Preview
  • Katherine

  • A Novel
  • By: Anya Seton
  • Narrated by: Lorna Bennett
  • Length: 29 hrs and 50 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (156 ratings)

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Katherine

By: Anya Seton
Narrated by: Lorna Bennett
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Publisher's summary

"Exhilarating, exuberant, and rich," Katherine is an epic novel of a love affair that changed history—that of Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, the ancestors of most of the British royal family (Austin Chronicle).

Set in the vibrant fourteenth century of Chaucer and the Black Death, the story features knights fighting in battle, serfs struggling in poverty, and the magnificent Plantagenets—Edward III, the Black Prince, and Richard II—who rule despotically over a court rotten with intrigue. Within this era of danger and romance, John of Gaunt, the king’s son, falls passionately in love with the already-married Katherine. Their affair persists through decades of war, adultery, murder, loneliness, and redemption.

Anya Seton's vivid rendering of the lives of the Duke and Duchess of Lancaster makes Katherine an unmistakable classic.

“An inspiration and the benchmark by which I judge historical novels.”—Alison Weir

©2000 Anya Seton (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers
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What listeners say about Katherine

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Transported back to Chaucer’s England

Wonderful finely wrought characters in a tale of enduring love and a woman’s incredible capacity to survive the fickle winds of fate

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    4 out of 5 stars

The story lacked vulgarity.

The story and the narrator flowed smoothly until The End. It was a good book.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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love

I absolutely adore this book so perfectly written. definitely in the top tier of Anya Seton novels

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Character development is rich

I loved this story so much. So many twists and turns to the lives depicted. So hard to believe these people actually existed. The narration was done beautifully and seamlessly. Bravo!!!

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Intriguing and emotional

The narrator deserves so much credit for her contribution to a well written story.
The twists and turns which seemed to be so common for that period of time are captured and given an emotional life for the reader.
This author has unlimited story telling gifts.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A classic

Read back in the 70s and loved it. Caught it on audio and thoroughly enjoyed this heavily researched historical romance.

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Katherine’s undying faith in God

Loved this. Be ready for a long listen. Her undying love for John and her faith were amazing

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    5 out of 5 stars
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You’ll find you! Perfect novel!

A wonderful blend of history, romance, and beautiful descriptions and echoing of old English without being alienating to the modern reader! A tale that is archetypal in nature and forever relevant to anyone who has been either a leader, a mother, a lover or devotee to the divine and perhaps those who might have been all! Do take the time. Truly, truly a wondrous tale whose author does justice in the retelling! Loved it!

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Best of 98 books

As a life-long fan of English history I consider this book the best of all my 98 books so far. Wonderful historical context, character development, story telling and narration. What a treat for my long drives!

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My favorite book of all time

I discovered this enchanting tale nearly 30 years ago and it is still my favorite. Seton is a master at historical novels. The bewitching story of Katherine and John won’t disappoint!

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