Katherine
(Anya Seton)
This is a story that utterly grabbed me ? a historical romance based on the real character of Katherine de Roet, a fourteenth century charity orphan of Queen Philippa who is brought to court in the late 1360s. Although born the daughter of a mere Flemish herald and completely lacking in dowry, Katherine has the good fortune (in a material sense at least!) to become betrothed to Sir Hugh Swynford, a landed knight from Lincolnshire. Yet this is only the beginning of her rise through the Plantagenet royal court, as the mistress of John of Gaunt, third son of Edward III and one of the richest and most powerful men of the period Katherine will become ancestress of both York and Tudor kings. In this crucial period before the War of the Roses, Katherine lived in an exciting period; under constant threat from the Black Death, witness to the 1381 Peasant?s revolt and sister-in-law to Geoffrey Chaucer, Seton?s book uses the her life to present a thrilling picture of the age.
Although a novel, and hence ultimately a work of fiction, Seton provides an introduction briefly explaining how she researched her story, complete with some of the most important references she used. She seems to have done her best to make the story as accurate as possible - even the minor characters of the story, where possible, have been given their actual names using the registers of John of Gaunt?s household. Although I personally would disagree with a few of her character portrayals this story did inspire me to read more about the Plantagenet era, a subject completely neglected at my school despite the importance of the period.
Seton writes in an engrossing, entertaining and highly descriptive manner ? once I had got beyond the first few chapters I couldn?t put it down! The characters are very real and the reader becomes very involved in each of their personal stories.
Definitely one of my favourite books ? combining both history and romance ? and ideal for relaxation this book is highly recommended!
Resumos Relacionados
- Seabiscuit
- The Hound Of The Baskervilles
- I, Robot
- Possessions
- The Davici Code
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