by Anya Seton
I found this book on my shelves while trying to thin by collection. (I have to make room for three more years of school!) I don't know if it was my grandmother's, or if my mom picked it up somewhere; I certainly don't remember buying it myself. After a quick glance at the summary and reviews online, I decided to read it. Coincidentally, it matched perfectly with my ninth grader's readings in British history and his third term introduction to The Canterbury Tales.
Katherine, the heroine of the novel, was a minor noble during the time of King Edward III. His third son, John of Gaunt, employed Geoffrey Chaucer. Katherine's sister married Chaucer. She herself was John's mistress, the mother of four of his children, and eventually his third wife. John of Gaunt was never king, but his son (from a previous wife) became Henry IV of the House of Lancaster.
The novel is one of adultery, healing, and redemption. Katherine lives many years as John's mistress, quite in the open and with the inevitable knowledge of his lawful wife. Their actions fulfill their own desires, but cause sorrow and heartache for many. Katherine suffers a great shock and loss. She is contemplating the end of her life when a strange priest draws her away from a cliff. He introduces her to Julian the Anchoress who shows her the great love and forgiveness of the Lord. With their assistance, she renounces her sinful ways and rebuilds a life of honor and dedication to her home and children.
What a weary time it took to learn how homely and direct the answer was, that it needed no thunderbolts and flaming wonders for Him to fulfill His promise, I will keep thee full securely. That He had as many ways of loving as there were droplets in the ocean, the ocean that was yet all one sea.It's a magnificent depiction of life of the times of Geoffrey Chaucer and the English monarchy. It covers the Peasants' Revolt and much royal intrigue. Reading it alongside our Churchill helped me immensely in keeping the royal family members straight and in imagining what life was like during that time.
At first, I considered adding this book to our list of potential historical fiction for ninth grade. I think if one of my children (in ninth grade or high school) asked about reading this book, I would allow it. It's certainly one that reveals the insidiousness of sin and points toward confession and redemption, but it is a book in which the acts of adultery are a key point of the plot. Some of acts of infidelity are described a little more explicitly than I might wish for my fifteen year olds. So I would allow it, but I don't think I'm going to add it to our independent reading list for ninth grade. I do, however, recommend it to any homeschooling mom who is looking for historical fiction of this time period.
I have received nothing for this post which contains only my honest opinions. The link to Amazon above is an affiliate link.
