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  • The King's Pleasure

  • A Novel of Henry VIII
  • Written by: Alison Weir
  • Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor
  • Length: 23 hrs and 6 mins
  • 5.0 out of 5 stars (3 ratings)

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The King's Pleasure

Written by: Alison Weir
Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor
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Publisher's Summary

The New York Times bestselling author of the Six Tudor Queens series explores the private side of the legendary king Henry VIII and his dramatic and violent reign in this extraordinary historical novel.

Having completed her Six Tudor Queens series of novels on the wives of Henry VIII, extensively researched and written from each queen's point of view, Alison Weir now gives Henry himself a voice, telling the story of his remarkable thirty-six-year reign and his six marriages.

Young Henry began his rule as a magnificent and chivalrous Renaissance prince who embodied every virtue. He had all the qualities to make a triumph of his rule, yet we remember only the violence. Henry famously broke with the Pope, founding the Church of England and launching a religious revolution that divided his kingdom. He beheaded two of his wives and cast aside two others. He died a suspicious, obese, disease-riddled tyrant, old before his time. His reign is remembered as one of dangerous intrigue and bloodshed—and yet the truth is far more complex.

The King's Pleasure brings to life the idealistic monarch who expanded Parliament, founded the Royal Navy, modernized medical training, composed music and poetry, and patronized the arts. A passionate man in search of true love, he was stymied by the imperative to produce a male heir, as much a victim of circumstance as his unhappy wives. Had fate been kinder to him, the history of England would have been very different.

Here is the story of the private man. To his contemporaries, he was a great king, a legend in his own lifetime. And he left an extraordinary legacy—a modern Britain.

©2023 Alison Weir (P)2023 Recorded Books

What listeners say about The King's Pleasure

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Captivating read

Incredible details and just the right balance of political and personal aspects of his life

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amazing story-telling

I love Alison Wier's novels. I hope she writes many many more! Her series is detailed and an incredible window into the 16th century.

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excellent

i thoroughly enjoyed this book
the history is so very interesting
Allison weir is a genius

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  • Amanda
  • 2023-06-17

Love this author

I love novels is author wrote about the wives of King Henry the eighth, so I was excited when I found out about this one. It did not disappoint. I do wish they had gotten a male narrator, however.

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3 people found this helpful

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  • J. Smith
  • 2023-06-07

Not worth the money

Alison weir has list her rabbit’s foot. ThIS
is boring and the narrator (who does the Bridgerton series) is not appropriate for Henry VIII.

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3 people found this helpful

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  • Truthseeker
  • 2023-10-05

great story. god- awful performance.

I am going to have to buy the book and read it. It seems excellent but the reader is so bad I get distracted. it's like she is reading a children's bed time story.

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  • Susana
  • 2023-06-29

Not good

While I give Ms. Weir kudos for writing from Henry’s perspective, usage of “giving the lie” is completely out of context for the time. That usage did not start, or at least come in to common usage until roughly 1590. Surprising to have this come from such a well-known well written, historical author. Disappointing overall, this book is boring. I tried so hard to like it but I just don’t. Don’t waste your money. If you want to read something good by Allison Weir buy one of her history books not fiction.

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  • xyz
  • 2023-10-09

Not Weir’s best.

I’m a fan of Weir, but if you’ve read her other books, don’t bother with this one. The narration is excellent, but the narrative is weak and I unenlightening.

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  • Deborah
  • 2023-09-17

It’s nothing new

I felt like I was reading or watching several other Tudor books or movies….nothing fresh

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  • G Rockett Phillips
  • 2023-09-02

Recommended

This book had me hooked from the first sentence. I am a fan of Alison Weir but she surpassed herself on this book. Very well narrated, it takes the listener to the court of King Henry.

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  • moonrae77
  • 2023-07-24

Humanizes Harry

It was great to get the story from the King's perspective after hearing from his 6 wives. He doesn't seem as creepy or crazy from his side of the story. I kind of wanted more details on some things. It felt like a brief summary in done areas but definitely worth a listen.

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  • Kindle Customer
  • 2023-07-18

Fascinating to hear a different perspective than her usual books!

Wonderfully written. I love so many books from the female perspectives of this time period, I didn’t see how I could sympathize in any way with Henry’s point of view. But I was curious. It paid off! Masterful job of humanizing a larger than life character!

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  • C. Conroy
  • 2023-06-28

I enjoyed this

I never really enjoy books that attempt to tell the King side of things but this book for me was different. The story made sense and I enjoy tor immensely

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