When Cat is selected to be one of Anne of Cleves’ ladies-in-waiting, she soon catches the king’s eye, and the rest, as they say, is history. It isn't my new favorite, but, it's an interesting book.The short life and times of Henry VIII's fifth wife, as seen through the eyes of her friend.Ĭat Howard styles herself Queen of Misrule in the Duchess of Norfolk's maidens’ chamber (a misnomer if ever there was one). I have read a handful of books set during this time period, quite a few focusing on Catherine Howard. Did I like it? Yes, I liked it well enough. That many unpleasant things go on at court, that wearing fancy clothes may not be worth the emotional stress of court life.ĭid I love it? Probably not. What Kitty learns is that court life isn't all that glamorous and charming.

She may feel used, in a way, by her friend, but, she doesn't wish her friend harm. That if the truth is uncovered, no matter who uncovers it, Cat will die. She knows that if she talks, Cat, will die. Kitty is being asked to cover up her friend's mistakes, and, that makes Kitty very unhappy. On the one hand, Kitty knows Cat is stupid and making HUGE mistakes with her life. Kitty isn't always the wisest person in the world, but, she was truly in a horrible place. At least as she is portrayed in this novel! How did I feel about Kitty? Well, I pitied her to a certain degree.

As you might have guessed, I had a hard time liking Catherine Howard. And even before Cat married the Henry VIII, she wasn't easy to counsel, if Cat wants something, she wants it, won't be talked out of it. Sure, it means that when Catherine Howard marries the King of England, that there is an invitation to go to court and be one of her maids, but she's not a lady, and her tasks are servants' tasks, in a way.

It isn't exactly in Kitty's best interest to be best, best, best friends with Catherine Howard. (Catherine is 'Cat', she is 'Kitty.') Their relationship-friendship-isn't quite one-sided, but, Cat definitely is the boss, and there is some manipulation going on, I believe. Gilt is told from the perspective of one of Catherine's companions, Kitty Tylney. Would you be able to tell from the cover that this is historical fiction? That this book is in fact about Catherine Howard, one of the doomed wives of Henry VIII? I'm not quite sure how I feel about this book cover. 'You're not going to steal anything.' I left the question-Are you?-off the end of the sentence.

Gilt by Katherine Longshore