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    Queen's Fool
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    Queen's Fool
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    Queen's Fool
    Audiobook20 hours

    Queen's Fool

    Written by Philippa Gregory

    Narrated by Bianca Amato

    3.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    This is a story set in the reigns of the children of Henry VIII: his short-lived son Edward and his Roman Catholic daughter Mary (Bloody Mary). It tells of the transfer of power; of magic and black magic; of the persecution of Jews, Catholics, and Protestants; of adulterous love; of sibling rivalry; and treason.The story is a struggle between the two sisters, Mary and Elizabeth for the throne of England and for the hearts of English people. It is seen through the eyes of the Queen's Fool--a young woman named Hannah, herself a refugee from the Spanish Inquisition--who serves first Robert Dudley, then Mary and then Elizabeth as a "holy fool," a young person kept about court to observe,comment, and spy. Hannah has been promised in marriage to a young man who wants her to leave court, but Hannah finds it almost impossible to disentangle herself from the passions and deadly power plays of the court.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSimon & Schuster Audio
    Release dateJan 4, 2011
    ISBN9781442342361
    Unavailable
    Queen's Fool
    Author

    Philippa Gregory

    Philippa Gregory is an internationally renowned author of historical novels. She holds a PhD in eighteenth-century literature from the University of Edinburgh. Works that have been adapted for television include A Respectable Trade, The Other Boleyn Girl and The Queen's Fool. The Other Boleyn Girl is now a major film, starring Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman and Eric Bana. Philippa Gregory lives in the North of England with her family.

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    Reviews for Queen's Fool

    3.5/5

    1,563 ratings82 reviews

    What did you think?

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      Loved the characters, and loved the story. Hannah Green's story kept me turning pages.
    • 3/5
      ***possible spoilers***This book was better than The Other Queen, but not by much. The main character was repetitive. But she was less whiny than Mary, Queen of Scots was. I enjoyed the descriptions of what it was like to be Jewish during the Spanish Inquisition and the burning of heretics under Queen Mary. I liked Hannah as a character, but found her very naive. I also couldn't understand how she adored Mary so much, but was terrified daily that Mary would have her burned as a heretic. That part was a little far-fetched. I think I'm getting used to Gregory's writing, so I'll give her one more shot.
    • 4/5
      kind of fun; Hannah is independent, strong, likable.
    • 5/5
      Good read!
    • 1/5
      Would not recommend it at all. It's only saving grace is that it has a happy ending unlike most of Gregory's other books. The cross-dressing is distracting and plays no real part in the story. Her blind devotion is just plain annoying and I really has to force myself to finish this book.
    • 5/5
      Outstanding! I thoroughly enjoyed it! ups and downs, ins & outs!
    • 4/5
      Not one of the best novels in the Tudor series. Hannah was likable but Elizabeth most definitely wasn't. The times Hannah was away from court were more interesting than when she was with either Mary or Elizabeth.
    • 3/5
      I used to enjoy Gregory's novels more, but now I've pretty much had it with English royalty in general and the Tudors in particular. While I appreciated her including a Jewish heroine in "The Queen's Fool," her inaccurate description of 16th-century Judaism was a real turn-off. As a Jewish historical novelist whose heroines are also Jewish, I expect other authors to do their research on this delicate subject. Good historical fiction can teach readers a great deal about history, particularly about the lives of women. But if done poorly, stereotypes are reinforced and innocent people [or peoples] defamed.
    • 3/5
      Long story, cut short.....Hannah Verde, Spanish, Jewish, settles in England with her father after their flight from the Spanish Inquisition, given over to the Royal court of young King Edward as his Holy Fool, on his death she transfers to Queen Mary as her fool and here the story begins.....

      This is my third Philippa Gregory and as expected it is a solid story, but not on the same par as her Bolyen books. I felt as though I learned quite a lot about Queen Mary, who as the book progressed seemed to get more and more unhinged, and it's no surprise she earned the name 'Bloody Mary'. Elizabeth was portrayed as thouroughly unlikeable and self serving and I don't doubt that she was all that and more and even the main players at court were just as I imagined them to be; fickle, scheming, underhand, greedy and manipulative, but it was the main character who really spoiled things for me. No matter what situation was unfolding, Hannah was always right there in the thick of things and after a while she really started to grate on me.

      She didn't have a bad word to say about anybody, regardless of how horribly they treated her, and she kept going back for more of the same. I realise she wouldn't have had a lot of say in matters regarding how she was put to use by her employers but one minute she's litterally wetting herself as she's about to be tortured as a heritic because Mary has a bee in her bonnet (to put it mildly) about non Catholics, even though she considers Hannah her trusted friend....then the next minute Hannah is all doe eyed at Mary's feet and defending her against any critics....it just doesn't make sense. She has the means to escape and put it all behind her, but she does everything in her power to stay.

      She can't seem to make up her mind about where her loyalties lie for most of the book and dithers from one plot master to the next, depending on what's afoot at any given time. Mary, Elizabeth, Lord Robert Dudley, her betrothed, John Dee...and, and, and. I just couldn't relate to her because she just didn't seem to have the wit to remove herself from danger when the opportunity arose. The exit was right there for her, and she chose not to take it.

      Having said that, the story itself was interesting and enjoyable, if a little slow. The pace wasn't as fast as in her other books but overall the story was a good one.

      I haven't been put off and I still plan to work my way through her other books, but if this is your first try of Philippa Gregory, this isn't her best.
    • 5/5
      I really enjoyed this book!! Her writing is very good. She has told the story with a lot of depth to the historical characters as well as the fictional ones. I never thought I'd read a book that would lead me to be very sympathetic to Queen "Bloody" Mary but it here it is.
    • 4/5
      A most unlikely situation in Tudor England, with a young girl plucked out of obscurity to became not only the Queen's muse and confidant, but the same for the Queen's sister and rival, set against the backdrop of persecution of Protestants and, to a lesser degree, the Jewish, as well as the intense wish of the Queen to have a baby.However, an interesting book to read.
    • 4/5
      4.5 stars. 14 year old Hannah Green and her father are Jewish and have been running since Hannah's mother was burned at the stake in Spain. They come to England, where Hannah is brought to King Edward's court by Robert Dudley to serve as a fool when he discovers she has the gift of "sight". While Edward is dying, Hannah is sent to keep his sister Mary company. Hannah and Mary become close, and after Mary becomes queen, Hannah is sent to keep company with Mary's half-sister Elizabeth. Between Robert, Mary and Elizabeth, Hannah is keeping company with and serving three different people with three different agendas. In the meantime, Hannah is betrothed to Daniel, a Jewish boy who has been hiding in England with his own family. Can Hannah keep up with all the deception and treachery that happens at court without getting herself and her Jewish family into trouble? As much as I've read about the Tudors, I haven't actually read much about Mary, so this was interesting. I know it's fictional, but of course, there is some truth to the events in the story, though Hannah and her family are entirely fictional. This is the second Philippa Gregory book I've read, and another one I've really enjoyed. I will be reading more.
    • 5/5
      all her characters love their royal employers. is this because they feed and house them. they don't seem very lovable. this was about queen mary(wacky catholic) and princess elizabeth(slutty) and jews who were persecuted.
    • 3/5
      Historical fiction of a female fool to Edward, Bloody Mary & Elizabeth. Tries, unconvincingly, to paint Mary in a good light.Read June 2004
    • 3/5
      There were definitely things I liked about this book such as the portrayal of Queen Mary, life at and away from the court, and the "secret" life of the Jews. The background of the book seems very accurate and well researched and consistent with other books of this time period. However, the narrator Hannah Green just does not seem believable. The fact that Hannah seems to easily find herself in the position to be "selected" to become the queen's fool is a bit of a stretch. Her relationship with Daniel while still maintaining the role of an intimate friend of both Mary and Elizabeth seems also very improbable.This is the only book I've read by Philippa Gregory; I'm not sure I'll pick up another one. This was a light entertaining read, but it does not stand up to the works of Jean Plaidy
    • 4/5
      The Queen's Fool, another wonderful mix of fiction and fact from Philippa Gregory. Fact in so far as our history books tell. Gregory is wonderful at her craft of mixing this into a tale that is readable, probable and keeps the reader interested unto the very end. The Tudor tales are told with such intrigue, spies everywhere, lack of trust all around - not much different today, I am sure although with the complete separation of sovereignty the government which rules our country, our royal family are more concerned on hanging onto their title and role in the kingdom these times.I find it quite interesting that Dr John Dee is getting so much coverage nowadays. Watching Later with Jools, I learnt that Damon Albarn's new outfit are called Dr Dee after this very same man. And on the show Albarn showed an ancient book with historical facts about John Dee. I guess it was coincidence that the very book I was reading at the time focussed a fair bit on this incredible man, however I was quite surprised at this.If you like historical fiction and the reign of the Tudor's do read this wonderful tale.
    • 4/5
      on Thursday, February 09, 2006 I wrote about this book:

      Bought this book which was on my wish list on ebay.co..uk.
      reading now on February 8th 2006

      Update. Great book. Really enjoyed this read. Want to read more books by this author
    • 3/5
      Hannah the Fool to Queen Mary, also serves Princess Elizabeth, because she is in the service of Robert Dudley. She's a Jew pretending to be a Protestant pretending to be Catholic, since that's the way the wind blows.

      Reasonably enticing and enjoyable, but I could have done without the side plot of her long betrothal, troubled courtship, and tumultuous marriage to Daniel. The story really stalled while she was in Calais, but fortunately she returns to court.
    • 3/5
      I thought this was a good book. There was enough romance and harrowing adventure to keep me hooked. There was also a good historical foundation to hold the book in it's time. Very good.
    • 2/5
      While the main character was fairly interesting, Ms. Gregory's tendency to cherry-pick her historical details is annoying.
    • 5/5
      (Warning this book made me cry a little, because I’m really just a huge sap.)In the continuation of Philippa Gregory’s very popular series of historical fiction about life at the court of the Tutors, The Queens Fool tells the story of one young woman who experiences life at the court of all three of Henry VII’s children. Hannah Green is newly english, born Hannah Verde she and her father have escaped the inquisition that burned her mother for being a Jew in Spain by coming to London. While Hannah and her father want to live simple quiet common lives Hannah’s power to see the future gets her begged as a fool to King Edward. Under the thrall of her Master Robert Dudley Hannah spys, schemes and gets her self passed from Edward to Mary and eventually to Elisabeth. With split loyalties and a betrothed who wants her to walk away from it all one young woman must try and make the right decisions in a world where knowledge is suppressed and the correct religion to practice changes with every monarch. The first time I read this book it was directly after having read Philippa Gregory’s The Other Boylen Girl. I was pretty young (probably a little too young for the amount of sex and intrigue in the book) and thoroughly in love with all things historical fiction. In the hight of its popularity as a book (long before the movie) I thought of The Queens Fool as its smaller less glamorous sequel. But now almost 8 years later this is the story I enjoy more and feel more compelled to return to. Hannah is complicated, conflicted, young, passionate, and ultimately incredible strong. As a woman and a character she is fantastic. Her life is complicated her choices are hard and there is almost never a right choice. In a time where woman were firmly the property of the men in there lives Hannah is strong intelligent and fiercely independent. All the characters of this book are real people, and Hannahs intended husband Daniel is in my opinion the best kind of love interest. Not perfect, not a simple refelction of the main character, and honestly compatible and in love with our heroine. While of course Daniel is not the only contender for Hannahs heart, for me he falls in to the category of fictional characters I have a major crush on. Even on what I think must be at least the 5th read through this book is still a page turner. It is compelling and beautifully written, It captures both the splender of court life, the fear of the Inquisition, and the day to day life of common men and women in England of this time.I know one of the HUGE criticisms laid against Philippa Gregory is her loose use of historical fact making her books much more historical fiction then any history enthusiast can easily take. For me as long as you go in with eyes open and an understanding that first and formost this is a story for entertainment purposes then the story and lives portrayed by Gregory are so compelling that I don’t really care.I would recommend this book to any fan of historical fiction or anyone who has read and enjoyed the Other Boleyn Girl. Having just purchased my own copy of this book I know it will be one that I will continue to return to over the years.
    • 4/5
      Great tale of old, life was never easy, even for a queen or princess. But the ordenary people got hung ( choked to death) on any ones say as to who was a haratic . Religen was very scary in those times. Here we are relaxed about church, but there are those coming that think diff and wont to change our country to their old way , why did they come then? We will see much change and be sorry some day soon. queen Mary's day may be here before we know it, WE will be sorry about this and we are doing nothing about it.
    • 2/5
      I think the better question would be what I liked about this book. I found the characters ? every single last one of them ? annoying, shallow, and irritating. Perhaps Queen Mary is the only exception to this, but that?s probably because she?s portrayed in a nice manner rather than her usual villainous role. Hannah is more of plot device than a character the reader should care about. She?s conveniently located for all major moments but of course not someone the reader gets to know until the end of the novel.I mean, why would Mary accept Hannah not only as her fool but also as her companion and allow her access to meetings were secrecy is of the upmost importance? And then why would Elizabeth accept Hannah as her personal companion and fool knowing she?s friends with Mary, knowing Hannah is a spy for others, and knowing she (Elizabeth) is plotting against Mary.The tidbits about Jews living through the Inquisition and Protestant/Catholic England were interesting and admittedly were the only reasons why I continued reading Gregory?s novel. I?m afraid, however, that it will be quite some time before I pick up another book by Gregory.
    • 4/5
      Enjoyed the book in the main. found it a bit hard going at first but stuck with it. I find that I have to be in the mood to pick up a Philippa Gregory book. I enjoy the elements of history through the story and the details which are described wonderfully.
    • 3/5
      The Queen’s Fool… Hmm, for quite a ways into the book, I was starting to feel like the fool myself for spending the time to read the book…Relatively slow in getting absorbed by the story, and befuddled by the heroine, Hannah’s, obsession with Lord Robert (really? as simple as a young girl drawn by a handsome, dashing man), I finally got into the rhythm of the story much later, as I started to appreciate Hannah’s utter sense of loyalty, duty, and allegiance, especially to Queen Mary, and to a lesser degree (at least to me), to Princess Elizabeth. Her loyalty to her own values, her love affair with books, knowledge, being a genuinely intelligent young woman speaking multiple languages (Spanish, English, French, Hebrew) and reading Greek and Latin, and perceptively learning the ways of the court made her a person that you want to meet in real life. My two key likes. A) The book made me re-look up the British Monarch history. (The books’ general history was mostly accurate.)B) Gaining some insights to the plight of the Jews in that era, noted as 1552 to 1558, hiding and concealing not just their faith, but also the associated customs, language, and knowledge. The relationship amongst the Jews, how they helped each other remain concealed throughout Europe, had a flavor of the Underground Railroad.Ultimately, other than a perspective of history via the eyes of an intelligent young lady, this book did not offer substantial substance to me. Perhaps it was not meant to be either. This book was not so creatively written that entertained my typical desire for learning new ways to manipulate words. Here are just a few quotes, partly for its content and partly for the charm of the sentence(s). “Elizabeth was always such a mixture of raging emotion and calculation that I could rarely take her measure.”“Books were my brothers and sisters; I could not turn against them now. I could not become one of those that see something they cannot understand, and destroy it.”“And so I would rather not spur your wife’s irritation into rage if you are going to blow in and out again like a spring wind that spoils the peace of the orchard.”
    • 4/5
      great historical fiction author, I 've enjoyed everything I've read by her.
    • 4/5
      Over a ten-year stretch between 1548-1558 a young Jewish woman serves Queen Mary as her fool, falls in love with a plotting lord, becomes the confidant of Princess Elizabeth, and falls in love with the man to whom her father had betrothed her. Hannah and her father have fled Spain. Jews who have hidden their religion, they ostensibly practice the Anglican and then Catholic Christianity of their adopted country, but they are always on the lookout for agents of the Inquisition. In the roil of politics and religion in Elizabethan England, Hannah, her father, the family of her fiancé and others, are always at risk.While the overlay of modern sensibilities about gender and religious equality detract from the historicity of the story, this thoroughly engaging historical romance is worth a read. I’ll probably pick up others by this author.
    • 1/5
      Would not recommend it at all. It's only saving grace is that it has a happy ending unlike most of Gregory's other books. The cross-dressing is distracting and plays no real part in the story. Her blind devotion is just plain annoying and I really has to force myself to finish this book.
    • 4/5
      "A young woman caught between the rivalry between Queen Mary and her half sister, Elizabeth, must find her true destiny amid treason, poisonous rivals, loss of faith, and unrequited love."What's not to like?
    • 4/5
      The Queen's Fool tells the tale of Hannah Green, a secret Jew with the ability to see the future, who serves both Mary Tudor and Elizabeth Tudor as a fool. Hannah, partly because of her unique Sight, becomes embroiled with several plots in the turbulent Tudor court. Furthermore, she must hide her heritage and religious beliefs at a time of religious unrest and uncertainty. I found Hannah's Jewish beliefs one of the more interesting aspects of this novel, as it brought out an unseen portion of England's religious struggles in the sixteenth century and created a character adept at hiding her true beliefs. However, Hannah, for all the time she spends in the royal court, strikes me as incredibly naive, even towards the novel's end. Overall, The Queen's Fool is an good piece of historical fiction and a good read for fans of the Tudor era.