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The Queen’s Fool

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The Queen’s Fool

By: Philippa Gregory
Narrated by: Yolanda Kettle
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About this listen

Pre-order BOLEYN TRAITOR now – Philippa Gregory’s landmark return to the Tudor court, coming Autumn 2025 …

A stunning novel set in the Tudor court, from the Sunday Times No.1 bestseller Philippa Gregory.

1553. Hannah Green, the young daughter of a Jewish bookseller, is forced out of Spain by the Inquisition, and becomes an unlikely player at the fractious Tudor Court.

Her gifts of foresight mean that she is given as a Holy Fool to the newly crowned Mary I. But as Mary’s grip on the throne loosens, threatened by the ambitions of her sister, Elizabeth, Hannah is trapped in the deadly rivalry between the daughters of Henry VIII.

As a secret Jew and unwitting spy in the struggle between a Catholic queen and a Protestant princess, Hannah must hide her own identity. And as a girl watching a passionate queen and her cold-hearted sister, Hannah must learn how to be a woman.

With an exclusive afterword written and read by Philippa Gregory, exploring the inspiration behind Hannah Green’s story.

Genre Fiction Historical Literary Fiction Thriller & Suspense Women's Fiction Fiction Royalty Tudor Heartfelt Romance Suspense Middle Ages Mystery

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Critic reviews

Praise for Philppa Gregory:

‘Gregory's research is impeccable which makes her imaginative fiction all the more convincing’ Daily Mail

‘Gregory is great at conjuring a Tudor film-set of gorgeous gowns and golden-lattered dining. She invokes some swoonsome images…while the politics are personal enough to remain pertinent’ Daily Telegraph

‘Subtle and exciting’ Daily Express

‘Written from instinct, not out of calculation, and it shows’
Peter Ackroyd, The Times

‘For sheer pace and percussive drama it will take a lot of beating’ Sunday Times
All stars
Most relevant
I was sceptical to start this book as I thought it seemed like she was scraping the barrel of Tudor history for the sake of another book.
However, I was proven wrong and actually found this to be the best book out of all them. I think I actually shed a tear! Loved every minute of it and was sad when it came to an end.

Her best book yet.

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Buggy audio file. Unable to listen to the full book. Pop up requests me to submit a bug report but I can’t find a way to do that.

Bugged

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Very entertaining, would recommend. Reader was very good, if you like historical fiction you will certainly enjoy this.

Love this story

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I’ve been listening to Philippa Gregory novels for the past 6 months and I think I’ve enjoyed this most. It feels like there’s a real story here and that the novel moves beyond either simple romance or historical story-telling. Here is a story about race and gender, power and exclusion. I’ve needed to listen to the story, looking for a happy ending and invested in the characters. I believed in Hannah Green, her stubborn foolish choices her ( misplaced) loyalties and outspoken honesty. I particularly enjoyed her learning to be a woman although I’d have preferred her to have been allowed to keep her breeches.

Intriguing

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Really enjoyed this book and the different portrayal of both queen Mary and Princess Elizabeth before she became queen in comparison to most texts about them both. I also thought this was cleverly done through the character of Hannah. Elizabeth I has always been a heroine of mine but I did enjoy having my view of her challenged. I really liked Hannah‘s character also although I’m not sure whether I approve of the happily ever after ending having been so invested in her feminist and independent nature.

Interesting perspective

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