The Constant Princess; Irony or Karma?
Don't ask me how, but for some reason, I managed to read the entire Tudor England Series by Philippa Gregory in totally the wrong order. This is, chronologically, the first book, but I am actually reading it last.
I have to say that I am glad that it happened that way. It is by no means a bad book, but it certainly is not the best of the series. I am about half way through, and I am not really into it. I started it twice, because the first few pages didn't engage me the first time I picked it up.
I can't quite put my finger on what the problem is, but I suspect it may be the first person perspective the story is written in.
Switching between her Inner Monologue, and a descriptive narrative, both written from the perspective of Cathering of Aragon, I think it lacks the variation the other stories in this series, managed to conjure.
However, I find myself wanting to believe that the story is true.
At time of writing, I am at the point in the book where Arthur has just died, and on his death bed asked her to tell everyone their marriage was un-consummated, so she may marry Henry and remain a princess, then become Queen of England.
The book tells how Arthur and Catherine were deeply in love, and after a rocky first few weeks of marriage, fell very much in love. They would meet in secret every night, and make love and talk about their plans for England when they became King and Queen. When Arthus fell ill, and the prognosis was that he would die, he saw her privately and made her swear that she would tell people they were not able to make love, and she was still a virgin. Thus meaning she was still pure and able to marry Arthurs brother Henry, and be the future Queen of England. Arthurs plan was that she would be able to guide Henry into carrying out the plans Catherine and Arthur made for England.
Even though she felt she had no choice, Catherine made the promise to Arthur. He then died and she was left to face the possibility of being sent home to Spain, no longer a Princess of Wales, and future Queen of England.
That is as far as I have got in the book, but obviously I know what is coming. Catherine will honour her promise to Arthur, and eventually marry Henry and become Queen of England.
I think what is continuing to keep my interest enough to read on, is that I want to know how said marriage will come to be. How will she manipulate the situation that she can remain a princess in England?
And it is irony or karma that Gregory leans on, to explain what becomes of Catherine?
Her downfall was a tradgedy, but did she really get what she deserved, for deceiving England, her King, husband and the world just to become Queen? Was it karma that brought her to her knees? Marrying a man who would eventually cast her aside, even though he believed she was pure. Was Henry right in saying that it was Karma that stopped Catherine and Henry from concieving, delivering and raising a male heir to the throne. (Well, Henry thought it was God punishing him for marrying his brothers wife, but I prefer Karma....)
Or was it just an unfortunate series of events, with a hint of irony? Lying in order to continue living as a princess and future Queen of England, and forefit returning to the paradise home she told Arthur of, nightly. Only to later be banished by the King, to die alone in a cold miserable castle. The paradise she dreamed of, in ruling England, nothing in comparison to a real life in paradise!
Either way, I will finish the book. I didn't read the whole series to bail out now!
The Tudor England series is an incredible journey through 16th Century England, and should not be missed. I read them totally out of order, but it really didn't matter. I would recommend reading The Other Boleyn Girl before The Boleyn Inheritance, though. For obvious reasons :)
I have to say that I am glad that it happened that way. It is by no means a bad book, but it certainly is not the best of the series. I am about half way through, and I am not really into it. I started it twice, because the first few pages didn't engage me the first time I picked it up.
I can't quite put my finger on what the problem is, but I suspect it may be the first person perspective the story is written in.
Switching between her Inner Monologue, and a descriptive narrative, both written from the perspective of Cathering of Aragon, I think it lacks the variation the other stories in this series, managed to conjure.
However, I find myself wanting to believe that the story is true.
At time of writing, I am at the point in the book where Arthur has just died, and on his death bed asked her to tell everyone their marriage was un-consummated, so she may marry Henry and remain a princess, then become Queen of England.
The book tells how Arthur and Catherine were deeply in love, and after a rocky first few weeks of marriage, fell very much in love. They would meet in secret every night, and make love and talk about their plans for England when they became King and Queen. When Arthus fell ill, and the prognosis was that he would die, he saw her privately and made her swear that she would tell people they were not able to make love, and she was still a virgin. Thus meaning she was still pure and able to marry Arthurs brother Henry, and be the future Queen of England. Arthurs plan was that she would be able to guide Henry into carrying out the plans Catherine and Arthur made for England.
Even though she felt she had no choice, Catherine made the promise to Arthur. He then died and she was left to face the possibility of being sent home to Spain, no longer a Princess of Wales, and future Queen of England.
That is as far as I have got in the book, but obviously I know what is coming. Catherine will honour her promise to Arthur, and eventually marry Henry and become Queen of England.
I think what is continuing to keep my interest enough to read on, is that I want to know how said marriage will come to be. How will she manipulate the situation that she can remain a princess in England?
And it is irony or karma that Gregory leans on, to explain what becomes of Catherine?
Her downfall was a tradgedy, but did she really get what she deserved, for deceiving England, her King, husband and the world just to become Queen? Was it karma that brought her to her knees? Marrying a man who would eventually cast her aside, even though he believed she was pure. Was Henry right in saying that it was Karma that stopped Catherine and Henry from concieving, delivering and raising a male heir to the throne. (Well, Henry thought it was God punishing him for marrying his brothers wife, but I prefer Karma....)
Or was it just an unfortunate series of events, with a hint of irony? Lying in order to continue living as a princess and future Queen of England, and forefit returning to the paradise home she told Arthur of, nightly. Only to later be banished by the King, to die alone in a cold miserable castle. The paradise she dreamed of, in ruling England, nothing in comparison to a real life in paradise!
Either way, I will finish the book. I didn't read the whole series to bail out now!
The Tudor England series is an incredible journey through 16th Century England, and should not be missed. I read them totally out of order, but it really didn't matter. I would recommend reading The Other Boleyn Girl before The Boleyn Inheritance, though. For obvious reasons :)
