Earthly Joys: A Novel
by Philippa Gregory
List Price:
Our Price: $1.68
You Save: $14.32 (90%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: Philippa GregoryEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2005-05-24
ISBN: 0743272528
Number of pages: 516
Publisher: Touchstone
Book Reviews of Earthly Joys: A Novel
Book Review: Savored Those Earthly Joys
Summary: 5 Stars
After reading and thoroughly enjoying Gregory's "The Other Boleyn Girl" recently, I decided to pick another of her novels at random. As luck would have it, I picked the second book of the "Earthly Joys" trilogy, and within the first 20 pages, was captivated by the despair and determination of John Tradescant. Rather than continue the book, I set it aside and eagerly awaited the arrival of book one, "Earthly Joys".
I've just finished that book, and am thoroughly immersed in the sense of the Tradescant family's devotion to each other, and to a greater degree, the expansion of their nursery and gardens in England. Throughout the story, Gregory uses a keen eye for descriptive detail, making it easy to feel as though I was seeing things from each character's perspective.
As in any family saga, there are soaring joys and crushing sorrows, but throughout this story, there was such a sense of exploration. John Tradescant evolves from simple gardener to partner and confidant of kings and leaders. As the story of his life and family spans from 1603 to 1638 (in this book), the family is challenged in their spiritual beliefs, and must question the nature of their servitude and loyalty to king and country.
The backdrop to the entire story is a series of master gardens, described in exquisite and interesting detail -- I could envision the expanse of brilliant gold daffodils, sense the cool shade beneath a walk covered in yew trees, nearly hear the growth of buds bursting forth from trees planted lovingly over the years. As the king, queen and their courtiers descend on various castles and gardens throughout the story, Gregory provides background on how the gardens provision the lavish parties and feasts, and must always be ready to feed hundreds of people. It was a fascinating aspect that I had not previously considered.
And now begins the second book, "Virgin Earth", in which J, John Tradescant's son and heir to the family business, escapes England's civil war, and the loss of his wife, by journeying to Virginia. He is commanded by the king to bring back new and rare plants for the queens gardens.
For those who love to lose themselves in well written stories, then by all means, allow yourself the pleasure of "Earthly Joys".
Summary of Earthly Joys: A Novel
Whether he is nurturing a single rare seedling into a blossoming tree or planning acres of exquisitely conceived royal gardens, John Tradescant's fame and skill as a gardener are unsurpassed in seventeenth-century England. But it is Tradescant's clear-sighted honesty and loyalty that make him an invaluable servant, and in his role as informal confidant during garden strolls with Sir Robert Cecil, adviser to King James I, he witnesses the making of history, from the Gunpowder Plot to the accession of King Charles I and the growing animosity between Parliament and court.Tradescant's talents soon come to the attention of the most powerful man in the country, the irresistible Duke of Buckingham, the lover of King Charles I. Tradescant has always been faithful to his masters, but Buckingham is unlike any he has ever known: flamboyant, outrageously charming, and utterly reckless. Every certainty upon which Tradescant has based his life -- his love of his wife and children, his passion for his work, his loyalty to his country -- is shattered as he follows Buckingham to court, to war, and to the forbidden territories of human love.
From the details of garden design and innovation to the politics of a growing revolution which was to kill a king and turn a world upside down, Philippa Gregory once again makes history come alive through the people whose passions shaped that world.
Historical Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in Historical Books
Pirate Latitudes: A Novelby Michael Crichton
Harper; Published: 2009-11-24; Roughcut; Book
Best price: $2.45
Price in other shops:
The Master Butchers Singing Club: A Novelby Louise Erdrich
Harper Perennial; Published: 2004-02; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.83
Price in other shops:
The Last Witchfinder: A Novelby James Morrow
William Morrow; Published: 2006-03-14; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $4.00
Price in other shops:
Zorroby Isabel Allende
HarperAudio; Published: 2005-05-03; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $3.09
Price in other shops:
The Hot Kid: A Novelby Elmore Leonard
William Morrow; Published: 2005-05-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $2.89
Price in other shops:
The Last Kingdom (The Saxon Chronicles Series #1)Mass Market Paperback; Book
Bones of the Hills (Conqueror, Book 3)by Conn Iggulden
Harper Collins Canada; Published: 2008; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $44.70
Marchby Geraldine Brooks
Penguin Books; Published: 2006; Paperback; Book
Emperor (Emperor 1)by Conn Iggulden
Harpercollins Pb; Published: 2003-06-07; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.80
Girl With a Pearl Earringby Tracy Chevalier
Harper Collins Audio; Published: 2002-06-17; Audio Cassette; Book
Best price: $86.82
Similar Books and other products
The Red Queen: A Novel (The Cousin's War)by Philippa Gregory
Touchstone; Published: 2011-06-07; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.99
Price in other shops:
The Queen's Fool: A Novel (Boleyn)by Philippa Gregory
Touchstone; Published: 2004-02-03; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.25
Price in other shops:
The Other Queenby Philippa Gregory
Touchstone; Published: 2009-07-14; Paperback; Book
Best price: $0.25
Price in other shops:
Wideacre : A Novelby Philippa Gregory
Touchstone; Published: 2003-07-02; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.47
Price in other shops:
Fallen Skies: A Novelby Philippa Gregory
Touchstone; Published: 2008-12-02; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.94
Price in other shops:
A Respectable Tradeby Philippa Gregory
Touchstone; Published: 2007-01-09; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.25
Price in other shops:
Virgin Earth: A Novel (Earthly Joys)by Philippa Gregory
Touchstone; Published: 2006-03-21; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.81
Price in other shops:
The Favored Child : A Novelby Philippa Gregory
Touchstone; Published: 2003-07-02; Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.48
Price in other shops:
Meridonby Philippa Gregory
Touchstone; Published: 2003-07-02; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.88
Price in other shops:
The Wise Woman: A Novelby Philippa Gregory
Touchstone; Published: 2008-05-27; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.23
Price in other shops: