The King's Pleasure

A Novel of Henry VIII

By: Alison Weir

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Length: 23 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

The New York Times bestselling author of the Six Tudor Queens series explores the private side of the legendary king Henry VIII and his dramatic and violent reign in this extraordinary historical novel.

Having completed her Six Tudor Queens series of novels on the wives of Henry VIII, extensively researched and written from each queen's point of view, Alison Weir now gives Henry himself a voice, telling the story of his remarkable thirty-six-year reign and his six marriages.

Young Henry began his rule as a magnificent and chivalrous Renaissance prince who embodied every virtue. He had all the qualities to make a triumph of his rule, yet we remember only the violence. Henry famously broke with the Pope, founding the Church of England and launching a religious revolution that divided his kingdom. He beheaded two of his wives and cast aside two others. He died a suspicious, obese, disease-riddled tyrant, old before his time. His reign is remembered as one of dangerous intrigue and bloodshed—and yet the truth is far more complex.

The King's Pleasure brings to life the idealistic monarch who expanded Parliament, founded the Royal Navy, modernized medical training, composed music and poetry, and patronized the arts. A passionate man in search of true love, he was stymied by the imperative to produce a male heir, as much a victim of circumstance as his unhappy wives. Had fate been kinder to him, the history of England would have been very different.

Here is the story of the private man. To his contemporaries, he was a great king, a legend in his own lifetime. And he left an extraordinary legacy—a modern Britain.

©2023 Alison Weir (P)2023 Recorded Books

Humanizes Harry

It was great to get the story from the King's perspective after hearing from his 6 wives. He doesn't seem as creepy or crazy from his side of the story. I kind of wanted more details on some things. It felt like a brief summary in done areas but definitely worth a listen.

Love this author

I love novels is author wrote about the wives of King Henry the eighth, so I was excited when I found out about this one. It did not disappoint. I do wish they had gotten a male narrator, however.

Weir is the Research Queen

Her research is impeccable. Love the details. The Narrator bogged down the story. Unfortunate. I have read most of her novels and biographies and find the perspective both entertaining and educational.

Fascinating to hear a different perspective than her usual books!

Wonderfully written. I love so many books from the female perspectives of this time period, I didn’t see how I could sympathize in any way with Henry’s point of view. But I was curious. It paid off! Masterful job of humanizing a larger than life character!

Didn't disappoint as usual!

I was so excited when I first heard about this book, I even pre ordered it. It was simply amazing and I couldn't stop listening. I loved all the books about the queens and knew this one would just as great and it is!!

Sympathetic to King Henry.

An interesting read. King Henry is portrayed as the ‘all knowing and good king’. Ha!

Very nice book

This is a really good novel about King Henry. To learn more please check out my a YouTube channel Blind Bookworm

Great narration

It was fabulous I didn’t want the book to end. I loved the whole series

great story. god- awful performance.

I am going to have to buy the book and read it. It seems excellent but the reader is so bad I get distracted. it's like she is reading a children's bed time story.

Excellent

I've read many books on Henry 8th, but this is probably the one that I enjoyed the most.
it's one that I shall read again.
The narrator was easy to listen to and added to the experience.