I Am Henry: A Compelling Novel of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII

by Jan Hendrik Verstraten, Massimo Barbato

An innovative retelling of the story of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn

Trapped in Limbo after his death, an obstinate Henry VIII is forced to relive key events from his life. To redeem his soul, he must accept the truth of his cruelty as a king and a husband, and face the ex-wives he betrayed.

Anne Boleyn, his second wife, is tormented by grief and the great injustice of her death and separation from her daughter, Elizabeth. She must confront Henry, the cause of her suffering, to find her way into the light.

List of Film Awards & NominationsOfficial LA Cinema of Hollywood Festival ( Winter 2016). Best Narrative Short (JH Verstraten) - Best Director (JH Verstraten) - Best Actor (Sebastian Street) - Best Actress (Fleur Keith) - Best Cinematography (Simon Rowling) - Best Original Score (Louis Sebastian Mander)

Official 49th Worldfest-Houston IFF ( April 2016). Gold REMI Award

Official International Filmmakers Festival, London ( February 2016). Best Costume Design (Kristen Ernst-Brown) - Best Hair & Make-Up (Chanel Murray). Best Director (JH Verstraten) - Best Editor (JH Verstraten)

Praise for "I am Henry"‘Mesmeric and dreamlike in the richness of its setting, I am Henry offers a new perspective on the story of Henry VIII from the vantage point of Limbo. It is an intensely satisfying – if at times unsettling - read, providing the meetings and encounters that you always wished had happened. Just what would Catherine of Aragon, Jane Seymour or Catherine Howard say to their mutual husband years after his contribution to their deaths? What of Anne Boleyn, imprisoned by the unfinished business of her life cut so abruptly short. I am Henry both re-evaluates a notorious life from a novel perspective, as well as taking his story forwards, beyond his death. A compelling read.’
Elizabeth Norton, Historian and Author

‘I am Henry is a highly imaginative and emotionally engaging story of repentance and redemption. It masterfully personifies the various characters and helps readers see them as fully realised people rather than mere faces in a painting, as we so often experience them. The story also offers some great insights into human nature, why we resist change, and the emotional journey that often leads to it. I see this finding a ready audience amongst the fans of the short film that inspired this novel. Not to mention those who are fascinated by Henry VIII and his wives.’
Kevin Miller, Author

‘What if Henry VIII had to confront those he’d hurt during his life? What if he was confronted by his sins? What if he had to explain himself to the woman he’d moved heaven and earth to marry but then executed?
We all want to know what would happen, and “I am Henry” has Henry VIII’s spirit being confronted by Anne Boleyn, Catherine of Aragon and Henry, Duke of Cornwall, his short-lived son by Catherine, among others, and they’re all keen to share their thoughts on him.
The setting is atmospheric, and we have some wonderfully poignant and emotionally charged scenes as Henry has to re-evaluate his life and answer to others. Will he submit and repent and thereby gain eternal peace and salvation?
I loved the “I am Henry” film, and the book is true to that—a wonderful read.

Genres: British Literature, Tudor Period

228 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 22, 2023

Reviews

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a gifted copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via the author. All thoughts are my own.

I Am Henry is an atmospheric, thought-provoking, and mesmerising read showing both Henry VIII and his wife Anne Boleyn as you've never seen them before. I loved how the authors managed to blend both facts and imagination so flawlessly through this book! I'd love to see the film next!
After their deaths, both Henry and Anne are stuck in a kind of limbo in the spirit world. Henry has to re-face his past - his actions and decisions and demons too. Only then can the pair get the peace they both desperately want and move on to heaven.
This is a quick and well-written story that any historical fiction fan will appreciate and love!

[Rosie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I had been an author (dream on) this is the book I would of written Henry is dead and is in limbo he’s a prisoner of his own anger and pride a compelling read the best book I’ve read for ages 🏆

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~* · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wayyyy too much Catholic stuff in the "afterlife"
And I really had a hard time believing Henry was looking for "redemption" when he did nothing but destroy lives.
This was a very disturbed man who cared about no one but himself.
Nor do I believe he was sorry for any of his actions.
It doesn't matter what I believe to be true or not, I just found this read very unsatisfying, and certainly not believable.

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this last night with the stupid notion that a few chapters before bed would be enough...it didn't work!

I am Henry is an absolutely captivating take on life after death and what could have been.

Rich in its descriptions and dialogue, history is rewritten and the author's enable us to visualise Henry and Anne (Boleyn) as we've never seen them before. Can they redeem themselves, confronting their sins and the shame?

The Tudor period has always been the one that's fascinated me the most over time.

I Am Henry is a quick, enjoyable read that I would wholeheartedly recommend to all history lovers.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend of mine loved this book and recommended it. Henry the 8th and Anne Boleyn in the afterlife. They both tell their story. It is an original idea and I find it a very satisfying read.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

unique

A very different read on a well documented life answering the question of what ifs
Read it in one sitting

[Shelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting concept. Clever, but the vision falls flat for me. It is a very Catholic afterlife, which Henry probably would have recognized, but even in Catholic theology, one goes to purgatory to atone for their sins, not to repent of them.

I don't think Henry really loved anyone but himself. I struggle with the concept of redemption for him, when he literally poisoned everyone and everything that got close to him. It just felt like there was a lot missing for me to believe that Henry actually understood and felt sorry for his actions. And it was just kind of assumed that the people he encountered had nothing to repent of themselves It made Anne a maudlin character who remains forever a broken shadow of the past, and I think she deserves more than ending up a cardboard imprint that reads betrayal on one side and motherhood on the other.

In the end, it isn't about what I believe or what I don't, but about whether the author made me believe it and convinced me. So it kind of ended up a twisted Dickensian Tudor Christmas Carol where Scrooge is dead at the end instead of living to make his amends and change his ways. It just felt very unsatisfying.

[John Rushton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling story on Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. It encompasses the original storyline leading to a possible further development, (fiction)very tastefully executed which is gripping because it could well be plausible. It's a good satisfying read and leaves one wishing for more. In today's cheap formulaic media, I would love to see a film version or better still a TV series. Real escapism that has meaning. A brilliant addition to established history.

[Alan Veren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting Read

Wasn't sure what to expect however, I became involved and had trouble putting it down. I found it well written and enjoyable.

[louise page-bulloch · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really disappointed with this novel. The concept of Henry has died and his soul is in " Dante's purgatory" and explores this idea, with Henry being able to meet Queen Catherine of Aragon and Queen Anne Boleyn among others. However I find the writing stilted and awkward. It is more like reading a play format than a novel, which I understand the novel is based upon a short play written by the author and expanded upon in this book. I love history both in factual and fictional formats but this novel lacks something tangible to make the reader believe in the pre conception of the premise it is based upon. To further my understanding I purchased the play from Amazon Prime, and while that was interesting did not shed any further insight into this novel. Perhaps it's just me who thinks this but the overall 4 star rating gives you some idea that it is not as compelling as the title would have you believe.

[Jacky Schad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic book about Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII!
Kept my interest from start to finish!
A must read for people interested in history and after life!
Very compelling!

[Laurie Devine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not resist reading this fascinating addition to the canon of Tudor historical novels in general and explorations of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn in particular. This book seems to be actually a short novel, based on a screenplay of the same subject. Its conceit is to set the story in Limbo--the old Catholic in-between place that the dead go to before possibly being admitted to heaven. Written in the first person, the book has Henry being confronted by those he has seriously wronged (murdered, mostly), not only Anne but others of his wives, as well as courtiers. I am very familiar with the history, and it seemed to me that the authors did their homework and wrote from historical facts--although their presentation was fresh and creative. I enjoyed their imaginative reconstructions, although it seem to me that Henry's actual sins would essentially not make him any kind of candidate even for late medieval conceptions of heaven. But these Tudor novels are mind candy for me, and this one was certainty tasty

[Kirstin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a really cool concept that fell short for me. The idea of Anne Boleyn getting to confront Henry VIII is fantastic, and I would have hoped that there would be more of Anne actually getting to call him out on how he treated the women in his life. Instead, it reduced her to a sad shell of herself, unable to move on until the end.

I also don't believe Henry would ever have humbled himself, and anything he would have said to try to move on would be for self preservation only. Despite that, this is a fiction book, and if they were going to have Henry move on and be saved, it should have been more persuasive.

This definitely also had the hallmarks of a man writing a woman as a victim, and was not believable.

[elizabeth ann wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

Well, that was something very different. Absorbing enough that I read it in one sitting. Not sure if I really liked it but I found it quite fascinating. Death comes to us all and we wonder what will come after, if anything. To follow Henry's possible journey and his reflections on his life was absorbing.
Anne's story was so sad yet the ending so hopeful. It would be interesting to read about the views of his other wives.
If the Tudor period interests you, give this a go. It's different but intetesting.

[Toni · Rating 2 out of 5]

Henry in the afterlife, confronting his sins, as well as several of his wives, colleagues, and unborn children. I read this on a recommendation and did not care for it at all. I suspect, from all I've heard, the film was much better? This novella simply didn't work for me. Too much imagery I wasn't sure of the meaning.

[Karon Bricknell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved reading this historical fantasy book. I could clearly visualise the characters. Would definitely recommend this if you like The Tudors or British historical novels. I couldn't put it down once I started reading it.

[Deb Lancaster · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is bad. This is very very bad.

It reads like a kids book, contains zero insight and uses an interesting framing to display its banality.

Calling a book compelling in its marketing doesn't make it so.

Lots of Americanisms don't help at all.

Just terrible.

[Yves Galea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really poignant, could not put it down and wanted more. Loved this clever approach and this fiction side of the story that I really enjoyed and recommend to all who have been fascinated by the relationship between King Henry VIII and Queen Anne Boleyn. Yves Galea

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK

Good. Was ok not brilliant bilut enough to keep you interested. Wouldn't really recommend as it's a bit slow going.

[Patricia Pritchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. It was imaginative and an original interpretation of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn's story. Not what you might expect. A great read and a book I would highly recommend.

[Stacie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok story

First, I enjoy reading anything about the Tudor Dynasty but this book took a long time for me to be invested. The writing was ok. I guess it just wasn't my cup of tea.

[Flying Dutchman Films · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Mesmeric and dreamlike in the richness of its setting, I am Henry offers a new perspective on the story of Henry VIII from the vantage point of Limbo. It is an intensely satisfying – if at times unsettling - read, providing the meetings and encounters that you always wished had happened. Just what would Catherine of Aragon, Jane Seymour or Catherine Howard say to their mutual husband years after his contribution to their deaths? What of Anne Boleyn, imprisoned by the unfinished business of her life cut so abruptly short. I am Henry both re-evaluates a notorious life from a novel perspective, as well as taking his story forwards, beyond his death. A compelling read.’ Elizabeth Norton, Historian and Author

‘I am Henry is a highly imaginative and emotionally engaging story of repentance and redemption. It masterfully personifies the various characters and helps readers see them as fully realised people rather than mere faces in a painting, as we so often experience them. The story also offers some great insights into human nature, why we resist change, and the emotional journey that often leads to it. I see this finding a ready audience amongst the fans of the short film that inspired this novel. Not to mention those who are fascinated by Henry VIII and his wives.’ Kevin Miller, Author