The Pleasure Palace

Secrets of the Tudor Court #1

By: Kate Emerson

Narrated by: Alison Larkin

Length: 11 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's Summary

Beautiful. Seductive. Innocent. Jane Popyncourt was brought to the court as a child to be ward of the king and a companion to his daughters - the princesses Margaret and Mary. With no money of her own, Jane could not hope for a powerful marriage, or perhaps even marriage at all. But as she grows into a lovely young woman, she still receives flattering attention from the virile young men flocking to serve the handsome new king, Henry VIII, who has recently married Catherine of Aragon. Then a dashing French prisoner of war, cousin to the king of France, is brought to London, and Jane finds she cannot help giving some of her heart - and more - to a man she can never marry. But the Tudor court is filled with dangers as well as seductions, and there are mysteries surrounding Jane's birth that have made her deadly enemies. Can she cultivate her beauty and her amorous wiles to guide her along a perilous path and bring her at last to happiness?

Basing her gripping tale on the life of the real Jane Popyncourt, gifted author Kate Emerson brings the Tudor monarchs, their family, and their courtiers to brilliant life in this vibrant new novel.

©2009 Kathy Lynn Emerson (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Like Historical Fiction-Don't waste your time here

This is a wandering story of the alleged life of Jane Poppincourt with no apparent plot, dénouement, irony, or other redeeming quality.

The real Jayne Poppyncourt was actually a French language tutor to the children, who in this story, is the contemporary of the children.

My mother, the literature teacher, would have returned this to the writer with the instructions to rewrite it or choose another topic AND research the subject matter more thoroughly.

It is really the story about a largely fictional character who seems to wander about pre-Elizabethan England and France without specific purpose and then marries her childhood sweet heart.

I did some fact checking, thinking I was reading historical fiction. Dates, people, places, and times are often incorrect.

This book IS NOT historical fiction, but fiction based extremely loosely on an inaccurate understanding of history

The narrator has a fairly strong sibilant lisp that makes the listening nearly exhausting for someone like me who has worked tirelessly to rid myself of same.

Based on this novel, I will not attempt to listen to any other title by this author.

Had I not suffered through its entirety, I would have attempted to return it.

I give it one star because I am unable (based on this reviewing program) to give it zero stars.

Unbalanced

Slow to start and then rushed at the end. The storyline would have been better if it had some action in it as well.

Outstanding narration makes historical novel move

What did you love best about The Pleasure Palace?

The narration. Alison Larkin's narration is outstanding. I am a fan of this particular period in British history and Ms Emerson's work is well researched. The story was kept moving by the first class narrator. I'll be seeking this narrator out.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Pleasure Palace?

The portrayal of Henry the Eighth! Not as a monster, but as a real, sensual, life-loving man.

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

An intelligence, clarity and life in her characterizations that bring these historical figures to life. Especially King Henry!

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

It wasn't a particularly moving story. More an interesting one. That is why I couldn't give the book five stars.

it's ok

struggled to finish it..was hoping for more glimpses of Catherine of Aragon, Woolsey, the boleyns. it was ok

fabulous story

One of my favorites I've ever read about the Tudor court! interesting from beginning to end!

entertaining

I liked how the story kept changing and keeping you wondering. Easy to listen to.

Entertaining

What did you like best about this story?

I like most historic fiction when it comes to the Tudors and this was no different. I like the works of Phillipa Gregory and Carolly Ericson a little better, but this kept me entertained.

a book that you never want to pick up twice

What would have made The Pleasure Palace better?

interesting dialog interesting storyline a voice that sounded appropriate and some semblance of a story that enabled the suspension of disbelief

Has The Pleasure Palace put you off other books in this genre?

no only the author and the reader

Would you be willing to try another one of Alison Larkin’s performances?

not likely

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Pleasure Palace?

all

Any additional comments?

historical novels are some of my favorites but not mills and boon

Thrilling

I am extremely happy with my first audible experience. Having not listened to an audio book before I got into the swing of listening very quickly and was very happy with the narrator and the story.

What a brilliant book! The narrator was very good and told the story so well!

1st book finished

truly wonderful writing with a lovely ending. was a pleasure to read. could easily use my imagination to be in the character of Jane poppincourt. great escapism.