The Red Queen

A Novel

By: Philippa Gregory

Narrated by: Bianca Amato

Length: 12 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

Heiress to the red rose of Lancaster, Margaret Beaufort never surrenders her belief that her house is the true ruler of England and that she has a great destiny before her. Her ambitions are disappointed when her sainted cousin, Henry VI, fails to recognize her as a kindred spirit, and she is even more dismayed when he sinks into madness. Her mother mocks her plans, revealing that Margaret will always be burdened with the reputation of her father, one of the most famously incompetent English commanders in France. But worst of all for Margaret is when she discovers that her mother is sending her to a loveless marriage in remote Wales.

Listen to An interview with Bianca Amato, narrator of The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory.

©2010 Philippa Gregory Limited. All rights reserved. (P)2010 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Nobody does the Tudors better than Gregory ( The Other Boleyn Girl), so it should come as no surprise that her latest—the War of the Roses as seen through the eyes of Henry VII's mother —is confident, colorful, convincing, and full of conflict, betrayal, and political maneuvering....[L]ike Margaret Beaufort, Gregory puts her many imitators to shame by dint of unequalled energy, focus, and unwavering execution." ( Publishers Weekly)

GREAT STORY AGAIN

I am just totally addicted to these old English story's about the Kings & Queens. The story line of one family members fighting another family member to gain control of the country. The desire for power can drive a person to do terrible things. Great story with draws you into the book as if you are living within these times. WONDERFUL story.

First time with Gregory I wasn't sure!

What did you like best about The Red Queen? What did you like least?

The main characters unbelievable faith ,every turn was a sign including the eclipse of the sun was a sign from Her God that Henry would become the King.I wanted to shake her at times but she is very reminiscent of late night TV of the arrogance of the Born Again Christains have today,it seems they never went away.

What other book might you compare The Red Queen to and why?

I do t know as this is my first historical drama novel

Which scene was your favorite?

When she met Henry Tudor after hearing about Richards death and her companion congratulated her and she rebuked her and told her to call her Margaret Regina I have just finished the Kingmakers dtr so I may have got that wrong one was in the church and one was on the battle field after Richards defeat.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Absolutely it would be good.if they had more of Henry assuming his role and what happened to Margaret and to him.i believe she died soon after he became king.It would be interesting to find out what happened to the White Queen and her elizabeth did marry Henry Vii just as she dreamed,.

Any additional comments?

I know phillipa Gregory can do what she wants with her novels but I was really surprised how many small and big facts were different in all three books that went into making the white queen Mini series.if I had the chance of a redo I would especially make amends with the actual facts.Just my simple and honest opinion.

My least favorite

My least favorite of this series. The main character is the least likable or interesting of the series so far which may be the main issue.

Disappointing

I’ve enjoyed several of her other books
From this genre, but this one was dreary—I stuck with it until the end
Thinking it would get better. It is a depressing story—wish I had skipped it.

Red Queen

Great podcast thoroughly enjoyed it.
Learned more about Richard the third
Learned more about Henry the seventh

LOVED IT!

This was a surprise to me. Some of the wording used in this made me gasp, think and than, agree. Well written & not wanting to leave the car before the end of the chapter. Thank God for the decrease in sex related themes.

I recommend this book

I enjoyed this book after reading the White Queen because it presented a lot of the same information from a different person's point of view. It really helped solidify a lot of historical events, and gave me a greater understanding of English life in the 1400's. I love Philippa Gregory's books because she is a true historian, and she makes learning fun!

In a lot of reviews, people are saying "She's an unsympathetic queen." First, although she was the mother of King Henry VII and the matriarch of the Tudor line, she really wasn't ever a queen, even if she thought she was. Second, I felt very sympathetic to her plight. She was a young girl who wanted to be a nun. But instead, she was forced into marriage to an older man who raped her every night until she got pregnant. She had a pretty terrible start to life. How can you not be sympathetic to that?

That said, I wouldn't have wanted to have anything to do with her. She was an arrogant, unpleasant, conniving, entitled woman with a judgemental, unpleasant attitude toward everyone else.

I highly recommend this book.

Insufferable but Fascinating

Would you try another book from Philippa Gregory and/or Bianca Amato?

Yes, her painting of life in the era is impeccable. She probably stays true to who Margaret was, but she was not someone I'd have as a friend or even a acquaintance. I think if you were to count the number of times she said that she was "called by God" or something to that effect, it would be several times per chapter.

That said, it was a fascinating listen, replete with the drama of the age and I didn't find myself wanting to walk away from the book. I was just annoyed with Margaret - a lot - during the entire book.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

It was good. No spoilers - her son, Henry Tudor becomes Henry VII which is an historic fact.

Which scene was your favorite?

I liked the battles, which were told and narrated from another point of view.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

As long as Margaret didn't say she was "called by God" constantly.

Philippa Gregory!!! Amazing historical fiction

Bianca Amato is amazing. Such good narration. Philippa Gregory is a master. I don't know how she did it but she made me love a book with a completely antagonistic, unlikeable protagonist. The red queen (Margaret, mother of Henry the VIIth) is a total psychotic. Evil and disconnected from reality. Yet, Philippa Gregory is such a master story teller that you can't put the book down even if you hate the protagonist from beginning to end. How does she do it??? This is my least favorite of the series but still deserves a 5 star because it is a Tour the Force!

2nd time and I love it even more

Margaret Tudor is so very flawed, but I find myself with powerful understanding and empathetic admiration.