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Philippa Gregory 9 - Books Collection
- GenresHistorical Fiction
Paperback
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About the author
Philippa Gregory
135 books36.8k followersDR PHILIPPA GREGORY studied history at the University of Sussex and was awarded a PhD by the University of Edinburgh where she is a Regent and was made Alumna of the Year in 2009. She holds an honorary degree from Teesside University, and is a fellow of the Universities of Sussex and Cardiff. Philippa is a member of the Society of Authors and in 2016, was presented with the Outstanding Contribution to Historical Fiction Award by the Historical Writers’ Association. In 2018, she was awarded an Honorary Platinum Award by Neilsen for achieving significant lifetime sales across her entire book output. In 2021, she was awarded a CBE for services to literature and to her charity Gardens for the Gambia. and was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.
She welcomes visitors to her site www.PhilippaGregory.com.
Philippa's Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/PhilippaGregoryOfficial
She welcomes visitors to her site www.PhilippaGregory.com.
Philippa's Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/PhilippaGregoryOfficial
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 6, 2018
Working my way through these books by Gregory, I think they sometimes contribute to my sour mood, with all the infidelity and court intrigue. Nevertheless, this is my favorite thus far in this series. I need to take a rest before continuing the series, lest my mood become more agitated. This book is essentially, a fictional accounting of the happenings at court during the reign of Edward VI and Mary I, including the reported machinations of Elizabeth I to steal her sister’s crown and her husband.
The narrator, a holy fool, is Hannah Green, previously Verde, a jewess immigrant from Spain. Recruited by Lord Robert Dudley, she’s brought to court at 13, as a fool for Edward, then for Mary. She has visions on occasion, but with no regularity, but is well read and speaks several languages, so provides some companionship to the king and princesses.
Being an impressionable girl, she is madly in Love with lord Dudley, though she’s betrothed to a Jewish young man. She does feel greatly attracted to her betrothed, but also feels an allegiance and passion for the lord, and during upheaval in England, chooses to stay at court when her father and her betrothed’s family escapes to Calais. The betrothal is temporarily suspended, to the disappointment of both, though it is a mutual decision.
As a Jew, masquerading as Christian, and as a seer, she is in constant danger from court intrigue and for her religion. As heretics begin being questioned and then tortured and burned, the danger becomes entirely too close.
I think this is my favorite thus far in the series, and wish there were more to this story, as it has a rare thing in a Philippa Gregory story, a happy ending!
The narrator, a holy fool, is Hannah Green, previously Verde, a jewess immigrant from Spain. Recruited by Lord Robert Dudley, she’s brought to court at 13, as a fool for Edward, then for Mary. She has visions on occasion, but with no regularity, but is well read and speaks several languages, so provides some companionship to the king and princesses.
Being an impressionable girl, she is madly in Love with lord Dudley, though she’s betrothed to a Jewish young man. She does feel greatly attracted to her betrothed, but also feels an allegiance and passion for the lord, and during upheaval in England, chooses to stay at court when her father and her betrothed’s family escapes to Calais. The betrothal is temporarily suspended, to the disappointment of both, though it is a mutual decision.
As a Jew, masquerading as Christian, and as a seer, she is in constant danger from court intrigue and for her religion. As heretics begin being questioned and then tortured and burned, the danger becomes entirely too close.
I think this is my favorite thus far in the series, and wish there were more to this story, as it has a rare thing in a Philippa Gregory story, a happy ending!
March 20, 2016
The Queen’s Fool by Philippa Gregory.
I sometimes like a book just to read, without feeling I have to review it! I have read most of Philippa Gregory’s books and really enjoyed them, so when I saw this book in a charity shop I bought it.
It is set in the Tudor Court of Queen Mary where Hannah, a young Jewish girl and a ‘holy fool’, treads a tightrope between Queen Mary, Princess Elizabeth and Robert Dudley. With plots, counter plots and religious persecution she weaves her way through troubled times. She is a spy, a visionary, and friend to the waring royal siblings, and is infatuated by Dudley. She has obligations to her father and her fiancée, who she barely knows and has mixed feelings about.
History is brought alive. We all know what happens to the royal players, but seen through Hannah’s eyes it takes on a more personal aspect. The characters are not numerous, but vividly portrayed, so you feel you know them. The description of life in court, of London, and the countryside are very vivid.
Suspense, drama, human interest, easy to read and follow and a happy ending – what more could you ask of a book!
I sometimes like a book just to read, without feeling I have to review it! I have read most of Philippa Gregory’s books and really enjoyed them, so when I saw this book in a charity shop I bought it.
It is set in the Tudor Court of Queen Mary where Hannah, a young Jewish girl and a ‘holy fool’, treads a tightrope between Queen Mary, Princess Elizabeth and Robert Dudley. With plots, counter plots and religious persecution she weaves her way through troubled times. She is a spy, a visionary, and friend to the waring royal siblings, and is infatuated by Dudley. She has obligations to her father and her fiancée, who she barely knows and has mixed feelings about.
History is brought alive. We all know what happens to the royal players, but seen through Hannah’s eyes it takes on a more personal aspect. The characters are not numerous, but vividly portrayed, so you feel you know them. The description of life in court, of London, and the countryside are very vivid.
Suspense, drama, human interest, easy to read and follow and a happy ending – what more could you ask of a book!
December 30, 2024
3.5 stars
July 4, 2016
Love Love Love The way this author writes also in reinforces how lucky we women are to live in the 2000's.
I just bought 9 other books written by her at a thrift store in Eureka.. for my summer reads! I thank Angie Sandamen for turning me on to this author.
I just bought 9 other books written by her at a thrift store in Eureka.. for my summer reads! I thank Angie Sandamen for turning me on to this author.
December 23, 2016
Another good book by PG. I love the way she writes and the historical aspects of her stories. Hannah's story was interesting in that is was from a vassal's point of view as opposed to royalty's view. Would have loved to read more about Hannah and Daniel.....I felt the ending was a little abrupt.
October 28, 2018
At this point Philippa Gregory is my FAVORITE Author! I love her characters and the details of the clothing and behavior of the characters. I have finished “Virgin Earth”, “The other Boleyn Girl” and am starting on “The Queens Fool” now 11-28-2018. I will get all of her books and read them!
October 8, 2016
Loved it! She is a great author with lots of strong female characters. I'm a huge historical fiction fan. This was an instant hit!
August 22, 2017
As always with Phillippa Gregory we get an exciting look at court manners and customs in the reign of Queen Mary. Our heroine is "bagged " to be the queens fool because she has a gift of foreseeing the future. Her adventures, loves and intrigues make a great summer read.
August 12, 2018
Audiobook. I have listened to quite a few of Philippa Gregory novels. I enjoy her story lines - woven into the history. Although Hannah is a fictional character, I found it difficult to believe that Hanna had so much face-time with the royals and freedom to travel.
August 30, 2019
Good read, likeable human characters with a great story. Very believable. Kept me interested for the entire book.
May 27, 2016
I really enjoyed this book (and the others I've ready by Gregory), particularity looking at the church and hiding identity.
I was a little disappointed in the ending. I wanted to know more about where they go. Are the evil stepsisters still there (okay, not stepsisters, but you know where I am going with this)? The topic was thought provoking enough that I went through the bibliography to read more about actual history of John Dee, alchemy, and the Spanish Inquisition, particularly the impact on Jewish families.
I was a little disappointed in the ending. I wanted to know more about where they go. Are the evil stepsisters still there (okay, not stepsisters, but you know where I am going with this)? The topic was thought provoking enough that I went through the bibliography to read more about actual history of John Dee, alchemy, and the Spanish Inquisition, particularly the impact on Jewish families.
March 25, 2016
Not one of her better books, in my opinion I found the story lacked the usual spark of royal intrigue that keeps the reader engaged. More specifically, I found the time Queen Mary spent in confinement boring and dragged out. I would have liked more I sight into the relationship between and Elizabeth an their rivalry. I did find myself sympathizing with Mary because of the way her life ended up mirroring her mother's life, Catherine of Aragon. The Constant Princess is one of Gregory's best.
January 20, 2016
Interesting and entertaining book. I always appreciate a little history lesson, even if the story itself is fiction. An easy, quick read, though not the most thought provoking (thus the 3 stars rather than 4).
August 26, 2019
The queens fool is different as it is written from the perspective of a young Jewish woman at Court. It;s largely fictionalised and escapes the constraints imposed by facts.
A rattling good read and very enjoyable.
A rattling good read and very enjoyable.
January 2, 2016
I have loved this whole series. Gregory is an excellent researcher of the time and tells a great story as well.
June 27, 2016
(Audiobook) This novel reminds me of the Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth. I think maybe this is where the story line came from.
July 10, 2016
The Boleyn Inheritance
The Queen's Fool
The Queen's Fool
October 2, 2016
I listened to this book while driving around to High school soccer games. it is a great way to learn about England in the 1500s.
October 27, 2016
Didn't finish - much slower than some of her other books.
November 2, 2016
Love this author. One of her best books. The narration is perfect!!
November 5, 2016
I loved reading about Hannah...
November 30, 2016
started wit her ann Boylin and love her writing
March 30, 2018
one of my all time favorite! Couldn't put it down
April 13, 2017
Enjoyable, fun read.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews