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The Scandalous Duchess
- Narrated by: Lucy Paterson
- Length: 17 hrs and 21 mins
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The Scandalous Duchess
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Summary
A Sunday Times BestsellerEngland’s Forgotten Queens
‘O’Brien cleverly intertwines the personal and political in this enjoyable, gripping tale.’
-The Times
Widow Lady Katherine Swynford presents herself for a role in the household of merciless royal prince John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, hoping to end her destitution. But the Duke’s scandalous proposition leaves her life of pious integrity reeling…
Seduced by the glare of royal adoration, Katherine becomes John’s mistress. She will leave behind everything she has stood for to play second fiddle to his young wife and ruthless ambition. She will live in the shadows of the most powerful man in England in the hope of a love greater than propriety.
But soon the court whispers – whore, harlot, vile temptress – reach the ears of not just John’s bride but his most dangerous political enemies. As the Plantagenet prince is accused of bringing England to its knees, who better to blame than shameless she-devil Katherine Swynford?
Dragged from the shadows, Katherine must answer for her sins.
Praise for Anne O’Brien
‘O’Brien cleverly intertwines the personal and political in this enjoyable, gripping tale.’
- The Times
‘A gem of a subject … O’Brien is a terrific storyteller’
- Daily Telegraph
‘Joanna of Navarre is the feisty heroine in Anne O’Brien’s fast-paced historical novel The Queen’s Choice.’
-Good Housekeeping
‘A gripping story of love, heartache and political intrigue.’
-Woman & Home
‘Packed with drama, danger, romance and history.’
-Pam Norfolk, for the Press Association
‘Better than Philippa Gregory’ – The Bookseller
‘Anne O’Brien has joined the exclusive club of excellent historical novelists.’ – Sunday Express
‘A gripping historical drama.’
-Bella
‘This book has everything – royalty, scandal, fascinating historical politics and ultimately, the shaping of the woman who founded the Tudors.’ – Cosmopolitan
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What listeners say about The Scandalous Duchess
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Valerie
- 15-09-16
I would wait for the movie
Is there anything you would change about this book?
Its such a fascinating period in history and this is such a strong female character that it seemed sucha shame she was left to utter deep sighs and a bit of bodice ripping.
Would you be willing to try another book from Anne O'Brien? Why or why not?
No I was not overly impressed with the writing style sorry!
Would you be willing to try another one of Lucy Paterson’s performances?
No.
Was The Scandalous Duchess worth the listening time?
a reasonable tube ride book.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs Clare Hydes
- 22-03-23
Not my favourite by this author
I’m not sure if it was the narrator but I got a bit fed up with the apparent incessant moaning of Katherine Swynford. She’s portrayed very differently than the same author portrayed Alice Perrers who was concubine to the king. I usually love Anne O’Brien’s books so I’m going to assume it was the way this one was read.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- R.P.H.Brady
- 25-05-23
Longwinded
Wordy and rather whiny…she does go on and on…nowhere near as taut and well written/read as ‘Katherine’ by Anya Seton who I read many years ago and listened to recently on audible.
Also very little historical essence and background of the tumultuous times…
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Rosieb
- 29-09-20
Scandalous Duchess
Took time to get used to use of first person and all seen through Katherine’s eyes without knowing thoughts of others. But nevertheless beautiful story and close to tears more than once. Shall listen again I’m sure in a while
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Carole
- 29-09-16
brilliant
loved the book and narrator was very good with a beautiful voice, captivating from beginning.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jo-e Telfer
- 07-12-22
The scandalous duchess.
Lady Catherine Swynford,becoming the mistress to a great Duke,John of gaunt, being a history buff, I try to read between the lines,love the story.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Alison
- 07-10-19
The Scandalous Duchess
Whilst I have enjoyed other books by Anne O’Brien is this series, the performance of the narrator, Lucy Patterson, irritated me beyond belief. She mispronounced so many words that it spoiled my enjoyment of the story. For example: “vicitudes” instead vicissitudes, “teremity” twice instead of temerity, “preemptory” instead of peremptory, “milestrom” instead of maelstrom. Also her emphasis of certain syllables in words such as decorous, vituperative and vestige was wrong. I shall not be buying a book which she has narrated again.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Daylilytulip
- 16-10-24
Annoying!
Narrator voice and misprenouncing of text annoying. Character Katharine incredibly whiney and irritating. Not my favourite.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- I.M
- 04-09-19
Flat characters and little events
I fought my way through this.
It is literally all about a 'romance', however, I did not care about the characters and did not really feel their connection.
Everything falls quite flat, the character development, the lack of events happening, the conversations.
The main character is almost not her own person, everything she says/thinks/feels is connected to 'The Duke', quite whiny as well.
The performance is really good though - story is just simply lacking.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Little Eve
- 14-12-22
Absolutely Fabulous
One of the best books I have read in a while. Excellent reader in Lucy Paterson and the wonderful story well told on audio. Brilliant sorry it has ended.
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