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I really didn't think the multiple point of view storytelling was particularly beneficial to the story. Now, I'm not going to comment on the historical inaccuracies of this book, since so many other reviewers have been gracious enough to cover everything I'd want to say, but since it's been proven that Ms. Gregory could have added adventurous hunts, matrimonial fights, conflicts with spying servants, snarky castle-mates, etc, but there is next to nothing of interest happening after the first chapter. I wish I could say that the rest of the book was as striking to me.
I loved the descriptions of the Moorish culture in Spain, like the Alhambra, but unfortunately that's the most interesting part of the book. If you don't, I'm sure you can gather it from the other reviews on here. After the first hundred pages, I debated whether I wanted to finish this book or not. I already knew the ending, but I'd hoped the quality of the storytelling will improve. This book had a great beginning. The first chapter really hooked me in. After the part where Arthur gets sick, nothing really interested me. Ms.
As a writer, I can tell you that no story is interesting without conflict of some sort, and we see no conflict in about 100 pages of this book. Ms. Not really. The story flowed just fine without it.As somewhat of a history nerd, I have collected a lot of knowledge about this time period, and knew how the story is going to end. When Catalina and Arthur get married, they act like petulant children, instead of teenagers who were raised to rule a country someday. Gregory would have done quite well to cut out the first person altogether.
The image of a barefoot princess standing atop a chest watching her mother ride off into flaming battle is particularly haunting. As far as story ideas go, this was very disappointing to me. I know this book is historical fiction, but considering the liberties the author has taken with a lot of other facts in this era, couldn't she have put some conflict into the mix to liven the story up. Gregory has taken liberties with historical facts (I'm okay with that - there's a reason the word FICTION is part of the genre title), I wish she would add some details into the story to make it more interesting. Then they magically fall in love after a huge fight, and have a storybook romance with not a fight between them.
Interestingly, Gregory constantly displays a contrast between the view the common people have of Katherine (who love her and find her to be a charming Spanish Princess) and those in the court who openly disparage her, such as Henry VIII's own grandmother and father.While the romance between Arthur and Katherine is short lived, it is an intense one, with her promising to become Queen at all costs-by marrying Arthur's younger brother Harry. I think this has to be taken in context. She picks up on everything from hygiene to the food that was preferred by the English. At times the switch is seamless, though there are instances where it disrupts the flow of the story. Philippa's Gregory novel, "The Constant Princess," is part of the Boleyn series that naturally leads to her break-out novel, "The Other Boleyn Girl." In this novel, the Princess of Spain who would later become the infamous Queen Katherine of Aragon has her life traced from its early beginnings as the Princess of Spain and daughter to the two most powerful players in Spanish history-Isabella and Ferdinand.We trace her from her early beginnings as she witnesses the Crusade movement that her parents participated in and her move to England where she would complete her "destiny" as wife to Arthur.
I just wish she would have picked one point of view and stuck with it. If you are searching for 100% faithfulness to historical canon, then stay far away.I liked the growth, the insight, and trials that Gregory shared with us through Katherine's eyes. Katherine's internal conflict has been scoffed by other reviewers-her Catholic fate versus the impact Moorish culture had on her. So, unless you've known someone whose faced such a conflict, it is difficult to empathize or understand.Historical accuracy is also another major point of contention, but as long as you accept this to be historical fiction and it ignites your curiosity to verify certain facts you will be satisfied. A young man who was never prepared to take on such a responsibility. It's a great contrast, which not many people experience or understand. What I most liked about this transition is her brutal lesson into court politics as it allows her to become a savvy politician and tactician.Once she marries Henry VIII, Katherine gradually gains control of him as he is portrayed as a selfish boy who was never taught to be a man. It's difficult to separate the two when your life and religious views are polar opposites.
Gregory cleverly reveals Katherine's discomfort as an outsider to a court and country whose culture, practices, and nuances get under her skin. The best modern day example would be the conflict faced by Latinos who consider themselves Catholics but are entrenched in specific cultural acts such as "curanderos, fortune tellers, gay lifestyle, etc" things that are generally forbidden by the church. Otherwise, it throws off an otherwise decent novel. This is probably where historians will disagree with Katherine's motives and accuracy of historical events.You witness her struggles as her father refuses to pay her dowry, which would bar her return to Spain, being essentially expelled from the court and living in near poverty, her questioning of her parent's attempt to dominate the Moors, and her increasing worry that perhaps she will never fulfill the deathbed promise she made to Arthur. She displays a lot of finesse and military wit as eventually her greatest challenge will be to fight the Scots.Stylistically, Gregory takes a great chance flipping between first person and third person point of view.
You will enjoy this as much as I have. It's a great book to read.
The Constant Princess is the 4th novel by Philippa Gregory that I have read. We get it Katherine. Sadly, The Constant Princess did not live up to my expectations of the other novels. She was portrayed in this novel as very egotistical.
It ends abruptly. I started to roll my eyes while reading whenever she declares herself holier than thou. How did she feel about herself when she was dethroned to Anne Boleyn. If you are a fan of Gregory, it is worth a read. The novel never covers this part of Katherine's life. I was mesmerized by "The Other Boleyn Girl", "The Boleyn Inheritence", and "The Queen's Fool".
I was looking forward to seeing her portrayal towards the end of her life. Just don't expect the magic of some of her other novels. I could not identify with Katherine. She repeats over and over again how she was born and chosen by God to be Queen of England.
This is the first book by Phillipa Gregory that I've read, and it's disappointing.perhaps I'll talk myself into trying another one some time due to many of the glowing reviews here of a number of her other stories. Also, I think the story seems ridiculous because it jumps from Catherine being cast aside and living in poverty after Arthur's death to manipulating Henry and ending up as the one in charge and "ruling" England. I know this is a novel, fiction.but much of it is not the slightest bit believable. .because we never stop being reminded that Catalina is a "princess of Spain" and the "Princess of Wales" from the very first. I'm a person who despises picking up a book and not finishing, but in this case, I may have to go against my principles. Right now I'm trying to decide whether to spend time finishing this book. I wanted to love this book because I'm interested in learning about Catherine of Aragon, but this is obviously not the place. The main character, sadly, is not one we can really love or sympathize with.she's so busy touting herself as princess and queen that it's hard to see underneath that.
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