Earthly Joys

By Philippa Gregory

Another sweeping novel from the No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling author…

A traveller in a time of discovery, the greatest gardening pioneer of his day, yet a man of humble birth: John Tradescant’s story is a mirror to the extraordinary age in which he lives.

As gardener and confidante to Sir Robert Cecil, Tradescant is well placed to observe the social and political changes that are about to sweep through the kingdom. While his master conjures intrigues at Court, Tradescant designs for him the magnificent garden at Hatfield, scouring the known world for ever more wonderful plants: new varieties of fruit and flower, the first horse chestnuts to be cultivated in England, even larches from Russia.

Moving to the household of the flamboyant Duke of Buckingham, Tradescant witnesses at first hand the growing division between Parliament and the people; and the most loyal of servants must find a way to become an independent squire.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins UK
• Release date: Nov 11, 2011
• ISBN: 9780007396313

Philippa Gregory

Philippa Gregory is the author of many New York Times bestselling novels, including The Other Boleyn Girl, and is a recognized authority on women’s history. Many of her works have been adapted for the screen including The Other Boleyn Girl. She graduated from the University of Sussex and received a PhD from the University of Edinburgh, where she is a Regent. She holds honorary degrees from Teesside University and the University of Sussex. She is a fellow of the Universities of Sussex and Cardiff and was awarded the 2016 Harrogate Festival Award for Contribution to Historical Fiction. She is an honorary research fellow at Birkbeck, University of London. She was awarded a CBE title for services to literature and charity in 2022. She welcomes visitors to her website PhilippaGregory.com.

Reviews for Earthly Joys

[twink_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

While mysteries and suspense are my favourite genres, I do enjoy historical fiction as well. I've often had patrons at the library recommend Philippa Gregory to me. Earthly Joys is the first book I've read by Gregory.Earthly Joys opens in 1603 with the death of Queen Elizabeth and the succession of her cousin King James VI of Scotland - the beginning the Stuart reign of England. Earthly Joys is written through the eyes of and life of gardener John Tradescant. It was only on further investigation that I learned that Tradescant is an actual historical figure. He was gardener to the aristocracy , a traveler, a collector and much, much more.Gregory's research is detailed and her fictionalization of Tradescant's life is fascinating. He is a strong personality, but loyalty, honour and duty drive the decisions in his life. I quite liked him to begin with, but found my opinion often changed as his life progressed. And that was true of many of the characters, including his wife Elizabeth and son John. They are not as mercurial as John the Elder, but I applauded their views, beliefs and hopes for a different society. There are some particularly vile characters - notably the Duke of Buckingham.Tradescant's love of plants and trees and his skills are so vividly depicted that I felt I could 'see' his garden. Rich detail is woven throughout Gregory's narrative clearly illustrating both time and place.Now, this isn't a time period I would normally gravitate to, but I chose to listen to Earthly Joys, which made a huge difference. I felt drawn into the story, could make sense of what political machinations were afoot and the characters sprang to life for me.The reader was David Rintoul and he was absolutely wonderful. He has a powerful voice and uses it well. He captured the character of John the Elder perfectly, using his voice to interpret Gregory's work and bring it life. His tones are rich and sonorous with a lovely gravelly undertone. He uses a softer tone for the female players that works just as well. His voice is pleasant to listen to and easy to understand. He matches his voice to the tenor of the tale. Listen to an excerpt of Earthly Joys.Earthly Joys covers the whole of John the Elder's life. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Tradescant story continues in a sequel titled Virgin Earth with John the Younger taking the lead role.

[luckycharm6139 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another wonderful book written by Philippa Gregory, This is a story of the historical account of England in the 17th Century as told through the words and work of the Royal Gardener, who is very much involved in the lives of the King and his advisers. Interesting and fun reading for those who enjoy British history be it historical fiction or factual. Philippa Gregory never disappoints me. I learned much as I follow John Tradescant in his quest for rare and exotic flora to bring to the King's grand gardens.

[coffeenut1992 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love Philippa Gregory. She's gifted writer and has the wonderful ability to make her characters come alive. I think there's a sequel to this story so I'm going to look it up!

[joririchardson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Although I normally read books quite quickly, I stretched out my reading of this one over a few days. The vividly portrayed Renaissance England setting, the complex, familiar characters, and the interesting, steady flow of the plot line made me want to stay in this story longer than I usually do with others.“Earthly Joys” is about John Tradescant, a gardener in the time of King James I. While other men entwine themselves in politics and charge eagerly off to war, John is content to nurture seedlings, discover new plants, and watch his beloved trees grow along with his life. John ends up becoming the loyal personal servant of George Villiers, the young and handsome Duke of Buckingham, and the king's favorite. As the years slip by, John sacrifices his family and his life for his master, viewing him at different times as a son, a brother, a friend, and a lover. I just loved this story! There was so much complexity, so many undercurrents, so many sub-plots. Though I have certainly heard more than a few complaints about the historical accuracy of Philippa Gregory's works, this one in particular, I found this to be a very well written book. First of all, the way that Gregory writes is just lovely. She captures everything so perfectly. Some authors write their books with a poetic beauty, some with a touch of appreciated humor, some with drama, some with characters you can't help loving, but Gregory seems to mix a bit of all these together into a writing style that just compels you to keep reading. I had to struggle to put the book down, or not read so quickly as I normally do, because despite wanting to savor this book, I also felt compelled to tear through it in one sitting.I read a review on the back cover of another of her books that said no one has mastered Renaissance England like Philippa Gregory. I don't know if I would go so far as to put her at the absolute top, but she has definitely mastered this setting. I just absolutely LOVE books that fully transport you to another time and place, and this book certainly succeeds with that. The only parts that I felt a lack of a setting were when John travels the world – to India, Asia, Russia, and France. Surprisingly, there is a very large lack of placement here. After being so sharply introduced to the sights and smells of England, it was a bit startling to suddenly be whisked off to another country – even if a similar one, such as France – and have no descriptions of a setting at all. In these scenes, the author focuses on John himself, his botany, and other things that are going on in the plot. But the scenery is left a mystery, something that I felt extremely odd, considering how good Gregory is at that.All of the characters in “Earthly Joys” and wonderful. John is a simple man, and yet, we see into his thoughts and actions so deeply that he becomes a complex, and essentially a very realistically ordinary, yet interesting man. The relationship between him and his wife was an extremely well written one, and though there was no great love story, Gregory combined fondness, duty, love, resentment, and guilt into a very believable marriage. George Villiers was another of my favorite characters. Or at least, another of the most well written characters – I hated him! Excessively arrogant, reckless, selfish, and – the reader is led to believe – a traitor and a murder. Something about this book that I was not expecting was how sexual it was. Gregory makes no attempt to hide all of the homosexual alliances, affairs, and romances going on at the time – in fact, she makes good use of them and even has John take a male lover as well.All of the characters, settings, politics, and events in this book were very well written. I am looking forward to reading Gregory's new book, due out in August.

[amandacb_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It was interesting to read about the intricacies regarding gardening for royalty, but the plot lines outside of that were rather operatic.

[suuze_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Another very well researched historical novel that teaches as you read and are entertained. The main character is a royal gardener in England during the reign of King James. I had no idea the gardens were so elaborately planned - at each castle! I was continually amazed, and grew to love the characters.Will read again.

[unlikelyaristotle · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book mixes great storytelling with a brief education on 17th Century England, definitely a great time to read about. The writing was a little bit florid and I think sounded a bit contrived, but I loved reading about gardening, something which I never would have imagined, as much as I loved reading about corrupt government: some things never change!Another thing which I was a bit weird about was the blind loyalty the gardener had to the monarchy. I know that many people did (maybe even still do) have such servile patriotism to their government, but it's something I could never imagine, and frustrated me to no end!Oh, and the title, as well as several scenes throughout the book, read like book porn.

[stonelea_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Historical account of England in the 17th Century as told through the eyes of the Royal Gardener, who is very much involved in the lives of the King and his advisers. Interesting and fun reading for history buffs, as well as gardeners as they follow John Tradescant in his quest for rare and exotic flora to bring to the King's gardens. Very good reading.

[meadow68 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was my first Phillipa Gregory book, and I am hooked! I love historical fiction and I love this setting and time period. The book is a "biography" of John Tradescant, a talented and sought after gardener. The book follows John's life as he creates and tends fabulous gardens, works for various noble and royal houses, marries, travels, goes to war for his country, and more. The details are wonderful. I did not read this book straight through, as it is not a "page turner", but I really enjoyed picking it up and escaping into the life of someone else for a time

[sonyaseattle · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was the book that started me on historical fiction; because it was gardening-related, I thought I'd give it a try. The result was that I found a whole new genre that I enjoyed.

[turtlesleap · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Well written and well researced. Perhaps it's unfair bt I was put off by Tradescant's persistent wrong-headedness.

[akritz_2 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Not as captivating as her other works. We get to see how Charles' reign affected England through Tradescant the gardener. There is a lot of information on plants, flowers, and trees. And the information of the stock market of tulips is fascinating too.

[herschelian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

John Tradescant was a real man, an extraordinary gardening pioneer and collector who transformed the English landscape by the introduction of trees and plants which we now take for granted. This fictional account of his life gives some idea of his background, the times and society in which he lived, and of his legacy - including his Collection which formed the basis for the Ashmoleon Museum in Oxford, and which should in my opinion have really been named after Tradescant.

[brandie_14 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As with her other books, I just love this book!!! I hope she comes out with another one soon! LOL!