Katharine, the Virgin Widow

A Novel

By: Jean Plaidy

Narrated by: Anne Flosnik

Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

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, sent 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, 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.

©1990 Eleanor Hibbert (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Not bad

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

If you enjoy learning about Katherine of Aragon it could be enjoyable, but so many of these books are similar and get tiring to listen to.

Would you be willing to try another book from Jean Plaidy? Why or why not?

Maybe, it seemed a little aged.

Was Katharine, the Virgin Widow worth the listening time?

I guess so, I probably wouldn't listen to it again though, it wasn't that good. The plot was just ok, not a lot of new information about her life I didn't already know.

awesome book

I have always loved British history and having it read aloud helps to feel like I am there as it is happening thanks for audible!!!!!

The Dowager Princess of Wales

This is the first book Jean Plaidy has written about the tumultuous life of Katherine of Aragon. Born in Spain to the very important Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon(of Columbus fame) she was destined to marry into England and uphold the alliance between the two countries. Married, first to an ailing boy, Arthur, Prince of Wales, she thought that maybe she had found happiness. But tragedy strikes and she is left in darkness.

She had no idea which way to turn, but once she finds a path she does her best to stick to it. Plaidy is masterful at having you feel her sorror and her joys. A book to read or listen to.

The narrator does a fairly good job at the story and changing her voice up for different characters, but her Spanish accent and pronunciation leave much to be desired. I understand it can be hard for some people, but some of it I was cringing at.

Lesser known Catherine

Everybody knows the story of Catherine of Aragon once Anne Bolyn enters the picture, but few really picture the early years for her. Kudos to Plaidy for trying to capture the entire life in her books.

tedious dialogue, bland setting

I had hoped to find a new author for easy listening, but this was not what I enjoy, even in light historical fiction.

The plot moves slowly, which is fine to me in a historical novel redeemed by rich setting details and well, history, but this contains only a small bit of history outside of the court intrigue related to Katherine. It contains even fewer setting details to heighten interest in that. Characters often speak and think in anachronistic fashion.

The most serious drawback: The dialogue is often tedious and repetitive. I had to finish the listen on my ipod's fast speed, something I rarely do. I have no idea how a 16th century Spanish accent would sound (the English speak with modern accent as is usual in light historical fcition) but some of the Spanish accents sound to me more like Count Drrrac-U-lla than Spaniards of any period.

Based on this novel, I wouldn't download any more of Plaidy--not my taste in historical fiction--and too bad, since her subjects are interesting. To end on a positve note, at least there was no graphic 21st century sex disguised as history!

Long and Oriental

I love historical figures which is the only reason I listened to this story all the way through. It was long winded, very wordy and the the narrator clipped each word so much that I thought the characters were oriental and not Spanish...especially Katharine...at times I laughed out loud listening to her accent it sounded so unbelievable. I wouldn't listen to this again...and the narrator needs to not try foreign accents...she is much better with just English.