The King's Curse

By: Philippa Gregory

Narrated by: Bianca Amato

Regarded as yet another threat to the volatile King Henry VII's claim to the throne, Margaret Pole, cousin to Elizabeth of York (known as the White Princess) and daughter of George, Duke of Clarence, is married off to a steady and kind Lancaster supporter - Sir Richard Pole. For his loyalty, Sir Richard is entrusted with the governorship of Wales, but Margaret's contented daily life is changed forever with the arrival of Arthur, the young Prince of Wales, and his beautiful bride, Katherine of Aragon. Margaret soon becomes a trusted advisor and friend to the honeymooning couple, hiding her own royal connections in service to the Tudors.

After the sudden death of Prince Arthur, Katherine leaves for London a widow, and fulfills her deathbed promise to her husband by marrying his brother, Henry VIII. Margaret's world is turned upside down by the surprising summons to court, where she becomes the chief lady-in-waiting to Queen Katherine. But this charmed life of the wealthiest and "holiest" woman in England lasts only until the rise of Anne Boleyn, and the dramatic deterioration of the Tudor court. Margaret has to choose whether her allegiance is to the increasingly tyrannical king, or to her beloved queen; to the religion she loves or the theology which serves the new masters. Caught between the old world and the new, Margaret Pole has to find her own way as she carries the knowledge of an old curse on all the Tudors.

©2014 Philippa Gregory International, LTD (P)2014 Simon & Schuster, Inc

Great read!

I love this series. it is very well written and performed! And I've learned so much!

Lovely account...

I truly enjoyed this account of a woman's life that was a symbol of survival. Sometimes misguided, but always sincere.

This is my favorite so far!

Having not finished the chronological listening of this fabulous series this is my favorite so far!

Marvelous finale to the Plantagenet series

What made the experience of listening to The King's Curse the most enjoyable?

The listening experience was made enjoyable firstly due to Bianca Amato's amazing performance. Then story itself was made enjoyable by Philippa Gregory's interpretation of the character Margaret Pole. I felt so sorry for Margaret in the beginning episodes of The Tudors, a series on one of the networks. Margaret was always calling for anyone and everyone to 'Help Teddy in the tower.' The older, wiser Poe reflected in this novel of Gregory's was so much more refreshing. I appreciated her mission to live life -- regardless of the cost.

What other book might you compare The King's Curse to and why?

I'm also listening to Alison Weir's books on the wives of Henry VIII. One book for each wife. Only the first two books have been released. But in them, both Katherine of Aragon and Ann Bolyen seemed to stubbornly risk their lives -- often. Whereas, Margaret was wise enough to treasure life.

What does Bianca Amato bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Oh my....Bianca. I've listened to the entire Plantagenet series that she has narrated. Bianca makes every sentence special. She makes each voice unique and distinguishable -- yet not unnaturally forced. She's amazing and entertaining and makes me want to listen to more.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

It would have to be something about Margaret Pole.

Exceptional writing & performance!

Wonderful book & story! I've seen many reviews that say it is too long & repeats too much information from the other books in the series, but to me, this book solidly ties all the books together & provides a viewpoint of someone who saw the king grow from a sweet little boy to a tyrannical man. It also helped me understand the Plantaganet family & their role better.

Yes, the book is long. I feel I simply got more "bang for my buck". Remember too, this novel, as her others are historical FICTION. If you're looking for straight, proven facts, then read a non- fiction account of the times. Personally I believe the author brilliantly brings the story to life & creates realistic situations & people with a wonderfully personal fiction account.

I highly recommend this book for anyone that does not mind a long story & is willing to accept the author's personal & FICTIONAL interpretation of the time, events & characters.

Interesting and heartbreaking

I thought I knew the whole story about the tragic end of the Plantagenet line, but I was not familiar with Margaret’s life. Absolutely heartbreaking. Cautionary tale about what happens when no one stands up to a tyrant. Ironically relevant to current times.

love

I watched the tv show and listening to the book is so much better you get so much more from a book then u do. movie or tv program.

loved it!

phillippa has done it again. giving old english women a voice through a captivating story.

Wonderful Story! Quality Performance !

The story and narration was excellent. Gregory and Amato are the dynamic duo. Amato has a skill for story telling that makes you forget that you just listened to 25 hrs of her as another character in a rival family to the family you’re now hearing about. I’ve often wondered about Margaret Pole’s connection to the Tudor’s and just able to make the connect of who she actually was before her marriage, thanks to the cousin’s war series. Excellent listen!

A must read for Tudor history lovers!

Another knockout book from Philippa Gregory! This has to be by far my favorite from her out of the 3 that I've read so far. Margaret Pole being such an instrumental figure in the War of the Roses yet her story has never really been told in such detail like this before made it very intriguing. It puts another layer on the very real, very visceral danger that people who were close to King Henry lived through in those times. Being afraid of a traitors death for never being anything but a suspect in his mind or born with the wrong lineage. Never fully trusting your wealth, power or position no matter how high each of them were. Also knowing how much of people's daily life revolved around faith and religion to be told 1 day that you must forget all of that and never practice it for fear of death must have been so heartbreaking. This author and narrator combination is perfection and every book I listen too, I can close my eyes and be emerged into 13-16th century England with ease. BRAVO 👏🏼