Six Tudor Queens: Anne Boleyn, A King's Obsession: Six Tudor Queens 2

This is the second novel in Alison Weir's series on the six wives of Henry the Eighth, and it is every bit as good and as detailed as the earlier work on Henry's first marriage to Katherine of Aragon. This is the tale of the woman who supplanted her in Henry's affections and, more importantly, the one he looked to for the nursery full of legitimate sons that he so desperately needed. Anne Boleyn catches his eye, and that of many at court, on her return from a long sabbatical in Burgundy in the service of the Regent Margaret, and also at the French Court serving first Queen Mary (Henry's sister) and then Queen Claude wife to the rampant Francois the First. She has acquired a polish, style and sophistication that few at the English court possess.Along with her skills as a courtier, Anne has also acquired a deep suspicion of male morality, particularly at the French court, where she is reunited with her sister Mary, who becomes a victim of Francois' lust and where she sees a level of licentiousness that is at odds with her own personality and preferences. She has also been influenced by the radical forms of thought which are challenging established Roman Catholic orthodoxy. All of which has formed her as a free thinker and a woman who wishes to marry for love.Her story in the factual sense has been examined inside and out for many years and in many formats: this book cleverly takes the known facts of her reluctant acceptance of Henry's attentions, and builds a fine fiction around them. She makes no secret of her unshakeable refusal to be a mistress who is used by Henry and cast aside. She has seen this happen to her own sister and putting her own personal romantic inclinations aside, decides that if she must be with Henry, then it will be as his wife and Queen.Alison Weir's book charts the long, frustrating courtship, the religious upheavals which result from Papal and political delaying tactics in the matter of Henry's divorce from Katherine, and the toll that this takes on Anne physically and mentally. Men whom the King loves and trusts are sacrificed in the tortuous Great Matter: the price paid is very high indeed. The turbulent path to her eventual coronation offers Anne little time for rest and happiness and fosters increasing impatience with those around her, even those who are on her side and love her. A daughter is born, but those elusive sons are lost in the traumas of miscarriage or premature birth: the King's eye begins to rove once again.This is a chunky book, and an excellent read which can be read as a standalone, although I would recommend reading the series from the beginning to get the full sense of context and character development. First class

Another absolutely amazing book written by Alison Weir. I love her portrayal of Anne Boleyn, pretty much what she has written about her is how I suspect Anne’s character to be. It’s beautifully written in that from the start you are whisked straight into Anne’s world and it feels like you are watching all the events unfold.One the the things that really stood out is where Alison writes of Anne’s thoughts and feelings on Henry’s interest/ obsession with her. That from the start of it Anne generally had no interest in the king and didn’t want all this attention after seeing how her sister and other women have been treated not just by Henry but Francois in France. It certainly makes sense that Anne didn’t really have much of a choice the way Henry was being very persistent and in the end, came to enjoy the attention and look at it as a way of rising in power to achieve the almighty prize of being Queen of England and help bring about a reform from the Church in Rome.I also like how she mentions Anne generally caring for the poor and their well being and would do a lot of charitable things for them such as make them clothes. But also her views that all people should be able to read the bible and it being translated in English for all to enjoy. It shouldn’t just be dictated to them by people in higher authority.The way Alison writes Anne’s finally moments was very well done and was quite emotional to read. Such a tragic end for a rather incredible lady. I do wonder if Henry generally believed the charges made against her or whether he just wanted her gone but he couldn’t go through the embarrassment of another divorce.An absolutely brilliant book. I could honestly gone on talking about it for ages haha.

I've read a lot of books on the subject of Anne Boleyn and this was one of the more tedious ones. I don't feel her character was portrayed in a remotely interesting way, and I got no feel for her as an actual person. The best books I have ever read about Anne Boleyn were Le Temps Viendra volumes one and two by Sarah A Morris. These books capture her emotions like no other, and show her as a real person with loyal female best friends and real emotions. You experience the whole breathtaking journey with her from the moment they meet, and feel all her emotions, both good and bad. If you want a really good read, try Sarah A Morris instead. Alison Weir books started going downhill for me after the excruciatingly repetitive 'The Marriage Game'. It's a shame, as her early fiction was fantastic.

Such a brilliant read! This is the second in the series and I am totally wrapped up in it. The history is amazing and comes alive. There is so much in it that I didn't know and I can't wait to finish and read the rest of the series. Absolutely captivating and a real page turner. Would highly recommend even if you are not a fan of history the story telling is amazing.

I have read all the philiipa gregory tudor books and then came across this series by Alison weir. Brilliant I love them. I cannot wait for the next book for thw next Queen. It's simple and pleasant to read as well as learning some background history. Not death by facts which I can't get into, but more novel like. I would recommend with no reservation.