It was a good book - not great but not horrible either. I think what bothered me the most about it was that it portrayed Anna of Cleves as a nasty woman and from what I have read about her that is far from the truth. I understand that this is historical fiction but I don't feel it is necessary to completely change someone's true nature to satisfy a story. Especially for a reader who may not know who Anna of Cleves really was. All in all I still enjoyed the quick read. I finished the book in one day. ( )

The Unfaithful Queen by Carolly Erickson is about Catherine Howard, fifth wife of Henry VIII. This is the first book by this author that I have read.

The story begins with Catherine living with her grandmother Agnes where she discovers her sexuality with first Heny Mannox and then Francis Dereham. The story then follows Catherine as she becomes Queen and then is executed.

I quite enjoyed this book. No surprises as having an interest in the Tudors I have read other accounts by different authors. I did find the story was drawn out a little in the middle. Then I felt that towards the end with Catherine's downfall, this section was a little rushed. This I felt could have been more detailed especially with the story being told by Catherine.

What I enjoyed was that the book was nice to read. It isn't a bodice ripper and there was very little bad language.

What I didn't enjoy was that there was a few liberties in the story. It is a work of fiction, but based on fact. I haven't come across before Henry having an affair with Catherine's mother who then died along with her child by Henry. Was there really any need for this in the story, I don't think so. There were historical facts missed out also, such as Catherine running after Henry down the corridor pleading.

Overall though I enjoyed reading this account and would recommend to anybody who enjoys the Tudor history or anybody who wants to start reading about the Tudors. ( )

While there were definitely liberties taken with the subject matter, the overall story was sound. I will read more of her work, and I am intrigued by her non-fiction books as well. ( )

I have always been a big fan of Carolly Erickson's work, but I really cannot what she was thinking when she wrote this book. It is certainly not Erickson's best work. There are too many historical discrepancies that it should be considered fiction only, not historical fiction.
In it, the reason for Henry's deep infatuation with Catherine is that he supposedly had an affair with her mother, whom died while giving birth to his stillborn son. But if there where any truth to this at,all would Erickson have not mentioned it in her biography "Great Harry"? But she did not. Also, if that were the case, he would have been able to declare the marriage invalid rather than having her sent to the block because if they were never married, she could not have committed adultery.
The book has her father go to see her frequently (which I have never read in any source), and has her confide in her Uncle William (whom I have also never heard of in another source---not to say he id not exist, but if he had been that close of a confidante I am sure he would have been mentioned more in the history books).
We are supposed to believe that Catherine is the helpless prey to all men she has dealings with, and not the thoughtless, fun-loving person, that was known to make sport of those that might show some decorum, and encouraged her to do the same.
But worst of all is how she portrays Anne of Cleves as not only physically ugly, but also morally repulsive as a selfish, heartless, jealous, & conniving instigator. Although it would have been a normal reaction to be somewhat jealous of losing one's husband (and a crown) to a younger rival, Anne of Cleves has been noted in almost all historical records as having been accepting of her fate, & charitable & kind (as well as not unattractive, except to Henry, which was his way of dealing with his own hurt pride when she had offended him by her less than enthusiastic reaction to his unexpected surprise visit to her while masquerading as a highwayman) .I can only hope that the injustice is made up for in a later book. ( )