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The Heretic Wind: The Life of Mary Tudor, Queen of England Paperback – January 4, 2020
Purchase options and add-ons
- Print length330 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateJanuary 4, 2020
- Dimensions5 x 0.83 x 8 inches
- ISBN-101655502204
- ISBN-13978-1655502200
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Product details
- Publisher : Independently published (January 4, 2020)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 330 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1655502204
- ISBN-13 : 978-1655502200
- Item Weight : 13.6 ounces
- Dimensions : 5 x 0.83 x 8 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,592,432 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2,993 in Biographical Historical Fiction
- #5,097 in Biographical Fiction (Books)
- #69,479 in Literary Fiction (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Judith Arnopp's novels are set during the War of the Roses and the Tudor era. They focus on women like Margaret Beaufort, Anne Neville, Elizabeth of York, Anne Boleyn, and Mary Tudor.
She has a Master's degree in medieval studies and a BA in English and creative writing from the University of Wales, making Historical Fiction the only obvious career choice.
She lives on the coast of West Wales with her husband, John, and now her family have flown the nest she writes full time from her home overlooking Cardigan Bay.
Her early books were set in the Anglo Saxon period but since switching to the Tudor era her career has flourished and she now has a substantial collection of titles in her catalogue. All books are available on Kindle and in paperback, some are on Audible.
Judith also writes non-fiction, her most recent published by Pen and Sword is a study of Tudor clothing and fashion, How to Dress Like a Tudor. Her work features in several anthologies and magazines.
You can find more information on judithmarnopp and follow her blog on juditharnoppnovelist blogspot and most social media
platforms.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They appreciate the sensitive portrayal of Mary Tudor's life and the smooth transitions between the present and past. The story arc is described as interesting, with smooth transitions between the past and present. Readers praise the writing quality as superb. They consider the book worthwhile and appreciate the excellent character development.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They say it's their first Judith Arnopp book.
"...I love her life as she told it to Anne. Excellent read." Read more
"...All in all it was a good read, though in many ways it was dark, in my opinion it portrayed Mary's life appropriately." Read more
"A good readable story - many historical facts , possibly intentionally were barely touched, anyone familiar with English history will note." Read more
"...stereotypes that you see with these stories but overall it was a good read." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's portrayal of Mary Tudor's life. They find it interesting and sensitive, presenting a different perspective that makes her more human and understandable. The book helps readers better understand her role and life.
"...read, though in many ways it was dark, in my opinion it portrayed Mary's life appropriately." Read more
"This book presents a different view of Queen Mary, and makes her more human, and gives some different reasons for her actions rather than making her..." Read more
"...her part in history but this book truly guides the reader to better understand her role, her life and what she lived through and how she might have..." Read more
"...I thought that she really brought Mary into a different light...." Read more
Customers enjoy the story arc. They find the book gripping and interesting, with vivid descriptions of lives, attitudes, and characters. The story is told via deathbed recollections with smooth transitions between the present and the past. Readers appreciate the historical facts included in the fiction, which provides a broader understanding of yesterday's monarchs.
"A good readable story - many historical facts , possibly intentionally were barely touched, anyone familiar with English history will note." Read more
"...Arnopps novels now and each of them have given me broader understanding of yesterday's monarchs...." Read more
"...This to me was the most interesting aspect of the book—history invariably paints “Bloody” Mary Tudor as an evil person...." Read more
"...A well worthwhile read and gripping story.. Provides some clarity on the far reaching and devastating impact of Henry XIII's behaviors...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's writing quality. They praise the author's descriptions of lives and attitudes.
"The book is well written and very successful in showing the notorious "Bloody Mary" as a very frail and vulnerable old woman...." Read more
"...This is a masterfully written piece to give the reader a different vantage point of Mary...." Read more
"...The author is simply superb, her descriptions of the lives, attitudes and characters bring them to life in the reader's mind right away...." Read more
"...Poor mary so sad for her. But this book is well written and does hold your interest." Read more
Customers find the book a worthwhile read with an interesting story. They appreciate the author's research and find it worth their time.
"...I have enjoyed her wit and benefited from the mass amount of hours she has given to research and study...." Read more
"...A well worthwhile read and gripping story.. Provides some clarity on the far reaching and devastating impact of Henry XIII's behaviors...." Read more
"I found this very interesting book...." Read more
"Decent!..." Read more
Customers appreciate the character development. They find the characters sympathetic and human, with a young girl character who provides comfort.
"...I like the character of the young girl, Anne, who seems to give Mary comfort in her last days...." Read more
"...touched with compassion and understanding as each of her well rounded characters has come to life in front of me...." Read more
"...The Mary Tudor of Arnopp’s novel is a very human Mary...." Read more
"...Well written, excellent development of characters and rooted in history. Well done." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2023I was reluctant to read this, but love Judith Arnopp so I decided to read. What I like most is she did not do Mary any favors. I love her life as she told it to
Anne. Excellent read.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2020The book is well written and very successful in showing the notorious "Bloody Mary" as a very frail and vulnerable old woman. The back and forth from present to past shows the tragic life that Mary lived. The divorce of her parents, being separated from her dear mother, being declared illegitimate, just to name a few. In her adult life she never had true love and was never blessed with being a mother, something she desperately wanted. I like the character of the young girl, Anne, who seems to give Mary comfort in her last days. All in all it was a good read, though in many ways it was dark, in my opinion it portrayed Mary's life appropriately.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2023This book presents a different view of Queen Mary, and makes her more human, and gives some different reasons for her actions rather than making her a witch. She may have been but this book gives her many reasons why she may have been. Her teenaged years up thru her middle twenties was pretty horrific if Ms Arnopp's history is correct....and it does have a ring of truth to it. I truly enjoyed this book.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2021A good readable story - many historical facts , possibly intentionally were barely touched, anyone familiar with English history will note.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2021Be it Kings, Queens or Presidents, days of yesterday or today, it seems little changes in the quest for money, power and position. I can relate much of what is happening in the world today with what happened yesterday. Yes, so often history only repeats itself.
I have been privileged to have finished most of Ms. Arnopps novels now and each of them have given me broader understanding of yesterday's monarchs. I have enjoyed her wit and benefited from the mass amount of hours she has given to research and study. However, the largest treasure has been to have my heart touched with compassion and understanding as each of her well rounded characters has come to life in front of me.
I will forever be grateful for the generous spirit Ms. Arnopp must so undoubtedly possess in order to spin these historical people, places, events into a time and people who by turn-of-page come to life in our hearts and minds.
I pray Ms. Arnopp keeps the midnight oil burning and her keyboard keys clicking as she creates more masterpiece tales of a foregone yesterday! I look forward to the next!
- Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2021I enjoyed the fresh viewpoint. I thought it was nice to see the story that had been told a thousand times through something Mary’s mind and eyes. I think it fell into some stereotypes that you see with these stories but overall it was a good read.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2022Although, historically speaking, Mary is identified with being a force to be reckoned with, especially concerning the religious persecutions, it seemed as though her life ended in loneliness and with many regrets. This is a masterfully written piece to give the reader a different vantage point of Mary. I was so enthralled not only with the story but how Arnopp "went behind the scenes " to create this particular viewpoint. As a reader, I appreciate the amount of research and possibly many many hours of thoughtful deliberations that Arnopp must have had to create such an intriguing story as if Mary herself is describing her life's journey to you. Highly recommend.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2021I really enjoyed reading this book about Mary Tudor (Bloody Mary being the brand ahe was most known by). I've never entirely understood her part in history but this book truly guides the reader to better understand her role, her life and what she lived through and how she might have felt.
Top reviews from other countries
- history fan 111Reviewed in Canada on February 16, 2022
1.0 out of 5 stars this is a "novel" NOT a history-
the book is not a history- it is a "novel"- this should be clearly stated as currently very misleading description
- Christine BoosReviewed in Germany on June 4, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant novel about Queen Mary of England
What an excellent novel on the life of Mary, daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon! Her life was tragic, unfair and so full of misery, and definitely shaped her as a harsh Queen of England. The author has managed to show how Mary's life could have influenced her reign without bearing judgement on her or finding excuses at her acts one would define nowadays as acts of cruelty, blinded by her religious fanaticism. A real success!
- S HendersonReviewed in the United Kingdom on March 28, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars From Mary Tudor's Perspective
I've always been fascinated with the Tudors, and I knew very little about Mary so this book was a must-read as soon as I heard about it. The book tells the story of Mary Tudor, Queen of England, and it begins with Mary on her death bed. Narrated in the first person, it evokes a sense of immediacy and personal insight into her life & her story in such a way that you feel connected and close as a reader. While I was very aware of Mary's nickname - 'Bloody Mary' and her fight against heretics, her struggles with religion and in continuing her Catholic faith during her father's and brother's reign, the author sheds some insight into the story. And this is not to explain or impart any truths (such a difficult thing to do given the historical period), but the story allows you to see Mary in a new light, to understand the difficulties she faced from an early age through to becoming a queen herself, and indeed throughout her reign. It has given me a fresh perspective, and far more empathy for Mary Tudor than I had before. It is well written, a beautiful read, and I think the author has done a tremendous job here - she has given a voice to Mary Tudor, a fine voice, and one worth listening to.
Wonderfully researched. Highly recommended read.
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in the United Kingdom on December 10, 2020
4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting read
It was a good read about a forgotten princess and her lonely life.I especially liked the going forward and backward about her life.
- Terry TylerReviewed in the United Kingdom on February 4, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars A tragic life
I've been so looking forward to reading this book, and I was not disappointed. It tells the story of Mary Tudor, daughter of Henry VIII and sister of Elizabeth I, in the first person, and alternates between chronological events and instances just before her death; in these, she talks about the events of her life, which are then expanded upon in the main chapters. The format worked very well; I was engrossed throughout.
Mary has always had a bad press, for being a religious fanatic and burning so many at the stake for heresy, but this book made painfully evident how tragic and lonely her life was, right from childhood, when her father all but abandoned her. I've always been Team Boleyn, but one could not help having great sympathy for Mary after reading this. Some think that she was actually insane during the later years of her reign; I am not sure that she wasn't driven to it before that - and, as I read in the author's notes, we can't try to understand her brutal, inhuman actions by relating them to the world we live in now. I daresay she really did think she was doing God's will.
In all other fiction I've read about her, she is shown to have been besotted with her husband, Phillip of Spain, and her infamous phantom pregnancies being, in part, a deranged attempt to bind her to him; in this book, however, Judith Arnopp illustrates her as being as lukewarm about the marriage as he was. That she only knew just a hint of real love, with Phillip of Bavaria for just the odd brief day when she was young, is so, so sad.
This is not a very long book, and is a very 'easy read', which I liked, with scant detail surrounding some aspects, but I thought this was cleverly done, because the book is written from Mary's point of view. Some events would not have been paramount in her thoughts, or she simply might not have known a great deal about them. For instance, when she is placed in a position to overhear a conversation, in order to let the reader know what was going on, Ms Arnopp does not over-egg the pudding, making it unrealistic. Snatches of conversation are all she hears.
Highly recommended if you are as much of a Tudor addict as I am!