I found this portrait of Seymour much more intriguing than the way he is normally portrayed, which is attractive, popular, and charismatic. And after Henry’s death, when Katharine and Tom are finally free to marry, her romanticized ideal slowly shifts to seeing him for who he truly is - ambitious, self-absorbed, and always putting his own needs ahead of everyone else’s. Though instantly attracted to one another (they meet while she is still married to husband #2), Katharine dutifully puts her feelings aside when the King comes calling. Katharine’s longest romantic relationship, with husband #4 Tom Seymour, is interesting and believable.

But she was also capable of harsh rebukes, envy, and pettiness. Certainly all of her stepchildren (including King Edward VI, Queen Mary I, and Queen Elizabeth I) loved and respected her. Loving and kind to Henry VIII’s children – she is often credited with bringing them altogether as a family for the first time. An author of multiple religious books, a steady friend, and loyal to her family of origin.

Katharine’s life span coincides with Tudor England’s struggle to find a suitable path from Roman Catholicism to Church of England, which presents Katharine and many of her friends with the ongoing threat of heresy.

Thomas Seymour, 1st Baron Seymour of Sudeleyĭanger abounds.

We also see her move closer and closer to the center of political power, through four very different kinds of marriages: Over that period, we watch her slowly evolve from a dutiful, but inconsequential daughter to a woman wise, strong and decisive enough to be a good queen. So when I find a novel like this one, that strikes just the right balance of historical authenticity, dialog, and full character development - it’s a REAL treat!Ĭovering 30 of Katharine’s 36-year life, THE SIXTH WIFE begins with the death of Katharine’s father and ends with her own - all from her point of view.

Other times, I find historical detail overwhelms story. Sometimes I find historical novels nothing more than a recitation of facts and events, supplemented by semi-believable dialog. Awarded four stars in Goodreads but 4.5 stars is probably more accurate.Īs someone who has read a lot of historical fiction over the decades, I am accustomed to uneven execution. KATHARINE PARR: THE SIXTH WIFE IS a very satisfying conclusion to Weir’s six-novel series on the wives of England’s King Henry VIII. I now feel as though I have met Katharine Parr, and I like her, a lot!Īuthor Alison Weir’s Katharine is a fully-fleshed out woman - intelligent, proud, caring - but NOT perfect.

Katharine parr the sixth wife a novel