Preview
  • Catherine de Medici

  • Renaissance Queen of France
  • By: Leonie Frieda
  • Narrated by: Sarah Le Fevre
  • Length: 21 hrs and 36 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (502 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Catherine de Medici

By: Leonie Frieda
Narrated by: Sarah Le Fevre
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $38.69

Buy for $38.69

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Poisoner, despot, necromancer - the dark legend of Catherine de Medici is centuries old. In this critically hailed biography, Leonie Frieda reclaims the story of this unjustly maligned queen to reveal a skilled ruler battling extraordinary political and personal odds - from a troubled childhood in Florence to her marriage to Henry, son of King Francis I of France; from her transformation of French culture to her fight to protect her throne and her sons' birthright. Based on thousands of private letters, it is a remarkable account of one of the most influential women ever to wear a crown.

©2018 Leonie Frieda (P)2018 Orion Publishing Group
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about Catherine de Medici

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    340
  • 4 Stars
    104
  • 3 Stars
    42
  • 2 Stars
    7
  • 1 Stars
    9
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    309
  • 4 Stars
    81
  • 3 Stars
    32
  • 2 Stars
    6
  • 1 Stars
    4
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    295
  • 4 Stars
    92
  • 3 Stars
    30
  • 2 Stars
    7
  • 1 Stars
    5

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I wish MY mother had read this book!!

Other than the monotone narration, I would however stay for the conclusion of a revelatory testament of one of histories most intriguing sovereigns, Catherine DeMedici.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Catherine is a badass

Great details; Catherine is one of the most under rated historical figures. Henry was a idiot for choosing Diane. Boo Henry boo!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Informative but less engaging personal account

Good narrator and informative account of a political nature. However, less engaging personal account. Worth the time. I'll pursue other biographies about Catherine de Medici for a more well rounded picture of her.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A good listen

I liked it. It was informative and detailed but not to the point of being too wordy. This is the first book about Catherine de Medici that I’ve listened to, so I can’t say for sure, but I felt it gave a balanced look into her life.
The narrator was pleasant, her speed and pronunciation clear and easy to listen to.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Great story but marred by mispronunciations

The narrator’s French is Impeccable but I found her English mispronunciations distracting beginning with the name De Medici. The accent is on Med not di. Another example was the word “adhere” which she kept reading as adeer. Silent h I guess.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating and detailed story

Absolutely fascinating and unique perspective on the life and influence of Catherine de Medici. Though the pronunciation of the French words was often hard to hear… 😁

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Superb!

A rare biography of depth and warmth. This book brings so many interesting people to brilliant life. The narrator occasionally mispronounces some French, but charmingly. Otherwise the delivery is flawless. Animated without attitude. LOVE THIS BOOK.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Frieda’s book, as a comprehensive (and here well-narrated) biography of this legendary queen, brings to life the brutal politics swirling behind (and within) the religious, cultural, artistic and intellectual movements of the European Renaissance. Despite her personal shortcomings, many of which she overcame by sheer force of will, Catherine de Medici’s hand in shaping the course of European history is undeniable. I am now finding the reading of the book, with its many portraits, sketches, genealogical charts, and relevant maps, helpful in recollecting the key historical events and related people mentioned in this spellbinding story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Something wrong with audio

Something is wrong with the audio of the audio boo. It constantly slips and cuts out.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

What a history!

Incredible story however, hard to keep up with who’s who since there are so many names and so many changes in names.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful