Earthly Joys

A Novel

By: Philippa Gregory

Narrated by: David Rintoul

#1 New York Times bestselling author and “queen of royal fiction” (USA TODAY) Philippa Gregory brings to life the passionate, turbulent times of seventeenth-century England as seen through the eyes of the country’s most famous royal gardener.

John Tradescant’s fame and skill as a gardener are unsurpassed in seventeenth-century England, but it is his clear-sighted honesty and loyalty that make him an invaluable servant. As an informal confidant of 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.

It was alright

I thought this was pretty boring, until about ten and a half hours in. It wasn't bad, but it was a LONG 17 hours.

A great story.

I enjoyed listening to this story and hearing it from the gardener’s perspective. There was so much to learn in so many arenas. Very interesting. However I was deeply disappointed in the very graphic description of the gardener and his lord’s romantic coming together. OK, I expected that to happen but was repulsed by the author’s extremely detailed description, which was totally unnecessary. At that point I put the book down. I finally went back to it hoping there would be no more of this in the book and was grateful to finish the book without any more such nonsense scattered in. I will not be recommending this book to anyone as I think my friends would be disgusted with the inclusion of that description as well.

Historic novelizing at its best.

The richness and detail and weaving of John’s life with the history of the time was wonderful.

Feeling like I am in the garden

Gregory always brings her characters to life and I feel I am in the time of the character. One of the best authors I have ever read. I always recommend any book she writes

Worth the wait

I have been following Philippa Gregory’s novels for years. I have always wondered when she would write a book told through a male character. It has been an amazing read/listen. I was thrilled to hear the amazing detailed collection of stories about John Tradescant. I never heard of him and now can’t stop looking up all his plants, houses he worked on and the masters he served. It makes me beg for another miniseries to be done about his and his sons life. Please Ma’am, can I have more?