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)

Wonderful!

An outstanding performance by Susan Lyons brings the story of the White Queen by Philippa Gregory to life beautifully. I thoroughly enjoyed every this presentation, and recommend it to everyone who loves fiction based on actual history.

A wonderful historical novel

I loved everything about this book. Based on the best information available, the author put together a terrific story. It left me wishing that there were more complete details and records from this reign.
The narrator did a great job too, I really enjoyed it this book!

Love the book and storyline but...

Not a huge fan of the narrator. Shes just a little to stiff for me. Great performance just stiff.

Awesome Historical Perspetive

I really love how Phillipa puts you in the shoes of women who followed us centuries prior. I really love hearing of the emotions, conflicts, and tremendous lives of women who were the original GIRL BOSS!

Grabs hold and won't let go

I drive an hour one way to work and I listened to this book every second of the drive, I could not wait to get back into my car to finish it...I LOVED this book cannot wait to get to the next one in the series. This book was so good I ordered the Starz series of DVD's the second I finished it. I cannot wait to see the people in the series that play the characters from the book, the ones I loved and the ones I hated. It is well narrated and the story line is awesome... a great read, what a way to spend the day (no spoilers here, you really need to read this book)

can't get enough historical fiction

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I have already recommended this to friends. I haven't gone wrong with Philippa Gregory yet. She really brings an era to life.

What did you like best about this story?

The White Queen seems to have a lot of myth and legend surrounding her factual history. This book ties the myth-like magic and goddess ancestry into the story of Elizabeth Woodville very effectively.

What about Susan Lyons’s performance did you like?

She performed this book beautifully

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I felt sympathetic to Elizabeth all the way through.

Any additional comments?

I read the Red Queen before Lady of the Rivers and the White Queen. This was by happenstance, but it turned out to be a good sequence. Even though the Lady of the Rivers takes place a little earlier it is about the same family line as the White Queen. The continuity of Jacquetta and Elizabeth's stories flow into one another beautifully. Also, Elizabeth is far more likeable than Margaret de Beaufort -- best to save her for last.

A journey into the heart of a strong woman

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

Excellent narration

Which character – as performed by Susan Lyons – was your favorite?

The queen Elizabeth, herself

Who was the most memorable character of White Queen and why?

Jaquetta, I am looking forward to reading her story next

Any additional comments?

The White Queen is an intriguing story of woman, the strengths, the weaknesses, successes and failures that make us who we are and the mothers and companions we will always be.

So so

This got high ratings so I thought I would give it a read. I am not interested enough to go on with the series.

Excellent

Very easy to follow, really well performed, wonderful story. Captivating, intriguing, interesting. The narrator is very good.

You think you have family problems?!

Brutal struggles between family members for the crown of England… those were tough times! Royalty didn’t really have it so good, always looking over their shoulders for who might be plotting to bring them down. But the heart of this story is a strong woman, who marries for love, but into the Court, and then must maneuver her way through all the intrigue, wars, and heartbreak that comes her way. This story brings history and the real events of the times into live action. It’s exciting and an absolutely delicious read if you like historical fiction. The narrator reads gorgeously.