were real people who had a profound effect on the history of England.
Along with some of the other reviewers, I truly envy anyone reading it for the first time.
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Summary: A gem of a book
Review: I must confess I picked this book up for $.50 at a flea market years ago only because the title and spelling matched my name. It was a nicknack decorating a table for years. Last week my Husband threatened to toss it. While I was contemplating it's value I opened it up, started reading, and didn't do anything else for two days. This is by far the BEST 50 cents I have ever spent. I've already loaned it to my best friend with hints at danger if she doesn't return it. What a wonderful book. I plan on checking out the other titles by Seton as well.
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