Posts
In the fifth novel in her Six Tudor Queens series, Weir convincingly imagines the answer to that question. Incorporating period sources about Katheryn (which weave smoothly into the narrative), she plunges readers into the viewpoint of a fun-loving, naive young woman whose unorthodox upbringing and poor choices precipitated her downfall.
Raised by caring relatives after her mother’s death, the attractive, dowerless Katheryn later enters the lax household of her step-grandmother, the Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, and falls in with a sexually adventurous crowd. After her ambitious Catholic uncle pushes her toward King Henry VIII, she decides becoming queen has definite appeal and develops affection for her aging, devoted royal husband.
Her past, however, leaves her vulnerable to blackmail, and it’s fascinating and disquieting to see how she justifies her decisions. Though Katheryn lacks the intellectual depth of Weir’s previous heroines, her character portrait is similarly astute.
Katheryn Howard, The Scandalous Queen was published this month by Ballantine in hardcover and ebook. In the UK, the title is Katheryn Howard, The Tainted Queen. I reviewed it for the 4/15 issue of Booklist (reprinted with permission) and am looking forward to Katharine Parr, The Sixth Wife, next year.
Other notes: I did wonder, after reading the previous books in the series, what Weir would make of Katheryn Howard. Her life was shorter than that of her predecessors, and there just didn't seem to be as much substance to work with. With her own first cousin (Anne Boleyn) having been charged with adultery and beheaded, Katheryn could have remained faithful and enjoyed her royal position while it lasted, since she was decades younger than Henry and would likely outlive him. But that's not what happened. Put plainly, she didn't seem especially bright. Weir's novel didn't convince me otherwise, but she did a great job with the historical material and explained why Katheryn behaved as she did. As such, I found this novel particularly successful as an example of biographical fiction.
Sad short story of a Queen who should have learnt from what went before her. Thanks for this review.
ReplyDeleteThat's a fair summary. Thanks for your comment!
DeleteThe Royals. We just can't do without them! Endlessly fascinating. I also listen to a podcast called "Noble Blood" which has recently told stories of some of Henry VIII's wives. I'll have to check out Weir's series. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check out that podcast - thanks for mentioning it!
DeleteSarah, I think you hit the nail on the head with your comment about Catherine Howard not being very bright. It's the only thing that makes sense--knowing what happened to her cousin before her--and yes, what was she thinking to be fooling around with Tom Culpepper while married to the King!? A sad, foolish young woman. Have you read Young and Damned and Fair by Gareth Russell? Decent biography, considering there's so little to work with.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read it though have heard about it. It looks to be very comprehensive. Thanks for recommending it. btw, Culpepper doesn't come across very well in this book! I didn't realize he had such a disreputable past.
Delete