This is Reign of Madness audiobook (rate this post or leave a comment to share your opinion about this audios, and if you have more information about this audios please leave comments to share. Thank @Steven for sharing this audios). Lets play Reign of Madness full audios free online in the audio player below.
The novel begins with Juana’s childhood and her relationship with her mother, Queen Isabella of Castile. Juana is the third child of Isabella and King Ferdinand of Aragon, and she is often overshadowed by her older siblings, Isabella and Juan. However, Juana is a bright and curious child who loves to learn and read. She is particularly interested in the works of Erasmus, a Dutch philosopher and theologian who advocated for religious tolerance and humanism.
As Juana grows older, she becomes more aware of the political machinations of her family and the other European monarchs. She is betrothed to Philip the Handsome, the son of the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I, and she is sent to Flanders to marry him. Juana falls deeply in love with Philip, but their marriage is fraught with difficulties. Philip is unfaithful to Juana, and he is often absent from her side. Juana becomes increasingly jealous and possessive, and her behavior earns her the nickname “Juana la Loca.”
The novel explores Juana’s descent into madness and the political intrigue that surrounds her. Juana’s father dies, and her husband becomes the ruler of Castile. However, Philip is not content with ruling Castile alone, and he seeks to expand his power. He allies himself with Juana’s younger sister, Catherine of Aragon, who is married to Henry VIII of England. Together, they plot to overthrow Juana and take control of Castile.
Juana’s mother, Queen Isabella, dies, and Juana becomes the queen of Castile. However, she is not allowed to rule alone, and she is forced to share power with her husband and his advisors. Juana becomes increasingly isolated and paranoid, and she begins to see conspiracies everywhere. She becomes convinced that her husband is trying to kill her, and she refuses to leave her room or see anyone except her confessor.
The novel is a fascinating exploration of Juana’s mental state and the political forces that shaped her life. Lynn Cullen does an excellent job of bringing Juana to life and making her a sympathetic and relatable character. Susan Duerden’s narration is also excellent, and she captures the emotional depth of the novel perfectly.
One of the strengths of the novel is its attention to historical detail. Lynn Cullen has clearly done her research, and she brings the 16th century to life with vivid descriptions of the clothing, food, and customs of the time. The novel also explores the religious tensions of the time, with Juana’s interest in Erasmus’s humanist ideas contrasting with the more traditional Catholicism of her family.
Another strength of the novel is its exploration of gender roles and power dynamics. Juana is a woman in a man’s world, and she is constantly struggling to assert her authority and be taken seriously. Her husband and his advisors dismiss her as “mad” and “hysterical,” and they use her mental state as an excuse to take control of Castile. The novel also explores the ways in which women were expected to behave in the 16th century, with Juana’s jealousy and possessiveness seen as evidence of her “madness.”
Overall, Reign of Madness is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that will appeal to fans of historical fiction and anyone interested in the life of Juana of Castile. Lynn Cullen’s writing is engaging and well-researched, and Susan Duerden’s narration is excellent. The novel is a fascinating exploration of power, politics, and mental illness, and it will leave listeners thinking long after the final chapter.