Katharine of Aragon: The Story of a Spanish Princess and an English Queen

The Tudor series is not a string of novels written one after the other; they were written at different stages during Plaidy’s life. The first book was the last to be written. This second one – and the two that follow it – are really sequels from the Daughters of Spain series.In consequence, a huge portion of Book One is retold in Book Two. Book One follows on from the Plantagenet series, and it’s a shame that the author didn’t write up to the point where she starts this novel.We do, however, see more events from Katharine of Aragon’s viewpoint in this story, along with her maidservents’ activities, plus what’s going on in Spain.Katharine’s sister Juana is the most well-developed and engaging character. She’s mad, which gives are more personality than any other character. The sections featuring Juana interested me most of all.As with all Plaidy novels, “The Virgin Widow” features a lot of repeated info and dry facts. The main reason why her works are so dry is because there’s far too much *telling*, as opposed to *showing*. Many times in this book the reader is told what happened in a few sentences, when the author could’ve dramatized scenes to show what happened.Something else Ms Plaidy’s guilty of is her continuous use of the passive voice. It’s always, “She had been carried into the lying-in-state chamber by four noblemen,” or “The daughter of the King,” as opposed to the active voice: “Four noblemen carried her into the lying-in-state chamber,” and “The king’s daughter.”Passive voice = passive prose.Another annoying trait this author has is writing with hindsight. Her characters say prophetic things, which is too unrealistic, or they wish for things – repeatedly! – until they either get their wish, or suffer in the attempt. For example, the future Henry VIII constantly wishes he was the firstborn son, and he harps on about older brother Arthur’s ill health. It’s written in such a way as to hint that Henry knows his wish will come true. We know it will, but he couldn’t know, especially from such a young age. In the previous book he was coveting the throne from the age of three.The future was as unknown to these people as it is for everyone else, but in these stories they have premonitions, which I can’t believe the real people these characters are based on would ever have: “She was trying to shake off this premonition which had been with her since she knew she was to have another child.”It’s all down to the author writing with hindsight. Very irritating. Something about Jean Plaidy’s books keep me coming back for more. Perhaps it’s her obvious love for English history, which I share, that draws me back. I wish she’d focused less on turning out as greater quantity of novels as possible and concentrated more on quality writing.“The Virgin Widow” has some good moments, but overall it’s another that feels like an unedited early draft.

This is the second book in Jean Plaidy's Tudor series and very interesting and informative. I love Katharine of Aragon as a queen/character and am always interested to find out more about her although it was curious that the author described her as plain, when I thought she was beautiful in other historical reviews. Worth a read though!

From fantastic fiction:In the eyes of the world, Katharine of Aragon was a precious object to be disposed of for the glory of Spain. Her parents, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, send her to England to become the bride of Arthur, Prince of Wales.But soon her frail husband was dead, and a fateful question loomed: Was the marriage consummated, as Katharine's priest avowed, or was the young widow still a virgin? On that delicate point hinged Katharine's-and England's-future. Meanwhile, waiting in the wings was her willful, handsome brother-in-law, bold Prince Henry, who alone had the power to restore Katharine's lost position.This is the second in the Tudor series. It begins where Katherine is married to Arthur up to the point where she marries Henry VIII. I felt this book covered a lot of ground which was in the previous book, ‘Uneasy Lies The Head’. The first book is about Henry VII and covers the period of Katherines marriage to Arthur and his death, and then up to his own death. The second book covers the same period. Again Ms Plaidy’s books are full of historical facts about my favourite period in history but compared to todays writers such as Philippa Gregory her books are now a little bland. However it still provides a good read although it was a bit slow in places and very repetitive of the first novel.Would I recommend this book: Yes if you like the Tudors but be aware it isn’t as sexy as todays novels that are out there.

Another magnificent nail-biting page turner that is very hard to put down. Ms. Plaidy certainly has a way of putting her reader right into the heart of all the action. And, again, you will laugh with the characters, and cry with the characters and go through all things with them. Everyone is so real and alive through the masterful writing that you can't help but feel as though you truly know these characters.

Jean Plaidy is amongst the nobility of historical fiction authors. Her research, particularly for the time, is amazing. This is primarily the story of Katherine, but we also get a good chunk of the story of her sister Juana, and the rise and fall of Cardinal Wolsey. It is clear that Anne Boleyn will have her own time to shine, as in this book she is a shadow in the background and never in the forefront. You can't help but feel sympathy for the position of Katherine.

I really enjoyed this book and I liked that it was a little more historically accurate than some other historical fictions I have read. This was a time period of continual alliances and various political plots. Tudor England was very political and relationships were always on the political stage and this book really shows that.