• Katherine

  • A Novel
  • By: Anya Seton
  • Narrated by: Lorna Bennett
  • Length: 29 hrs and 50 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (76 ratings)

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Katherine  By  cover art

Katherine

By: Anya Seton
Narrated by: Lorna Bennett
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Publisher's summary

"Exhilarating, exuberant, and rich," Katherine is an epic novel of a love affair that changed history—that of Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, the ancestors of most of the British royal family (Austin Chronicle).

Set in the vibrant fourteenth century of Chaucer and the Black Death, the story features knights fighting in battle, serfs struggling in poverty, and the magnificent Plantagenets—Edward III, the Black Prince, and Richard II—who rule despotically over a court rotten with intrigue. Within this era of danger and romance, John of Gaunt, the king’s son, falls passionately in love with the already-married Katherine. Their affair persists through decades of war, adultery, murder, loneliness, and redemption.

Anya Seton's vivid rendering of the lives of the Duke and Duchess of Lancaster makes Katherine an unmistakable classic.

“An inspiration and the benchmark by which I judge historical novels.”—Alison Weir

©2000 Anya Seton (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

What listeners say about Katherine

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My favorite book of all time

I discovered this enchanting tale nearly 30 years ago and it is still my favorite. Seton is a master at historical novels. The bewitching story of Katherine and John won’t disappoint!

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  • D
  • 05-30-23

love

I absolutely adore this book so perfectly written. definitely in the top tier of Anya Seton novels

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1 person found this helpful

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Character development is rich

I loved this story so much. So many twists and turns to the lives depicted. So hard to believe these people actually existed. The narration was done beautifully and seamlessly. Bravo!!!

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Intriguing and emotional

The narrator deserves so much credit for her contribution to a well written story.
The twists and turns which seemed to be so common for that period of time are captured and given an emotional life for the reader.
This author has unlimited story telling gifts.

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  • 06-16-22

I loved this story.

I loved this story. The narrator did such a great job it was fun to listen to. I am a decendant of Katherine. It made me want to travel and see the old castles, and countryside.

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3 people found this helpful

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I had wanted to read this book for years...

And am so glad I finally did. Excellent narration along with fantastic research, well worth the time and credit.

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Such an experience!

The story is mesmerizing, the narration was perfect. The way Seton wrap her story around the actual history & real characters is magical.

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Beautifully Done

The author’s historically accurate setting was brought to vivid life. It pulled me in and kept me entranced til the end. The reader’s reflection helped to resonate with warmth and honest believability the thoughts and life of a woman’s love and trials it brought her way. through a life of struggle, plenty and finally peaceful redemption. I would listen to this again. I’m not sure if I enjoyed a novel like it since I read and reread “Forever Amber” by Kathleen Winsor.

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Beautiful telling of the historic true romance of a couple who are ancestors to so many of us!

Hands down the best historical fiction I’ve read to date. I absolutely loved it and was sad for it to end. Cannot believe it was written 70 years ago!

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my favorite novel brought to life

This was an excellent rendition of my long loved favorite novel!!! I highly recommend it along with Anya Seton's repertoire of historical fiction novels that are far more detailed and intriguing of other recently written popular fiction. One is thrust into past lives and enveloped by the descriptive verse of times gone by. I highly recommend this author and am thankful for the grace and talent of the reader who brought this story to life for me once again!

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6 people found this helpful