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Moth to the Flame: The Story of Anne Boleyn
She was one of the most fascinating women of her generation; intelligent, clever and alluring. But despite all of her undoubted talents, her fate was sealed from the moment Henry VIII set eyes on her.
Anne Boleyn deserves to be remembered as so much more than just the Queen who lost her head. She was a woman of immense personal charm who lived during one of the most colourful, exciting and brutal eras of English history. Often stubborn and impulsive, Anne was a rebellious daughter, a loving and critical sister, a loyal friend and a dangerous enemy. This is her story, from her childhood at Hever Castle through to her relationship with the King who desired and ultimately destroyed her.
Anne Boleyn deserves to be remembered as so much more than just the Queen who lost her head. She was a woman of immense personal charm who lived during one of the most colourful, exciting and brutal eras of English history. Often stubborn and impulsive, Anne was a rebellious daughter, a loving and critical sister, a loyal friend and a dangerous enemy. This is her story, from her childhood at Hever Castle through to her relationship with the King who desired and ultimately destroyed her.
383 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 19, 2021
Anne Boleyn has been the subject of many biographies for she led an interesting life in the Tudor court, which during Henry VIII's reign had the least stability. Tudor history is fascinating and appalling all at once and it is when the characters are seen as humans that the magnitude of this instability truly strikes.
From Philippa Gregory and Hilary Mantel, several female authors have attempted to capture the happenings of the Tudor court through various adopted perspectives. Mantel's Wolf Hall trilogy found and cemented its place as one of the finest biographies I've read set in the Tudor court as it adopts an unlikely point of view in Cromwell. Gregory's The Other Boleyn Girl similarly chooses the eyes of the lesser known Boleyn, Mary. In comparison this book fails to deliver a point of view that might be unique.
This book presents a third person point of view and while it does touch upon the exhilaration and grief in Anne's heart as she rises to become Queen and then is sentenced to death, the book fails to make a unique space for itself. I find that since Tudor history is written about so much, merely reporting the incidents is not enough anymore as the events are all too familiar. The beauty of historic fiction is the ability to present the story in a manner that may not have been witnessed before and from that perspective this book fails to deliver.
However it is still a page turner. The content is riveting as it is, so it makes for an easy read and if you are not very familiar with Anne Boleyn, this book is a decent introduction to her life.
From Philippa Gregory and Hilary Mantel, several female authors have attempted to capture the happenings of the Tudor court through various adopted perspectives. Mantel's Wolf Hall trilogy found and cemented its place as one of the finest biographies I've read set in the Tudor court as it adopts an unlikely point of view in Cromwell. Gregory's The Other Boleyn Girl similarly chooses the eyes of the lesser known Boleyn, Mary. In comparison this book fails to deliver a point of view that might be unique.
This book presents a third person point of view and while it does touch upon the exhilaration and grief in Anne's heart as she rises to become Queen and then is sentenced to death, the book fails to make a unique space for itself. I find that since Tudor history is written about so much, merely reporting the incidents is not enough anymore as the events are all too familiar. The beauty of historic fiction is the ability to present the story in a manner that may not have been witnessed before and from that perspective this book fails to deliver.
However it is still a page turner. The content is riveting as it is, so it makes for an easy read and if you are not very familiar with Anne Boleyn, this book is a decent introduction to her life.
July 23, 2022
A very good story of Anne's last days
We experience Anne as a figure looking back at her story through her own eyes, which I liked a lot, but the characters just felt flat. This book was really a telling, from an outsiders view, more than a story with feelings like you find in a first person novel. I can't say it's not a good read, and I would recommend it for a day at the beach, but it's not one I'd add to my permanent shelf.
We experience Anne as a figure looking back at her story through her own eyes, which I liked a lot, but the characters just felt flat. This book was really a telling, from an outsiders view, more than a story with feelings like you find in a first person novel. I can't say it's not a good read, and I would recommend it for a day at the beach, but it's not one I'd add to my permanent shelf.
February 21, 2019
Moth to the Flzme
Thoroughly enjoyed Angela's take on Henry and Anne which appears to be a more realistic take. From Anne's view,. when she realised Henry saw her merely as a brood mare, would have others besides her in his bed, spend limited time with her, understandably get love and respect died.
Thoroughly enjoyed Angela's take on Henry and Anne which appears to be a more realistic take. From Anne's view,. when she realised Henry saw her merely as a brood mare, would have others besides her in his bed, spend limited time with her, understandably get love and respect died.
October 13, 2018
Very well-written
The story remains the same, if course, but is told with a fresh and touching perspective by a very talented author. Excellent read!
The story remains the same, if course, but is told with a fresh and touching perspective by a very talented author. Excellent read!
December 26, 2018
Its a good, solid retelling of the life of Anne Boleyn, if slightly distant from all the characters, with no one person that grabs you and drags you fully into the story.
May 15, 2021
May 19 1536
I thoroughly enjoyed this story of Anne Boleyn. She wasn’t portrayed as a shrew or victim of her family’s ambitions.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story of Anne Boleyn. She wasn’t portrayed as a shrew or victim of her family’s ambitions.
March 27, 2014
Good Read
I love historical fiction, & this book didn't disappoint. Also, it was a quick read. If you like this time period in English history, I think you will like this book.
I love historical fiction, & this book didn't disappoint. Also, it was a quick read. If you like this time period in English history, I think you will like this book.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews