Anne Boleyn - Fiction Shelf

Tudors Fans Here is a page for you to review & recommend your favourite or not so favourite FICTION books about Anne Boleyn	Want to add to this page? Click EasyEdit to update this page! (Don't see the EasyEdit button above? <a href="/#signin" target="_self">Sign in</a> or <a href="/accountnew" target="_self">Sign up</a>.) *please stick with the same format & fonts, it makes it easier to read*
About the Book & Author	Reviews & Recommendations

251px|Gregory Fiction - Romance About the Author : Philippa Gregory Prolific British novelist who writes mainly in the historical fiction genre. Her doctorate was in 18th century literature and she taught courses at several universities. Often appears on TV and radio quiz shows as the resident history "expert". Lives in the north of England with her husband and two children.

Submitted by: SemperEaden Comments: As a Tudor enthusiast for many years, I opened The Other Boleyn Girl very tentatively. Author Philippa Gregory is enjoying the title of the queen of royal fiction right now, but any Tudor scholar will tell you that she often takes the most outrageous sources and claims of history to write her books. TOBG is no different; Anne seems all ruthlessness and ambition, Mary is too innocent, and I'm sorry, but i cannot believe that Anne and her brother had sex. However, if you can look past the glaring historical inaccuracies (and if you know the time period and get easily annoyed at writer's license with history, don't take this advice; you will go mad), TOBG is a fast-paced read. Submitted by: SixQueensofHenryVIII Comments: I don't know why everyone is so touchy about this book. Yes it is inaccurate but it's just a novel. If anyone is dumb enough to believe it is truth, that is their problem, not yours. Regardless, I found it a highly enjoyable story. The characters are a little two dimensional, Anne is all bad and Mary is all good, but their motivated and have ambitions. The pacing is fast and the writing style good and fun to read. I whizzed through it. Definetely the best of Gregory's books. I'd give it an 8/10. Submitted by:antoinette2 Comments: I hated this book. It was historical drivel and bears no resemblance to accurate history. The thing that bothers me about these kinds of books is that they cater to the romantic and uninformed, then they start to be quoted as historical fact. There are better bodice-rippers out there. This is shallow and yes, it did make me a bit mad. Submitted by: queen_elizabeth_1533 Comments: I think this book would have been more entertaining if I hadn't known the characters and their back stories already. I couldn't get into it because the inaccuracies really bugged me. If you don't know the story, you might really like it, but be warned if you're a fan of Anne Boleyn; you won't be pleased. Submitted by:HistoryWitch Comments:This is definitely not my favorite and Anne is not the heroine but I found it worthwhile. I especially liked the scenes between Mary and Katherine. Mary's loyalty to the Queen pitted against family ambition and her own desire. As for the level of historical realism I didn't think it was too bad. What is great about this book is that it re-ignited a better class of historical fiction publications. I'm afraid bodice-ripping to a degree is expected by most people. I'll always love this genre: I read it at an early age and seduced me into the world of non-fiction. Submitted by:Clumsyxheart Comments: The portrayal of Anne was very disappointing to me. Considering the fact Gregory portrayed Katherine of Aragon so well in the Constant Princess. She portrayed Anne being a cold heartless *****. When Anne in reality was far from it. And not to mention she failed to mention that Innocent Mary also bedded King Francis. I don't recommend this read unless you truly despise Anne Boleyn which I doubt anyone on here does. Submitted by: Tudorprincess Comments: Fast paced and a good read IF you don't mind the numerous historical inaccuracies and can grit your teeth through the negative portrayal of Anne Boleyn. It is well written but has made Mary too innocent and Anne too much of a *****, regardless of what people's opinions of them are. Submitted by:Oragami Comments: Before i read this book, i didn't know there was a Mary Boleyn. It's a good book in my opinion, although some of the 'facts' in the book conflict with things I have read in other sources, making me unsure of which is true or not. Submitted by: Yddib Comments: I found this book good for a fantasy read. If I didnt know any better I would rave over it. Submitted by: Maggie-AnneB. Comments: This book is very well written. Gregory's best written book in my opinion. But if your reading this book expecting it to be full of truths. It is not. From the ages of the characters, straight down to the incest, this book is lie after lie. Mary Boleyn wasn't an innocent. She was a sexual woman, who did find happiness and left the court. This is a well written book, but it's basically a burn book against Anne Boleyn. I recommend it, because it will stimulate your Tudor mind! Submitted by: Lady-Demiya Comments: I read this book when I knew little of Tudor times, so I enjoyed it. But even though this is very out of historical text, I didn't believe a lot of it. I mean, Anne committing incest? Who would take THAT seriously? As I said in a review of another Philippa Gregory book, as long as you don't take her writings seriously and personal, then this book is enjoyable. But I got to say, the movie portrayal sucks beyond belief, and it represents the book poorly. It is such a shame. I would advise reading it, though take caution for those who are very serious historians. Submitted by LouiseTopp I thought this book was very good and painted what life was like from a personal point of view. It also gives an insight into what Mary was like and how she liked nature, she would have loved the Hampton Court Flower Show.

Fiction About the Author: Karen Harper

Submitted by: queen_elizabeth_1533 Comments: I prefer this book to The Other Boleyn Girl, but it still has the entertainment factor that makes it slightly soap-opera like. This novel definitely focuses on Mary as opposed to Anne; The Other Boleyn Girl still featured Anne prominently even though it was Mary's book, but this one has much less of Anne. There is a huge focus on William Stafford in this book as well, maybe even too much. It was kind of like an over-the-top love story, but if you are interested in Mary,you might like it. Submitted by: Oragami Comments: This book starts out when Mary and Anne are ladies in waiting to Mary tudor when she goes to marry the king of France. It is similar to The Other Boleyn Girl in the fact that it seems ot center mainly on Mary. However, in this book, Mary does not seem much intersted in William Stafford (at least until the middle of the book or so, where I am currently at). None of the other books that relate to Mary Boleyn I have read give a 'detailed' account of her life in France and as the King's mistress. Submitted by: LeslieMu Comments: It was nice to hear about how Mary's story may have unfolded. The relationship portrayed between Mary and Princess Mary was a nice start to the story. The Boleyn family relationships were presented in a believable way based on what we know. Life at Henry's court during the Boleyn influence period was told from a wider perspective. I liked to read how all the other players in court may have been influenced by this powerful family and how and why the last Boleyn member may have felt about it all and how she survived that tramatic end. Submitted by: Hever Comments: It gives the reader a better understanding of Mary's life. And it tries to make you understand her reasons for the things she did.

Fiction - Romance About the Author: Margaret Campbell Barnes Margaret Campbell Barnes (1891 - 1962) grew up in Sussex, England during the waning years of the Victorian Era. After her marriage to a furniture salesman she began to write short stories until her agents Curtis Brown Ltd. encouraged her to write historical novels, which was a very popular genre in the 1940's and 50's in which Barnes became a leading author. Between 1944 and 1962, Barnes wrote 10 historical novels, most of them best sellers and translated in several different languages. Barnes is admired as an author for her ability to accurately express her character's psyche while still maintaining a level of historical integrity to the original subject. First published in 1949, "Brief Gaudy Hour" has been most recently reprinted in March, 2008. Her other works include: "My Lady of Cleves" (which is due for re-release September 1, 2008!), "The Tudor Rose", "With All My Heart", "The King's Bed".

Submitted by: Comments: Submitted by: Comments: Submitted by: Comments:

Fiction - Romance About the Author: Norah Lofts Norah Lofts (1904 - 1983) has written over 50 books both fiction and non fiction. Before writing full time, she was an English and history teacher at a school for girls. Many of her most popular books have been reprinted in new editions such as "The Concubine" which was first printed in 1963. Her works served as an inspiration for later authors of historical fiction such as Philippa Gregory.

Submitted by: Comments: Submitted by: Comments: Submitted by: Comments: Submitted by: Comments: Submitted by: Comments: Submitted by: Comments:

232px|Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn Fiction About the Author: Robin Maxwell [see above]

Submitted by: queen_elizabeth_1533 Comments: This is a story that covers the lives of both Elizabeth I and Anne Boleyn. Elizabeth is presented with a diary written by her mother, and in between portions of Anne's diary documenting her rise to power and execution, we see Elizabeth struggling on the throne and remembering difficult moments in her past and trying to deal with them. Past and present are blended together well as a daughter gets to know her long-lost mother. A very good book. Submitted by: Ciere Comments: I just finished this work and I really liked it, aside from the fact that it mentions the sixth finger, but not an enormous effect so it's forgivable. At first I had trouble getting into it, but by the end I was sad to put it down. It was very moving to read Elizabeth's take on her mother's diary. It is a work of fiction that I found myself wishing was true. It might have been nice for Elizabeth to really get her hands on Anne's diary. Either way, I agree - a very good book. Submitted by:BoleynGirl Comments:I read this book and I have to say that I found it really amazing.It presents the life of Anne Boleyn in a different sight of view.It was moving and especially when Elizabeth visited her grave.... I love this book.It's one of my favorites Submitted by: Hever Comments: I enjoyed this book, it's an interesting story. A must for any Anne fans!

Fiction About the Author: Jean Plaidy Jean Plaidy is also known as Phillippa Carr and Victoria Holt. Part of "The Queens of England" Series

Submitted by:yddib Comments:This book was ok. Enjoyable but not the best account of Anne Boleyn that I have read. It was very ploddy in places. I do admire her talent though for writing so many books! Submitted by: Comments: Submitted by: Comments:

Fiction Author: Robin Maxwell	Submitted by: Comments: Submitted by: Comments: Submitted by: Comments:
THE ARROW CHEST by Robert Parry A really unusual take on the story of Anne Boleyn, shifted forward to the Victorian-Gothic era. Ghostly glimpses of tudor history weaving in and out. Fabulous.	Submitted by: Comments: Submitted by: Comments: Submitted by: Comments: Submitted by: Comments:
Threads; The Reincarnation of Anne Boleyn by Nell Gavin	Submitted by: Comments: Submitted by: Comments: Submitted by: Comments: Submitted by: Comments:
At the Mercy of the Queen: A Novel of Anne Boleyn Author: Anne Clinard Barnhill The story of Anne Boleyn told through the eyes of her cousin and lady-in-waiting, Madge Shelton.	Submitted by: theanneboleynfiles Comments: Country girl Madge has to keep her wits about her at the dangerous Tudor court and depend on the advice of her friend, poet Thomas Wyatt. Madge becomes a trusted confidant of Anne Boleyn and is eventually forced to make the ultimate sacrifice for her Queen and cousin by agreeing to become mistress to the King in an attempt to keep the Queen in favour. Submitted by: Comments: Submitted by: Comments: Submitted by: Comments:
To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn Author: Sandra Byrd From Amazon: To Die For is the story of Meg Wyatt, pledged forever as the best friend to Anne Boleyn since their childhoods on neighboring manors inKent. When Anne’s star begins to ascend, of course she takes her best friend Meg along for the ride. Life in the court of Henry VIII is thrilling at first, but as Anne’s favor rises and falls, so does Meg’s. And though she’s pledged her loyalty to Anne no matter what the test, Meg just might lose her greatest love—and her own life—because of it.	Submitted by: theanneboleynfiles Comments: A wonderful Anne Boleyn novel. I highly recommend this novel. I am hard to please when it comes to Anne Boleyn, as she is a huge part of my daily life, but Sandra did an amazing job of bringing her to life and not once did I want to throw the book out of the window or bang my head on my desk! Submitted by: QueenAnnaBoleyn Comments: This novel was wonderful! You really felt that it was from the Tudor court, and I love the point of view it was from. Her execution was a bit gruesome, but overall it was an amazing book! I highlyrecommendthis novel for avid Anne Boleyn fans. Submitted by: Comments: Submitted by: Comments:
Anne of Hollywood Author: Carol Wolper From Amazon: Skirts may be shorter now, and messages sent by iPhone, but passion, intrigue, and a lust for power don’t change. National bestselling author Carol Wolper spins a mesmerizing tale of a twenty-first-century Anne Boleyn. Wily, intelligent, and seductive, with a dark beauty that stands out among the curvy California beach blondes, Anne attracts the attention of Henry Tudor, the handsome corporate mogul who reigns in Hollywood. Every starlet, socialite, and shark wants a piece of Henry, but he only wants Anne. The question is: can she keep him?	Submitted by: theanneboleynfiles Comments: Well, I was bemused by the first few pages and then I was hooked. I read it in two evenings, staying up rather late last night to finish it because I wanted to know what on earth Wolper was going to do with Anne, and they were two very enjoyable evenings. Wolper has cleverly brought Anne’s story to life in 21st century LA “Hollywood: the flashiest, most treacherous court of all” and it is entertaining, gripping and, at times, funny. You’ve got all of the elements of Anne’s true story – love, passion, intrigue, betrayal, infidelity, conspiracy… – but with cocktails, iPads, Hollywood parties, threesomes, viagra and pot thrown in. Weird but it works!