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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
This was an entertaining read. I don't know why I expect Gregory's books to be bodice-ripping trash. This is the third one I have read, and it definitely kept my attention. She is a good writer. Her characters are compelling and she does incorporate many historical elements, so I liked that. I don't know that I would read many of her other books, but this one did not disappoint.
Apparently skipped over Jane Seymour. Not much to say
I was enthralled from start to finish! I've always been interested in Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard, the two queens who don't seem to garner as much attention as the other four queens of Henry VIII. I love how Anne turned out, basically going whichever way Henry blew, and ultimately becoming the lone survivor of the three characters on whom the book focuses. I also enjoyed Katherine Howard's light and sunny behavior, not seeing her doom until it was far too late to turn back. In some ways she reminded me very much of Pride & Prejudice's Lydia Bennet. Then there was Jane Boleyn, perhaps the craziest woman of all, the one who hid within her own delusions until the Duke of Norfolk finally stripped them from her and forced her to see what her actions had wrought.
Then, through it all, there is Henry himself. Quite mad at this point in his life, not to mention revolting on so many levels. His attraction to Katherine, a girl nearer to the age of his children than himself, was horrible, as was his callous treatment of Anne.
An excellent, excellent story!
Then, through it all, there is Henry himself. Quite mad at this point in his life, not to mention revolting on so many levels. His attraction to Katherine, a girl nearer to the age of his children than himself, was horrible, as was his callous treatment of Anne.
An excellent, excellent story!
As a student, the only thing I really remember about Henry VIII was that he beheaded his wives for not giving him sons, more specifically, he beheaded Anne Boleyn for not giving him a son. Through Philippa Gregory's novels, I have learned more about his wives and what a madman he was. The Boleyn Inheritance tells the story of his fourth and fifth wives, Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard and their advisor, Jane Rochford Boleyn. I appreciated how Gregory flipped between their voices and stories with each chapter. And, I appreciate how Gregory brings humanity to these characters and tries to understand the motivation behind some of the crazy things these people did in the name of power.
These books are a guilty pleasure. They're really fun to read, but I worry there's not a lot of redeeming value. I mean, they seem well-researched and they're adequately written, it's just that they're a little light. But I do feel that the author does her research, which gives them some weight, and she does explore historical possibilities. This one focuses on Henry's wives Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard (the ugly one and the stupid one, according to her). However, she explored them both beyond these stereotypes, and came up with very fascinating portraits. A quick read, and light, but, as I said, very fun.
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not nearly as good as The Other Boleyn Girl but I guess it's hard to beat that story. I continue to enjoy Gregory's guilty pleasure style. Good summer reading.