"Queen's Gambit" by Elizabeth Fremantle is the novelized telling of Katherine Parr, the sixth wife of Henry VIII. The author notes that the majority of the novel is of a true telling, however, some of the characters have been created or added to. Katherine Parr is twice widowed and had no children when the King sets his sights on her. He chooses her primarily for her ability to maneuver appropriately in the position of Queen. She has no choice in the matter. After the order of marriage comes to Katherine, she begins a delicate chess game of battling for her life. People around her fall in and out of favor with the King regularly. The trick is to fall back in before he has one executed.
I am thoroughly fascinated with the Henry VII saga. I love to read these stories, so I have several versions and authors to compare to with this novel and Fremantle. I liked that she stuck close to reality and how she told it in a modern fashion. The reading is much easier than some. Some authors when telling of the Tudors get a little hoity toity with their speech. Fremantle keeps in mind her audience. It is enjoyable and fascinating. I really liked this version and will be reading Fremantle again. I received this book for free in a www.goodreads.com giveaway.
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