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Katherine by Anya Seton
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Katherine (original 1954; edition 2004)

by Anya Seton, Philippa Gregory (Foreword)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
2,949894,684 (4.16)290
""A glorious example of romance in its most classic literary sense: exhilarating, exuberant, and rich with the jeweled tones of England in the 1300s." --Austin Chronicle 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. 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"--… (more)
Member:jaimehuff1
Title:Katherine
Authors:Anya Seton
Other authors:Philippa Gregory (Foreword)
Info:Chicago Review Press (2004), Edition: Reprint, Paperback, 512 pages
Collections:Your library
Rating:*****
Tags:None

Work Information

Katherine by Anya Seton (1954)

  1. 41
    The Illuminator by Brenda Rickman Vantrease (myshelves)
    myshelves: Set in the same historical period, showing some of the same events from another viewpoint.
  2. 10
    Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset (jhowell)
  3. 10
    Mistress of the Monarchy: The Life of Katherine Swynford, Duchess of Lancaster by Alison Weir (avalon_today)
  4. 10
    Here Be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman (avalon_today)
    avalon_today: Maybe not so much of a romance novel. But still a few tears were shed.
  5. 10
    Désirée by Annemarie Selinko (myshelves, lanaing)
    myshelves: Historical novel with a good dose of romance; the story of the girl Napoleon jilted.
  6. 00
    Red Eve by H. Rider Haggard (avalon_today)
    avalon_today: Its about love that is fated with danger in the fourteenths century
  7. 11
    The King's Grey Mare by Rosemary Hawley Jarman (feeling.is.first)
    feeling.is.first: splendid historical fiction about the Lancastrian kings, medieval pageantry with a human touch
  8. 00
    The Winthrop Woman by Anya Seton (DeltaQueen50)
    DeltaQueen50: Although this book covers a different time period, it is written by the same author and has her great attention to detail, authentic historical facts and a wonderful story.
  9. 23
    Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (avalon_today)
    avalon_today: Its about having to deal with a very strong, charismatic man. *Sigh*
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» See also 290 mentions

Showing 1-5 of 89 (next | show all)
A fictionalized romance about the love affair of John of Gaunt and Katherine Swynford.

It’s on lots of lists as one of the best romance novels of all time, and maybe it’s because it was, I guess, one of the first true historical romances? I’ll grant that it may be important to the history of the genre, but it’s nothing special as far as the writing goes or the romance itself. It’s just…okay. But certainly not good enough for its length. ( )
  electrascaife | Feb 4, 2024 |
Lovely book. Would like to read more like this. ( )
  franniepuck | May 7, 2023 |
This is a love story. A fourteenth century story to be exact. Katherine Swynford has loved John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster ever since she first laid eyes on him as a young girl of thirteen. As a commoner, predestined to marry a lowly knight, Katherine's standing in society is, at best, only to be a lady-in-waiting for the Duchess of Lancaster. That is as close as she can get to the man of her dreams. Yet, meeting the duke has sealed her fate. The saga that follows spans three generations of life and love. Seton does a fantastic job weaving true history with a fabricated backstory of romance. If you get the chance, listen to the audio version. It's fantastic. ( )
  SeriousGrace | Apr 25, 2023 |
I had not heard of Katherine Swynford, but I had heard vaguely of John of Gaunt. This 14th century English novel tells the story of their relationship and their love. John of Gaunt was the Duke of Lancaster and the son of King Edward III and the father of King Henry IV, I did get lost in the names at times, but to remain historically accurate, the names couldn't be changed. I got lost in all the Philipas! This book felt like it was true to the spirit and lives of the time period, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and learning about someone I had not known before. (While I listened to the book on audio, I had a printed copy also.) ( )
  hobbitprincess | Apr 10, 2023 |
This is my favourite Anya Seton book to date, the story is beautifully crafted and it was the novel that made me passionate about Historical Novels. I learnt a lot about that period of history and I think I fell a little in love with John of Gaunt whilst reading the story. ( )
  Susan-Pearson | Feb 23, 2023 |
Showing 1-5 of 89 (next | show all)

» Add other authors (6 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Anya Setonprimary authorall editionscalculated
Bishop, DianaNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Gregory, PhilippaForewordsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
McCaddon, WandaNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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In the tender green time of April, Katherine set forth at last upon her journey with two nuns and the royal messenger.
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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
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""A glorious example of romance in its most classic literary sense: exhilarating, exuberant, and rich with the jeweled tones of England in the 1300s." --Austin Chronicle 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. 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"--

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