A review by bethzovko47
Divorced, Beheaded, Survived: A Feminist Reinterpretation of the Wives of Henry VIII by Karen Lindsey
4.0
If it deals with British history, I, like Ron Burgundy, will read absolutely anything that's put in front of me, so I know my shit when it comes to the Tudors. I picked this one up because it offered a new take on the traditional narrative on the six ladies unlucky enough to be Henry's bride.
Normally, I steer clear of modernist takes, especially feminist re-workings, as these often attribute modern attitudes and social norms on historic people and societies. That said, Lindsey's book had some interesting insights into the minds and motives of Henry and his queens.
For instance, Lindsey takes the story of Henry meeting his 'Flanders Mare' and turns it around: maybe Anne was the one disgusted with her intended and Henry (on the winning side of history) was retaliating. Interesting...
Even though several of Lindsey's claims are just that--claims--her ideas are food for thought. No one, even the traditionalists, knows positively what went on behind court eyes and behind closed doors, so it's fun to consider a new set of motivations for these now silent figures.
Normally, I steer clear of modernist takes, especially feminist re-workings, as these often attribute modern attitudes and social norms on historic people and societies. That said, Lindsey's book had some interesting insights into the minds and motives of Henry and his queens.
For instance, Lindsey takes the story of Henry meeting his 'Flanders Mare' and turns it around: maybe Anne was the one disgusted with her intended and Henry (on the winning side of history) was retaliating. Interesting...
Even though several of Lindsey's claims are just that--claims--her ideas are food for thought. No one, even the traditionalists, knows positively what went on behind court eyes and behind closed doors, so it's fun to consider a new set of motivations for these now silent figures.