In this second novel of Alison Weir’s epic Six Tudor Queens series, the acclaimed author and historian weaves exciting new research into the story of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s most infamous wife, a woman ahead of her time whose very life—and death—forever changed a nation. Born into a noble English family, Anne is barely a teenager when she is sent from her family’s Hever Castle to serve at the … to serve at the royal court of the Netherlands. This strategic move on the part of her opportunistic father also becomes a chance for the girl to grow and discover herself. There, and later in France, Anne thrives, preferring to absorb the works of progressive writers rather than participate in courtly flirtations. She also begins to understand the inequalities and indignities suffered by her gender.
Anne isn’t completely inured to the longings of the heart, but her powerful family has ambitious plans for her future that override any wishes of her own. When the King of England himself, Henry VIII, asks Anne to be his mistress, she spurns his advances—reminding him that he is a married man who has already conducted an affair with her sister, Mary. Anne’s rejection only intensifies Henry’s pursuit, but in the absence of a male heir—and given an aging Queen Katherine—the opportunity to elevate and protect the Boleyn family, and to exact vengeance on her envious detractors, is too tempting for Anne to resist, even as it proves to be her undoing.
While history tells of how Anne Boleyn died, this compelling new novel reveals how fully she lived.
Praise for Anne Boleyn, A King’s Obession
“Superb . . . page-turning biographical fiction, hauntingly and beautifully told . . . psychologically penetrating.”—Historical Novels Review
“Immaculately researched and convincing . . . This tale of Anne’s ascent and demise cannot escape comparisons with Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall series.”—The Times
“A tragic, misrepresented figure, one of history’s original nasty women . . . Weir’s fictional Anne is ferociously smart and guilty of nothing but craving the power that’s rightfully hers to claim.”—NPR
“One of historical fiction’s most compelling and exciting portraits of the enduringly fascinating and mysterious Anne Boleyn.”—Lancashire Evening Post
“As always, Weir demonstrates a keen eye for crafting dramatic scenes of beautiful, accurate detail, instilling in the reader a vivid sense of being there.”—Booklist
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5 Plus Stars
This historical novel starts out with Anne at age eleven at Hever Castle. Soon, she is informed by her father, Sir Thomas Boleyn that she is to go to the Regent’s land of Netherlands. She is excited to go. When she arrives, she finds the Regent, the daughter of Emperor Maximillian, a kind and learned lady. She learns French, dancing and a host of other lady-like pursuits.
At fifteen while she is in France, Anne announces she is done with men. She gets the reputation that she is an ice maiden. She is fed up with French men, for they take whatever they want without repercussions. She is horrified to learn that her father is contracting a marriage for her to James Butler of Ireland.
Anne returns to England. After her sister, Mary is essentially raped by King Henry Anne goes to her father, Sir Thomas Boleyn who shrugs off the whole encounter. He is far more intent on gaining riches and fame to be incensed about the treatment of his daughter.
As Sir Thomas Boleyn rises in the court and in the eyes of the king, Anne returns to his court. She falls in love with Harry Percy, and they contract between themselves to marry. But the King puts an end to it through the auspices of Cardinal Wolsey. Anne is naturally upset at this news. Anne finds many eligible young men – and some not so eligible – courting her. She finds King Henry staring at her frequently. She is uncomfortable.
And so the rest of our story goes… Henry pursues Anne relentlessly. He sends Thomas Wyatt away as an ambassador because he is pursuing Anne as well. Anne wants Thomas only as a friend.
The ambassador of France questions Henry’s daughter, Mary’s, legitimacy based on his “incestuous” relationship with Queen Katherine, who was Henry’s brother, Arthur’s wife first. Henry is beset by doubts and begins to question whether he should have his marriage to Katherine annulled because he has no heirs – namely legitimate sons.
This book portrays Anne as a reluctant suitor to Henry. Although she intensely desires the crown, she doesn’t love Henry at all. Over time, she gets more used to him. From the start of their relationship, her mouth seems to get her into much trouble. This irritates the King, but Anne seems unable to stop herself. She appears vindictive to the former Queen Elizabeth and her daughter, Mary.
This is a remarkable book, based on what is known about Anne and her life and downfall. It is detailed and well researched. There is some speculation, of course, but with an incomplete historical record, some speculation is to be both expected and understood.
Ms. Weir is a very good writer and I look very much forward to the next in her series on the Tudor queens.
I want to thank Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for forwarding to me a copy of this most remarkable and edifying book to read.
If you are at all interested in Anne Boleyn then this is a must. Weir’s work is always of outstanding quality and this was another superbly researched delight. By the time you are finished you will have a real feel for this lady and the time in which she lived, along with an appreciation of the political and religious factions at work at Henry’s Court. Loved it.
Sam Burnell – author of the Mercenary For Hire Series of Historical Fiction Novels.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07WWJPMTR/ref=series_rw_dp_sw
Loved it! One of my favorites!
I found it interesting to learn more about the Kings and Queens of this era.
Another excellent novel from Weir – love that she managed to find new takes on a story that’s been told and retold so many times!
Let me begin by acknowledging that I have read MANY historical novels over the decades and, like many others, one era I return to again and again is Henry VIII and his six wives. I am particularly partial to Anne Boleyn – who may be the smartest of Henry’s pack. Certainly she is the most elusive.
Known primarily as a Tudor historian, Author Alison Weir is now using her broad research background as a foundation for a series of novels about each of Henry VIII’s wives. I read the first about Katherine of Aragon. This is number two. I will no doubt read them all.
It’s apparent as you read that Weir’s historical knowledge makes this, in some ways, a richer experience that traditional historical fiction. Because there is SO much detail. So much, however, that there were a few times I felt it got a bit dry for fiction. But overall, I appreciated what the detail added to the reality of the story.
This is not an Anne Boleyn as depicted in most other novels I’ve read. She is not the calculating siren who sets her cap for the monarch from day one. Neither is she the mastermind behind the break between Henry and the Catholic Church. Nor is this an Anne that ever truly falls in love with the King. (Weir, believe it or not, gives Ann a secret hankering, for Henry Norris.)
After years serving royals in foreign courts (in sequence: Margaret of Austria, Queen Mary (Tudor) of France, Queen Claude of France, and Marguerite de Valois) Weir’s Anne develops a love of power. When she returns to serve as lady in waiting to Queen Katherine of Aragon, it’s clear King Henry is the best way to acquire it. As Anne rises, however, circumstances (and lots of time waiting for his divorce) transform her from the confident, stylish, sophisticated woman-of-the-world that captivated Henry — into an insecure and fearful shrew – unable to keep her powerful emotions in check.
I’m not sure how much I buy Weir’s interpretation, aspects of which she discusses in the Afterword. In particular, Anne’s decidedly feminist streak seems to me to be inappropriate to this time period. Though, it did keep me reading. Mostly I think because I found myself invested in this different take on Anne’s thoughts and motivations. And Weir DOES succeed in crafting a deep psychological core for Anne. In the end, it all adds to the mystery of who Anne Boleyn really was. Which, of course, none of us will never know.
If you, like me, are a die-hard Tudor buff – this one is a must.
I was looking forward to this instalment on the Six Tudor Queens, because Anne Boleyn is probably the least boring of Henry’s six wives. However, I find the book to be very boring, It doesn’t even seem like Alison Weir’s writing. I like Alison Weir’s work, but this one falls flat. She does not add anything new or interesting to the Boleyn narrative.
Anthing by Alison Weir is worth reading. She is quite simply amazing and obviously loves her subjects.
Anne Boleyn: A King’s Obsession (ABAKO) was an interesting read, albeit a bit dry at times. Ms. Weir portrayed some characters very differently than I’ve previously read, including Mary Boleyn and Henry Percy.
On the thread of characters portrayed differently, I didn’t particularly enjoy George Boleyn being so vilified. I wonder what evidence, if any, there is to support the misdeeds attributed to him in ABAKO beyond his vague execution speech.
I’ve never read anything about Anne’s older brothers before, and had no idea they existed. However, according to an article by Ms. Weir, there is some evidence that they existed. I guess they simply don’t have enough of an impact on history to bother mentioning in the books I’ve read.
The Henry Norris/Anne Boleyn romance was new to me as well. However, it seems to be purely conjecture on Ms. Weir’s part, although she bases it on a comment from Anne Boleyn which may indicate Anne loved someone other than her husband.
As a side note, but irrelevant to my rating, I wish the Author’s Note at the end would have contained more actual information rather than references to Ms. Wier’s other books. As an author, I can appreciate the tactic to drive readers to her other books. However, as a reader, I’d rather be provided a summary of the pertinent information rather than be sent on a scavenger hunt through an entire other book to find it.
I generally enjoyed ABAKO, although it didn’t drag me in as so many other Tudor historical fiction novels have in the past. I certainly wouldn’t discourage anyone from reading it, but I think you’d enjoy it most if you’re a fan of Tudor history or Anne Boleyn.
Well researched. This is a tough period to write a novel on because there is so much historical information out there, and if you get the facts wrong, it just becomes funny. This book was good when the facts needed to be there and enjoyable when things were fiction. If you like historical novels set in the time of Henry VIII, this is a book to read.
It’s always interesting to see an author flesh out the story she has written from a non fiction viewpoint, adding details that may or may not be true in the the fictional version. I always wonder “Why does she think it happened that way?” It’s a thought provoker.
Great historical fiction. You really see the character of these people and feel more in touch with how they lived.
Not much new here, and reads more like history than a novel. HoHum.
Historical. Over with amazing research and history woven into the story.
Great Author & Great Books! Highly recommend all her books!
So good you just hope that it ends well. Downside of historical we already know how it ends.
I have been fascinated with Anne Boleyn and Henry the 8th and have read many books about them. This one portrays the way Anne unwittingly orchestrated her own demise by the choices she made. That is not to say that Henry and Cromwell did not instigate her horrendous suffering.
I’ve read several “biographies” of Ann Boleyn. This is not one of the best.
This is an extremely well done biography. The character is sympathetic and haunting. The dialog realistic and tragic. A great story well done.
Alison Weir knows her subject and knows how to write! Put the two together and you have a great book, EVERY time!