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Katherine
Katherine
Author: Anya Seton
Against the turbulent and glittering backdrop of fourteenth-century England, Anya Seton has spun a lusty, uninhibited novel of a forbidden love affair that set the royal houses of Europe aflame with scandal and intrigue. It is the story of Katherine, the lovely young commoner whose beauty dazzled the English court and captured the heart of Engl...  more »
ISBN: 144228
Publication Date: 2/1969
Pages: 640
Rating:
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 1

3.5 stars, based on 1 rating
Publisher: Fawcett Crest
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Katherine on + 82 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Excellent book. Rich characters, great storyline, moves at a reasonable pace and is very well written and historically researched.

This is my first Anya Seton books, but I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.
reviewed Katherine on + 72 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Unbelievable ... I would give it 10 stars if I could ... I am a lover of historical fiction, and one of the best things about it is that it doesn't matter so much when the book was actually written ... Anya Seton was an amazing writer and I would recommend this book to anyone who loves history and wants a long, gorgeous tale of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and his lover, Katherine.
CAJUN avatar reviewed Katherine on + 339 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I HAVE READ THIS BOOK AT LEAST 8 TIMES IN THE LAST 25 YRS. EACH TIME, I FALL IN LOVE WITH IT ALL OVER AGAIN. THIS REALLY IS A MUST READ STORY. TRAGIC, BUT ALL ENDS RIGHT WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE. THE TRUE TRAGIC WOULD BE IF YOU, THE PBS MEMBERS, DID NOT GET ACHANCE TO READ IT.
JeffersonsAmbrosia avatar reviewed Katherine on + 98 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is a wonderfull book, that adds the wonders of courtly romance, while also manageing to stay fairly historical. As someone who adores, the time period this book is set in, and has researched the times of John of Gaunt alot I was very happy and entranced with this book. I couldnt put it down.
reviewed Katherine on
Helpful Score: 2
A beautiful historical picture of life in England during the medieval period as well as a story of unwavering love.
Read All 26 Book Reviews of "Katherine"

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kacey14 avatar reviewed Katherine on + 47 more book reviews
Even though this book was originally published in 1954, it stands the test of time amazingly well. It might help that it is historical fiction set in England in the mid 1300's, but Anya Seton does a great job of setting the tone and moving the story forward.

I enjoyed learning more about Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster. Even though I know quite a bit about English history, I didn't know that there had been a 'People's Revolt' against King Richard in 1381.

I liked the fact that while the overarching story was a star-crossed love story the supporting details were rich in authentic history.
reviewed Katherine on + 625 more book reviews
The romance of Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt (14th century English history) with Chaucer, the Black Death, and all the jostling for the Throne of England interwoven
reviewed Katherine on + 8 more book reviews
***Excellent*** historical fiction. One of the best I've read!
reviewed Katherine on
Excellent for an historical review but too dramatic in the romantic aspect.
Readnmachine avatar reviewed Katherine on + 1435 more book reviews
Historical romance, exquisitely researched and based on the lives of the Plantangenet Duke of Lancaster, John o'Gault, and the woman who was the love of his life, Katherine Swynford.
brittab avatar reviewed Katherine on + 9 more book reviews
Interesting slice of life in 14th, well told. Reading was a bit tiring at some times, but overall a good historical novel.
logswest avatar reviewed Katherine on + 20 more book reviews
I read this when I was 18 and I recently found it again. I was so impressed with it then I did a book report on it and talked my high school teacher into reading it and he was very impressed. I was so glad to find it again and reread it. I loved that it was true history. There is a wonderful spiritual aspect in it too. This is a richly drawn portrait of a scintillating love affair in a time that was rife with political intrigue. Set in a medieval landscape with all the pageantry, strife, and turbulence that constituted fourteenth century England, this beautifully written narrative is peppered with those characters and individuals that made the period memorable. It is a novel to be savored and one with which the most discerning reader would be well satisfied.
reviewed Katherine on + 29 more book reviews
excellent book and an easy read
shukween avatar reviewed Katherine on + 118 more book reviews
This book is heads and shoulders above today's historical fiction writers--not to denigrate today's, some of whom are fantastic, but to elevate Ms. Seton's work. Thoroughly believable, exquisite period detail--so much so you'll need a dictionary close by--make this a lovely engrossing read. This book shows you how historical fiction should be done.


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