Imagine
what it would be like to have been raised in privileged isolation with
few friends but your siblings. No wonder the shy, young Jane Seymour
couldn't resist being drawn to her older brother's vivacious, lively
bride, whose easy charm seemed to captivate everyone.Twice my life has turned on the step of a girl through a doorway; first when I was fifteen and my new, first-ever sister-in-law came walking into Wolf Hall. The May trees were holding blossoms as thick and thorough as snowfall when Katherine crossed our threshold as the twenty-one-year-old bride of my twenty-one-year-old brother.—The May Bride by Suzannah Dunn (Pegasus Books, 2014, p. 3)
Quick Facts
- Setting: early 1500s, England, Wolf Hall (the Seymours' home), Henry VIII's court
- Circumstances: Jane's observations of her brother's marriage, her sister-in-law's behavior, and everyday life in her family castle; later, her experiences as an attendant to Queen Catherine and her eventual introduction to Henry VIII
- Characters: Jane Seymour and her family; Katherine Filloil, her sister-in-law; various members of Henry VIII's court
- Genre: historical fiction
- What I know from reviews: The novel, told from Jane's viewpoint, fills in the gaps of the future queen's formative years, providing many period details and giving insight into the Seymour family; this is less about the Tudor court and more about Jane and how getting to know Katherine Filloil changed her perspective on the world.
- Recommendation: I've barely started The May Bride, but it looks like it will be an interesting read for Tudor fans. Suzannah Dunn has written other popular novels about the Tudor period and Henry VIII's wives.
This isn't a book I would typically pick, even though the intro isn't bad. Hope that you enjoy this one.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much fascination with the Tudor era! I have tried to read some (e.g., Wolf Hall) but it's all very confusing to me, especially since half the people then had the same name (and the other half had the other same name - LOL)
ReplyDeleteThe Tudor period is endlessly fascinating.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds similar to Phillipa Gregory - from whom I learned how scandalous and backstabbing royalty could be back then! Is this is the same Wolf Hall that inspired the title of Hilary Mantel's book (I didn't like that one, but more because of the storytelling style than the story itself)?
ReplyDelete@Sarah -- yes, same Wolf Hall.
ReplyDeleteBased on the cover, this isn't a book I'd pick up right away. But I do like Tudor era fiction, so I would probably read this one anyway!
ReplyDeleteToday I'm featuring Accidents of Marriage by Randy Susan Meyers.
I never get tired of those Tudors! Haven't seen this book yet and will be curious to hear what you think.
ReplyDeleteI like that it's set many centuries ago. Sounds interesting
ReplyDeleteJesus the Christ Tuesday Teaser
Your tease sounds interesting. I don't normally read this era but I do enjoying watching films about it. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHere is my TT - http://fuonlyknew.com/2014/10/28/teaser-tuesdays-87-moore-zombies-and-the-alien-next-door/
The cover doesn't speak to me, but the blurb and your quick facts did. So there you go, you shouldn't judge by the cover!!
ReplyDeleteThis one sounds fascinating, and even though I don't often read historical novels, I like the sound of this one. Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.
ReplyDeleteI like historical fiction, and the timeframe in general, so I would probably read on to see if it grabbed me. Nice teaser.
ReplyDeleteA good intro, but don't know if I would read on. Enjoy! My teaser: The Aristocrat
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a historical novel that I'd enjoy. Henry VIII and his wives are always fascinating to me, but I've never read a book from Jane Seymour's point of view.
ReplyDeleteMy Tuesday post features THE BEARWALKER’S DAUGHTER.
I do not read a lot of books like this, but the intro and your notes about it have me curious.
ReplyDeleteI generally don't read much in the way of historical fiction, but I'd have to keep reading this one. Hope you enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteSounds lovely... I wonder how it will turn out.
ReplyDeleteMy teaser is an excerpt from a YA book about the Underground Railway.
http://wp.me/p3Nz8P-h7
This sounds like a great read, I do love stories set in the Tudor times. What a great way to give the background to Jane Seymour's life. Thanks for visiting my TT http://cleopatralovesbooks.wordpress.com/2014/10/28/teaser-tuesday-october-28/
ReplyDeleteI'm sure my mom would love this book.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting period of time.
ReplyDeleteI've never been a big reader of history, or historical fiction, but I like the approach of this one. Interesting pick!
ReplyDeleteThis week I'm diving into The Perilous Sea.
I've been on a Tudor fast for awhile.
ReplyDeleteThis isn't my normal genre, but I like the intro.
ReplyDeleteI do like the setting and the era.
ReplyDeleteI love books that start like this, I'd keep reading. Have a happy Halloween! kelley—the road goes ever ever on
ReplyDeleteoooh! I would love to keep reading!
ReplyDeleteThis is a bit random, but I really like the format of this post.
ReplyDeleteYour book sounds like a neat read. I don't think I've read anything Tudor related since The King's Rose by Alissa Libby. Fascinating ruler, that's for sure.
Jane Seymour is probably the least well-known or dynamic of his wives, so this sounds like an interesting read. I will keep an eye out for it, I love books on the Tudors.
ReplyDelete