The Lady of the Rivers

By: Philippa Gregory

Narrated by: Bianca Amato

Length: 19 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's Summary

Passion. Danger. Witchcraft....

The Lady of the Rivers is number-one New York Times best-selling author Philippa Gregory’s remarkable story of Jacquetta, Duchess of Bedford, a woman who navigated a treacherous path through the battle lines in the Wars of the Roses.

Descended from Melusina, the river goddess, Jacquetta always has had the gift of second sight. As a child visiting her uncle, she met his prisoner, Joan of Arc, and saw her own power reflected in the young woman accused of witchcraft. They share the mystery of the tarot card of the wheel of fortune before Joan is taken to a horrific death at the hands of the English rulers of France. Jacquetta understands the danger for a woman who dares to dream.

Jacquetta is married to the Duke of Bedford, English regent of France, and he introduces her to a mysterious world of learning and alchemy. Her only friend in the great household is the duke’s squire, Richard Woodville, who is at her side when the duke’s death leaves her a wealthy young widow. The two become lovers and marry in secret, returning to England to serve at the court of the young King Henry VI, where Jacquetta becomes a close and loyal friend to his new queen.

The Woodvilles soon achieve a place at the very heart of the Lancaster court, though Jacquetta can sense the growing threat from the people of England and the danger of royal rivals. Not even their courage and loyalty can keep the House of Lancaster on the throne. Henry the king slides into a mysterious sleep; Margaret the queen turns to untrustworthy favorites for help; and Richard, Duke of York, threatens to overturn the whole kingdom for his rival dynasty.

Jacquetta fights for her king, her queen, and for her daughter, Elizabeth, for whom Jacquetta can sense an extraordinary and unexpected future: a change of fortune, the throne of England, and the white rose of York.

A sweeping, powerful story rich in passion and legend and drawing on years of research, The Lady of the Rivers tells the story of the real-life mother of the white queen.

©2011 Philippa Gregory (P)2011 Simon and Schuster Audio

Critic Reviews

“Sexy… scandalous… smart.” ( Redbook)

“Gregory is a consummate historical author.” ( Historical Novels Review)

“Confident, colorful, convincing, and full of conflict, betrayal, and political maneuvering.” ( Publishers Weekly)

Philippa back on track

I was reluctant to download this book and devote time to it. Ms. Gregory's last book, The Red Queen, was weak both in story and in substance. I felt vested in the author's continuing telling of the War of the Roses characters and I knew I had some listening time so I committed the credit.

SO glad that I did ! The story of Jacquetta, Dowager Duchess of Bedford and mother to Elizabeth Wydville of "The White Queen," is fascinating in the extreme. This is, naturally, a novelization of her life, but Ms. Gregory fills in period details, politics and sociology in a beautiful blending of fact and fiction. The society's fixation on the unexplained as "witchcraft" is a theme of the novel which travels from Joan of Arc to the rise of King Edward IV (The Duke of York). It is a prequel to The Red and White Queen stories and both characters from the prior novels are re-introduced as children.

The narrator was outstanding. Her voice was extremely fluid and melodic. As I listened, I felt soothed while still being wholly entrapped in the story. It was like not being able to put a book down; I quite literally had my earbuds in my ears around the clock. Since I usually knit while listening, I got a LOT of work on my Christmas projects done. My sole criticism of the book is that, as with the Red Queen, there are a few too many repetitive passages -- I understood almost immediately that Jacquetta knew she shouldn't be telling fortunes with tarot cards; Ms. Gregory did NOT need to repeat the same passage of writing fifteen or twenty times.

All in all, a great read of a very good story. Good choice for fans of Philippa and also for those who want to learn about pre-Tudor English history without reading Allison Weir's non-fiction epics (which I also read).

50 of 51 people found this review helpful

Absorbing tale of a fascinating life

I'm not a historian, so I can't vouch for it's accuracy, but I truly enjoyed this story of Jacquetta, princess of Luxembourg, Duchess of Bedford, and Lady Rivers. I'm far more familiar with the history of the Tudors and this novel acquainted me with their predecessors and the run-up to the War of the Roses between the Yorks and the Lancasters. I'm eager to use my next credit on Philippa Gregory's "The White Queen", the story of Jacquetta's daughter, Elizabeth Woodville, grandmother to Henry the VIII.
Bianca Amato does a fine job as the voice of Jacquetta.
I'm a fan of Philippa Gregory's works of historical fiction and I believe this novel is one of her best.

14 of 14 people found this review helpful

The End is the Beginning

What did you love best about The Lady of the Rivers?

No, I'm not speaking of Mary Queen of Scot's motto. I am speaking of the setting of Jacquetta of Luxembourg's story. This story begins with the end of Joan d'Arc' crusade and ends with her daughter Elizabeth's meeting of King Edward IV. The bulk of the book chronicles her close relationship with Margaret of Anjou, wife of Henry VI. She is her chief lady in waiting, adviser and confidante; like a wise elder sister; witnessing Margaret's act's of folly concerning the Duke of Somerset and unwise policies, as well as her frustration with Henry's bouts with insanity. Jacquetta has her own close calls, being blessed with 'the sight' and times being what they were was almost condemned as a witch. That, along with marrying her late husband's squire and having a dozen or so children with him and not only witnessing but participating in the beginning of the Wars of the Roses make for a mildly interesting story. I find her a little more interesting than her daughter, Elizabeth Woodville and much more so than Margaret Beaufort.

As far as the audio, it is done well. Anyone who regular listens to Gregory's works knows that she usually uses Bianca Amato, who does well with them. Though, considering Jacquetta's French roots, Dagmara Dominczyk is another good choice.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Most interesting was Jacquetta's gift and her references to Melusine. Least interesting to me was Joan of Arc's part, which almost turned me off and was boring. I understand her significance in history, and at least she didn't dwell upon her like Margaret did in The Red Queen.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene where Jacquetta put Edward in his place with her comments on how his mother was treated with dignity, and maintained hers while he and his partisans insulted her, her husband, and her son.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. Too long, and I like to have something to look forward to when I come home from work or have some time at lunch.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

Read this book first

Any additional comments?

Read this before The White Queen or The Red Queen. Makes a great series.

15 of 16 people found this review helpful

couldn't stop listening..

jacquetta is a very strong and likable leading character....the story was full of details without being too wordy....great story...and i love bianca amato's voice so it was a perfect match...i really enjoyed the book....

21 of 23 people found this review helpful

Very Intriguing Heroine!

I really enjoyed this book and want to go back and listen to the rest of the cousin's series.
I found myself consulting Wikipedia to check the accuracy of the story and also checked the English monarchs family tree to see what happened to Jacquetta's children and family.
I'm hooked, I just downloaded the White Queen...

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Keep listening it gets better.

Although there were some very slow parts, I would say that the last half and and ending makes up for the tediously slow beginning.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Pippa does it again

I've read almost everything by Philippa Gregory. In The Lady of the Rivers, she takes another historical character, Jacquetta, and sweeps over the major themes in her life as we travel with her from virgin to crone. Jacquetta dabbles in alchemy, herbalism, and because of this book, I will plant my garden differently this year.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Interesting Love story for the ages

Liked this story, had enough history for me but liked the details of the day to day life.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Great Narrator, but...

Anti-climactic. The Story sort of dragged on and on. Narrator kept me listening but feel somewhat gypped with regard to the story line. Preview was misleading, I was expecting a little more mystical content - reminiscent of The Mists of Avalon, but it wasn't.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful