Historical Fiction Heresy

So ask any historical fiction afficianado to give you a list of the best historical fiction novels ever written and dollars to doughnuts, Anya Seton's Katherine will make the top ten.


Originally published in 1954, Katherine is now considered a classic of the genre. It's a love story, really, about the 14th century Duke of Lancaster and his mistress (whom he later married), Katherine Swynford.

And can we let you in on a big, fat secret?

A Reader's Respite couldn't stand it.

Oh, the writing is beautiful. Technically speaking, there's absolutely nothing wrong with this novel. It's just that Katherine is presented as the most goody-goody Pollyanna we've ever met on paper. And it drove us nuts.

Seton's Katherine Swynford makes Haley Mills' Pollyanna look like a raging bitch

Here's a woman who cheats on her husband, has children out of wedlock, waits for her lover's wife to kick the bucket so she can marry him and legitimatize her children and yet, as Seton writes her, she can do no wrong.

We kept waiting for bluebirds to fly out of her butt.

And the point of all this ranting? Just because we didn't like it doesn't mean that budding historical fiction fanatics shouldn't read it. In fact, we think it's an unwritten rule somewhere that you must read this novel if you want to be admitted into the secret club.

So aren't you lucky that we happen to have an extra copy here in our hot little hands? If you'd like your own copy of this classic, leave us a comment saying so and on November 25th, check back here to see if you are our randomly chosen winner.

Easy peasy, right?


40 comments:

  1. I read what you had to say about Katherine, Iknow I read some Anya Seton in my younger years but I do not think I read this one, looked at it a couple times at B&N.. I wouldn't mind a chance at this book... Thanks!!!

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  2. I know how it feels when a much hailed book doesn't do it for you. I had similar kind of experience with one Thomas Hardy book 'Far from the madding crowd'

    I would like to participate in ur giveaway.

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  3. I haven't read this one, but have always wanted to as my sister is named Katherine after this book!

    I read the Winthrop Woman by Anya Seaton and loved it. I'll get to Katherine sometime soon.

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  4. Ooh, I don't much like Polyannas, especially ones that are mad bitches with birds flying out of their butts. I'm just guessing, but I think my reaction to this book might be a bit severe. (BTW, thanks for the belly laugh this early morning!)

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  5. hahaha love your honesty but please count me in for the giveaway, I'd love to see if I have the same reaction :-)

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  6. Not entering the giveaway, but just stopping by to say I´m so glad it wasn´t just me! I remember reading it because the way a fellow HF fan described it, it was the literary equivalent of the second coming, and was left totally cold by Katherine Mary Sue Swynford. (Every time John of Gaunt called her ´lovedy´I cringed.)

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  7. This book sounds fascinating! I'd love to read it!

    bookingmama(at)gmail(dot)com

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  8. Lol! You and Barb are the only two I know who hated this book. Guess you'd better not try The Winthrop Woman either :p (Don't enter me, I have a copy).

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  9. I'm one of those who list Katherine among my favorites, but then I'm a bit of a Pollyanna myself. But that's not to say that I considered Katherine in that way. I think the book is full of great historical facts, and is of benefit for that alone; and the role of Katherine helps that along.

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  10. This one doesn't sound too good, but I love Pollyanna! If you have a copy of that too, I'm in! :--) (And wouldn't that be a great parody: Pollyanna as a raging bitch!)

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  11. Please include me in giveaway. I'll brave it.

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  12. Farmlane Books - I have a copy of Winthrop Woman and am willing to give it a read. I haven't given up on Seton yet!

    Rachel - oh, it's so good to know I wasn't the only one!

    Linda - you're right...the historical portion of this book is a pleasure to read.

    It's not a horrid book, I think it was just a product of the times. Books that really showed nuances of human character weren't great sellers back then. Seton is fine writer and you just have to put Katherine in the context of someone writing about her in the 1950s. :)

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  13. I loved that review! It sounds like something fun to read and pick apart or whine about! I'm in!

    must.read.faster@gmail.com

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  14. No need to enter me. I was very entertained by your review, and when you said she was like Pollyanna I looked back up to the top where it said she was his mistress, and I'm thinking that doesn't make sense. A Pollyanna-ish mistress...okay. :)

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  15. I've had this one on my wish list for a very long time. I have heard only fantastic things about it, and I have always wanted to be a part of the secret club. YET~ I always have trouble with books that have main characters with no morals as you describe. So would I love it or hate it? I would love the chance to find out, so please enter me in the giveaway, heresy or not! =)

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  16. I feel the same way! I read this one and was unimpressed. I thought Katherine was far too Mary Sue, and I wasn't a huge fan of her at all. I never did try Seton again...

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  17. I would love the chance to win and read this book. Your post made me laugh out loud...the bluebirds flying out of her butt comment did me in! I'd like to see what all the fuss is about and why this is a must read for historical fiction lovers!

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  18. Your review did make me chuckle. I've often said this is one of my favourites but it's 40 years since I read it as a romantic young girl so I may not have the same opinion now.
    Not entering, thanks.....will hold on to my illusions.

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  19. LOL I'd love to give this book a try--I've heard lots of rave reviews, and now with your not-so-rave review I'm really curious. ;)

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  20. Don't enter me--I have a copy--but I have to say that this is one of those books that I enjoyed while reading but afterward left me with somewhat of a bad taste in my mouth. One of the things I disliked was the portrayal of Constanza--if Seton had actually complicated things by giving her some attractive qualities, instead of making Katherine the only woman worthy of John's love, I would have liked it a lot better.

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  21. I'd love to find out whether or not I agree with you on this. As you said, EVERYONE lists this at the top of their historical fiction lists.

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  22. "waiting for bluebirds to fly out of her butt" - LMAO!! That has to be one of the best review lines ever. With that one line, you've definitely piqued my interest in an opportunity to read this book to find out what the fuss is!

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  23. I'm interested in reading this classic...please count me in. thanks.

    karen k
    kmkuka(at)yahoo(Dot)com

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  24. That Pollyanna was a bitch! : 0
    And I've love to see bluebirds fly out of someone's butt. That is quite the image. As always, your posts are a joy to read.

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  25. Sounds… er… well, I feel I ought to get a taste for myself. So to speak.

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  26. I love your ranting posts :) :)LOL!

    No, i am not going to read it if you didn't like it :)

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  27. Hehehe. Your post made me laugh. I did however really like this book.

    Please enter me as I'd love to have a copy. :)

    robinbird_79 AT hotmail DOT com

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  28. I would love to read this book. I do have a fascination for the era.

    freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca

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  29. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Rachelhwallen@gmail.com

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  30. That review totally cracked me up. But I still want to give it a try. I've seen this book everywhere and well, I just have to read it.

    Thanks!

    nycbookgirl at gmail dot com

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  31. I'll pass, but I loved the honest review.

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  32. Please enter me!

    j.brol@yahoo.com

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  33. Hi Michele

    I enjoyed Katherine but I love an honest review, so it's refreshing to hear a different perspective.

    In Alison Weir's biography of Katherine Swynford she has a bit in the back about the Anya Seton novel and she seems also to suggest that Katherine was a bit of a Mary Sue. Still not everyone likes Scarlett O'Hara types, so perhaps Seton was aiming to please the majority!

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  34. I have this one on my shelf but haven't gotten to it. After your review I want to pull it out and see what I think.

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  35. I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
    wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  36. I'd like to enter please, thanks,
    Darlene
    wrig9945@charter.net

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  37. I love your comment "bluebirds flying out of her butt". Its sounds so very descriptive!!!!

    I would like a chance at this book.

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  38. You crack me up! I still think I'd like to take a crack at it. Thanks for the chance!

    miller4plusmore(at)bellsouth(dot)net

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Fire away!