Philippa Gregory

[Michelle]

It's about time we had a thread for Philippa, I think, seeing as she's mentioned so often. :)

Official Site (http://www.philippagregory.com/index.shtml)

Who's read what, what did you like and dislike, do any of them belong in a series etc ? :)

[Kell]

So far I've only read The Other Boleyn Girl. I loved it & it was more than enough to encourage me to try another of hers. I'll be starting The Queen's Fool tonight in the tub & going by what a lot of people have been saying, I think I'll really enjoy this one too. I also really like the look of The Wise Woman - I think it'll be very interesting... I'll end up getting them all eventually, I know it - once I get hooked on an author like that, there's no stopping me!

[Inanna]

I've not read any but I have sat on my shelf waiting patiently to be read, the following:

The Queen's Fool
The Other Boleyn Girl
The Wise Woman
The Favoured Child (picked up today, funnily enough)

[Angel]

So far I've read

The Queen's Fool
The Other Boleyn Girl
The Wise Woman
The Favoured Child
The Constant Princess
Meridon

[Tash]

The only ones I've not read are:

Fallen Skies, Perfectly Correct (which I have in my 'to read pile') and Bread and Chocolate.

I'm not really bothered about reading her childrens books.

Every book I've read by this woman has been brilliant. The only one that sticks out as not being quite as good at the rest was Zelda's Cut.

[Michelle]

I've started The Other Boleyn Girl, and so far I'm impressed enough to get The Queens Fool :) She seems to have that skill of writing believable characters that you start to feel for.

[Kell]

So, is The Wise Woman as good as it sounds then, Angel?

[Kell]

LOL, at this rate, following in the footsteps of a certain book by Karen J Fowler, we could have a Philippa Gregory Book Club. (In case nobody has a clue what I'm on about, check in the reviews section for her book The Jane Austen Book Club).

[Angel]

I enjoyed the Wise Woman Kell. It is about a woman who uses her herbs and cures at a time when this trade was deemed witchcraft during the time of the Reformation. I dont think it's her best but is worth the read.

[Inanna]

The one, out of the ones that I have here, that appeals to me the most, is The Favoured Child ATM :D

[Angel]

Inanna, I read that one over 18 yrs ago and I remember that it was good. I found my longlost edition 2 weeks ago on my mother's bookshelf, I forgot to pack it when I left home 15 yrs ago - so I plan to reread it

[Michelle]

So I take it she covers different eras?
I'm really enjoying The Other Boleyn Girl - the differences in their 'society' are just amazing!

[Angel]

Yes she does and different backgrounds. A respectable Trade is in 18C Bristol about the slave trade. Dragonwyke - 1840 s New York,

I haven't tried these yet but they do have good reviews

[Angel]

Whilst checking Amazon just now for my last post I noticed that Philippa has a new book out on September 4th entitled the Last Boleyn. This one is about Anne's cousin Jane.

This one will be added to my wish list as it's a month before my birthday!

[Tash]

I really enjoyed A Respectable Trade. Again, it's very easy to become so absorbed in her writing that you feel like you are there and it can be pretty scary. I went through feelings of guilt at how our ancestors treated people, disgust at what human beings had to endure, anger at narrowminded bigotry, love for a particular character...you name it....

Fantastic book.

[Michelle]

I've just finished The Othe Boleyn Girl, and it may have overtaken Labyrinth as my book of the year so far! Her characters were great, and so well written. They appear well researched, and you really feel you've stepped back in history!

[Tash]

Brilliant isn't she Michelle :D

I have good taste in authors *nods*

[Anonymous]

I started TOBG on Sunday and I finished it yesterday, wow, I really enjoyed it!

Have now started The Queens Fool which is pretty good so far.

[Michelle]

I've started The Queen's Fool too, and have just bought a copy of The Virgin's Lover! :)

[Inanna]

So what is everyone's favourite Philippa Gregory book?

I have lots on my shelf and keep meaning to dive in, so I thought I'd go with the most popular one LOL

[Angel]

I've enjoyed them all so far, so this one is a toughie! If pushed I would have to say The Virgin's Lover

[Kell]

I've read 4 now & The Other Boleyn Girl is definitely my fave so far. I was a tad disappointed by The Wise Woman as it wasn't quite what i was expecting, but it was still a good read. 2nd place goes to The Queen's Fool & 3rd place to The Virgin's Lover...

[Cerridwen]

Ooh love this author ...

My favourite is The Wise Woman, very closely followed by The Other Boleyn Girl

[Kell]

I wasn't so keen on The Wise Woman, but I think that was possibly because it wasn't based on an actual historical figure like the others I'd read by Gregory. The Constant Princess was a return to form though - I really enjoyed that - but I still think The Other Boleyn Girl is my favourite of hers to date.

[Angel]

I've got A Respectable Trade on the way from Green Metropolis - has anyone raed this one??

[Kell]

I've got it on my to read list.

[Cerridwen]

I don't think I've ever read that one, I prefer the Tudor history ones

[Sarahrob]

I have read Perfectly Correct and the Constant Princess. I enjoyed them both, but preferred the Constant Princess.

[wiccibat]

I really must try her next, I havn't read any of her stuff yet

[jake]

I haven't either wicci, but have picked up The Constant Princess to see how it goes. Broaden my horizons and all that :mrgreen:

[Michelle]

Has anyone read The Little House (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0006496431/026-2701380-3406853?v=glance&n=266239)? I've just swapped TOBG for it on RISI, and it has good reviews on Amazon.

[Kell]

Nope, but I have A Respectable Trade in my pile, just waiting to be read...

[Lilywhite]

I read the Little House a few weeks back. It's not a bad story actually, I quite enjoyed it. It makes a nice change from the historical books of hers that I read.

Just managed to get The Constant Princess on the market for 50p :D

[Janet]

I've just had a browse at her site, thinking I hadn't read any of her books, but I have read The Little House. I think I read it about five or six years ago. I didn't realise it was by the same author! I thought Ms Gregory only wrote historical novels.

I don't normally 'do' historical novels, but I shall keep my eye out in the charity shops for her. I know my Mum read, and enjoyed, A Respectable Trade.

[Sarahrob]

I've just finished Wideacre and I thought it was absolutely fantastic. A bit (bit? :lol: ) twisted, but fantastic.

[Michelle]

A bit (bit? :lol: ) twisted, but fantastic.

I like twisted! I'm gonna have to look out for it!

[Lilywhite]

I've been on the lookout for Wideacre too. I still have two of her books on my TBR pile at the moment though.

[Kell]

I've been trying to get Wideacre on RISI, but so far no luck!

[Sarahrob]

I can understand why Kell - it's fabbo. If you want to lend my copy I'm happy to send it you.

[Kell]

I might take you up on that offer if I can't get hold of a copy, Sarah, thank you - that's very kind of you. :)

[Angel]

Wideacre is a brilliant read. The sequels are on my TBR pile to be reread.

I last read these about 20 yrs ago and still love them now :reading:

[Sugar]

I've only read Perfectly Correct, and that is much more Chick-Lit than Gregory's other, historical fiction.

It was a good fun read though, with lots of amusing observations in it (if I am remembering right).

I keep thinking about getting hold of The Constant Princess, but somehow have never got around to it.

[Michelle]

I picked up The Little House because I was too lazy to walk downstairs to get my current book.. and now I'm hooked! :D

[Lilywhite]

I liked the Little House, I enjoyed the slight sinister undertones :)

[Lilywhite]

I just found this on Amazons pre-release list..... due out 28th August :)

The Boleyn Inheritance
Synopsis
From the bestselling author of "The Other Boleyn Girl" comes a wonderfully atmospheric evocation of the court of Henry VIII, and the one woman who destroyed two of his queens. The year is 1539 and the court of Henry VIII is increasingly fearful at the moods of the ageing sick king. With only a baby in the cradle for an heir, Henry has to take another wife and the dangerous prize of the crown of England is won by Anne of Cleves. She has her own good reasons for agreeing to marry a man old enough to be her father, in a country where to her both language and habits are foreign. Although fascinated by the glamour of her new surroundings, she senses a trap closing around her. Catherine is confident that she can follow in the steps of her cousin Anne Boleyn to dazzle her way to the throne but her kinswoman Jane Boleyn, haunted by the past, knows that Anne's path led to Tower Green and to an adulterer's death. The story of these three young women, trying to make their own way through the most volatile court in Europe at a time of religious upheaval and political uncertainty is Philippa Gregory's most intense novel yet.

[Angel]

I can't wait for this to come out. It's been in my wishlist for at least 2 months.

[MonkeyCatcher]

Oh, thanks for bringing that to my attention, Lilywhite - I can't wait!

[Lilywhite]

I've nearly finished The Wise Woman now, and although I managed to read it all the way through, I have to say I didn't really like it. Especially not after The Queens Fool and The Virgins Lover. I just couldn't empathise with the main character Alys and I think that detracts from the enjoyment of the book.

[Kell]

I had the same problem, Kat - I didn't think it was anywhere near as good & I really felt nothing in particular for Alys - didn't like her enough to sympathise, didn't dilike her enough to really hate her - it meant I wasn't all that interested in anything that happened to her.

[Angel]

I'm currently enjoying A Respectable Trade at the moment. Its set in the 1780s with a family business which imports rum and sugar with slaves as a sideline. The plot is upsetting in places as Gregory demonstrates how ignorant Britain was then. I found myself tearful at times with the treatment of the slaves especially a 2 yr old. :cry: This is one aspect of British history that cannot claim greatness - only shame. :shock: I am halfway through and pleased to say that her books remain as good as ever :)

[Louiseog]

I'm currently enjoying A Respectable Trade at the moment. Its set in the 1780s with a family business which imports rum and sugar with slaves as a sideline. The plot is upsetting in places as Gregory demonstrates how ignorant Britain was then. I found myself tearful at times with the treatment of the slaves especially a 2 yr old. :cry: This is one aspect of British history that cannot claim greatness - only shame. :shock: I am halfway through and pleased to say that her books remain as good as ever :)
Have you read Property by Val Martin, that is a real eye opener into the attitudes to slaves

[Angel]

Not yet - I've not heard of this one. Is it good?

[Louiseog]

I really enjoyed it, its about a slave plantation owner's wife. Not much about slavery but more about her attitides towards the slaves quite short too.