Product Description

Splendid and sumptuous historical novel from this internationally bestselling author, telling of the early life of Katherine of Aragon. We think of her as the barren wife of a notorious king; but behind this legacy lies a fascinating story. Katherine of Aragon is born Catalina, the Spanish Infanta, to parents who are both rulers and warriors. Aged four, she is betrothed to Arthur, Prince of Wales, and is raised to be Queen of England. She is never in doubt that it is her destiny to rule that far-off, wet, cold land. Her faith is tested when her prospective father-in-law greets her arrival in her new country with a great insult; Arthur seems little better than a boy; the food is strange and the customs coarse. Slowly she adapts to the first Tudor court, and life as Arthur's wife grows ever more bearable. But when the studious young man dies, she is left to make her own future: how can she now be queen, and found a dynasty? Only by marrying Arthur's young brother, the sunny but spoilt Henry. His father and grandmother are against it; her powerful parents prove little use. Yet Katherine is her mother's daughter and her fighting spirit is strong. She will do anything to achieve her aim; even if it means telling the greatest lie, and holding to it. Philippa Gregory proves yet again that behind the apparently familiar face of history lies an astonishing story: of women warriors influencing the future of Europe, of revered heroes making deep mistakes, and of an untold love story which changes the fate of a nation.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1616 in Books
• Published on: 2006-05-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 490 pages

Review
'One of Gregory's great strengths as a novelist is her ability to take familiar historical figures and flesh them into living breathing human beings. The Constant Princess is a worthy successor to her previous novels about the Tudors.' Daily Express 'Gregory's research is impeccable which makes her imaginative fiction all the more convincing.' Daily Mail 'Gregory is great at conjuring a Tudor film-set of gorgeous gowns and golden-lattered dining. She invokes some swoonsome images!while the politics are personal enough to remain pertinent.' DailyTelegraph 'The contemporary mistress of historical crime fiction is Philippa Gregory. Her novels are filled with strong, determined women who take their fate into their own hands!Gregory brings to life the sights, smells and textures of 16th-century England.' Kate Mosse, Financial Times Acclaim for Philippa Gregory THE VIRGIN'S LOVER: 'A book to lose yourself in!a simmering mixture of intrigue, lust and betrayal at the court of Elizabeth I, it breathes new life into the suspected love affair between the young queen and Robert Dudley' Daily Mail 'Convincing and entertaining' Daily Telegraph 'Historical fiction at its best' Choice 'An enjoyable read, and Gregory's energetic writing carries one along' Sunday Telegraph 'A fascinating new take on a story we thought we knew' Eve 'Highly readable, highly enjoyable' Manchester City Life 'History has a sexy makeover in an erotic account of Elizabeth l's relationship with the married and tantalisingly unavailable Robert Dudley' Glamour, Books of the Year 'Gripping and often moving' Image 'Packed with court intrigue and sumptuous detail' Dublin Evening Herald 'Gregory's success lies in restoring humanity to her historical figures' Daily Mail 'Gregory vivdly portrays court life -- all the political intrigue, divided loyalties, love and betrayal' Woman and Home 'Gregory is one of the best chroniclers of the ups and downs of the turbulent Tudors!This superbly plotted drama unfolds like an exquisitely embroidered Tudor ruff' Sainsbury's Magazine 'Queen of the historical novel' Mail on Sunday 'Gregory creates an intriguing tale with many an unexpected twist' Glasgow Herald THE CONSTANT PRINCESS 'If romantic historical novels are your cup of tea, The Constant Princess will not disappoint. Gregory vividly reconstructs life in the Spanish royal household, and contributes to the sense of Katherine's foreignness.' The Times 'Sweeping historical romance!..her tale almost reads like fiction rather than real history, at least in Gregory's very capable hands.' The Mirror 'Philippa Gregory is bang on form again as mistress of the Tudor chronicle, bringing to life all the intrigue of the era with great finesse.' Daily Express 'Full of gorgeous scenery, emotional moments and passionate sex' Sunday Telegraph

About the Author
Philippa Gregory is an internationally renowned author of historical novels. She holds a PhD in eighteenth-century literature from the University of Edinburgh. Works that have been adapted for television include A Respectable Trade, The Other Boleyn Girl and The Queen's Fool. The Other Boleyn Girl is now a major film, starring Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman and Eric Bana. Philippa Gregory lives in the North of England with her family.

Customer Reviews

To read or not to read.......
Having read the other reviews about this book, I was a bit anxious whether I should buy it or not, as most people didn't give it a very good review. But I bit the bullet and went and bought myself copy, and you know what, I couldn't put it down. When at work I kept thinking about what will be happening next to our Infanta, and so as soon as my break time came along, off I trott to read my book! I also kept wondering, how I would have handled all the things that were thrown at her, and how brave and strong she was at such a young age. Okay I know it is a 'historic novel', and it was the first Philippa Gregory I have read, but hey......it got me involved, got me caring, got me feeling and got me thinking! It's not often that you get a good read like this.....but you decide........

A Disappointment
I'm a big fan of Philippa Gregory's novels, but it seems she's writing them too quickly. This one's subject -- Katherine of Aragon's girlhood and marriages to Prince Arthur and Henry VIII -- is potentially fascinating, as is the underestimated Katherine, or Catalina as she is known here. And without spoiling the novel's secret, it is bold of Gregory to make certain assumptions about Katherine's marriages. However, none of the characters is as well developed as in her better novels, such as Earthly Joys and Virgin Earth. The historical events are also presented superficially, with no real sense of the complexity of court intrigue at this time. Henry VII is sketched as a mere dirty old man lusting after his son's fiancee, and Henry as a spoiled adolescent. This novel also lacks the subtle supernatural touches that enliven Wise Woman, the Wideacre trilogy, and The Queen's Fool.

quite a struggle
to read this book.

Like the previous reviewer I am actually a big fan of Philippa Gregory and her way of writing. So I was quite excited when I saw that she will publish a new book.

But I have to admit that I am quite disappointed about this very book. She never really seems to get grip of the real personality of Catherine of Aragon. All seems to be mere superficial. I even do not like the way the story of her life is told. Action and then reflection... weird and not interesting to read.

I never got hooked and had not problems of putting this book down. The "Constant Princess" will not help you very much to understand Catherine of Aragon better by the way of a novel.

I am afraid Philippa Gregory seems to be in need of a creative break. She needs to recharge her batteries. She can so much better than this!!