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The Taming of the Queen

By: Philippa Gregory
Narrated by: Bianca Amato
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Summary

Why would a woman marry a serial killer?

Because she cannot refuse....

Kateryn Parr, a 30-year-old widow in a secret affair with a new lover, has no choice when a man old enough to be her father, who has buried four wives - King Henry VIII - commands her to marry him.

Kateryn has no doubt about the danger she faces: the previous queen lasted 16 months, the one before barely half a year. But Henry adores his new bride, and Kateryn's trust in him grows as she unites the royal family, creates a radical study circle at the heart of the court, and rules the kingdom as regent.

But is this enough to keep her safe? A leader of religious reform and the first woman to publish in English, Kateryn stands out as an independent woman with a mind of her own. But she cannot save the Protestants, under threat for their faith, and Henry's dangerous gaze turns on her. The traditional churchmen and rivals for power accuse her of heresy - the punishment is death by fire, and the king's name is on the warrant....

From an author who has described all of Henry's queens comes a deeply intimate portrayal of the last: a woman who longed for passion, power, and education at the court of a medieval killer.

©2015 Philippa Gregory (P)2015 Simon & Schuster
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What listeners say about The Taming of the Queen

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Great story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is a really good narrative giving dimensions to a queen about whom I knew little and putting a lot of the latter part of Henry's reign in context.

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3 people found this helpful

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Love the story and how it was read

I love all Phillipa Gregory's books, and love the audible version even more. Gripping plot and very good narrator for Catherine Parr. Highly recommended!

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3 people found this helpful

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Fascinating book

Wonderfully written novel about the life of a great queen who withstood attempts to overthrow and kill her. A good insight into medieval life for women. Excellently narrated.

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  • Overall
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    3 out of 5 stars
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Good plot, some niggles

Usual good plot and characterisation by the author. Let down by some annoying repetition, and strange pronunciation by the reader, for example, Latin, courtier and Hereward, the former two occurring so frequently as to become irritating.

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7 people found this helpful

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Absolutely brilliant.

Perfectly narrated. I want to write to Bianca to congratulate her on capturing this amazing book so perfectly. If you love historical fiction based on the stories from that time - you will love it.

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1 person found this helpful

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Fabulous

A great way to interlink stories. The research for this book would have been immense. Very well written and well narrated.

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Outstanding

Dramatised historical account of the life of a queen. Both breathtakingly exiting, horrific and astounding in equal measure. I couldn’t stop listening

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Philippa Gregory’s books

I have listened to all Philippa Gregory’s books which delighted me. She is a wonderful author and I’m very grateful. I am now at a loss as what to how to listen to and occupy myself

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love it!

great contents, great narration. philippa has done it again. Can't wait for the next book

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Recommended

If you could sum up The Taming of the Queen in three words, what would they be?

Sympathetic and riveting.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Katherine. Although she had to resort to scheming this was not really in her nature.

Have you listened to any of Bianca Amato’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No but I found her voice very easy to listen to.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Katherine was obliged to make love to Henry who disgusted her. It felt horrific.

Any additional comments?

I love this period in history and it was brought very vividly to life. I felt her fear and disgust of Henry. The description of the stink from his leg was palpable. She made you feel sick when she talked about the quantities of food Henry consumed. Thomas Seymour came across an exciting man (someone I would have loved to invite to dinner) but he let her down badly in the end. I would have like to book to have carried on to the end of her life.

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