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  • The Unfaithful Queen

  • A Novel of Henry VIII's Fifth Wife
  • By: Carolly Erickson
  • Narrated by: Stina Nielsen
  • Length: 10 hrs and 25 mins
  • 3.9 out of 5 stars (30 ratings)

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The Unfaithful Queen

By: Carolly Erickson
Narrated by: Stina Nielsen
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Summary

From New York Times best-selling author of The Last Wife of Henry VIII, a novel about Catherine Howard, wife of Henry's later years

Amid the turbulent, faction-ridden late reign of the fearsome Henry, eager high-spirited Catherine Howard caught the king's eye - but not before she had been the sensual plaything of at least three other men. Ignorant of her past, seeing only her youthful exuberance and believing that she could make him happy, he married her - only to discover, too late, that her heart belonged to his gentleman usher Tom Culpeper.

As the net of court intrigue tightens around her, and with the Tudor succession yet again in peril because of Prince Edward's severe illness, Queen Catherine struggles to give the angry, bloated, and impotent king a son. But when her relations turn against her, she finds herself doomed, just as her cousin Anne Boleyn was, to face the executioner.

The Unfaithful Queen lays bare the dark underbelly of the Tudor court, with its sugared rivalries and bitter struggles for power, where a girl of noble family could find herself sent to labor among the turnspits in the kitchens or - should fortune favor her - be exalted to the throne.

©2012 Carolly Erickson (P)2012 Macmillan Audio
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What listeners say about The Unfaithful Queen

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Enjoyable

I thoroughly enjoyed this. I had already read it but wanted to
Get it on audible. I’ve listened to it a few times as you can lose yourself in it.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

An interesting insight. Colourfully written

Where does The Unfaithful Queen rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Very good, really enjoyed this book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Unfaithful Queen?

The king it was said had an affair with catherine howards mother joyce culpepper but I have not found this to be documented in any other source. I would like to know how factually this is or indeed if it is just fabricated for this particular book?

Any additional comments?

The alleged affair between Henry the 8th and joyce culpepper really confused me because it's not documented any where else.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

This Is Fiction. Take It as That

I enjoy this story and the narration. Luckily I am a great lover of historical fiction so should be avoided by those who prefer a complete, factual story.

The only thing that drives me nuts about this narration is Lady Rochford being called Lady Rockford! It’s also hard to believe some of the storylines within this novel. And some of the expansions of the characters are completely unbelievable. Yet. I enjoy the fictional story based upon some real historical characters.

Take the story with a huge lump of fiction and try to enjoy it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Excellent read

What does Stina Nielsen bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

I find historical fiction a great way to memorize history. Carolly really brings her characters to life. I would actually prefer the facts to be historically accurate but I guess that's just a matter of opinion.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Carolly takes her reader into Tudor reality. I really felt the horror of a beheading and the terror the victims must have felt knowing this is what lay ahead of them. I also experienced the fear of living under such a capricious and, oft times, evil king.

Any additional comments?

Stina is an excellent narrator.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Really gripping

it was interesting to see Katherine's point of view. the narrator managed to somehow age her voice as she read, from a young girl, to a woman in a lifeless marriage. it was really good.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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An author influenced by the Tudors TV series

If you could sum up The Unfaithful Queen in three words, what would they be?

Listening to descriptions and the dialogue it is evident that the author has watched The Tudors. So an enjoyable enough story but not a close to the truth historical fiction piece.

Have you listened to any of Stina Nielsen’s other performances? How does this one compare?

The narrator has a pleasing voice and easy to listen to.

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