Philippa Gregory

[dcmerkle]

I'm in the process of finishing "The Red Queen". When I first picked up the book and started reading it I realized that it was part of a series, but I just couldn't put it down. I am going to read the first in the series, "The White Queen". How badly have I gone and confused myself by reading it out of order?...lol
DCMerkle

[Fran]

I didn't read them in order either and I don't think it made any differnce to my enjoyment of the characters and their stories. Excellent historical fiction IMO ... Enjoy

[dcmerkle]

I didn't read them in order either and I don't think it made any differnce to my enjoyment of the characters and their stories. Excellent historical fiction IMO ... Enjoy

Thanks Fran. Now I can read them without feeling guilty!

-- 19 Sep 2012, 15:54 --

Well, I've started the "White Queen" and I'm finding that I am referring back to the "Red Queen". I'm trying to tell myself that it's not all that confusing. I'm also trying to find a "War of the Roses" book for Dummies....lol

[brownmarsh12]

For my book group I have just read "Earthly Joys" by Philippa Gregory. This is the first book by this author I have read.

[Fran]

For my book group I have just read "Earthly Joys" by Philippa Gregory. This is the first book by this author I have read.

Interested to know what you thought of it

[FastReader]

I have been enjoying her books for years. I am fascinated by the Tudor period. Can anyone recommend another author who writes historical fiction about that topic?

[Fran]

I have been enjoying her books for years. I am fascinated by the Tudor period. Can anyone recommend another author who writes historical fiction about that topic?

Have you read Hilary Mantel? ... Wolf Hall & Bring Up the Bodies are superb on Henry Viii & his relationship with Thomas Cromwell both are 5* reads IMO. You should definitely consider C J Sansom ... he has a brilliant series The Shardlake Series, set in the period of Henry Viii & follows the adventures of a hunchback lawyer Matthew Shardlake who works in the first books on commission for Thos Cromwell, subsequently for Archbishop Thomas Cranmer and in the last book for Queen Catherine Parr in Heartstone. Absolutely brilliant series, Sansom has a real ability to bring the period to life and his character moves seamlessly between the lives of the ordinary people, clerks & servants and the lives of courtiers and royalty. You can practically smell the streets in his books

[Rachelka]

Hi Dcmerkle

The White Queen and The Red Queen are essentially the same book told from different points of view. If I'm honest I felt cheated after reading the Red Queen, like I'd paid £8 to read the same stuff again with a slightly different spin on it.

I skipped Lady of the Rivers but might give the Kingmaker's Daughter a try if I can get it cheap in the post X-mas sales.
I completely agree with Fran about Wolf Hall & Bring up the Bodies. They are both fantastic books and I can't wait for the third and final instalment in the series.

[MysFan]

I have been enjoying her books for years. I am fascinated by the Tudor period. Can anyone recommend another author who writes historical fiction about that topic?

Fiona Buckley writes about a character, Ursula Blanchard, who works as a spy for Elizabeth I. These are mysteries, but easy reads. Interesting stories.

Allison Weir is both a fiction and non-fiction author and has written about this period, among other periods in English history. I particularly like her story about various theories of what happened to the two young princes; Richard III nephews. (Sorry, wrong period, but interesting reading.)

Karen S. Harper also writes a series about Elizabeth. I have not seen a book by her in some time so not sure if she just stopped writing, I have not looked hard enough or if she has died.

Christopher Hibbert writes non-fiction and his "The Virgin Queen: Elizabeth I, Genius oof the Golden Age" is good. I think this book clearly articulates the impact of her long reign and her support of exploration (although she was tight with money so the early explorers had to prove it was worth it to her). In her first years she had to be as her father had left little for her to work with in the way of resources.

I like works about Elizabeth I as I am interested in reading about strong female leaders in history. They obviously had to overcome serious barriers to rule. And England has always been somewhat unique as it is one of only a few countries that has historically allowed women rulers. (I think Russia and Sweden.....others?)

[Maud Fitch]

I have been enjoying her books for years. I am fascinated by the Tudor period. Can anyone recommend another author who writes historical fiction about that topic?

Have you read Hilary Mantel? ... Wolf Hall & Bring Up the Bodies are superb on Henry Viii & his relationship with Thomas Cromwell both are 5* reads IMO ...

I agree, Fran, and I've heard on the grapevine that Hilary Mantel will soon hit the Top 40 Best Reads list in Australia.

[Mbchef1]

I am just finishing the Wideacre series. Not as keen on these as I am on the ones about royalty etc but still engaging.
What do others think?

[maramer]

Phillipa Gregory is one of my favorite authors --I enjoy the history as well as the story of various people and she blends it so well

[Gannon]

I have been enjoying her books for years. I am fascinated by the Tudor period. Can anyone recommend another author who writes historical fiction about that topic?

Have you read Hilary Mantel? ... Wolf Hall & Bring Up the Bodies are superb on Henry Viii & his relationship with Thomas Cromwell both are 5* reads IMO ...

I agree, Fran, and I've heard on the grapevine that Hilary Mantel will soon hit the Top 40 Best Reads list in Australia.

Hey guys, both books are definitely on my TBR. Heard great things about "Bring up the Bodies".

[cymrykuini]

Hi there! Philippa Gregory has always been one of my favourite authours along with Diana Gabaldon. I've become fascinated with the Tudor period becasue of her books. I did enjoy the Wideacre series, but not as much as her other books. I've just finished Lady of the RIvers, loved it. It was great. Looking forward to the Kingmakers Daughter. Great to see other people that love her as much as I do

[serenity01]

I've read all of Philippa Gregorys books. For the longest time I was on her Forum. The Forum is now closed.
As she now has a Facebook Page.