About this title: Politics and passion are inextricably bound together in this compelling drama. The Boleyn family is keen to rise through the ranks of society, and what better way to attract the attention of the most powerful in the land than to place their most beautiful young woman at court? But Mary becomes the king's mistress at a time of change. He needs his ...
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Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Touchstone Books
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780743227445ISBN:0743227441
Description: Good. No dust jacket as issued. Shelf and edgewear. Still very readable. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 672 p. Audience: General/trade. read more
Description: Very Good. 1416556532 Mass Market Paperback, Condition: Very Good; this book is in very good condition but does have some curve to the spine / reading creases to the covers. read more
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Touchstone Books
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780743227445ISBN:0743227441
Description: Very good. No dust jacket as issued. Pages are in nearly like new condition but edges show some slight signs of handling. Cover shows some very slight edgewear. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 672 p. Audience: General/trade. read more
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Publisher: Pocket Star
Date Published: 2007
ISBN-13:9781416556534ISBN:1416556532
Description: Very Good. 1416556532 Mass market paperback, previously read used book in very good condition, may have slight worn corners and varying degre..._ read more
"Utter rubbish. It is poorly written, particularly the embarrassing dialogue e.g. "she was hot for the King".
The author selects a particularly fascinating period of history, but those events just weren't interesting enough apparently, so she makes up various events purely for their titillation value.
There is much better historical fiction out there."
That is honestly all I can really say after reading this book. I had several issues with it, and at the same time, I enjoyed several aspects about it.
The main reasons I didn't like about this book: 1. The vulgarity. Sure, this is not the most bawdy book I have ever read--but it is close. The details it gives about "whore tricks" and other sexual practices are somewhat disturbing. I can hardly imagine what a teen would think if subjected to this book.
2. The classification. I am a conneseiur of good historical fiction. Having heard of this book, I thought I might give it a try. Be forewarned this book is far from historical fiction . It is closer to a modern, more obscene version of a Jane Austen novel. Don't get me wrong, the book does have some historical evidence in it--but for the most part, it is just a romantic tale of couple after couple after couple.
3. The writing (partially). As I have read elsewhere, Gregory does one thing really well in this book: she makes you dislike the main character Anne Boleyn. I can't think of another book that I have had that much distaste for one of the main characters. Shouldn't an author try to get you to like her characters? (At least present the truth and then let you decide if they are good or bad?)
4. The plot. At times this book seemed to lack a plot. It just kind of drudged along. ...meh...
What I did like about this book:
1. The sappy romance: All one has to do is look at the cover of this book and realize that it is a sappy chick book. With that in mind, be prepared for some think romance in this book. It was Mary's later courtings allowed me to enjoy some of the romance presented in this book.
2. The writing about court: I enjoyed reading Gregory's words of how the royal court dined and entertained themselves. How most girls had dozens of fine gowns... Wine was used to "wake one up" in the morning... Other details such of those were very enjoyable for me.
3. The organization. The book was organized by season and year making it helpful to reference where you were in the story. Believe it or not, I recall that about 8 years pass in this one book.
Overall, this book was okay. It wasn't phenomenal...and I probably won't read it again. But now at least I can watch the movie and say..."Hey! I actually read this book before I saw the movie.""
"I read this book because I was interested in seeing the movie, but didn't get to it while it was in the theaters. Now I realize I liked the book enough that the film is sure to be a disappointment. The depiction of Henry VIII here is pretty accurate to other portrayals of him that I have read. Henry is petty, childish, and selfish--a completely unlikable person.
A fun read overall. It gave me a hankering for more historical fiction, so I plan to check out a few of Ms. Gregory's other books in the Tudors series."
"I thought the book stayed close to historical fact, and loved that it shed light on another facet of the Henry /Anne relationship. It brought the characters to life, made them be real people instead of jst "historical" figures!!"
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