As most who are fascinated with the time period of Henry VIII know, Catherine Howard, who this novel is based on, did not come to a good end. Yet, the author weaved such a good tale around the history of this time that I was completely drawn into the world of Catherine Howard and the Tudor Court was brought to life once again. I really enjoy reading of the parties, balls, and the gowns-one of my favorite things to read about.
Henry VIII had six wives in his lifetime, Catherine Howard was number five. In this time period the point to any existence was how much power you had, how close to the King you could get no matter what you had to sacrifice as a family. The Howards, after Anne Boleyn’s beheading, were having financial difficulties and needed another pretty young face to catch the King’s attention. That pretty girl happened to be fifteen year old Catherine. The story is very well told from Catherine’s point of view and we get a feel of what the Tudor Court and all the responsibility of being a Queen would be like for such a young girl.
I’ve never read a lot on Catherine so this novel really drew me into the story. Many thought she was just a silly girl wanting more pretty things, not to mention she did not have a clean past as a girl marrying the King should. Yet we need to remember she was fifteen. This is still a child. Of course she was silly and romantic and wanted more pretty gowns and jewels. She didn’t have the maturity to be a proper wife; at that age she didn’t have any idea what to do. Catherine was following her family’s wishes as most young girls of that time had no choice but to do. Her family wanted her in the King’s way to be noticed and all of the family worked towards that goal. At the time of Catherine marrying King Henry VIII he was already an old man. Catherine was not in love with him and was taken with another young man at court and it didn’t take long before she was swayed in that direction. She had a taste of love-however any talk of betraying the King is treason.
Catherine’s past is finally revealed to the King along with her current pastimes and this does not bode well for her. He is angry of course and has her confined to her rooms. It has not helped that in the time they were married that Catherine was unable to produce an heir; that may have saved her. Along the way she is willing to risk her life and her family to find a way to become pregnant, keeping in mind that she is always coached from the sidelines by her family. The King leaves and Catherine’s life is decided by The Privy Council with the King’s consent. The author has weaved this story so realistically that I was in tears by the end and very impressed with a young girl approaching death in a very dignified manner.
In any novel of historical fiction I read I am always horrified by the lives of the young girls of this time. Being forced into marriage at such young ages and paraded on dance floors like pieces of meat has always made me angry. Catherine, being a young girl, did as she was told. Many times during the novel she is at her witt’s end because she doesn’t know anymore what to do or what to think. At the end when she is pressured for answers she is distraught because she has always had someone there to tell her what to say and what to do. She never really had a chance to be her own person as I think it was for many women of that time. Towards the end of the novel there is a quote I’d like share:
- ‘All of my life I felt as if I belonged to someone else: my father’s pretty daughter, my grandmother’s charge. Anne Boleyn’s cousin, betrothed to Francis, beloved of Thomas, then wife to King Henry. I think back now to when I was truly myself, and I can see it in my mind: I’m a child, lying in the grass and singing, the face of a kitten moving close and sniffing the tip of my nose. I had nothing then, or I thought I had nothing, but really I had everything: I had myself. That was truly me, on my own and complete. It makes me smile, just to think of it.’ (pg. 288 from an advance, uncorrected copy-may be different in published copy)
Catherine was fifteen years old when she was beheaded. A girl who never had a chance to become a woman. This novel gives us some insight into how things may have come about for her. It is written with great style and the story keeps moving forward at a good pace. I would recommend it for young adults 14 years and up and it is certainly suitable for an adult audience.
Check out Melissa’s wonderful review here at Melissa’s Bookshelf.
15! Isn’t that just freaky to think about? I don’t think Lady Jane Grey was much older either. I’m glad I wasn’t born then! I have enough trouble being a wise, responsible adult now much less when I was a teenage! 🙂
Lezlie
WOW! I had no idea she was so young! What an incredible story! I will be looking for this one. Thanks!
I have a copy of this in my pile too, and am very excited about it!
This sounds like a good book.. I am just finishing a Historical Fiction book as well and I am beginning to like the genre..
I am going to watch out for this book.. It is something I would love to read..:)
What a good review Dar…this sounds like a good book! I can’t imagine being a young gal during this time period. I was such a rebel of a teenager that I probably would have been beheaded at 14! I think I will definitely be watching for this book.
I just saw your comment on mine about WW. I think it would be good to support each other. My weigh in is on Thursday, so I will let you know how I do. Hope you are doing OK. I have stuck to it quite well. Very determined at the moment!
This sounds really good, Dar. Thanks for the recommendation and wonderful review!
This sounds really good. Right now I’m reading ‘The Other Boleyn Girl’ and loving it. I’ll definately have to give this one a try! Thanks for writing about it.
God, she was so young. And of course, older women didn’t have it much better either. Historical fiction often makes me incredibly glad I was born when I was. Especially as a woman.
Thanks for the review, Dar. This sounds great.
And plus the cover is so pretty!
This sounds very good, great review. I just finished The Virgins Lover, and its always fun reading anything having to do with the Tudors.
pretty cover too!
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
Lezlie, no kidding. I couldn’t imagine being married at 15. It was bad enough having the idea at 19-lol.
kalea kane, I thought she had been a bit older too but it was the young girls who were the attraction in that day.
Lenore, I’ll be watching for your review when you get to it.
Ramya, I really love historical fiction. I get so drawn into the world and I just can’t put it down.
Jo-Jo, thanks. I wouldn’t have survived this time period either-I too was a troublemaker.
Scrap girl, keep up that determination and while you’re at it, send some my way.
Wendy, thanks 🙂
Michele, I really enjoyed The Other Boleyn Girl. I’ll be watching for your review of it.
Nymeth, I agree. I’m glad to be in this generation and not that one. The only thing I like about that generation is the thought of all the beautiful gowns although I’d not like wearing them-lol.
Naida,this is definitely my favorite time to read in historical fiction although I’m wanting to open myself up to others too. I love the cover too-it’s just so pretty.
Hey Dar… I have this one to read also. I will be checking back for the rest of the review soon. The cover is so beautiful.
Wow this sounds amazing! I really enjoying learning about this period of history and I’m a fan of The Tudors tv show. From what I can tell the third season will feature a bit about this particular wife of Henry.
Great review – I can’t wait to read this book – March seems so far away 🙂 lol
What a great review! I’m definitely adding this one to my TBR list – thanks for bringing it to my attention!
Terrific review Dar! I definitely need to add this one to my list.
Awesome post, Dar! This sounds like an excellent book and I was just thinking that I really liked the cover, right before I read your comment on it, lol!
This does look good…thanks for the review!
I admit to not knowing too much about her but that really is sad. Poor girl!
Toni, I can’t wait to see your thoughts on this book.
Joanne, I’m a fan of The Tudors too. That time period is most fascinating for me.
Swapna, Holly, Amy, thanks. I think this is one you’d like. My copy will up for grabs in a few weeks.
April, it’s a very eye catching cover and like I said it fits the story which I like.
Jen, I think it’s sad too how a man had that much power and could just put people to death like that.
Sounds like a great historical fiction read, especially being told from the p.o.v of 15yo Catherine. Enjoyed your review!
Wow, Dar, this one sounds wonderful! It’s hard to put that time frame and their social norms in context with our own sometimes. You wrote a lovely review keeping it all within context, too. I’ll have to pick this one up!
Wanda, thanks. It was interesting to read from the pov of a young person. It is a bit different.
Michele, thanks. I’m going to put mine up for a giveaway after my current one. I think you’d probably like this one.
Another wonderful review Dar! You just added another book to my TBR.
I added a link to the ARC Challenge post.
Thanks Teddy!
This does sound like an awesome read! 🙂
I don’t know much about the Tudors. This sounds like a great book, though. Married at 15 and to top it off, she’s beheaded…wow, that’s just awful.
–Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
J.Kaye, it was good. I even think you would like it.
Anna, the Tudors are the most interesting and anything to do with King Henry VIII is right up my alley.