The tale of Katherine Swynton and John of Gaunt. Even though you know the history, the read is engaging and really delves into the life and times of Katherine and paints a vivid portrait of peasant and courtly life in 14th century England. ( )

Like other reviewers, I read this as a youngster, borrowing it from my brother. Until now, if I'd been asked to list my top 25 books, Katherine would have been on the list. I was fascinated by the story, by the history, by the people - people who are beacons of English history, Chaucer, John o' Gaunt, the Beauforts. It’s the book that made me interested in history.
When I saw it as a paperback as a "BBC Big Read", I thought I must have it in my own library and re-read it. It’s a handsome volume but a disappointing re-read. It has not aged well, being a bit stilted and with awkward prose, one that comes to mind and can be found easily – its on the penultimate page:
“- I don’t know - Katherine; I have a foreboding – there’s danger ahead.” … “It may be so, darling,” she said slowly … “there was no promise that we would not be tempested and travailed …”
There’s only so much of that I can take, and its less than 580 pages. Sorry Katherine, I’ve much to be grateful to you for, but you’ve dropped off my “all time top” list. ( )

I'm not sure what I think of this book. I don't HATE it per se, but I felt so little about this novel that it is almost worth not mentioning. While fascinating in certain parts, I was bored to tears by the majority of it, but I kept on trucking in the hopes that Katherine would turn into something like the other Anya Seton novels I've come to respect and love. I much preferred Green Darkness.

I would go on with this review, but my cat has decided to stick her cold wet nose on my big toe, and I find that more interesting than spending time reviewing this novel.

If only this novel were as short as this review...not bad...just...not good. ( )

Based upon the true story of Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. All members of the British royalty from Edward IV on are descended from them, including the Tudors (Henry VII, Henry VIII, Elizabeth I), James II of Scotland, Richard III, and the current Queen of England, Elizabeth II. John's marriage to the Infanta Constance of Castile means that he was also the ancestor of Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife and mother of Mary I of England. Henry IV was the son of John and his first wife, Blanche of Lancaster - he became king after deposing his cousin, Richard II (who was supposedly starved to death in Pontefract Castle by the constable, Katherine's son from her first marriage, Thomas Swynford). A great rags-to-riches love story of one of medieval England's greatest beauties and one of its most powerful men.

I love historical fiction, especially when it is so closely based on fact, and this book is one of my favorites. I love how a seemingly insignificant girl rose to such a height that she was the ancestress of most of the British Royalty from the 14th century on. ( )

I loved this when I was twelve, thirteen, fourteen... But 45 years later, it's a disappointing re-read. Perhaps it's a sign that young adolescent readers don't recognize-- or if they do, don't mind-- cliches & stereotypes, which substituted for most of the characterization in this book. It's sad, really... ( )