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Constant Princess

Average rating: 4/5

Based on 8 ratings

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Constant Princess

by Philippa Gregory

Harpercollins (uk) | October 20, 2005 | Trade Paperback

Splendid and sumptuous historical novel from this internationally bestselling author, telling of the early life of Katherine of Aragon. We think of her as the barren wife of a notorious king; but behind this legacy lies a fascinating story. 

Katherine of Aragon is born Catalina, the Spanish Infanta. Aged four, she is betrothed to Arthur, Prince of Wales, and is raised to be Queen of England.

Her faith is tested when her prospective father-in-law greets her arrival with a great insult; Arthur seems little better than a boy; the food and customs are strange. Slowly she adapts to the first Tudor court. But when Arthur dies, how can she now be queen and found a dynasty? Only by marrying Arthur's young brother, Henry. She will do anything to achieve her aim; even if it means telling the greatest lie and holding to it.

Philippa Gregory proves yet again that behind the apparently familiar face of history lies an astonishing story: of women warriors influencing the future of Europe, of revered heroes making deep mistakes and of an untold love story which changes the fate of a nation.


 

 

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Reviews

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?

    Rating: 5/5

    Loved it!

    book lover

    2 years ago

    I am fascinated by this period in history, and really loved this story about such a noble queen. You fall in love with her immediately and sympathize with her situation and can't help but admire her perseverance. How anyone could put up with such a child of a man for so long just goes to show how tough she was. I also love the way Phillipa Gregory can easily transport a person to another time period, with her vivid descriptions and extensive knowledge of the subject.

    Comments on this review:
    AlbertaJenn

    I liked this one better than The Other Boelyn Girl.

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?

    Rating: 4/5

    One of my favorite authors

    Ange

    2 years ago

    Philippa Gregory has a way of writing that makes her characters unforgettable. This book brings Catalina of Aragon into your heart and makes sure you will never forget the name of Henry VIII's first wife.

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?

    Rating: 3/5

    Captivating Enough

    Toni Osborne

    • Top Book Reviewer

    3 years ago

    In this historically based fiction, Ms Gregory introduces us to one of her most unforgettable heroines and vividly reconstructs for our enjoyment the life of Katherine of Aragon, daughter of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain.

    The story is told from Katherine's point of view, relating her feelings at each milestone in her life, from her childhood in Spain, her marriage to Prince Arthur of England up to the time of her disgrace from court. She recalls when the young couple who were betrothed, finally meet and married, a politically arrange marriage that soon developed into a hidden passion and devotion for each other. Sadly, at age fifteen Arthur falls ill and on his death bed he has Katherine promise to marry his brother Henry and further the hope of becoming Queen and fulfilling their dreams for the country.

    It is easy to forget that Katherine's life is the author's version of events. The story details Katherine's insistence that her first marriage was never consummated; this facilitated her marriage to Henry but always remained a point of contestation.

    The author portrays Katherine as a very courageous and strong woman who faced many struggles, some joyous some sad. We are left with Henry V111 depicted as a spoiled and selfish man who would put aside wife after wife at a whim.

    For those fascinated by historical fiction, this will transport you into the tumultuous life at the Tudor Court, at a time when no one was safe. It was a time when battles to conquer territories were forcefully fought and ones religious beliefs ruled the world.

    The story is quite captivating although I did find it meander and dragged a bit and it ended rather abruptly.

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?

    Rating: 5/5

    Philippa Gregory has done it again!

    Denise MacPherson

    6 years ago

    Great book! Definitely give it a try. Lovers of historical fiction will love it!

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From the Publisher

Splendid and sumptuous historical novel from this internationally bestselling author, telling of the early life of Katherine of Aragon. We think of her as the barren wife of a notorious king; but behind this legacy lies a fascinating story. 

Katherine of Aragon is born Catalina, the Spanish Infanta. Aged four, she is betrothed to Arthur, Prince of Wales, and is raised to be Queen of England.

Her faith is tested when her prospective father-in-law greets her arrival with a great insult; Arthur seems little better than a boy; the food and customs are strange. Slowly she adapts to the first Tudor court. But when Arthur dies, how can she now be queen and found a dynasty? Only by marrying Arthur's young brother, Henry. She will do anything to achieve her aim; even if it means telling the greatest lie and holding to it.

Philippa Gregory proves yet again that behind the apparently familiar face of history lies an astonishing story: of women warriors influencing the future of Europe, of revered heroes making deep mistakes and of an untold love story which changes the fate of a nation.


 

 

About the Author

Philippa Gregory is the author of the bestselling The Other Boleyn Girl and many other novels, both historical and contemporary. She is a screenwriter and regular broadcaster and panellist for the BBC.

Trade Paperback

496 Pages, 6 x 9.1 x 1.45 in

October 20, 2005

Harpercollins (uk)

English


000721278X
9780007212781

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