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Summary: A book capable of amazing impact
Review: I am astounded by the number of readers deeply affected by this book. I, too, read it when I was in my teens, and it fascinated me so much that I pursued a degree in English history. This book should not be confused with the current historical romance genre which has only a passing relevance to actual history. It contains solid historical material and incredibly detailed characterization. I was delighted to find it again, even at a steep price tag.I would encourage publishers to re-examine all of Ms. Seton's work and reissue most if not all of it in a more affordable format. While I can't think of a book I would rather spend the money for, there are decades of readers maturing since the 1960's who would enjoy discovering these books. I would love to be able to get Winthrop Woman, which is apparently unavailable even in library bindings. Readers of Anya Seton, unite!
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Summary: THIS IS A STORY ABOUT THE OTHER "KATHERINE THE GREAT"
Review: I've read this book at least a dozen times over the years. I first read it in my early 20's and was impressed by Katherine's strength in the face of adversity. In some ways my life paralleled hers, and when I was at a loss for an answer, I would ask myself how Katherine would have handled it, and the solution became clear. My first two copies of this book were early printings, one hardcopy bound in red and the other bound in green. I have since lost them during moves, so I am forced to buy another copy through Amazon at thirty five dollars. I recommend this book to all who wish to read a sensitive and moving piece of historical fiction.
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Summary: Brings to life a woman who was quite important to history
Review: I first read this book I was fourteen. Since then I've acquired both hardback and paperback. I read it about three or four times a year, my favorite parts being the Christmas scene and the pilgrimage. As did some of the other reviewers, this book whetted my appetite for medieval history. Katherine Swynford is remarkably free of the histrionics that unfortunately seem to characterize so many historical romance heroines. John's and Katherine's daily lives are realistically portrayed, such as John keeping Katherine as a mistress while he marries for power. Ms. Seton doesn't shrink from depicting the filth and disease rampant in that time period either. Nor does she shirk from depicting the terrible position women occupied in that time period, as when she writes of how Katherine was forced to marry Hugh Swynford. He's also portrayed fairly--a ruffian certainly, but a man who falls love deeply, having nothing in his experience to prepare him. He doesn't metamorphose into a wonderful person as a result of this love. Undoubtedly Katherine would really have been as resentful of him as she is portrayed. Love doesn't exactly triumph in this novel, rather it wins by sheer dogged persistence, as when John and Katherine are finally together when they are middle-aged and free of their other social and personal restrictions. I also enjoyed the religious aspect of the book, in which Katherine goes on a vision quest, or spirit journey, gaining hardwon inner peace. Lady Julian's quotes made me cry, while Julian's prescriptions for Katherine's anemia made me laugh out loud. Katherine's hungering for and finding peace and true oneness with Spirit is a nice contrast to all the bloodbath over doctrinal trivialities. It makes a nice comparison between piousness and spiritual fulfillment. Ms. Seton also points out, using Katherine's treatment by the people of Lincoln, and in the hardship of running her estate, how that inner peace gets buffeted by the world. It's not portrayed as being easy, as indeed it isn't. She includes a similar quest in Avalon and Green Darkness, but it's best portrayed in Katherine. Ms. Seton writes about spirit journeys without making them sentimental or hackneyed. I'm glad it's still in print and that women are passing it on to their daughters. It's the way historical romances should be done.
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Summary: This is a truly brilliant book!
Review: I first read this book as a teenager, it changed my life! I'm now 40 and I must have re-read it at least a dozen times. Anya Seton transported me back to the fourteenth century and I live and breath those characters each time I re-read it. I have looked up all the places on the map, visited Old Bolingbroke, Kettlethorpe and Lincoln Cathedral. The Cathedral bookshop publishes an interesting booklet about Katherine and Joan's tomb. The book has inspired me to study medieval history at university, read about medieval mysticism and The Great Pestilence and study the lives of the mighty Plantagenets. One can learn so much from this book, matching the facts to the necessary fiction and the truly great thing about it is that it compels the reader to want to find out more and more about this fascinating period in English history. Oh how I wish the Savoy was still standing! English history lovers will also enjoy the excellent Green Darkness (tudor)and Devil Water (Stuart).
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Summary: MY FAVORITE BOOK EVER!
Review: This book is so amazing I love it so much and I wish everyone could read it! I am not a big reader and I got this book less than a year ago and I have already read it sevral times! It is the best love story! I have been looking for a story like this for a long time! I finally found it! Please read this book! It may not change your life but you will still enjoy it!
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Summary: Wonderful Historical Novel
Review: When I was 13, I had no use for history - just a boring bunch of meaningless facts and dates. Then I read this book. I recently got my MA in history all thanks to this book. When I read Chaucer, I thought of how he was portrayed (He was Katherine's brother-in-law). I grasped English history and Shakespear's plays because John of Gaunt as portrayed by Anya Seton was my touchstone for the history of the period. Of course, my liking for history began with loving the book. I read it several times. Looking back, some of the attitudes are dated; I can pick out little flaws, but why bother? This is a wonderful book to make the middle ages come alive plus the romance is incredible because it's a true story! It's a story no fiction writer would dare to invent!
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Summary: One of the better pieces of historical fiction
Review: Although this is not "Great Literature", it is at least a decent bit of writing based on the lives of actual historical figures and a fair overview of late fourteenth century English history. Learning a bit of history never hurt anyone, even if she/he is reading this just for the romance angle. Accompanying a friend who happens to be intrigued by Katherine Swynford via this book, I have visited her tomb, have seen Kettlethorpe (the home of her first marriage) and also the house believed to be her Lincoln residence. I found the book a bit too lengthy, and not a real page turner, but at least made it to the end.
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Summary: Absolutely the best - because it's based on history
Review: Just to add my two cents' worth. I couldn't agree more. I first read this book when I was 12 or13, and years later studied history in college because of it. John of Gaunt is still my hero and I named my daughter Katherine becuase it seems to me, that he loved her for so long and at the end of his life married her, Katherine Swynford must have been a remarkable woman. My Katherine is now 12 and reading the book for the first time, and loving it too.
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Summary: This is my favourite book of all time
Review: I first read this book when I was 13. Even though I am still only 17 I have read it at least 20 times and I will never get tired of it. It is so beautifully written and the romance is one of the greatest there ever has been. It never fails to move me and make me cry. I recommend everybody to read this brilliant book - it is amazing!
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Summary: The Creme de la Creme of Historical Novels
Review: I first read Katherine in High School. I have read the book about once a year for the past 30 years. It taught me a lot about English history and the love story that goes along with it appeals especially to women. Buy this book if you can find it!
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