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lesliegmol's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
sarahcoller's review
4.0
This is the second Jean Plaidy I've read and I do enjoy her most of all the Tudor fiction novelists I've read. Her books are fairly clean and pretty straightforward, as far as the history of things goes. There were a few places where I found myself a bit bored---mainly during the years where they were just waiting on tides to change---so not really her fault, but that of history.
I knew the basic story line of Anne's life; but this story brought it to life in a way that I think is very plausible, but one that I didn't necessarily like too much. Plaidy's Anne starts out as a woman of high character, driven to live by her principles, and unafraid of standing on morality. I really liked and admired her character at the beginning---my mind had been changed about her.
But, as soon as she chose to compromise her virtue and allow herself to be betrothed to the King, she became increasingly selfish and spoiled. She spent a lot of time whining about how people despised her for being his supposed concubine and how she hadn't sought that in the beginning, yet she was held to blame. In my opinion, she became completely accountable the moment she decided to begin romantic relations with a married man. I found it interesting that, during the time they were trying to have Henry's first marriage annulled, he seemed to become more patient and compassionate while she became more selfish and paranoid.
The story was really helpful in understanding the politics surrounding Henry VIII's influence on the institution of Protestantism in England. Two of my sons are currently studying this era so it's a topic I'm more interested in than usual this season.
I do wonder how much of Anne's character was based on historical record. She was a woman of virginal and chaste morals in the beginning; and her daughter, Elizabeth I, was thought, by some, to also be a virginal and chaste woman. I wonder how much of that was in response to what she'd been told about the character of her mother. I was also intrigued by the idea that Anne could have influenced Court fashions of the day with her designs to hide her (perhaps made up) mole and sixth nail.
All in all, it was a great read and I'm happy that I have so many more by this author on my TBR for the future.
I knew the basic story line of Anne's life; but this story brought it to life in a way that I think is very plausible, but one that I didn't necessarily like too much. Plaidy's Anne starts out as a woman of high character, driven to live by her principles, and unafraid of standing on morality. I really liked and admired her character at the beginning---my mind had been changed about her.
But, as soon as she chose to compromise her virtue and allow herself to be betrothed to the King, she became increasingly selfish and spoiled. She spent a lot of time whining about how people despised her for being his supposed concubine and how she hadn't sought that in the beginning, yet she was held to blame. In my opinion, she became completely accountable the moment she decided to begin romantic relations with a married man. I found it interesting that, during the time they were trying to have Henry's first marriage annulled, he seemed to become more patient and compassionate while she became more selfish and paranoid.
The story was really helpful in understanding the politics surrounding Henry VIII's influence on the institution of Protestantism in England. Two of my sons are currently studying this era so it's a topic I'm more interested in than usual this season.
I do wonder how much of Anne's character was based on historical record. She was a woman of virginal and chaste morals in the beginning; and her daughter, Elizabeth I, was thought, by some, to also be a virginal and chaste woman. I wonder how much of that was in response to what she'd been told about the character of her mother. I was also intrigued by the idea that Anne could have influenced Court fashions of the day with her designs to hide her (perhaps made up) mole and sixth nail.
All in all, it was a great read and I'm happy that I have so many more by this author on my TBR for the future.
wildwolverine's review
5.0
Ahhh, Anne Boleyn. Where would the Western world be if not for you? Protestantism might never have gotten such a foothold in European (and subsequently American) culture if not for her. Clever, dazzling, and tempestuous Anne Boleyn leads readers on the tumultuous journey of her life from her simple life at Hever Castle at six years old to the Tower Green at 29. All throughout the book, readers get a strong sense of Anne's personality and motivations. In my humble opinion, Anne Boleyn is such a fascinating person that it would be pretty hard to screw up a telling of her life story. Jean Plaidy takes readers on a ride where you alternately sympathize for Anne, cringe for her, and cry for her.
From the beginning, Anne is positioned as being exceptionally bright. At first, she comes across as timid, as she is only a child in the licentious French court. Her observations about those around her are astute, but I could do without all of the giant info dumps about various historical personages like Louise of Savoy and Charles Brandon, both of whom feature very little in the book; yet, you still get pages on their background.
As Anne gets older, she desires to set herself apart. She sees how her sister Mary is treated for sleeping around, and she decides to avoid that fate at all costs. Not only that, when Mary's husband dies, she is left penniless, having received nothing from Henry, despite being his mistress for several years. Poverty frightens everyone. And so, when Anne meets Henry VIII, her resolution doesn't waver. She will not have him if it compromises her virtue.
Plaidy positions Anne's ambitions as a reaction to being slighted by Wolsey who turns down Percy (essentially her boyfriend) for wanting to marry her. I find this cheapens Anne's ambition, and I prefer to think that, while she may have been disappointed in love, ultimately, she wouldn't be happy unless it was at court in the middle of everything.
The curse of being an active player in history is that sometimes you're the "bad guy" as you make all of the wrong decisions. For a lot of people, Anne Boleyn fits that to a T. She picks fights with Katherine of Aragon, is almost cruel to Mary who's a preteen at this time, is vindictive towards her perceived enemies, and she often lashes out verbally to the king. She never learns when to just let things go, and this is her downfall.
Overall, I highly recommend this Tudor novel about one of the most important women in Western history. It's a nuanced and sympathetic portrayal of Anne Boleyn while also criticizing her more outlandish actions. Anne was far from perfect, but that doesn't mean, we as readers, won't stop sympathizing with her. Once she found herself at the mercy of the king, she became determined to make the best of her situation so that she came out on top. She almost succeeded. Should we begrudge her that because she was so proud? I don't.
From the beginning, Anne is positioned as being exceptionally bright. At first, she comes across as timid, as she is only a child in the licentious French court. Her observations about those around her are astute, but I could do without all of the giant info dumps about various historical personages like Louise of Savoy and Charles Brandon, both of whom feature very little in the book; yet, you still get pages on their background.
As Anne gets older, she desires to set herself apart. She sees how her sister Mary is treated for sleeping around, and she decides to avoid that fate at all costs. Not only that, when Mary's husband dies, she is left penniless, having received nothing from Henry, despite being his mistress for several years. Poverty frightens everyone. And so, when Anne meets Henry VIII, her resolution doesn't waver. She will not have him if it compromises her virtue.
Plaidy positions Anne's ambitions as a reaction to being slighted by Wolsey who turns down Percy (essentially her boyfriend) for wanting to marry her. I find this cheapens Anne's ambition, and I prefer to think that, while she may have been disappointed in love, ultimately, she wouldn't be happy unless it was at court in the middle of everything.
The curse of being an active player in history is that sometimes you're the "bad guy" as you make all of the wrong decisions. For a lot of people, Anne Boleyn fits that to a T. She picks fights with Katherine of Aragon, is almost cruel to Mary who's a preteen at this time, is vindictive towards her perceived enemies, and she often lashes out verbally to the king. She never learns when to just let things go, and this is her downfall.
Overall, I highly recommend this Tudor novel about one of the most important women in Western history. It's a nuanced and sympathetic portrayal of Anne Boleyn while also criticizing her more outlandish actions. Anne was far from perfect, but that doesn't mean, we as readers, won't stop sympathizing with her. Once she found herself at the mercy of the king, she became determined to make the best of her situation so that she came out on top. She almost succeeded. Should we begrudge her that because she was so proud? I don't.
gooberdawn's review
5.0
I love all of Jean Plaidy's books I have read up to this point. I feel she brings historical characters to life and makes you feel as though these could be anyone or that any person could go through the same pitfalls and triumphs as the historical figures featured in each book. Worth reading.
tamaralgage1's review
5.0
I have completed The Lady in the Tower and would highly recommend this book & author. If you like, history, old romance novels (unfortunately you know what is going to happen), suspense novels, and true crime.... you are going to love this book. It seems difficult to think it fits all these categories. But, you have to read it to understand why I love this book. In addition, I would like to point out to the ladies that this book shows just how far we have come from the days of being traded like cattle for good breeding and tossed aside when it suits.
sapphirelain's review
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
So. This book is not badly written, but I feel like it is more like a history book than a novel. And it goes on forever. Most 300 and some page books I finish in a day or two. This took me a month. Idk why it was so hard to get through. But it felt closer to how I felt when reading Anna Karenina. Like it was 900 pages of tedious details. Just. A little too tedious for me.
trudilibrarian's review
4.0
One of the best examples of historical fiction. All the drama and tragedy that is Anne Boleyn told in the first-person. Unique and wonderful.
kpaget's review
2.0
Made Anne look like a totally different person than she was. The book was too detailed on subjects no one cares about, not enough on what I wanted to know about.
tillybh's review
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lupeerli's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0