The Taming of the Queen

Holding some iconic resonance in title to a Shakespeare play called, The Taming of the Shrew. This book not only insists that the "Queen" in question is thought of as a shrewish woman, but again - holds the powerful public face that is so well connected with the works of Philippa Gregory. This book, I read just before I started my second year of university and I absolutely loved it. I'm sure, that if you like historical fiction - that you too, will enjoy it as much as I did. 

Characters: 

This novel is telling us the story of Catherine ("Kateryn") Parr, Queen of England and the last wife of King Henry VIII. Catherine is a strong and yet helpless woman in trying to calm Henry's tempers - as she also tries to get him to reinstate Mary and Elizabeth into the line of succession. She is one of those women that you could only associate with being embodied in a Philippa Gregory novel. She is written beautifully as her main conflict is between her love for the King and the good of the country (which at this time in Henry's reign were two completely different things). 

Themes:

My favourite theme in this novel is inheritance. I was talking about the line of succession in the English Monarchy - and Catherine is constantly trying to persuade Henry to let Mary and Elizabeth be in that line. I really believe that Catherine was talking about Edward VI's sickliness - as if she knew he wouldn't survive his father long enough to have a lasting effect. 

Storyline:

The storyline of this book tells us exactly how Henry VIII and Catherine Parr live together. She tends to have conflicting viewpoints on how Henry behaves. Sometimes, he behaves as a man worthy of the kingship - and sometimes he is extremely temperamental, like a small child not getting what they want. But, whatever it is - there is really a true voice in Catherine Parr's narrative that she only expresses to us - as readers she confides in. 

Verdict:

I give this book a 9

100% for characters: I love the characters that Gregory creates in this world of temptation that is slowly tearing itself apart

100% for themes: Inheritance, Power, Betrayal, Savage Lavishness - I loved all of these themes in the novel. They were brilliant. 

100% for storyline: The storylines being interlinked, the characters being intertwined - these things are all essential (and much more) to creating a perfect historical fiction novel.