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Thorns, Lust and Glory: The betrayal of Anne Boleyn
A queen on the edge.Anne Boleyn has mesmerised the English public for centuries. Her tragic execution, orchestrated by her own husband, never ceases to intrigue. How did this courtier's daughter become the queen of England, and what was it that really tore apart this illustrious marriage, making her the whore of England, an abandoned woman executed on the scaffold? While many stories of Anne Boleyn's downfall have been told, few have truly traced the origins of her tragic fate.
In Thorns, Lust and Glory, Estelle Paranque takes us back to where it all to France, where Anne learned the lessons that would set her on the path to becoming one of England's most infamous queens. At the court of the French king as a resourceful teenage girl, Anne's journey to infamy began, and this landmark biography explores the world that shaped her, and how these loyalties would leave her vulnerable, leading to her ruin at the court of Henry VIII.A fascinating new perspective on Tudor history's most enduring story, Thorns, Lust and Glory is an unmissable account of a queen on the edge.
In Thorns, Lust and Glory, Estelle Paranque takes us back to where it all to France, where Anne learned the lessons that would set her on the path to becoming one of England's most infamous queens. At the court of the French king as a resourceful teenage girl, Anne's journey to infamy began, and this landmark biography explores the world that shaped her, and how these loyalties would leave her vulnerable, leading to her ruin at the court of Henry VIII.A fascinating new perspective on Tudor history's most enduring story, Thorns, Lust and Glory is an unmissable account of a queen on the edge.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 2, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
August 27, 2024
I had high hopes for Estelle Paranque's Thorns, Lust, and Glory. I have always wanted to read a book which could shed more light on Anne Boleyn which balances the popular portrait of her while not lionizing her image either. Paranque's book is focused on how Boleyn was betrayed by France while being accessible to general audiences. Unfortunately, I think these aims caused massive problems with the overall narrative.
In Paranque's attempt to make this more exciting for general audiences, she makes three bad choices. First, Paranque states she "recreates" dialogue. Also, the recreated dialogue is not tagged in a way for the reader to know as far as I can tell. I don't know why authors write history instead of historical fiction when they feel the need to create scenes and dialogue. Yes, a historian like Paranque may know the material well enough to guess quite well what people may have said. The simple fact, though, is that we don't know and creating something makes it fiction. This is no longer non-fiction.
The second problem is massive amounts of supposition. To be clear, this is not entirely the author's fault as much of Boleyn's writings were destroyed. However, I started highlighting the sections where the author uses phrases like, "there is no doubt that," or "but surely she must have felt." In a history book, these types of leaps need to be grounded in sound research and common sense. These examples of supposition often did not have a corresponding reference. Yes, it is completely reasonable to assume anyone who saw the Field of Cloth and Gold would be awed because we have enough evidence to make that short leap. It would not, for instance, be safe to assume that because Boleyn filtered information to her father about an ailing queen that she cared about the health of said queen.
The final problem is the framing narrative. Paranque wants to prove, in essence, that Boleyn was betrayed by France due to politics. This is a strange stance to take since in reference to the betrayal of Cardinal Wolsey in this book, Paranque herself writes that there are "no friends in politics." If so, Boleyn wasn't betrayed, it was just politics. Also, in trying to prove this thesis, Boleyn is totally sidelined and robbed of agency in the narrative. Having to explain all the politics of the age means Boleyn herself takes up very little page count in the overall narrative. The space she has is mostly taken up by Paranque projecting onto Boleyn. Boleyn is not given the spotlight needed for the reader to feel for her in her fall from grace.
(Tangent: We do not give Henry VIII credit enough for being the absolute worst. Please look out for my book, Henry VIII: He Sucked So Much and We Need to Talk About it More. Please note I just made that up and I will never write a book because it's really hard.)
As I just said, writing a book is hard with numerous pitfalls. I think Paranque started this with a sincere attempt to re-frame Anne Boleyn's life, but the very thesis required too many diversions and filling in of a lot of blanks. I think if Paranque turned this into historical fiction, she could have produced something much more solid.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Hachette Books.)
In Paranque's attempt to make this more exciting for general audiences, she makes three bad choices. First, Paranque states she "recreates" dialogue. Also, the recreated dialogue is not tagged in a way for the reader to know as far as I can tell. I don't know why authors write history instead of historical fiction when they feel the need to create scenes and dialogue. Yes, a historian like Paranque may know the material well enough to guess quite well what people may have said. The simple fact, though, is that we don't know and creating something makes it fiction. This is no longer non-fiction.
The second problem is massive amounts of supposition. To be clear, this is not entirely the author's fault as much of Boleyn's writings were destroyed. However, I started highlighting the sections where the author uses phrases like, "there is no doubt that," or "but surely she must have felt." In a history book, these types of leaps need to be grounded in sound research and common sense. These examples of supposition often did not have a corresponding reference. Yes, it is completely reasonable to assume anyone who saw the Field of Cloth and Gold would be awed because we have enough evidence to make that short leap. It would not, for instance, be safe to assume that because Boleyn filtered information to her father about an ailing queen that she cared about the health of said queen.
The final problem is the framing narrative. Paranque wants to prove, in essence, that Boleyn was betrayed by France due to politics. This is a strange stance to take since in reference to the betrayal of Cardinal Wolsey in this book, Paranque herself writes that there are "no friends in politics." If so, Boleyn wasn't betrayed, it was just politics. Also, in trying to prove this thesis, Boleyn is totally sidelined and robbed of agency in the narrative. Having to explain all the politics of the age means Boleyn herself takes up very little page count in the overall narrative. The space she has is mostly taken up by Paranque projecting onto Boleyn. Boleyn is not given the spotlight needed for the reader to feel for her in her fall from grace.
(Tangent: We do not give Henry VIII credit enough for being the absolute worst. Please look out for my book, Henry VIII: He Sucked So Much and We Need to Talk About it More. Please note I just made that up and I will never write a book because it's really hard.)
As I just said, writing a book is hard with numerous pitfalls. I think Paranque started this with a sincere attempt to re-frame Anne Boleyn's life, but the very thesis required too many diversions and filling in of a lot of blanks. I think if Paranque turned this into historical fiction, she could have produced something much more solid.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Hachette Books.)
October 22, 2024
Thorns, Lust, and Glory: The Betrayal of Anne Boleyn is a biography on Anne Boleyn who is known to the world as the infamous doomed second wife of Henry XVIII. This book shows how Anne's life led her to marrying the King of England. Was she betrayed by France where she spent time working in the Queen's household and getting an education? What was her life like in France? What influence did it have on her? Was she misunderstood? Was the politically motivated? Was she just a young woman trying to improve her station? Was she a pawn? Was she caught in the middle of schemes, plotting, and power grabs? So many questions about this infamous woman.
I enjoyed reading about Anne and her early formative years. I also enjoyed learning about the time in which Anne lived. We are shaped by our surroundings and upbringing to a degree. How much was Anne influenced by hers? Anne continues to be an intriguing figure in history. There have been so many books, movies, and The Tudors series which explore the life of Henry XVIII and focus heavily on Anne Boleyn. She continues to fascinate and intrigue after all this time.
In Thorns, Lust, and Glory: The Betrayal of Anne Boleyn the author provides her insights into Anne's downfall. She also includes what she feels shaped Anne - her time in France. I admire the amount of research that was done by the author prior to writing this book. I did learn a few things which is always a plus as well. The writing was wonderful and there is a lot of information provided.
I wasn't a big fan of the recreated dialogue. We don't know Anne's thoughts or emotions. Sure, we can guess some of them based on how we would feel in the situations she was in, but that is speculative.
Thank you to Hachette Books who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
I enjoyed reading about Anne and her early formative years. I also enjoyed learning about the time in which Anne lived. We are shaped by our surroundings and upbringing to a degree. How much was Anne influenced by hers? Anne continues to be an intriguing figure in history. There have been so many books, movies, and The Tudors series which explore the life of Henry XVIII and focus heavily on Anne Boleyn. She continues to fascinate and intrigue after all this time.
In Thorns, Lust, and Glory: The Betrayal of Anne Boleyn the author provides her insights into Anne's downfall. She also includes what she feels shaped Anne - her time in France. I admire the amount of research that was done by the author prior to writing this book. I did learn a few things which is always a plus as well. The writing was wonderful and there is a lot of information provided.
I wasn't a big fan of the recreated dialogue. We don't know Anne's thoughts or emotions. Sure, we can guess some of them based on how we would feel in the situations she was in, but that is speculative.
Thank you to Hachette Books who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
November 11, 2024
Royal reads 2024
Before I begin….(and there is a point to my first paragraph)
It’s about 230am. I finally finished that heinous book about the pathetic, disgusting antics of Scott Peterson. You know what’s funny (not ha ha)? This book that was written up to his trial and verdict back in the day talked about an odd strip of tape that was discovered stuck on a particular surface, but was not brought into evidence. Now how odd is that? I just found that almost poignant in a way. Family annihilaters are especially crude and cowardly.
But I digress…
I think my point is Lacie and Connor had a strong extended family. They kept mementos and continued to share tales of Lacie’s antics. Anne was practically wiped off the face of the earth. We really don’t know what she looked like. Sketches and paintings often have dates decades past on the back, so we typically have that one image that most historians agree upon as a certainty. Engravings and stone with chisel marks that were missed exist because laborers were in a rush and some were in places that they just weren’t noticed. The biggest difference: one wanted a son he was willing to kill for him; the other not only didn’t want a son, he really didn’t want a wife either.
Ok question interactive- does everyone remember when Anne started getting jealous so instead of letting Henry pick his next concubine she somehow finagled a fling with her cousin and Henry fell for it? This was as Anne started falling from her position over her miscarriages. Yeah me too well that is not at all described correctly. I mean I guess those few extra sentences weren’t needed, but I find that to be an important piece of the story. It didn’t go well.
Before I begin….(and there is a point to my first paragraph)
It’s about 230am. I finally finished that heinous book about the pathetic, disgusting antics of Scott Peterson. You know what’s funny (not ha ha)? This book that was written up to his trial and verdict back in the day talked about an odd strip of tape that was discovered stuck on a particular surface, but was not brought into evidence. Now how odd is that? I just found that almost poignant in a way. Family annihilaters are especially crude and cowardly.
But I digress…
I think my point is Lacie and Connor had a strong extended family. They kept mementos and continued to share tales of Lacie’s antics. Anne was practically wiped off the face of the earth. We really don’t know what she looked like. Sketches and paintings often have dates decades past on the back, so we typically have that one image that most historians agree upon as a certainty. Engravings and stone with chisel marks that were missed exist because laborers were in a rush and some were in places that they just weren’t noticed. The biggest difference: one wanted a son he was willing to kill for him; the other not only didn’t want a son, he really didn’t want a wife either.
Ok question interactive- does everyone remember when Anne started getting jealous so instead of letting Henry pick his next concubine she somehow finagled a fling with her cousin and Henry fell for it? This was as Anne started falling from her position over her miscarriages. Yeah me too well that is not at all described correctly. I mean I guess those few extra sentences weren’t needed, but I find that to be an important piece of the story. It didn’t go well.
November 15, 2024
3. 5 Stars Rounded up
This is about a very specific event in Anne's life, her relationship with the French court and royal family.
This isn't really a biography about Anne Boylen. It's more an overview of that time period and the author's theory that Anne's downfall was increased a betrayal she suffered from the French royal Court.
I didn't agree before reading this and don't agree after reading. That said, I think the author has done her research and makes an excellent fact based case.
This is about a very specific event in Anne's life, her relationship with the French court and royal family.
This isn't really a biography about Anne Boylen. It's more an overview of that time period and the author's theory that Anne's downfall was increased a betrayal she suffered from the French royal Court.
I didn't agree before reading this and don't agree after reading. That said, I think the author has done her research and makes an excellent fact based case.
August 10, 2024
[I received a review copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.]
Thorns, Lust and Glory: The Betrayal of Anne Boleyn by Estelle Paranque is a highly engaging book that doesn’t quite live up to the presumption of “betrayal” made in the title.
The premise set up in the early pages of Thorns, Lust and Glory: The Betrayal of Anne Boleyn and explored throughout the book is admittedly somewhat blurry: the general idea is that Anne was "betrayed" by the French who refused to take a stand against Rome in favor of supporting England, Henry VIII and her marriage.
The book later fleshes out this idea, positing that this was a “betrayal” because Anne was essentially a "French princess," that she had been acting in French interests after her rise in England, and thus the refusal of the French king and court to support England over Rome and step in when Anne herself was arrested was specifically a betrayal against Anne Boleyn herself.
While Paranque explores what we do know of Anne's connections to France (which continued after she left England, to at last some degree) and discusses at length the political and diplomatic schemes, plots and pleadings involved in the various attempts to gain French support for Henry VIII’s annulment and remarriage, I don't feel that the general thesis was actually supported by this presented evidence.
Yes, Anne served in the court of France for some years. Yes, Anne entertained French ambassadors, and went with Henry to France in their bid to get Francis' support for their marriage. Yes, the French sent various diplomats at various times to attempt to drum up support for Henry VIII’s will on the matter of his marriage(s).
But nothing written about in this book supports this idea that Anne was acting in French interests, that she was--as Paranque writes numerous times in the book--essentially a "French princess," nor that the French’s actions could be viewed as as a “betrayal” against Anne Boleyn.
Paranque writes in her introduction that, “Some dialogue has been re-created from primary sources and perhaps I have also allowed myself more speculative claims that again are based on primary evidence, but rely evidently on my own judgment and appreciation of them.”
In regards to the dialogue being primary sources repurposed, it’s not something I like to see done in non-fiction without the author admitting that they are putting letters into a different context at the moment.
Otherwise, readers are left to wonder: is what I’m reading an accurate representation of this primary source? Was the original primary source a letter, which has been spun into a piece of dialogue? Did the primary source use these exact words? What does recreated mean, here?
While it may make the book more readable, it makes the final understanding of the history fuzzier, and thus not something I want to rely on when learning about Anne Boleyn or these events.
Speculation is inherent when writing about history, especially a figure like Anne Boleyn where there are shockingly few traces of her thoughts and feelings, but the speculation in the book often goes too far.
There is a difference between, for instance, suggesting that a young Anne would have surely been impressed by royal spectacle witnessed as a lady-in-waiting to the French queen and what Paranque does repeatedly throughout this work, which is connect basic events ("Anne witnessed this spectacle while serving in France") and leap to vaster conclusions.
For instance, Paranque writes, after exploring the brief courtship between Henry Percy and Anne Boleyn, that Anne was "buoyed with confidence from her years in France, and what she had learned from the royal women there, she felt ready for whatever might be in store. Secretly, she prayed for glory."
Did she? When? What about Anne's reaction (which is to say--we don't know it!) to the ending of her courtship with Percy, or anything at all from this period, suggests that she was secretly praying for glory? Suggesting that perhaps she admired the powerful women at the French court is one thing, but writing at this stage that she secretly prayed for glory is an entirely different level of speculation.
Although I don’t really agree with the basic premise of the book and I don’t think there was any great revelation made here regarding Anne being “betrayed” by France, I did appreciate some of the smaller details that Paranque was able to uncover regarding Anne’s time in France, along with more detailed information about the movement of diplomats in regards to the “marriage problem” of Henry VIII.
I think that many popular portrayals about the marriage forget just how long it took for decisions to be made, just how many politicians, courtiers and clergymen were tasked with trying to resolve the king’s “question” of his marriage; all these moving parts, at least in regards to France, are covered here in a way that is easy to understand.
Paranque’s writing is very engaging as well, even when the book is covering what might otherwise be a bit of a slog to get through. Sometimes I felt like I was listening to someone speak passionately about a subject they were invested in, which makes for easier reading when it comes to non-fiction. You can tell that Paranque has a strong passion for Anne Boleyn and respect for what she endured in her final days.
Although I don’t think the book lives up to the premise that Anne was “betrayed” by the French, I do think the book is worth a look if you’re interested in more of the behind-the-scenes diplomatic details regarding Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. The book does contain more actual primary sources (versus speculation about what Anne surely must have felt or done) when it comes to these diplomatic missions, so that is one of the stronger areas of the book.
Thorns, Lust and Glory: The Betrayal of Anne Boleyn by Estelle Paranque is a highly engaging book that doesn’t quite live up to the presumption of “betrayal” made in the title.
The premise set up in the early pages of Thorns, Lust and Glory: The Betrayal of Anne Boleyn and explored throughout the book is admittedly somewhat blurry: the general idea is that Anne was "betrayed" by the French who refused to take a stand against Rome in favor of supporting England, Henry VIII and her marriage.
The book later fleshes out this idea, positing that this was a “betrayal” because Anne was essentially a "French princess," that she had been acting in French interests after her rise in England, and thus the refusal of the French king and court to support England over Rome and step in when Anne herself was arrested was specifically a betrayal against Anne Boleyn herself.
While Paranque explores what we do know of Anne's connections to France (which continued after she left England, to at last some degree) and discusses at length the political and diplomatic schemes, plots and pleadings involved in the various attempts to gain French support for Henry VIII’s annulment and remarriage, I don't feel that the general thesis was actually supported by this presented evidence.
Yes, Anne served in the court of France for some years. Yes, Anne entertained French ambassadors, and went with Henry to France in their bid to get Francis' support for their marriage. Yes, the French sent various diplomats at various times to attempt to drum up support for Henry VIII’s will on the matter of his marriage(s).
But nothing written about in this book supports this idea that Anne was acting in French interests, that she was--as Paranque writes numerous times in the book--essentially a "French princess," nor that the French’s actions could be viewed as as a “betrayal” against Anne Boleyn.
Paranque writes in her introduction that, “Some dialogue has been re-created from primary sources and perhaps I have also allowed myself more speculative claims that again are based on primary evidence, but rely evidently on my own judgment and appreciation of them.”
In regards to the dialogue being primary sources repurposed, it’s not something I like to see done in non-fiction without the author admitting that they are putting letters into a different context at the moment.
Otherwise, readers are left to wonder: is what I’m reading an accurate representation of this primary source? Was the original primary source a letter, which has been spun into a piece of dialogue? Did the primary source use these exact words? What does recreated mean, here?
While it may make the book more readable, it makes the final understanding of the history fuzzier, and thus not something I want to rely on when learning about Anne Boleyn or these events.
Speculation is inherent when writing about history, especially a figure like Anne Boleyn where there are shockingly few traces of her thoughts and feelings, but the speculation in the book often goes too far.
There is a difference between, for instance, suggesting that a young Anne would have surely been impressed by royal spectacle witnessed as a lady-in-waiting to the French queen and what Paranque does repeatedly throughout this work, which is connect basic events ("Anne witnessed this spectacle while serving in France") and leap to vaster conclusions.
For instance, Paranque writes, after exploring the brief courtship between Henry Percy and Anne Boleyn, that Anne was "buoyed with confidence from her years in France, and what she had learned from the royal women there, she felt ready for whatever might be in store. Secretly, she prayed for glory."
Did she? When? What about Anne's reaction (which is to say--we don't know it!) to the ending of her courtship with Percy, or anything at all from this period, suggests that she was secretly praying for glory? Suggesting that perhaps she admired the powerful women at the French court is one thing, but writing at this stage that she secretly prayed for glory is an entirely different level of speculation.
Although I don’t really agree with the basic premise of the book and I don’t think there was any great revelation made here regarding Anne being “betrayed” by France, I did appreciate some of the smaller details that Paranque was able to uncover regarding Anne’s time in France, along with more detailed information about the movement of diplomats in regards to the “marriage problem” of Henry VIII.
I think that many popular portrayals about the marriage forget just how long it took for decisions to be made, just how many politicians, courtiers and clergymen were tasked with trying to resolve the king’s “question” of his marriage; all these moving parts, at least in regards to France, are covered here in a way that is easy to understand.
Paranque’s writing is very engaging as well, even when the book is covering what might otherwise be a bit of a slog to get through. Sometimes I felt like I was listening to someone speak passionately about a subject they were invested in, which makes for easier reading when it comes to non-fiction. You can tell that Paranque has a strong passion for Anne Boleyn and respect for what she endured in her final days.
Although I don’t think the book lives up to the premise that Anne was “betrayed” by the French, I do think the book is worth a look if you’re interested in more of the behind-the-scenes diplomatic details regarding Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. The book does contain more actual primary sources (versus speculation about what Anne surely must have felt or done) when it comes to these diplomatic missions, so that is one of the stronger areas of the book.
April 11, 2025
Estelle Paranque - žymi istorikė, dėstytoja, parašiusi knygą apie vieną žymiausių istorinių asmenybių - Aną Bolin. Kas gi nėra girdėjęs apie ją? Turbūt vargu, ar atsirastų tokių. O šiame kūrinyje labai išsamiai apžvelgiamas Anos gyvenimas. Pradedant nuo mažumės, kaip po truputį mokėsi ir kilo Prancūzijos ir Anglijos dvaruose, iki pat jos mirties akivaizdos, kokie įvykiai ir asmenybės įtakojo jos gyvenimą.
Taip, tai negrožinis kūrinys, bet man labai patinka, kad autorė augeba rašyti lengvai, įtraukiančiai ir nepasirodė, kad tekstas būtų "sausokas" ar nuobodus. Skaičiau po truputį, pasimėgaudama, nes tikrai esu gerbėja to laikmečio ir pačios Anos Bolin, kuri neabejotinai buvo iškili, tvirta ir begalo stipri asmenybė🥰
Šią knygą neabejotinai rekomenduoju visiems, kas mėgstate tą laikmetį ar pati Ana Bolin su Henriku VIII. Nuostabi knyga.🥰👌
Taip, tai negrožinis kūrinys, bet man labai patinka, kad autorė augeba rašyti lengvai, įtraukiančiai ir nepasirodė, kad tekstas būtų "sausokas" ar nuobodus. Skaičiau po truputį, pasimėgaudama, nes tikrai esu gerbėja to laikmečio ir pačios Anos Bolin, kuri neabejotinai buvo iškili, tvirta ir begalo stipri asmenybė🥰
Šią knygą neabejotinai rekomenduoju visiems, kas mėgstate tą laikmetį ar pati Ana Bolin su Henriku VIII. Nuostabi knyga.🥰👌
May 8, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own.
This book taught me a lot about Anne Boleyn that I wasn't aware of before and, overall, I enjoyed it. Throughout the book, I felt very immersed in the time period and places the figures were in because of Estelle Paranque's descriptive and detailed writing. It's very apparent this book has been well researched through the amount of detail, quotes, and correspondence incorporated throughout the book.
I read Paranque's other book about Catherine de Medici and Elizabeth I last year and enjoyed that one as well. My personal recommendation is to read this book first before Blood Fire & Gold because, chronologically, this book is set earlier and lays the foundation for the events that happen in Blood Fire & Gold. I think, if you read this book before her other book, it will enhance your enjoyment and understanding.
The only times I had been introduced to the story of Anne Boleyn was briefly in High School and through the musical, SIX. I loved how this book completely changed my perspective on Anne and expanded her beyond mistress and more into the image of a political figure and an influence on the affairs in Europe.
All that being said, I do have some criticisms of this book. These criticisms do not impact my view of the author as I can't imagine how hard it was to find credible sources to create this book already:
- I felt that the reader didn't get as close to Anne as they did to Elizabeth and Catherine in her previous book. I think that distance felt larger because of the lack of direct sources and quotes from her (like I said above, though, I understand that might not be possible to find). The gap between the reader and Anne felt larger when the reader was constantly reminded that Anne "was there" or "witnessed" and event. This caused the book to feel more centered around Henry, Francis, and Charles since we were mainly reading from the perspective of their ambassadors or the Kings themselves.
- Another thing is that I feel we didn't get a lot of information on the development or even the beginning of Henry and Anne's relationship. It felt like a bit of a time jump from being in the vicinity of one other to trying to get Henry divorced and all the politics happening there.
Overall, I enjoyed my time reading this book and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in History but also someone who is curious about trying to get into more historical non-fiction. I am looking forward to seeing what this author will be writing about next!
This book taught me a lot about Anne Boleyn that I wasn't aware of before and, overall, I enjoyed it. Throughout the book, I felt very immersed in the time period and places the figures were in because of Estelle Paranque's descriptive and detailed writing. It's very apparent this book has been well researched through the amount of detail, quotes, and correspondence incorporated throughout the book.
I read Paranque's other book about Catherine de Medici and Elizabeth I last year and enjoyed that one as well. My personal recommendation is to read this book first before Blood Fire & Gold because, chronologically, this book is set earlier and lays the foundation for the events that happen in Blood Fire & Gold. I think, if you read this book before her other book, it will enhance your enjoyment and understanding.
The only times I had been introduced to the story of Anne Boleyn was briefly in High School and through the musical, SIX. I loved how this book completely changed my perspective on Anne and expanded her beyond mistress and more into the image of a political figure and an influence on the affairs in Europe.
All that being said, I do have some criticisms of this book. These criticisms do not impact my view of the author as I can't imagine how hard it was to find credible sources to create this book already:
- I felt that the reader didn't get as close to Anne as they did to Elizabeth and Catherine in her previous book. I think that distance felt larger because of the lack of direct sources and quotes from her (like I said above, though, I understand that might not be possible to find). The gap between the reader and Anne felt larger when the reader was constantly reminded that Anne "was there" or "witnessed" and event. This caused the book to feel more centered around Henry, Francis, and Charles since we were mainly reading from the perspective of their ambassadors or the Kings themselves.
- Another thing is that I feel we didn't get a lot of information on the development or even the beginning of Henry and Anne's relationship. It felt like a bit of a time jump from being in the vicinity of one other to trying to get Henry divorced and all the politics happening there.
Overall, I enjoyed my time reading this book and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in History but also someone who is curious about trying to get into more historical non-fiction. I am looking forward to seeing what this author will be writing about next!
January 28, 2025
DNF @75%.
Oof. I just COULDN'T continue.
Thorns, Lust, and Glory started off in a promising way. This book was hyped to be a new favorite history with an interesting premise and excellent storytelling. Slowly though, I realized that this story is not what I thought it would be. First and foremost, I disagreed with the main premise of the book; that being how the French caused the downfall of Anne Boleyn. While Henry and Francis had a rather annoying love/hate relationship throughout the years in the book, I hardly think we can blame Francis (who was dealing with his own bullshit) in the downfall, when Henry was in the world being a plague to every poor woman that crossed him. In addition, I went into this book thinking that I would be reading a thorough biography of Anne Boleyn. Instead, this was more about the Kings who had an almost constant hand in her life, and about the politics of the period. I also hated the blatant made-up dialogue in the text, alongside the almost constant supposition and repetition (especially in the second and third parts). It made a fast-moving story into a slog to get through. In the end, I ended up not caring about Anne, Henry, or the rest and this killed my attention to the point where I decided not to finish it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book.
Oof. I just COULDN'T continue.
Thorns, Lust, and Glory started off in a promising way. This book was hyped to be a new favorite history with an interesting premise and excellent storytelling. Slowly though, I realized that this story is not what I thought it would be. First and foremost, I disagreed with the main premise of the book; that being how the French caused the downfall of Anne Boleyn. While Henry and Francis had a rather annoying love/hate relationship throughout the years in the book, I hardly think we can blame Francis (who was dealing with his own bullshit) in the downfall, when Henry was in the world being a plague to every poor woman that crossed him. In addition, I went into this book thinking that I would be reading a thorough biography of Anne Boleyn. Instead, this was more about the Kings who had an almost constant hand in her life, and about the politics of the period. I also hated the blatant made-up dialogue in the text, alongside the almost constant supposition and repetition (especially in the second and third parts). It made a fast-moving story into a slog to get through. In the end, I ended up not caring about Anne, Henry, or the rest and this killed my attention to the point where I decided not to finish it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book.
May 15, 2024
Estelle Paranque’s book Thorns, Lust, and Glory, the Betrayal of Anne Boleyn focuses on how the rise of Henry VIII’s most famous queen had a surprise set of players helping along; The French and their king, Francis I. Paranque begins with Anne’s youth abroad in Europe and the events she would have been apart of or witnessed even if history did not directly name her there.
Francis I first encounters the young Anne as she becomes a maid in waiting to his wife Claude. While there are no sources that show any direct interactions with the king, this is where Anne’s fondness for the French begins. Paranque weaves a story of how because of how the French in many ways assisted Anne to ascending to the crown she would take and sadly hold onto for just a few years.
My biggest concern with this book is that it didn’t feel like it was focused on Anne, more so on the political players of the day. If you are looking for a book that focuses strictly on the famous queen, you may want to look elsewhere. However, that said, I would recommend this to anyone interested in a Tudor history, politics as well as anyone looking for a different perspective on the meteoric rise of Anne Boleyn.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Books for the Advanced Reader Copy
Francis I first encounters the young Anne as she becomes a maid in waiting to his wife Claude. While there are no sources that show any direct interactions with the king, this is where Anne’s fondness for the French begins. Paranque weaves a story of how because of how the French in many ways assisted Anne to ascending to the crown she would take and sadly hold onto for just a few years.
My biggest concern with this book is that it didn’t feel like it was focused on Anne, more so on the political players of the day. If you are looking for a book that focuses strictly on the famous queen, you may want to look elsewhere. However, that said, I would recommend this to anyone interested in a Tudor history, politics as well as anyone looking for a different perspective on the meteoric rise of Anne Boleyn.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Books for the Advanced Reader Copy
October 21, 2024
I grew up in a family with a sort of Tudor Monarchs hobby. We watched documentaries together. We sought out trivia and anecdotes. Tensions in the air? Teetering on the edge of an outburst? The Tudors were a safe topic, one that could have us speaking civilly again. Given that, is it any wonder that I was eager to get my hands on a review copy of an upcoming Anne Boleyn biography?
What makes Thorns, Lust, and Glory different from so many other Tudor titles is that it really focuses on Anne. Given the historical material available, Estelle Paranque has done an effective job of helping us to see Anne as Anne and not as wife number two, the first one to be beheaded.
Paranque occasionally oversteps when she presents material she's inferred as fact, describing emotions as Anne's when really they're just her own best guess. But readers can forgive this in exchange for a narrative that's truly Anne-centric.
If you're interested in the Tudors, particularly the six women whose lives get summed up in the rhyme "divorced, beheaded, died/divorced, beheaded, survived," you'll find Thorns. Lust, and Glory an compelling read.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.
What makes Thorns, Lust, and Glory different from so many other Tudor titles is that it really focuses on Anne. Given the historical material available, Estelle Paranque has done an effective job of helping us to see Anne as Anne and not as wife number two, the first one to be beheaded.
Paranque occasionally oversteps when she presents material she's inferred as fact, describing emotions as Anne's when really they're just her own best guess. But readers can forgive this in exchange for a narrative that's truly Anne-centric.
If you're interested in the Tudors, particularly the six women whose lives get summed up in the rhyme "divorced, beheaded, died/divorced, beheaded, survived," you'll find Thorns. Lust, and Glory an compelling read.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.
January 18, 2025
I, of course, knew who Anne Boleyn was [Henry the 8th's wife], and I absolutely knew HOW she died [OFF with her head ;-) ], BUT, as I read this excellent bok, I found that was ALL I knew and that the full story was WAY more dramatic, filled with details, small and lurid, and intrigue [such as could be found amongst the almost always warring Royals] such as I had not even imagined and it left me just gobsmacked at the lengths everyone to satisfy their own whims [with little regard for others, even those they profess to love]. And I found, that while she had a very tragic end, Anne Boleyn is not QUITE the innocent figure that history tries to make her out to be [funny how time tempers history eh?].
Expertly researched and impeccably written, this book is a must read for any history buff and an absolute must for those who love this particular era and Royals. I am very much looking forward to reading the author's other books!!
Thank you to NetGalley, Estelle Paranque, and Hachette Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Expertly researched and impeccably written, this book is a must read for any history buff and an absolute must for those who love this particular era and Royals. I am very much looking forward to reading the author's other books!!
Thank you to NetGalley, Estelle Paranque, and Hachette Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 13, 2025
For a book about Anne Boleyn there’s not much about Anne Boleyn
June 16, 2025
The title of this book is so incredibly misleading that it actually made me dislike what would have been an okay book. I think it made me even more annoyed that the author went out of her way in the Introduction to talk about how women in history are defined by the men around them and how she is trying to change that with her works, but then spends the entire book talking about all the men around Anne Boleyn and politics of the day.
Not saying this book wasn't interesting and hearing about what was going on in the French court and Europe in general at the time does add to the larger story of Anne. However, don't say this is a look into how Anne was betrayed and then not really discuss Anne.
The fact the author calls out Francis for not being loyal to England when he is literally the king of France, of course he is going to put his country first.
Also the reimagined conversations and telling us how Anne was feeling at certain points...we don't know and we never will.
Not saying this book wasn't interesting and hearing about what was going on in the French court and Europe in general at the time does add to the larger story of Anne. However, don't say this is a look into how Anne was betrayed and then not really discuss Anne.
The fact the author calls out Francis for not being loyal to England when he is literally the king of France, of course he is going to put his country first.
Also the reimagined conversations and telling us how Anne was feeling at certain points...we don't know and we never will.
June 22, 2025
What a great romp in 16th century England where marital alliances were the norm and a male heir was paramount. Turning the country away from Roman Catholicism for purely political reasons was outrageous. Murdering opponents “legally” was despicable. Sigh. Henry VIII was definitely a man so full of himself that logic and decency were disregarded totally.
December 7, 2024
In Thorns, Lust, and Glory: The Betrayal of Anne Boleyn, Estelle Paranque promises readers a new perspective on the life of Anne Boleyn, the queen who changed English history forever. That France betrayed the highly intelligent and spirited woman forms the book's framing narrative.
Paranque first grounds her argument through a thorough exploration of Anne's time in France as a young girl, a topic oft skimmed over by other authors. Anne's time in France left an indelible mark on her, and Paranque argues she left a reciprocal impression on France.
The author then traces the relationship between Henry, Anne, and Francis I of France as the royal pair's relationship developed from courtship to queenship. Francis's support of the couple waxed and waned through the 1520s and early-1530s, ultimately leading to what Paranque argues is a betrayal as Francis chased his own ambitions. This betrayal contributed to Anne's execution in May 1536.
Though intriguing in theory, the delivery wasn't as strong for me as a reader due to a number of factors: the inclusion of dialogue, numerous suppositions, and some tenuous claims.
The addition of dialogue, even if taken directly from the source material, broke my immersion as the book's flow effectively switched from non-fiction to historical fiction. This is arguably a personal opinion and does not reflect on Paranque's ability to write engaging prose, something she does well.
Throughout the book, the author surmises the emotions or feelings of the historical actors at play. In some cases, this relies on contemporary evidence. Others, however, seem superfluous.
Finally, two claims feel tenuous at best: that Anne was, in effect, an alternative French princess, and the overarching narrative that France's betrayal contributed to her downfall. Though Paranque pulls from a wide variety of sources, I think her arguments could benefit from further exploration in Anne Boleyn's historiography.
Thank you to the author and publisher for a copy of this book via NetGalley!
Paranque first grounds her argument through a thorough exploration of Anne's time in France as a young girl, a topic oft skimmed over by other authors. Anne's time in France left an indelible mark on her, and Paranque argues she left a reciprocal impression on France.
The author then traces the relationship between Henry, Anne, and Francis I of France as the royal pair's relationship developed from courtship to queenship. Francis's support of the couple waxed and waned through the 1520s and early-1530s, ultimately leading to what Paranque argues is a betrayal as Francis chased his own ambitions. This betrayal contributed to Anne's execution in May 1536.
Though intriguing in theory, the delivery wasn't as strong for me as a reader due to a number of factors: the inclusion of dialogue, numerous suppositions, and some tenuous claims.
The addition of dialogue, even if taken directly from the source material, broke my immersion as the book's flow effectively switched from non-fiction to historical fiction. This is arguably a personal opinion and does not reflect on Paranque's ability to write engaging prose, something she does well.
Throughout the book, the author surmises the emotions or feelings of the historical actors at play. In some cases, this relies on contemporary evidence. Others, however, seem superfluous.
Finally, two claims feel tenuous at best: that Anne was, in effect, an alternative French princess, and the overarching narrative that France's betrayal contributed to her downfall. Though Paranque pulls from a wide variety of sources, I think her arguments could benefit from further exploration in Anne Boleyn's historiography.
Thank you to the author and publisher for a copy of this book via NetGalley!
October 28, 2024
Thorns, Lust, and Glory: The Betrayal of Anne Boleyn by Estelle Paranque is a biography. Boleyn was the second wife of Henry VIII. I have always wanted to know more about Anne Boleyn, so I was happy when I got approved to read this book.
Paranque tells the reader in the introduction that she has taken the liberty to write what she thinks Anne Boleyn thought about certain things. Anne Boleyn's papers have been destroyed or lost. I had a problem with Paranque writing what she thought Anne Boleyn thought. How can anyone know what someone else is thinking or thought? Maybe, because Paranque has written a lot of history books, she thinks she has enough experience and knowledge to be able to write what Boleyn thought.
Paranque wanted to show that Anne was betrayed by France. Anne Boleyn spent her younger years at the French court. Francis I was a friend of hers that she and Henry VIII wanted his help with getting their marriage recognized by the church. He tried to help, but ultimately, politics came into play.
I think Anne Boleyn caused a lot of her own problems. She wanted to be Queen of England so badly that she didn't care what it took to get it. She was conceited. Anne enticed (for a better word) Henry VIII from Queen Catherine. Did she actually think that Henry VIII wouldn't leave her for another woman? She opened the door for him to figure out ways to get rid of his queens when they weren't giving him a male heir.
Tentative Publication Date:
November 12, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley and Hatchette Books for the E-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#Netgalley #HatchetteBooks #EstelleParanque #ThornsLustandGlory
#ARC #Readaway2024
Paranque tells the reader in the introduction that she has taken the liberty to write what she thinks Anne Boleyn thought about certain things. Anne Boleyn's papers have been destroyed or lost. I had a problem with Paranque writing what she thought Anne Boleyn thought. How can anyone know what someone else is thinking or thought? Maybe, because Paranque has written a lot of history books, she thinks she has enough experience and knowledge to be able to write what Boleyn thought.
Paranque wanted to show that Anne was betrayed by France. Anne Boleyn spent her younger years at the French court. Francis I was a friend of hers that she and Henry VIII wanted his help with getting their marriage recognized by the church. He tried to help, but ultimately, politics came into play.
I think Anne Boleyn caused a lot of her own problems. She wanted to be Queen of England so badly that she didn't care what it took to get it. She was conceited. Anne enticed (for a better word) Henry VIII from Queen Catherine. Did she actually think that Henry VIII wouldn't leave her for another woman? She opened the door for him to figure out ways to get rid of his queens when they weren't giving him a male heir.
Tentative Publication Date:
November 12, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley and Hatchette Books for the E-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#Netgalley #HatchetteBooks #EstelleParanque #ThornsLustandGlory
#ARC #Readaway2024
November 12, 2024
Thorns, Lust, and Glory: The Betrayal of Anne Boleyn by Estelle Paranque.
Despite the very best efforts of King Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn remains, arguably, the most famous and recognisable of all of the six wives of the Tudor monarch. From a rapid rise to power and queenship to a tragic demise by execution, Anne's story continues to enchant millions across the generations that pass.
Estelle Paranque is an excellent historian to tackle a momentous subject such as Anne Boleyn and manage to inject fresh insights to a topic that I thought I could never learn anything new about. While many studies of Anne cover her time and career in England, Paranque explores her formative years in France. As a young girl, she was surrounded by influential women who encouraged her passion for learning and contemplation. Her love of France and French customs was well documented later in life, and Paranque investigates how these years were vital to shaping the bold woman who quickly captured the attention of many.
There is a great deal of thought placed into Paranque's argument, with a clear attention to detail throughout. As with her previous book, "Blood, Fire, and Gold", the level of research carried out is impeccable, and Paranque is convincing in her narrative. While I found the dialogue recreation a little unwanted on my part, I could appreciate why this would be useful in bringing the complexity of the politics and power struggles of the Tudor world into a more accessible light.
Another strong work from Paranque and welcome addition into the fascinating life of Anne Boleyn.
Despite the very best efforts of King Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn remains, arguably, the most famous and recognisable of all of the six wives of the Tudor monarch. From a rapid rise to power and queenship to a tragic demise by execution, Anne's story continues to enchant millions across the generations that pass.
Estelle Paranque is an excellent historian to tackle a momentous subject such as Anne Boleyn and manage to inject fresh insights to a topic that I thought I could never learn anything new about. While many studies of Anne cover her time and career in England, Paranque explores her formative years in France. As a young girl, she was surrounded by influential women who encouraged her passion for learning and contemplation. Her love of France and French customs was well documented later in life, and Paranque investigates how these years were vital to shaping the bold woman who quickly captured the attention of many.
There is a great deal of thought placed into Paranque's argument, with a clear attention to detail throughout. As with her previous book, "Blood, Fire, and Gold", the level of research carried out is impeccable, and Paranque is convincing in her narrative. While I found the dialogue recreation a little unwanted on my part, I could appreciate why this would be useful in bringing the complexity of the politics and power struggles of the Tudor world into a more accessible light.
Another strong work from Paranque and welcome addition into the fascinating life of Anne Boleyn.
May 20, 2024
This book takes a deep dive into a part of Anne Boleyn’s life that is often overlooked: her formative years at the French royal court, and how the time spent there helped influence and shape the woman and queen she would later become. Estelle Paranque draws on many different sources to help tell the story of Anne’s early life, and highlight how her time in France helped send her down the path to becoming Queen of England, and how it also played a part in her downfall and execution. It is always refreshing to read a new take on a well known subject, and this book offers up plenty of fresh and exciting insights into this most famous of historical figures. I found it utterly fascinating, and enjoyed every single page of it.
November 30, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Books for an Advanced Reader Copy - pub date 11/12/2024. Anyone who knows me, knows that my favorite HVIII wife is Anne Boleyn so, of course, I snagged this book with glee. First off, it is very, very deep dive. It is all about Anne, taking us straight from what little is known of her childhood all the way through to the final tragic but dignified day at the block. However, it is also very all about the political climate and the scheming and the powerful men who held final sway over Anne's fate - King Henry VIII, King Francis I, Emperor Charles, and two popes. For all of her intelligence and charm, there is only so much one person can do against certain forces. Paranque makes sure we never see Anne as a complete victim, despite the situation, and awards her the agency and brains that the records of the time indicate. Perhaps too much agency at that time and too many brains and too much forcefulness - leading to the convenient and constant smearing of her name in the years following her death.
What did surprise me was the direction and focus Paranque placed on Anne's time and ties to France and how the politics influenced her fate. I can't say I ever thought outside of England when pondering Anne Boleyn. Sure, I knew she spent time in Francis' court and was refined and continental but I didn't stop to think about how close she was to the power players in the French court. The book features incredibly detailed research. While a lot of Anne's reactions and words are lost to history thanks to destruction of her letters and a deliberate erasure of her presence (Henry, you shit) so those areas had a level of educated estimation, Paranque based her theories on as much factual info as she could find. By widening the scope past England's borders, you get a better idea of who was for and who was against Ann, how those alliances shifted, etc. It was a much more nuanced and dangerous situation than it seemed.
At times, the book was try and there were A LOT of names and places to keep track of. However, it was all written clearly and as in-line as possible while still striving to let the reader understand the world at large, Anne's part in it, and how things could have gone another way... but it was almost inevitable that they didn't. Rounding it up from 3.5 to a 4 simply because the research was phenomenal and detailed.
What did surprise me was the direction and focus Paranque placed on Anne's time and ties to France and how the politics influenced her fate. I can't say I ever thought outside of England when pondering Anne Boleyn. Sure, I knew she spent time in Francis' court and was refined and continental but I didn't stop to think about how close she was to the power players in the French court. The book features incredibly detailed research. While a lot of Anne's reactions and words are lost to history thanks to destruction of her letters and a deliberate erasure of her presence (Henry, you shit) so those areas had a level of educated estimation, Paranque based her theories on as much factual info as she could find. By widening the scope past England's borders, you get a better idea of who was for and who was against Ann, how those alliances shifted, etc. It was a much more nuanced and dangerous situation than it seemed.
At times, the book was try and there were A LOT of names and places to keep track of. However, it was all written clearly and as in-line as possible while still striving to let the reader understand the world at large, Anne's part in it, and how things could have gone another way... but it was almost inevitable that they didn't. Rounding it up from 3.5 to a 4 simply because the research was phenomenal and detailed.
November 25, 2024
This brief history tells the story of Anne Boleyn from the perspective of her own life, rather than from Henry's or Britain's or the Church's.
The biography takes a global view, placing Anne's life and ambitions in the context of Spain, the Holy Roman Empire, and especially the French-British relationship. There isn't so much entirely new here, but I liked the expanded historical picture.
The audiobook was performed by Anna Wilson-Jones, who did a good job with clearly conveying the information. She was expressive enough to keep me engaged, while respecting the fact that she was narrating nonfiction.
Thanks to Hachette Audio for the review copy.
The biography takes a global view, placing Anne's life and ambitions in the context of Spain, the Holy Roman Empire, and especially the French-British relationship. There isn't so much entirely new here, but I liked the expanded historical picture.
The audiobook was performed by Anna Wilson-Jones, who did a good job with clearly conveying the information. She was expressive enough to keep me engaged, while respecting the fact that she was narrating nonfiction.
Thanks to Hachette Audio for the review copy.
May 20, 2024
One of the best books about Anne Boleyn! I am obsessed with Anne Boleyn, and I will buy anything that has Anne Boleyn on the cover. Estelle has captured Anne’s personality, and translates it beautifully onto page. This book shows a different perspective of Anne’s life, focusing on Anne’s upbringing in France, and how she always showed support to France as a rising courtier and then Queen of England. A superb book, and one I will love forever!
May 4, 2024
Thank you @hachettebooks and @netgalley for the eARC of Thorns, Lust, and Glory: The Betrayal of Anne Boleyn by Estelle Paranque in exchange for an honest review.
📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 Two years ago, I told my daughter I would buy her tickets to see Six the Musical if she did a report on the wives on Henry VIII. Five months later, we stayed the night at Anne Boelyn’s childhood home, Hever Castle, and did a fun deep dive into Tudor history around London. Anne Boelyn is a fascinating figure in history who is often misunderstood and misrepresented. Estelle Paranque set out to write a relatable account of Anne Boelyn’s life and she certainly achieved this goal, writing a beautiful and captivating book that provides a new opportunity to get to know Henry’s second wife. While this book is indeed a biography, it reads as a novel that invites the reader to enjoy her history in a truly immersive storytelling experience. Even those who are familiar with Anne Boleyn and her fascinating life will learn a plethora of new information from this masterfully written biography.
📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 Two years ago, I told my daughter I would buy her tickets to see Six the Musical if she did a report on the wives on Henry VIII. Five months later, we stayed the night at Anne Boelyn’s childhood home, Hever Castle, and did a fun deep dive into Tudor history around London. Anne Boelyn is a fascinating figure in history who is often misunderstood and misrepresented. Estelle Paranque set out to write a relatable account of Anne Boelyn’s life and she certainly achieved this goal, writing a beautiful and captivating book that provides a new opportunity to get to know Henry’s second wife. While this book is indeed a biography, it reads as a novel that invites the reader to enjoy her history in a truly immersive storytelling experience. Even those who are familiar with Anne Boleyn and her fascinating life will learn a plethora of new information from this masterfully written biography.
October 5, 2024
A really engaging study of Anne Boleyn and her connections to the French court! I knew very little about the French embassy to England during this period and I learned a lot, particularly about the specific ambassadors who attempted to maintain the alliance between France and England.
Paranque is a very evocative writer and I really enjoyed how she reconstructed letters into dialogue. It brought the history to life!
Paranque is a very evocative writer and I really enjoyed how she reconstructed letters into dialogue. It brought the history to life!
October 22, 2024
I loathe and despise recreated dialogue in non-fiction - it’s like nails on a chalkboard to me. Nor am I fond of supposition in history books. Admittedly, Anne Boleyn didn’t leave much for historians to work with and what little she did leave has been obscured throughout the years… but still. I stand by my opinion that, if it can’t be backed up by evidence, it doesn’t belong in a history book. If Paranque wanted to make up dialogue and theories, she should just have written a novel.
January 7, 2026
I enjoyed this one! First non-fic of the year. As a somewhat Tudor obsessed child I feel like I know a lot about Anne Boleyn’s time in England but it was interesting to learn more about her time in France prior to returning to England and how her French connections served her (or didn’t) down the line.
May 20, 2024
I absolutely loved this. I found Paranque's focus on contemporary European politics and the role they played in the rise and fall of Anne to be insightful and new. I feel like there's not much any more that can surprise me when reading about this period, but this was wonderful.
January 9, 2025
(4.5 ⭐️) I, like a lot of people, find the War of the Roses and Tudor era really fascinating. Unfortunately, a lot of the content I’ve consumed has been almost fanfic-y, which can be fun when it comes to bodice ripper TV, but I had been looking for a well-researched and accurate depiction but with a little bit of speculation. This book perfectly delivered on that combination.
This author, in my opinion, seamlessly balanced historical fact (including primary source quotes) with a bit of her own speculation when it came to the inner thoughts of Anne Boleyn and those around her. I loved the focus both on Anne as the figure the book was meant to follow and the larger context including France’s struggle to match England and Spain and the rise of religious reformation.
Generally, I found this incredibly interesting and would recommend it to anyone looking for a deeper look into the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn. I especially think this would make a great audiobook, so if I reread it will be that way.
***I received an ARC from Hachette Books for free and am leaving an honest review***
This author, in my opinion, seamlessly balanced historical fact (including primary source quotes) with a bit of her own speculation when it came to the inner thoughts of Anne Boleyn and those around her. I loved the focus both on Anne as the figure the book was meant to follow and the larger context including France’s struggle to match England and Spain and the rise of religious reformation.
Generally, I found this incredibly interesting and would recommend it to anyone looking for a deeper look into the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn. I especially think this would make a great audiobook, so if I reread it will be that way.
***I received an ARC from Hachette Books for free and am leaving an honest review***
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2025
So, let's make up a lot of conversations and a lot of "was feeling," "must have thought," etc. If this was historical fiction, it wouldn't be that bad, but it's not supposed to be fiction. The author's lack of support for "history" makes this a poor book.
November 26, 2024
Some good research and analysis of history but did go on a bit
May 29, 2025
Riddled with editorial errors, sadly, and it doesn't really add anything new to what we already know about Anne Boleyn!
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