Helpful Score: 8
Historical fiction set in the time of Queen Elizabeth I, when, shortly after her coronation, she is presented with a personal diary kept by her mother, Anne Boleyn, for much of her adult life. It's presented in secret by a lady in waiting who attended Anne while she was Queen as well as for the week leading up to her execution. Anne gave her the diary with a promise that she would pass it to Elizabeth if she ever descended the throne. Very interesting book and hard to put down. I don't pretend to be an Elizabethan scholar by any means, but methinks there were probably a lot of liberties taken with this book. I guess that's why it's called historical FICTION. LOL Anyway, I enjoyed it and will likely read the other two books that compose the trilogy.
Helpful Score: 4
I have been a lover of English history since I was a very young girl. My mom had me watch the BBC production of "The Six Wives of Henry the VIII" with her and I spent a lot of time after that soaking up all the books and information that I could read on that time period as well as from the Conqueror forward.
This book gives almost a completely different view of Anne Boleyn. One of the reviewers called it "energetic" - well, I would say it's that and more. I completely lost myself in the two time periods - Henry's and Elizabeth's.
Enjoy!
This book gives almost a completely different view of Anne Boleyn. One of the reviewers called it "energetic" - well, I would say it's that and more. I completely lost myself in the two time periods - Henry's and Elizabeth's.
Enjoy!
Helpful Score: 3
An excellent, well-researched account of the life of Anne Boleyn and her relationship with King Henry VIII. Also features Elizabeth I, Anne's daughter by Henry. Captivating. Well worth the read.
Helpful Score: 3
It's not "The Other Boleyn Girl," but still an enjoyable read about the life of Anne Boleyn. If you like Tudor history you'll like this book. I plan to read the rest of the books in the series.
Helpful Score: 3
Genre: Historical Fiction
There have been many books written about Anne Boleyn but I dont think one has been written in this manner. The present time in this book is the beginning of the reign of Elizabeth I she is 25, in love, and newly come to the throne. One day an old woman comes to her presence chamber with a diary for her the diary of her mother, Anne Boleyn. In this diary, Anne wrote of her life from before her ascendency to the throne right up to just before her execution. As Elizabeth reads through this diary she learns a lot about the mother she doesnt remember and learns many valuable lessons that she will apply during her reign as Queen of England.
I thought that this was an amazingly well written book. I enjoyed how the story bounced back and forth between the present time with Elizabeth and the time while Anne was alive, in the diary. As Elizabeth learned things from her mother she would then apply them to how she ruled her kingdom. It would be neat to think that this was actually the case. Its a unique way to look at such a sad story.
The character of Anne Boleyn was written in a sympathetic manner. She is not depicted as a cunning, power hungry woman. Instead, she is written as a woman who didnt really want what happened to her and absolutely loved her daughter. There are several touching scenes between mother and daughter that happen through this diary. Elizabeth learns about her mother first-hand, as opposed to what she has always been taught about her mother being a whore, traitor, and a witch. Elizabeth understands more of whom she is and where she came from and that forms the way she will carry herself from that point on.
I really enjoyed this book, mostly for the connection between mother and daughter and for the depiction of Anne as wholly human. I look forward to reading more of her books, I have Signora da Vinci on my shelf.
4.5 out of 5 stars.
There have been many books written about Anne Boleyn but I dont think one has been written in this manner. The present time in this book is the beginning of the reign of Elizabeth I she is 25, in love, and newly come to the throne. One day an old woman comes to her presence chamber with a diary for her the diary of her mother, Anne Boleyn. In this diary, Anne wrote of her life from before her ascendency to the throne right up to just before her execution. As Elizabeth reads through this diary she learns a lot about the mother she doesnt remember and learns many valuable lessons that she will apply during her reign as Queen of England.
I thought that this was an amazingly well written book. I enjoyed how the story bounced back and forth between the present time with Elizabeth and the time while Anne was alive, in the diary. As Elizabeth learned things from her mother she would then apply them to how she ruled her kingdom. It would be neat to think that this was actually the case. Its a unique way to look at such a sad story.
The character of Anne Boleyn was written in a sympathetic manner. She is not depicted as a cunning, power hungry woman. Instead, she is written as a woman who didnt really want what happened to her and absolutely loved her daughter. There are several touching scenes between mother and daughter that happen through this diary. Elizabeth learns about her mother first-hand, as opposed to what she has always been taught about her mother being a whore, traitor, and a witch. Elizabeth understands more of whom she is and where she came from and that forms the way she will carry herself from that point on.
I really enjoyed this book, mostly for the connection between mother and daughter and for the depiction of Anne as wholly human. I look forward to reading more of her books, I have Signora da Vinci on my shelf.
4.5 out of 5 stars.
