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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
This book tells it's story through the eyes of three women: Anne of Cleves, Katherine Howard and Jane Boleyn. Very good. I know very little about Henry VIII and his wives. I am really starting to dig historical fiction and Philippa Gregory is a good author.
I lost count of how many times Philippa Gregory used the phrase "the Boleyn inheritance" in the book. Once it was used twice on one page.
A novel following three women in the Tudor court - Jane Boleyn (sister-in-law to Anne Boleyn), Anne of Cleves, and Katherine Howard - and their rise and fall. It's good at capturing the fear and worry about being in Henry VIII's court at the time, along with how women were at the whims and behest of the men who ruled them. It was tempting to think of Jane Boleyn as a sympathetic character, but she really is evil, but no more evil and calculating as her uncle, the Duke of Norfolk. His head escapes the scaffold, but all those he advises to do what he wishes, and despite being as pliant as possible, end up there, facing death for his machinations. It is only Anne of Cleves, once maligned by the king as being ugly, smelly, and useless as a woman, who finally gains her freedom. Really, she even gets a better deal than Catherine Parr, Henry VIII's last wife, who though she outlives him, seems to falter in the end. A revealing story, but if you have seen The Tudors or know anything about the court's history, the ending is surprising. It is more or less the narratives of the women, their inner struggles and desires, that makes the book a good one.
This book was GREAT. I loved how it was from 3 different perspectives. I didn't want it to end.
I'm here to tell you, I could NEVER EVER have been a Queen. Well, maybe I could have, I just would have ended up beheaded sooner than later. Holding my tongue has never been a strong suit for me. Anne of Cleves, I am not.
I'm here to tell you, I could NEVER EVER have been a Queen. Well, maybe I could have, I just would have ended up beheaded sooner than later. Holding my tongue has never been a strong suit for me. Anne of Cleves, I am not.
This book is a sequel to the Other Boleyn Girl. Since I did not know that, it seems safe to say that it does not matter if you have read the prequel, this book is, and of itself, a good read. If you like reading about the devastating reign of Henry VIII and the women he destroyed in his wake, you will enjoy this historical fiction book!
The point of view is from three women whose are entwined in Henry’s court. The book begins with Anne of Cleves, on her way to Hampton Court from Germany to become Henry’s third wife and the next Queen of England. Katherine Howard, the girl/woman who serves as a lady in waiting to Anne of Cleves, and Lady Jane Rochford, head of the Queen’s privy chamber. Lady Rochford is recently widowed, her husband killed on the chopping block with his sister, Anne Boleyn, in large part from testimony given against them from Jane Rochford.
The plot closely follows historic events of the time including the struggle between the Protestants, Catholics, and Henry as the head of the Church of England. I liked the focus on women, the descriptions of feelings of low self-worth, treatment as property, and only valued when they served the needs of country alignment in world power and dominance or at the whim of men. It is a story of lies and deceit and the daily fear of the living under a maniacal king who at his will could take your life.
I listened to this as an audiobook which i recommend. There is something very jarring about the voices of the characters that lends and really adds to the story.
This is a different take on women that surround Henry the VIII and while its historic fiction I must say the characters seem so real to their historic likenesses. Philippa Gregory is my fave for historical fiction from these times. I also read the Constant princess which is excellent about Queen Katherine of Aragon, Henry's first wife via his brother.
The portrayal of the three women in this time period of Henry's life- Jane Boleyn, Anne of Cleves and Catherine Howard are all fascinating.
The point of view is from three women whose are entwined in Henry’s court. The book begins with Anne of Cleves, on her way to Hampton Court from Germany to become Henry’s third wife and the next Queen of England. Katherine Howard, the girl/woman who serves as a lady in waiting to Anne of Cleves, and Lady Jane Rochford, head of the Queen’s privy chamber. Lady Rochford is recently widowed, her husband killed on the chopping block with his sister, Anne Boleyn, in large part from testimony given against them from Jane Rochford.
The plot closely follows historic events of the time including the struggle between the Protestants, Catholics, and Henry as the head of the Church of England. I liked the focus on women, the descriptions of feelings of low self-worth, treatment as property, and only valued when they served the needs of country alignment in world power and dominance or at the whim of men. It is a story of lies and deceit and the daily fear of the living under a maniacal king who at his will could take your life.
I listened to this as an audiobook which i recommend. There is something very jarring about the voices of the characters that lends and really adds to the story.
This is a different take on women that surround Henry the VIII and while its historic fiction I must say the characters seem so real to their historic likenesses. Philippa Gregory is my fave for historical fiction from these times. I also read the Constant princess which is excellent about Queen Katherine of Aragon, Henry's first wife via his brother.
The portrayal of the three women in this time period of Henry's life- Jane Boleyn, Anne of Cleves and Catherine Howard are all fascinating.
This one is about King Henry VIII's wives number four and five. Once again very troubling times in England. Anne of Cleves is number 4 and she only lasts 6 months. Luckily for her he doesn't kill her. Next comes Catherine Howard. She was only 15 and lasted 16 months. I will be happy to move on from Henry's reign.
"Henry of England is a monster and a tyrant, and no one is safe in his realm."
"Fortunate, then, that there is no one here who would ever speak honestly."
"I am the first woman to survive marriage with the king. That is a more remarkable feat than surviving the plague."
"Henry of England is a monster and a tyrant, and no one is safe in his realm."
"Fortunate, then, that there is no one here who would ever speak honestly."
"I am the first woman to survive marriage with the king. That is a more remarkable feat than surviving the plague."
For once a book that's not about Elizabeth or Anne Boleyn!
Even still, it's pretty much the usual story: Henry's a wacko, he has a wife he doesn't love, and there's a girl being told what to do by older men, including marrying someone she doesn't love, while sleeping with other guys.
Anyway, it was pretty well written as usual, with some decent characters and believable scenes.
Even still, it's pretty much the usual story: Henry's a wacko, he has a wife he doesn't love, and there's a girl being told what to do by older men, including marrying someone she doesn't love, while sleeping with other guys.
Anyway, it was pretty well written as usual, with some decent characters and believable scenes.
