Thursday 18 May 2017

Review ~ Anne Boleyn:A King's Obsession by Alison Weir..



**Happy Publication Day**


18th May 2017


34846413
Headline
May 18th 2017


What's it all about..

Anne Boleyn. The second of Henry's Queens. Her story. History tells us why she died. This powerful novel shows her as she lived.


What did I think about it..

Alison Weir's second volume in her Six Tudor Queens series starts in 1512 when Anne Boleyn leaves her childhood home at Hever Castle to take up a position as fille d’honeur to the Archduchess Margaret of Austria. In the glittering courts of Burgundy and France, Anne discovers that charm, wit and intelligence will be her saving grace, and as she grows to young adulthood, it becomes obvious that Anne's ambition will take her in a very different direction than that of her older sister, Mary.

Beautifully written and meticulously researched, the author puts very human emotion at the heart of Anne’s life story. Anne’s early relationships with her family, her sister Mary in particular, is explored in detail, as is her later adult association with Henry Percy and Thomas Wyatt. All are contrasted against the wider significance of Anne’s burgeoning relationship with King Henry VIII.

The author writes with authority on the Tudor period and instils a real sense of personality into Anne so that you can’t help but be captivated by this young woman whose sparkling personality set the English royal court alight. I think what comes across is the very human face of a young woman who glittered and charmed her way into the affections of a King, a King whose capricious nature would be her very undoing.

After all that has been written about Anne's life you would think that there can't be much new to be revealed. However, in this fictional version of Anne’s life the Henrician court comes alive with all the gossipy intrigue, calculated scheming and deadly manipulations which are so reminiscent of this time in England's chequered history. And even though you know how Anne Boleyn’s story plays out, you can’t help but become completely caught up in her life story, which is so beautifully recreated by this talented writer.

This second volume follows the successful Katherine of Aragon. I can’t wait to see what happens in the third volume when Jane Seymour’s life will be laid bare and held up to scrutiny.


Best Read With ..Gold and jewelled goblets filled with rich, red wine..



Alison Weir

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Anne Boleyn: A King's Obsession is published today by Headline Review 





My thanks to Caitlin Raynor at Headline for the opportunity to read and review this book




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2 comments:

  1. Alison Weir was a guest speaker at our first Litfest in the Deepings, S. Lincs very recently. She was an excellent speaker and very authoritative on her subject.

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    Replies
    1. Sounds wonderful, Ros..I would love to hear her speak about the Tudors and enjoy both her fiction and non fiction titles..

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