In this “energetic” (Kirkus Reviews) re-creation of Anne Boleyn’s tragic life — and death — Robin Maxwell offers a pitch-perfect version of a bawdy and exuberant time filled with lust, betrayal, love, and murder.When the young Queen Elizabeth I is entrusted with Anne Boleyn’s secret diary, she discovers a great deal about the much-maligned mother she never knew. And on learning the truth about … about her lascivious and despotic father, Henry VIII, she vows never to relinquish control to any man. But this avowal doesn’t prevent Elizabeth from pursuing a torrid love affair with her horsemaster, Robin Dudley — described with near-shocking candor — as too are Anne’s graphic trysts with a very persistent and lustful Henry. Blending a historian’s attention to accuracy with a novelist’s artful rendering, Maxwell weaves compelling descriptions of court life and devastating portraits of actual people into her naughty, page-turning tale. The result is a masterpiece of historical fiction — so prophetic of our time that one would think it were ripped from today’s headlines.
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This is the first book that got me hooked on the Tudor family sagas and historical fiction from the 15th and 16th centuries. I first read it in high school, and immediately became a staunch supporter of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s infamous second wife whom he broke away from the Catholic Church for, only to execute three years later on trumped up …
I loved this book because it gave a view of Anne Boleyn through her daughter’s reading of Anne’s diary. I love the era, the historical time period and references. I also read Henry VIII and enjoys that book.
Though there are many books based on the story of Anne Boleyn, this perspective was so interesting! I love that period of England’s history and this book drew me right in…
Offers nothing new….a little farfetched
I do not recommend this book for the sexual content.
I like historical novels and this really follows Anne Boylen’s life as well as Elizabeth’s early years!
Similar to the first historical novel about Anne Boleyn I read about 60 years ago, but with the twist that Elizabeth I has been given her mother’s personal diary at a pivotal point in her own reign. Like anything fictional written in the 21st century about the 16th century, the dialogue is unlikely, as we probably couldn’t make sense of the …
I love reading books about Anne Bolyn and how different authors have different perspectives on her life. This was a good read.
Another really good book of historical fiction! You knew what was going to happen to Anne, but I really enjoyed the way the story was presented through the life of her daughter.
Very insightful about life of Anne Boleyn and characters that surrounded her marriage to Henry VIII, including Cardinal Wolsey, Thomas More, Thomas Cromwell. Europe was changing fast and in the middle of the Reformation, as was role of Catholic church in England. Narrated by Elizabeth I after finding her mother’s diary. Was not easy keeping up …
I didn’t realize from the description that the book is a romance novel. Within 10 pages breasts were referred to as “creamy mounds” and two characters were cavorting naked. Lots of euphemisms for genitals. I was looking for more of historical fiction/what if things had been different in history novel. If you like the “creamy mounds” stuff, then …
Focuses mostly on Anne Boleyn’s life……not much interaction between mother’s story and Elizabeth…