White Queen

By: Philippa Gregory

Narrated by: Susan Lyons

Length: 15 hrs

Publisher's summary

Brother turns on brother. The throne of England is at stake. The deadly Wars of the Roses have begun....

They ruled England before the Tudors, and now internationally best-selling author Philippa Gregory brings the Plantagenets to life through the dramatic and intimate stories of the secret players: the indomitable women.

Elizabeth Woodville, a woman of extraordinary beauty and ambition, secretly marries the newly crowned boy king of England. While she rises to the demands of her exalted position and fights for the success of her family, her two sons become the central figures in a famous unsolved mystery that has confounded historians for centuries: the lost princes in the Tower of London.

Philippa Gregory brings the artistry and intellect of a master writer and storyteller to a new era in history and begins what is sure to be another best-selling classic series.

©2009 Philippa Gregory (P)2011 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"It would be hard to make history more entertaining, lively or engaging." ( Sunday Express)

"Queen of the historical novel." ( Mail on Sunday)

"Gregory brings to life the sights, smells and textures of 16th-century England." ( Financial Times)

Loved it!

Loved it! Reading them in order and this was 2nd in timeline of her books. On to the 3rd.

Excellent story, author and narrator!

What made the experience of listening to White Queen the most enjoyable?

I love historical novels and this one has exceeded my expectations! I started listening to this then saw the mini-series on Starz and ordered it so I could watch the mini-series while I am listening to the book series! Listening to the books while watching the show is helpful so you can identify the characters and have a better knowledge of the storyline. I have to fill my husband in with some details while the show is on or afterwards so I am glad of the books. I am listening to the Red Queen now. The Starz mini-series is a combination of both books. I would highly recommend this book and would purchase it again!

An engaging read

Any additional comments?

I love reading about history in a fiction narrative. As always, the author delivers a very engaging novel that would transport you from the present day into the past.

Dry

This is my first Philippa Gregory book and it will probably be my last. I love historical fiction but this didn't keep me involved. It read more like a history book and less like a novel.

Good history lesson, so so novel.

Reads like a journal so not many page turning details of battles or suspense. Good read if you are a history buff, would not recommend if not. Ends at a strange place.

Entertaining and educational

I liked the story a lot! A further back dive than I have read in the past. I didn’t love how the narrator’s voice was fairly mature for the main character, at least at the beginning.

Again, excellent writing

Yes, this series has some overlapping in stories, which can be cumbersome for some, but personally mind broadening for me. I love historical fiction, I love the detail of this authors writing. After I read the outlander series, and lord John series, I just could not find an author with excessive details. Yes, I like that. I’m insulting in this entire series. It’ll be a great winter “ read”. The narrator was good. The only thing that threw me was I read this just after the one about her mother and I would have to remind myself that we were listening to Elizabeth’s story instead of jacquettas story. So when you “read “ this series, wrap your mind around who’s story you’re in before you start!

watched the Starz show love it listen to the book

I love the show love the book, I am shock how they did the show so close to the book

Dreary and Long

This story is a dreary one, some of that because the war of the Roses was just that. The depressing part is that the author never envisions anyone learning their lesson from any of their actions. There are repeated betrayals which perhaps is just of fact of this history, but she also failed to see any laughter or joy.

Also, she goes on at length over some of this. I think she could have been more succinct. Also not sure that the little mysticism she throws in really adds to the story, and I like a good mystical bent to things.

Obsessed with Phillipa after reading this book

I love this book. I watched the show on Starz and loved it so much that I found the book and devoured it. I went on the read THE WHITE PRINCESS and THE RED QUEEN. I also read, THE LADY OF THE RIVERS. Made me into a historical fiction fan but with some romance and treachery added. I have listened to it multiple times.