The Agincourt Bride

By: Joanna Hickson

Narrated by: Catherine Harvey

Length: 16 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's Summary

The epic story of the queen who founded the Tudor dynasty, told through the eyes of her loyal nursemaid. Perfect for fans of Philipa Gregory.

Her beauty fuelled a war. Her courage captured a king. Her passion would launch the Tudor dynasty.

When her own first child is tragically still-born, the young Mette is pressed into service as a wet-nurse at the court of the mad king, Charles VI of France. Her young charge is the princess, Catherine de Valois, caught up in the turbulence and chaos of life at court. Mette and the child forge a bond, one that transcends Mette’s lowly position.

But as Catherine approaches womanhood, her unique position seals her fate as a pawn between two powerful dynasties. Her brother, The Dauphin and the dark and sinister, Duke of Burgundy will both use Catherine to further the cause of France. Catherine is powerless to stop them, but with the French defeat at the Battle of Agincourt, the tables turn and suddenly her currency has never been higher. But can Mette protect Catherine from forces at court who seek to harm her or will her loyalty to Catherine place her in even greater danger?

©2013 Joanna Hickson (P)2013 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic Reviews

"The sense of period is terrific - filled with characters about whom I cared enormously." (Barbara Erskine)

"Superb…a real find." ( The Bookseller)

Disappointing

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

I choose a historical novel for it's history in a living setting. I have read many such books - fabulous ones. This cannot be called historical. The entire tone of the books is modern through and through with some historical events and some period details. Having a modern feminist thinker protagonist in medieval europe didn't sit well. I became increasingly irritated with the lack of historical value and the anachronistic writing so that I could not finish beyond 1/4th of the book. I am sorry to have wasted the money and time.

What does Catherine Harvey bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrator did a fine job.

Oh...I hope this is just the beginning of a series

The Agincourt Bride was fascinating and I was totally absorbed. There was a perfect mix of historical information and fiction to give the book life. The narrator was enchanting and I will look for more titles narrated by her. I thought the book was well researched and well written. I hope it ended the way it did because a second book is in the works.

Wonderful!

Where does The Agincourt Bride rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Agincourt Bride was well written and I loved the reader.

What other book might you compare The Agincourt Bride to and why?

Red Queen/White Queen Very much like the Philipa Gregory Books. Can't wait to see what comes next!

Surprise take on a time that's often written about

If you could sum up The Agincourt Bride in three words, what would they be?

Refreshing, endearing, enjoyable

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Agincourt Bride?

When Mette's first baby died and she because a wet nurse to the future queen

Which scene was your favorite?

When future queen Catherine de Valois reassures her fragile & frightened father that he's safe with her because she knows he's made of glass & can break

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I'm not sure that any particular part moved me, but I didn't skip any parts (and wasn't tempted to). I thoroughly enjoyed the story from beginning to end, even the brutal parts where rape, neglect, and starvation of the royal children occurs; which I think in part is due to the performer who kept an even telling of the story (much thanks for this).

Any additional comments?

Telling the story from the perspective of the wet nurse, interweaving the never posted & private letters of Catherine was brilliant & fresh. The story was seamless and cohesive, and I look forward to The Tudor Queen.

Surprisingly enjoyable

Would you listen to The Agincourt Bride again? Why?

Yes I probably would. I loved the narration and mostly enjoyed the story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Agincourt Bride?

The Battle of Agincourt description.
The bond between Giomette and Catherine.
The birth-scene of Elise's daughter.
The wedding planning and wedding between Catherine and Henry.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene in the glen when they have Owen play the harp and then King Henry plays for Catherine.

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

Yes. I really wish that was possible sometimes!

Any additional comments?

I felt like the last chapter was very rushed but other than that I really loved the book.

This book is a gem !

I love historical novels, and have read many of them, including many in audiobook format. I don't often go to the trouble of writing a review, but this book is a gem. Joanna Hickson swept me along with wonderful insight into her characters, and really made me care about their fates. Her writing is delightful and engrossing. Highly recommended. I am also happy to note that apparently Ms. Hickson has written a sequel to this book ("The Tudor Bride")-- which is due to be released in January of 2014 and which I hope will be listed on Audible for all of us who, like me, can't wait to find out what happens next to Catherine of Valois, the heroine of this book, after her wedding to Henry V of England--which is where this book ends. Onward to Henry's death (not that I don't regret his untimely, early demise) and Catherine's love affair with a Tudor !!

SPECTACULAR!!

If you could sum up The Agincourt Bride in three words, what would they be?

Engaging, beautiful, and addictive

What other book might you compare The Agincourt Bride to and why?

"The White Queen," "Lady of the Rivers," and "The Queen's Fool." Mostly due to the prose and era. The Narrator rivals Bianca Amato, beautiful voice.

Which scene was your favorite?

Too hard to say, the entire book was like velvet.

If you could rename The Agincourt Bride, what would you call it?

Wouldn't. The title was perfect

Any additional comments?

It usually takes me a few chapters to get into a book, even a really good book. This book (equally due to the writing and narration) had me hooked in minutes, I found myself finding reasons to listen it is such an amazing book

Wonderful!

I cannot wait to read the sequel, The Tudor Queen. Her novels are exquisitely written and the narrated versions are exceptional.

Very interesting and enjoyable

What did you love best about The Agincourt Bride?

I really enjoyed learning about Princess Catherine. I have read extensively about both French and English royalty, but have never been able to find either a non-fiction or fiction book about Henry V's queen. I really enjoy reading about medieval queens, and even though this is a novel and written from the point of view of another character I found the story to be fascinating and enchanting. I wish the story had continued on to cover more of her life.

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed the detail of the story. While the dialogue and interactions were of course invented by the author, they seemed realistic. The historical events were true to history as were the historical characters. The fictional characters seemed to fit in seamlessly.

What about Catherine Harvey’s performance did you like?

Catherine Harvey's performance was splendid. She brought the story and the characters to life. I really appreciated her narration, her tone, and her accent.

If you could take any character from The Agincourt Bride out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I would want to have a meal with Queen Catherine. Her perspective would be unique.

Any additional comments?

I suggest that anyone interested in medieval European history read this book. It is a novel and you must keep that in mind. However it is well written and narrated and is a great leisure listen.

Enjoyed but slow

Good history, hard to know how accurate. I enjoyed it, but very slow in parts. Just part of the story.

Couldn't put it down

Would you consider the audio edition of The Agincourt Bride to be better than the print version?

Don't know

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mette, for the empathy vote, poor person made good with wisdom and compassion thrown in

What about Catherine Harvey’s performance did you like?

Yes, very good.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, when Mette discovered that her husband had not survived.

Any additional comments?

Very good book. I felt transported to the Middle Ages. Loved it.

Great book - shame it finishes so early!

I really enjoyed reading this book - it has detailed coverage of Katherine of Valois early life in France & goes up to Agincourt. Wanted it to continue to cover Henry V death, her widowhood & her subsequent affair/marriage with Owen Tudor & am hoping there is a Part 2 as it is leaving me hanging a bit. Worth a read though despite this although if you want a complete history, it's worth reading Vanora Bennett's Blood Royal which covers all of Katherine's life.

Entertaining

Very enjoyable story , kept me entertained on long runs and whilst driving. Orator good.

Enjoyable read

I enjoyed this book as it is my favourite period in history. I reccomend it.

The Agincourt Bride

Where does The Agincourt Bride rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the top

What about Catherine Harvey’s performance did you like?

Everything - her narration was excellent and added much to the storyline

Any additional comments?

Could hardly stop listening. I listen to audiobooks in the night in an effort to send me to sleep, but found that I couldn't stop listening. Kept saying to myself, 'one more chapter' until I found I was at the end of the book. Loved it.

Oh please. Spare me the melodrama

This book is typical of so many historical novels I have read in the past. That is to say full of silly romantic notions about the heroine. melodramatic and sweet with heart stopping beauty and a honey dew nature with a steely determination to 'do the right thing' in the end. Probably none of that is true of Catherine the heroine of this book but since we'll never know who can say? There are otehr stereotypes besides this one which are highlighted by that of Princess catherine's sweet nature and that of ehr servant. It's stodgey in places and overdoes the romance. It's kind of like the author has fallen in love with ehr character which is wrong but it happens. Having said that the book isn't that bad really. I mean, it's well enough written. Plenty of variance of language and vocabulary which is good. I think if you like your heroines gushing and mild mannered with the men in your books nasty and ugly and all the rest you'll like this. not sure about the research as history is not my subject.

Now for a word about the narator. I don't know what it is about catherine Harvey's style of delivery but it grated on me. She uses plenty of inflection but somehow it doesn't feel right. Still again I've heard worse. Have a go at this one if you like historical romance, steer well clear of it if you do not.