The Sixth Wife by Suzannah Dunn
Guest Review by Sydney author and journalist Karina Juncal
Harper Collins
There isn’t a “thou” or “my lord” to be found in this thoroughly modern, and occasionally raunchy, re-imagining of the tragic final months of Henry VIII’s last wife, the erudite Katherine Parr, who finally finds love after the old king’s demise. Narrated by her best friend, the steely Catherine Suffolk, the contemporary voice (eg, “Listen: she’d dealt with it … she’d saved everybody’s skin”) may take some getting used to for fans of the genre. Yet it is worth persevering, not only for some starkly beautiful writing, but because in every other way the 1540s spring to life in sumptuous detail—the clothes, the settings, the courtly intrigues, the names and events. By exploring indelible themes such as motherhood, sexuality, friendship and the complex face of love, Dunn spotlights the humanity in a cast of long-dead historical figures, drawing a connection between her readers and her characters which skips across the centuries.
Portrait of an Unknown Woman by Vanora Bennett
Guest Review by Sydney author and journalist Karina Juncal
Harper Collins
This remarkable novel by London journalist Vanora Bennett is reminiscent of Tracy Chevalier’s Girl With a Pearl Earring, in that its storylines circle the works of a famous painter, though Bennett’s is wider in scope. Possibly too wide—at around 500 pages, you could argue that Portrait wouldn’t have suffered for having some of its scholarly subplots pruned, but it’s worth staying with. At the heart of this story is the imagined love affair between two real-life historical figures—German artist Hans Holbein the Younger, and the narrator, Meg Giggs, foster daughter of esteemed English thinker Thomas More—set against a broad canvas of religious and political upheaval during Henry VIII’s most tumultuous years. More commissioned Holbein to paint his family’s portrait, and Bennett’s rendering of the Tudor household has no better in fiction. Fans will relish the superb period detail in this smarter-than-average offering from the genre.
A Review of A Visitor’s Companion to Tudor England
When I first interviewed Suzannah Lipscomb in early 2011, she was immersed in researching and writing A Visitor’s Companion to Tudor England. Whilst talking to Suzannah about her book, I discovered that we share something in common – a love … Continue reading
A review of ‘The Crown’ by Nancy Bilyeau
Synopsis An aristocratic young nun must find a legendary crown in order to save her father—and preserve the Catholic faith from Cromwell’s ruthless terror. The year is 1537. . . Joanna Stafford, a Dominican nun, learns that her favorite cousin … Continue reading
A review of ‘At the Mercy of the Queen’ by Anne Barnhill
Synopsis A sweeping tale of sexual seduction and intrigue at the court of Henry VIII, At the Mercy of the Queen is a rich and dramatic debut historical novel about Madge Shelton, cousin and lady-in-waiting to Anne Boleyn. At the … Continue reading
A review of VIII by H.M Castor
With so much Tudor fiction written for adults, I don’t often read novels aimed at young adults but when I read about H.M Castor’s debut novel for teens, VIII, I was immediately intrigued. Why not Henry VIII? Why just VIII? … Continue reading
A review of ‘To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn’
Sandra Byrd’s ‘To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn’ was the only ‘Tudor comfort’ I allowed myself on a recent family vacation and boy am I glad I took this treasure along! It is the story of Anne Boleyn … Continue reading
A review of The Tudor Secret by Christopher Gortner
Having read and loved The Last Queen by Christopher Gortner I couldn’t wait to read the first book in the Elizabeth I Spymaster Chronicles – The Tudor Secret. I read the book in a few sittings and was hooked from … Continue reading
My review of The Arrow Chest by Robert Parry
London, 1876. The painter Amos Roselli is in love with his life-long friend and model, the beautiful Daphne – and she with him – until one day she is discovered by another man, a powerful and wealthy industrialist. What will … Continue reading
A review of Sandra Worth’s ‘Pale Rose of England’
Synopsis It is 1497. The news of the survival of Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, has thundered across Europe, setting royal houses ablaze with intrigue and rocking the fledgling Tudor dynasty. Stepping finally onto English soil, Catherine arrives at the … Continue reading
A review of The Virgin Widow by Anne O’Brien
What separates the good from the great when it comes to historical fiction is the author’s ability to seamlessly weave fact and fiction whilst simultaneously transporting us back in time via an engrossing storyline and vibrant characters. Another important factor … Continue reading
A review of Virgin and the Crab: Sketches, Fables & Mysteries from the early life of John Dee and Elizabeth Tudor
This remarkable novel by Robert Parry is one of the best Tudor novels I have ever read. At various points throughout the story, I asked myself ‘How?’ How can a person who has never experienced life in Tudor England bring … Continue reading
A review of The Last Queen by C.W. Gortner
C.W Gortner’s The Last Queen is the story of Juana of Castile the third child of Isabel of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon. It is an evocative and vivid portrayal of the life of a Queen that history all but … Continue reading
A review of His Last Letter by Jeane Westin
His Last Letter by Jeane Westin is a captivating and powerful love story set against the backdrop of a perilous time in Elizabeth’s reign. Westin brings Elizabeth and Dudley’s tempestuous relationship vividly to life. Their relationship spanned more than 30 … Continue reading
A review of The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory
I have just finished reading The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory and found it entertaining and engaging. This is the second book in the Cousins’ War series and covers roughly the same period as The White Queen (the first book … Continue reading
The Early Loves of Anne Boleyn by Josephine Wilkinson
Having never read one of Josephine Wilkinson’s books before I was unsure of what to expect. I quickly discovered that her work is well researched and based on evidence but it is by no means as detailed as the work … Continue reading
Have you read ‘Mistress Blanche Queen Elizabeth I’s Confidante’? Blanche Parry was with Elizabeth for 56 years, from Elizabeth’s birth to Blanche’s own death the year after the Spanish Armada. Blanche was in charge of Elizabeth’s jewels, and she acted as a modern PA for the Queen. She was in charge of the Privy Chamber and of access to the Queen. Her aunt, Lady Troy is proved to have been the Lady Mistress who brought up Elizabeth and her brother Edward VI. A book with absolutely new, and accurate, information. See: http://www.blancheparry.com
I haven’t read this yet but it sounds fascinating – thank you for sharing!
I hope you enjoy it Natalie. There is also: ‘Blanche Parry & Queen Elizabeth I’ which has fantastic pictures + short book in a calendar-format. It is a collectable to treasure and you can find it on amazon.uk
This is a great way to find out about new Tudor books. Thank you for the great reviews!