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Vengeance Is Mine: A Novel of Anne Boleyn, Katherine Howard, and Lady Rochford--the woman who helped destroy them both.
There was room for only one woman in George Boleyn's heart: his sister, the mercurial and fascinating Anne Boleyn, who was destined to change history and wear a crown. To his adoring wife, Lady Jane Rochford, he was cold and indifferent.
When Anne failed to give Henry VIII the son she had promised him, and he was tiring of her tart tongue and tantrums, false charges of adultery were hastily concocted. Lady Rochford provided the crowning touch when she accused her husband and his beloved sister of incest. Both died upon the scaffold. Lady Rochford paid dearly for her treachery. She was left alone, shunned and friendless, until wild, sweet, wanton Katherine Howard danced into her life and became Henry's fifth queen.
When Katherine, disgusted by the obese and impotent King's fumbling attempts to make love to her, took a lusty young lover Lady Rochford helped them meet. And when the truth came out, she was the first to betray them. As she sits in the Tower of London, being tormented by the ghosts of George and Anne Boleyn, and awaiting her own appointment with the headsman's axe, Lady Rochford takes up her pen. Vengeance Is Mine is her story.
When Anne failed to give Henry VIII the son she had promised him, and he was tiring of her tart tongue and tantrums, false charges of adultery were hastily concocted. Lady Rochford provided the crowning touch when she accused her husband and his beloved sister of incest. Both died upon the scaffold. Lady Rochford paid dearly for her treachery. She was left alone, shunned and friendless, until wild, sweet, wanton Katherine Howard danced into her life and became Henry's fifth queen.
When Katherine, disgusted by the obese and impotent King's fumbling attempts to make love to her, took a lusty young lover Lady Rochford helped them meet. And when the truth came out, she was the first to betray them. As she sits in the Tower of London, being tormented by the ghosts of George and Anne Boleyn, and awaiting her own appointment with the headsman's axe, Lady Rochford takes up her pen. Vengeance Is Mine is her story.
258 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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December 4, 2013
Is a so-called "historical novel," or rather a hysterical novel, by one Emily Purdy who calls herself Brandy Purdy in the US and calls this novel "The Boleyn Wife." in the US, and "The Tudor Wife" in England. I read the version published as "The Tudor Wife," just so you know. It is the tale of Lady Jane Rochford, who was some sort of lady-in-waiting, camp follower, or suchlike in the court of King Henry VIII during that period when it was like a real life soap opera except with people getting their heads cut off.
Unfortunately, the market for historical novels set in this period is so overstuffed that most of them are dire, especially when written by Americans as this is.
Executive Summary
Minor historical figure observes made up shit to try to shift some units.
A bit more detail, if you wouldn't mind, please?
The first thing I noted about this novel was that almost the very first line of dialogue in it begins "Forsooth!" Because everyone said that, and "zounds!" and "verily" and "hey nonny nonny" and "methinks" back then, didn't they? Needless to say, this sets the bar for the quality of the dialogue in this novel (hint: trite and wooden with overuse of the above phrases to hammer home that yes, Virginia, this is the 16th century.)
Lady Rochford, the protagonist, allegedly gave this novel as the speech to someone or other, yes, all 420 pages of it, or so we are expected to believe, on the eve of her joint execution with Catherine Howard. She's a minor figure who apparently ratted on Anne Boleyn and resulted in her getting her head cut off and allegedly is some sort of historical hate figure as the snitch who got in the way of Henry and Anne's otherwise fairytale love. She narrates this novel as some sort of lady in waiting, first to Anne Boleyn, then to Jane Seymour, then to Anne of Cleves, then to Catherine Howard before she herself gets her head cut off (a common affliction in them days). So we know how it all goes, right? Henry falls in love with Anne at first sight but it's actually more like some sort of lust resulting in him writing "Greensleeves" and 17 hot-blooded love letters about her "duckies," then she cheats on him, divorced beheaded died, divorced beheaded survived. All from the point of view of a convenient bystander who has her own little to-dos as well.
Okay, so The Six Wives of Henry VIII and Anne of the Thousand Days already covered this. So The Tudor Wife brings nothing new to the table. This just makes it, well, mediocre. But The Tudor Wife is not mediocre. It is bad. And it is so bad that it's truly horrible, as in Star Wars Holiday Special appalling. Here's why.
Firstly, the prose. Wooden. And trite. Large amounts of wordage is spent describing people unnecessarily. Whatever happened to "show, don't tell." The opening chapter is spent unfavourably comparing and contrasting the narrator's looks to the bewitching dark eyes and long, dark curls of Anne Boleyn. This goes on for pages, how Anne is some sort of lusty seductress who has every man in the royal courts of Europe falling at her feet whereas Lady Jane couldn't pull a rotten tooth out of a dead horse's head. Okay. We get it. Anne Boleyn is hot. This is about as far as her characterisation goes.
It also is about it as far as everyone else's characterisation goes. Henry VIII himself - Fat, syphilitic and grouchy. Anne Boleyn - hot. Jane Seymour - the dutiful good wife and lost lenore. Anne of Cleves - ugly, genuinely repulsive, the Flanders Mare. Catherine Howard - irrepressible sex rocket who shags anything with a pulse, including Anne of Cleves.
Whoa! Did you just say what I thought you said?! I hear you ask.
Yes. Yes. There is a scene where Catherine Howard and Anne of Cleves engage in some hardcore honey-fuelled lesbionics. This is despite, when Anne of Cleves was first introduced, much stock was taken of her lank, greasy-upon-greasy hair, slack belly, ungainly face, and breasts far removed from the "pritty Duckys that I trust soon to kysse" that Anne Boleyn was possessed of and which Henry admired in his 17 hot blooded love letters to her. However, and conveniently, she gets a makeover before munching Catherine Howard's rug. But despite this, one still pictures repulsive!greasy!Anne of Cleves engaging in this inauspicious conduct.
RIP My Boner.
Here's an excerpt from that scene. Don't worry. The prose remains this hopeless throughout the rest of the novel.
"At dawn's first light they staggered out of bed, yawning, sticky from head to toe, hair a tangled, matted mess, reeking of honey, sex, and sweat.
Katherine imperiously demanded a bath.
"I have done what Henry could never do!" she crowed triumphantly. "I have ridden the Flanders Mare!"
"Ja, Liebchen," Anna embraced her and nuzzled her neck. "Und it was the greatest ride of mein life!"
Excuse me, I think I need to go off into a corner and have a little cry. This is terrible.
it hurts
it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts
Ahem. Sorry.
The thing is, I don't object to honey-fuelled lesbionics per se, however, it would help if firstly, this episode has any significance to the plot. Even if it were just thrown in as fanservice, then I could still get behind it if it wasn't just so horribly written and images of Anne of Cleves when she was first introduced didn't get inserted into my brain constantly.
Speaking of which, there is a lot of annoying failure to do the research exhibited in this novel. Anne of Cleves was probably not all that ugly, to be fair, and in any event, there is a school of thought the whole reason why Henry contemplated marrying her in the first place was not because he saw her Holbein-painted profile image but to cosy up to a fellow Protestant nation; it was a political marriage and even after the divorce he ensured she was well looked after and adopted her as his sister. The "Flanders mare" thing was just an excuse to ditch her in favour of another pretty girl half his age (Catherine Howard) to slap bellies with. Furthermore, Anne was perfectly aware of this and reportedly was very smart and politically astute, and not the ugly, stupid ingenue described in this novel.
There's no evidence that Anne of Cleves was a lesbian either even though she never remarried. Ditto Catherine Howard. There's also no evidence that Jane Rochford, the narrator, ever encountered Thomas Wyatt, Thomas Cromwell, or similar, and certainly not amorously.
This, together with various other historical brainfarts, shows a shocking lack of research in the novel. True, Henry never asks Anne Boleyn, "Honey, fix me a sandwich" as apocryphally another similar novel about this period has, but it's still pretty dire. To cover this up the author throws various historical trivia such as Anne Boleyn having six fingers and supernumary nipples and being nicknamed "The Goggle Eyed Whore" by detractors. The rest of us aren't fooled. Sorry.
In conclusion: 'Sdeath! Methinks this novel doth seriously insert things into its mouth and inhale with its nostrils being closed up, verily, in the manner of a Dyson carpet-dust removing implement. It is a novel loathsome to the eye, dangerous to the brain, curling to the lip, and whose prose resembleth that emitted from the very Stygian bowels of the pit that is bottomless. (Translation: This sucks like a Dyson. Run screaming from any shop that sells it.)
(originally written for Everything2.com)
Unfortunately, the market for historical novels set in this period is so overstuffed that most of them are dire, especially when written by Americans as this is.
Executive Summary
Minor historical figure observes made up shit to try to shift some units.
A bit more detail, if you wouldn't mind, please?
The first thing I noted about this novel was that almost the very first line of dialogue in it begins "Forsooth!" Because everyone said that, and "zounds!" and "verily" and "hey nonny nonny" and "methinks" back then, didn't they? Needless to say, this sets the bar for the quality of the dialogue in this novel (hint: trite and wooden with overuse of the above phrases to hammer home that yes, Virginia, this is the 16th century.)
Lady Rochford, the protagonist, allegedly gave this novel as the speech to someone or other, yes, all 420 pages of it, or so we are expected to believe, on the eve of her joint execution with Catherine Howard. She's a minor figure who apparently ratted on Anne Boleyn and resulted in her getting her head cut off and allegedly is some sort of historical hate figure as the snitch who got in the way of Henry and Anne's otherwise fairytale love. She narrates this novel as some sort of lady in waiting, first to Anne Boleyn, then to Jane Seymour, then to Anne of Cleves, then to Catherine Howard before she herself gets her head cut off (a common affliction in them days). So we know how it all goes, right? Henry falls in love with Anne at first sight but it's actually more like some sort of lust resulting in him writing "Greensleeves" and 17 hot-blooded love letters about her "duckies," then she cheats on him, divorced beheaded died, divorced beheaded survived. All from the point of view of a convenient bystander who has her own little to-dos as well.
Okay, so The Six Wives of Henry VIII and Anne of the Thousand Days already covered this. So The Tudor Wife brings nothing new to the table. This just makes it, well, mediocre. But The Tudor Wife is not mediocre. It is bad. And it is so bad that it's truly horrible, as in Star Wars Holiday Special appalling. Here's why.
Firstly, the prose. Wooden. And trite. Large amounts of wordage is spent describing people unnecessarily. Whatever happened to "show, don't tell." The opening chapter is spent unfavourably comparing and contrasting the narrator's looks to the bewitching dark eyes and long, dark curls of Anne Boleyn. This goes on for pages, how Anne is some sort of lusty seductress who has every man in the royal courts of Europe falling at her feet whereas Lady Jane couldn't pull a rotten tooth out of a dead horse's head. Okay. We get it. Anne Boleyn is hot. This is about as far as her characterisation goes.
It also is about it as far as everyone else's characterisation goes. Henry VIII himself - Fat, syphilitic and grouchy. Anne Boleyn - hot. Jane Seymour - the dutiful good wife and lost lenore. Anne of Cleves - ugly, genuinely repulsive, the Flanders Mare. Catherine Howard - irrepressible sex rocket who shags anything with a pulse, including Anne of Cleves.
Whoa! Did you just say what I thought you said?! I hear you ask.
Yes. Yes. There is a scene where Catherine Howard and Anne of Cleves engage in some hardcore honey-fuelled lesbionics. This is despite, when Anne of Cleves was first introduced, much stock was taken of her lank, greasy-upon-greasy hair, slack belly, ungainly face, and breasts far removed from the "pritty Duckys that I trust soon to kysse" that Anne Boleyn was possessed of and which Henry admired in his 17 hot blooded love letters to her. However, and conveniently, she gets a makeover before munching Catherine Howard's rug. But despite this, one still pictures repulsive!greasy!Anne of Cleves engaging in this inauspicious conduct.
RIP My Boner.
Here's an excerpt from that scene. Don't worry. The prose remains this hopeless throughout the rest of the novel.
"At dawn's first light they staggered out of bed, yawning, sticky from head to toe, hair a tangled, matted mess, reeking of honey, sex, and sweat.
Katherine imperiously demanded a bath.
"I have done what Henry could never do!" she crowed triumphantly. "I have ridden the Flanders Mare!"
"Ja, Liebchen," Anna embraced her and nuzzled her neck. "Und it was the greatest ride of mein life!"
Excuse me, I think I need to go off into a corner and have a little cry. This is terrible.
it hurts
it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts
Ahem. Sorry.
The thing is, I don't object to honey-fuelled lesbionics per se, however, it would help if firstly, this episode has any significance to the plot. Even if it were just thrown in as fanservice, then I could still get behind it if it wasn't just so horribly written and images of Anne of Cleves when she was first introduced didn't get inserted into my brain constantly.
Speaking of which, there is a lot of annoying failure to do the research exhibited in this novel. Anne of Cleves was probably not all that ugly, to be fair, and in any event, there is a school of thought the whole reason why Henry contemplated marrying her in the first place was not because he saw her Holbein-painted profile image but to cosy up to a fellow Protestant nation; it was a political marriage and even after the divorce he ensured she was well looked after and adopted her as his sister. The "Flanders mare" thing was just an excuse to ditch her in favour of another pretty girl half his age (Catherine Howard) to slap bellies with. Furthermore, Anne was perfectly aware of this and reportedly was very smart and politically astute, and not the ugly, stupid ingenue described in this novel.
There's no evidence that Anne of Cleves was a lesbian either even though she never remarried. Ditto Catherine Howard. There's also no evidence that Jane Rochford, the narrator, ever encountered Thomas Wyatt, Thomas Cromwell, or similar, and certainly not amorously.
This, together with various other historical brainfarts, shows a shocking lack of research in the novel. True, Henry never asks Anne Boleyn, "Honey, fix me a sandwich" as apocryphally another similar novel about this period has, but it's still pretty dire. To cover this up the author throws various historical trivia such as Anne Boleyn having six fingers and supernumary nipples and being nicknamed "The Goggle Eyed Whore" by detractors. The rest of us aren't fooled. Sorry.
In conclusion: 'Sdeath! Methinks this novel doth seriously insert things into its mouth and inhale with its nostrils being closed up, verily, in the manner of a Dyson carpet-dust removing implement. It is a novel loathsome to the eye, dangerous to the brain, curling to the lip, and whose prose resembleth that emitted from the very Stygian bowels of the pit that is bottomless. (Translation: This sucks like a Dyson. Run screaming from any shop that sells it.)
(originally written for Everything2.com)
December 29, 2009
I have always been fascinated by the purported strong relationship that Anne Boleyn had with her brother George. Jane Parker, Lady Rochford, wife to George Boleyn, Lord Rochford has always been mentioned in the history books as an afterthought. Indeed, I don't think that there is a lot of factual information to be had about Jane Parker - women themselves, unless famous, were more or less afterthoughts in Tudor times!
I am an avid reader of both history and historical fiction - and am always enthralled by anything Tudor. This book was no exception! The book draws on history to tell the tale of Jane Parker who, through an arranged marriage, became wife to George Boleyn. Jane paled in comparison to the fiery spirit of Anne Boleyn - George's sister and wife to England's notorious King Henry VIII. As Anne's star rises in the Court, Jane's resentment grows and she begins to plot her revenge. Ultimately, it is Jane's spurious charges, of adultery and incest with her brother George that brings about Anne's downfall. Oliver Cromwell, the Lord Protector is the person that Jane turns to. She unfurls her plot - making allegations to Cromwell that will ultimately cause the downfall of both Anne and George as well as the other courtiers who were alleged by Janeto have been Anne's lovers. Jane erroneously thought that by arranging to have Anne out of the picture she would, at last, have George's attentions all to herself. Wrong! George, always proclaiming his innocence and remaining true to his sister, goes to the block just short of Anne's own appointment with the swordsman.
Free of Anne - and her husband, Jane is sent from Court but she is soon brought back to Court to attend to Henry's newest bride, Anna of Cleves. Anna of Cleves is the only one of King Henry's wives prior to his last wife, Katherine Parr, to keep her head because Henry's dislike of her results in Anna's becoming the King's 'beloved sister". Their marriage is annulled - freeing Henry to marry once again. Henry's next marriage, to the very young Katherine Howard, finds Jane ready to serve once again and Jane becomes the go-between, arranging clandestine meetings between Katherine and her love, Thomas Culpepper. Ultimately,when the affair is exposed to King Henry, Jane Parker Boleyn herself along with Queen Katherine, becomes a victim of the swordsman's axe.
This book is, we must remember, historical fiction. When I read a historical fiction book I like to reference the true history to see where the author remains true to the facts and where the true facts diverge and become true fiction. I don't expect a work of historical fiction to read like a history book. It is true that there are places in this book where scenes are invented and/or extrapolated. I anticipate this in a work of fiction. Indeed it is works of fiction that originally spurred my fascination with the Tudor period as a youngster and fanned my desire to read the true historical books about the period later on. I remain Tudor smitten.
I find it unfortunate that the new publisher chose a cover that sports an image that is somewhat tawdry and most definitely not in period garb. It reminds me too much of bodice ripper's like some of the Harlequin series. I much prefer the original, self-published cover - or the British edition's cover. It is an unfortunate fact of a literary life that, once a publisher accepts a book for publication, author's have little input into cover selection. I can't think what the publisher was thinking when they chose this one.
Nonetheless, under the cover this book is an enjoyable read; it's fast paced and will hold your attention. I recommend this book for all 'Tudor-philes' and for everyone who enjoy historical fiction and who can accept it as fiction based on some historical events rather than history that reads like fiction. I think everyone who buys this book will enjoy it quite well!
I am an avid reader of both history and historical fiction - and am always enthralled by anything Tudor. This book was no exception! The book draws on history to tell the tale of Jane Parker who, through an arranged marriage, became wife to George Boleyn. Jane paled in comparison to the fiery spirit of Anne Boleyn - George's sister and wife to England's notorious King Henry VIII. As Anne's star rises in the Court, Jane's resentment grows and she begins to plot her revenge. Ultimately, it is Jane's spurious charges, of adultery and incest with her brother George that brings about Anne's downfall. Oliver Cromwell, the Lord Protector is the person that Jane turns to. She unfurls her plot - making allegations to Cromwell that will ultimately cause the downfall of both Anne and George as well as the other courtiers who were alleged by Janeto have been Anne's lovers. Jane erroneously thought that by arranging to have Anne out of the picture she would, at last, have George's attentions all to herself. Wrong! George, always proclaiming his innocence and remaining true to his sister, goes to the block just short of Anne's own appointment with the swordsman.
Free of Anne - and her husband, Jane is sent from Court but she is soon brought back to Court to attend to Henry's newest bride, Anna of Cleves. Anna of Cleves is the only one of King Henry's wives prior to his last wife, Katherine Parr, to keep her head because Henry's dislike of her results in Anna's becoming the King's 'beloved sister". Their marriage is annulled - freeing Henry to marry once again. Henry's next marriage, to the very young Katherine Howard, finds Jane ready to serve once again and Jane becomes the go-between, arranging clandestine meetings between Katherine and her love, Thomas Culpepper. Ultimately,when the affair is exposed to King Henry, Jane Parker Boleyn herself along with Queen Katherine, becomes a victim of the swordsman's axe.
This book is, we must remember, historical fiction. When I read a historical fiction book I like to reference the true history to see where the author remains true to the facts and where the true facts diverge and become true fiction. I don't expect a work of historical fiction to read like a history book. It is true that there are places in this book where scenes are invented and/or extrapolated. I anticipate this in a work of fiction. Indeed it is works of fiction that originally spurred my fascination with the Tudor period as a youngster and fanned my desire to read the true historical books about the period later on. I remain Tudor smitten.
I find it unfortunate that the new publisher chose a cover that sports an image that is somewhat tawdry and most definitely not in period garb. It reminds me too much of bodice ripper's like some of the Harlequin series. I much prefer the original, self-published cover - or the British edition's cover. It is an unfortunate fact of a literary life that, once a publisher accepts a book for publication, author's have little input into cover selection. I can't think what the publisher was thinking when they chose this one.
Nonetheless, under the cover this book is an enjoyable read; it's fast paced and will hold your attention. I recommend this book for all 'Tudor-philes' and for everyone who enjoy historical fiction and who can accept it as fiction based on some historical events rather than history that reads like fiction. I think everyone who buys this book will enjoy it quite well!
February 5, 2010
Vengeance is Mine is a bit of a different take on the oft told tale of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn - this time through the POV of George Boleyn's wife Jane Rochford. Although Jane loves George, he finds her distateful and prefers the company of his sister Anne, other women and men (poor Mark Smeaton), and finds her solace instead by sneaking around peeping through keyholes and hiding in cupboards to witness the salacious lives of others at court.. The latter part of the book covers the period of Katherine Howard's short reign where Jane served as lady in waiting.
Since we've all been Tudor'ed to death and know the basics I don't need to rehash the entire plot, I'm just here to give my two cents on the reading experience. I didn't care for the use of the first person narrative in this one, it really was too much of a stretch some of the places Jane had to be in to *witness* events first hand - and my, oh, my those keyholes were awfully big back in the days. I never really felt that I was inside Jane's head and seeing what made her tick, and while I know Anne had the reputation for her shrewish tongue this just seemed OTT to me - it was all so black and white, I like a few shades of gray.
And lastly, there are the infamous *sex scenes*. Were they as graphic and offensive as I'd heard about? No, but neither were they well written and tasteful either. Anne dressing up as Salome in front of the entire court with Henry Norris in a loin cloth was quite enough, as was the pot of honey scene between Anne of Cleves and Kat Howard but the book definitely flew at the "Little Kitten" bit on page 228.
Page 228, "...and to know that you want me, deny it though you will, as much as I want you, and that between your thighs your Little Kitten is hot and dripping wet with lust for me."
Eeeewwww. This novel has just been revamped with a new publisher under the title The Boleyn Wife and I'm not sure how close it stays to this book, but I strongly recommend a closer look at the book store prior to making a purchase - this is not going to be the book for everyone and it was definitely not the book for me. If you're looking for a very fictional take on Anne and Henry and don't care about historical accuracy this might suit as a quick and easy read, but on the other hand this book isn't going to provide you with anything new on the matter either. 2/5 stars.
Since we've all been Tudor'ed to death and know the basics I don't need to rehash the entire plot, I'm just here to give my two cents on the reading experience. I didn't care for the use of the first person narrative in this one, it really was too much of a stretch some of the places Jane had to be in to *witness* events first hand - and my, oh, my those keyholes were awfully big back in the days. I never really felt that I was inside Jane's head and seeing what made her tick, and while I know Anne had the reputation for her shrewish tongue this just seemed OTT to me - it was all so black and white, I like a few shades of gray.
And lastly, there are the infamous *sex scenes*. Were they as graphic and offensive as I'd heard about? No, but neither were they well written and tasteful either. Anne dressing up as Salome in front of the entire court with Henry Norris in a loin cloth was quite enough, as was the pot of honey scene between Anne of Cleves and Kat Howard but the book definitely flew at the "Little Kitten" bit on page 228.
Page 228, "...and to know that you want me, deny it though you will, as much as I want you, and that between your thighs your Little Kitten is hot and dripping wet with lust for me."
Eeeewwww. This novel has just been revamped with a new publisher under the title The Boleyn Wife and I'm not sure how close it stays to this book, but I strongly recommend a closer look at the book store prior to making a purchase - this is not going to be the book for everyone and it was definitely not the book for me. If you're looking for a very fictional take on Anne and Henry and don't care about historical accuracy this might suit as a quick and easy read, but on the other hand this book isn't going to provide you with anything new on the matter either. 2/5 stars.
March 4, 2012
1.5 Stars. Poor Anne of Cleves must be rolling in her grave! This is a bad attempt at a sexy romp through The Tudor times. I was looking forward to a fresh prospective on Jane Boleyn and hoping for a researched story on her life and why she made the cruel decisions she did. Instead the author follows Tudor cliches and the new insight she added was purely fictional and to me...ridiculous "I mean come on Anne of Cleves and Kat Howard doing the nasty? Not to mention Jane and **** hooking up." I didn't want to spoil it for you. If I knew nothing about this time period I might have thought this was a fun romp through medieval times, instead this was simply ridiculous. If you want a good story on Jane read The Boleyn Inheritance. One of Philipa's good ones that I actually liked.
May 12, 2010
I thought this book was awful and I'm not sure why I even kept reading it(I think I was hoping it would get better). While I understand that it is a piece of historical fiction, I'm not quite sure that this author really knows anything about Tudor history other than the very basics and dates. So much of this book deviates from what historians know about this period and the historical figures. When writing historical fiction the author can certainly take some liberties but I just feel like this author tried to change history. And I'm sorry, Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard having a lesbian encounter?! Maybe the author felt that by throwing in all kinds of tawdy sex scenes people wouldn't notice her lack of quality writing.
February 26, 2010
I cant say I Hated the book because I Did finish it, BUT I kept plowing along hoping the book would get better and have more substance. Sadly it got more and more wild as it went on. The book spends much of its content focused on Janes peeping tom tendancies and on the sexual escapades and depravity of various characters.
I was hoping to learn more about Jane Boleyn but only got a more fictionalized, over the top, quasi-erotica expanded upon version of rumors and what little facts are really known about her.
I was hoping to learn more about Jane Boleyn but only got a more fictionalized, over the top, quasi-erotica expanded upon version of rumors and what little facts are really known about her.
November 28, 2012
read 20 pages and couldn't decide how to dispose of my copy - awrful
November 5, 2009
This is the story of Jane Rochford, wife to George Boleyn, sister-in-law to Anne, and one of the people that helped send the two siblings to the block. Because of her actions her name is forever connected with jealousy, vindictiveness, viciousness, and disloyalty. It covers her life from about the time she first meets and falls in love with George up to her death with Henry's fifth queen, Katherine Howard. Once she sees George she is determined to have him, despite her father's misgivings on the match. She naively believes that once they are married George will fall in love with her and be the loving attentive husband she wants him to be. As the story moves along and she realizes that he wants absolutely nothing to do with her, she fluctuates between loving him and hating him. We see her throughout the novel spying on all the other players from behind a bush, through a keyhole, hiding in a cabinet, etc, hoping to see something that she can use against her sister-in-law. Jane focuses a lot of her anger and hatred on Anne, believing her to be the sole cause of George's lack of attention; this leads her to helping Cromwell in his attack on Anne as she thinks once Anne is out of the picture, George will give her the attention she craves. Jane's sworn testimony to Cromwell helped convict George and Anne of incest and treason. The author throws a very interesting twist into the story at this point concerning the relationship between Cromwell and Jane; this was something I never expected but rather creative and explains, in a way, why Jane was so eager to give testimony against Anne. Of course, Jane is wrong again and is further infuriated when she realizes that George would rather die with his sister than live with her. After their deaths, Jane becomes lady-in-waiting for the next three queens: Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleaves, and Katherine Howard. She especially takes to Katherine as she sees her as the child she was never able to have and hopes that Kat will come to love her. Jane is horrified to learn the kind of life Kat has lead and the type of person she has become and constantly warns her against her behavior with Thomas Culpepper (she is also quite horrified at her behavior with the former queen, Anne of Cleaves). Kat is eventually caught and she and Jane are both sent to the Tower and sentenced to death. Once in the Tower Jane apparently goes a bit mad, thinking she sees both George and Anne's ghosts lurking around to torment her. She was executed immediately after Kat.
It was very interesting to read a story solely from Jane's point of view. Most stories about the Boleyns only mention Jane in passing, as the jealous, hateful wife of George whose lies helped send her husband and sister-in-law to their deaths. In most cases where the story is told from the point of view of someone classified as a villain, a reader, at some point, will sympathize with the character. Her portrayal here will do nothing to incite sympathy from the reader. At the beginning of the novel she just comes across as a bit naive, very obsessive, and only slightly jealous. However, as the story moves along she really becomes nasty and vindictive and all the other horrible adjectives that have been used to describe her. Sometimes she is downright hysterical, going so far as to bite a servant on the heel in one of her rages. I absolutely hated her and found myself laughing each time one of her schemes backfired on her. I firmly believe she got her just desserts in the end. Outside of Jane's feeling, thoughts, and actions, there really isn't a whole lot of description about much of anything else. We see all the major players here, of course, but as this story is really focusing on Jane's life, there isn't much delving into their lives or personalities. The author doesn't show Anne as being such an ambitious, mean person as others have shown her; we actually see her in the beginning trying to be friendly with Jane, though Jane is set to dislike her from the start. Despite this, I thought the book was well written and there really was a deep probing into Jane's motivations and feelings, which was certainly new. We see that the harder she tries to gain George's attention, the more indifferent he becomes (and becomes more emotionally cruel), which leads her to become more jealous and hateful. I would caution readers that if you are uncomfortable with some sex scenes, I wouldn't recommend this book. Otherwise, I would certainly recommend this to those that are interested in the Tudors and would like to see another side to the soap opera. It is a much different perspective on a story with which we are so familiar.
It was very interesting to read a story solely from Jane's point of view. Most stories about the Boleyns only mention Jane in passing, as the jealous, hateful wife of George whose lies helped send her husband and sister-in-law to their deaths. In most cases where the story is told from the point of view of someone classified as a villain, a reader, at some point, will sympathize with the character. Her portrayal here will do nothing to incite sympathy from the reader. At the beginning of the novel she just comes across as a bit naive, very obsessive, and only slightly jealous. However, as the story moves along she really becomes nasty and vindictive and all the other horrible adjectives that have been used to describe her. Sometimes she is downright hysterical, going so far as to bite a servant on the heel in one of her rages. I absolutely hated her and found myself laughing each time one of her schemes backfired on her. I firmly believe she got her just desserts in the end. Outside of Jane's feeling, thoughts, and actions, there really isn't a whole lot of description about much of anything else. We see all the major players here, of course, but as this story is really focusing on Jane's life, there isn't much delving into their lives or personalities. The author doesn't show Anne as being such an ambitious, mean person as others have shown her; we actually see her in the beginning trying to be friendly with Jane, though Jane is set to dislike her from the start. Despite this, I thought the book was well written and there really was a deep probing into Jane's motivations and feelings, which was certainly new. We see that the harder she tries to gain George's attention, the more indifferent he becomes (and becomes more emotionally cruel), which leads her to become more jealous and hateful. I would caution readers that if you are uncomfortable with some sex scenes, I wouldn't recommend this book. Otherwise, I would certainly recommend this to those that are interested in the Tudors and would like to see another side to the soap opera. It is a much different perspective on a story with which we are so familiar.
September 22, 2009
This is a fun book. It's unintentionally irreverent and that's what I like about it. It plays with the historical figures in a provocative and controversial way that I found refreshing. If you are a prude or an idol-worshiper skip this one. If you l ike to be entertained, tantalized and challenged, the novel is for you.
It follows the thought process, actions and disintegration of Anne Boleyn's sister-in-law Jane as she destroys Anne thorugh malice and later Henry VIII wife Catherine Howard through indulgence.. in the process destroying herself. Some may think the book inaccurate, but in fact Purdy used historical record on which to base it, e.g. the testimony at Catherine's trial.
It's nice to hear from someone else in the Tudor panoply.. and refreshing to see them less than stellar.
Those who get bent out of shape by the sex in this book probably sat through The Tudors on HBO without complaint.. this I don't understand.
Good as this one is, Purdy's other novel to date, The Confession of Piers Gaveston, is far the superior. It is handled with a skill I hope to see again in her work.
By the way, The Boleyn Wife was originally published as Vengeance is Mine, but was such a high seller for a POD book that a publisher snapped it up and had the author expand on the origianl manuscript.. so anyone who read both got a bonus on this rewrite.
It follows the thought process, actions and disintegration of Anne Boleyn's sister-in-law Jane as she destroys Anne thorugh malice and later Henry VIII wife Catherine Howard through indulgence.. in the process destroying herself. Some may think the book inaccurate, but in fact Purdy used historical record on which to base it, e.g. the testimony at Catherine's trial.
It's nice to hear from someone else in the Tudor panoply.. and refreshing to see them less than stellar.
Those who get bent out of shape by the sex in this book probably sat through The Tudors on HBO without complaint.. this I don't understand.
Good as this one is, Purdy's other novel to date, The Confession of Piers Gaveston, is far the superior. It is handled with a skill I hope to see again in her work.
By the way, The Boleyn Wife was originally published as Vengeance is Mine, but was such a high seller for a POD book that a publisher snapped it up and had the author expand on the origianl manuscript.. so anyone who read both got a bonus on this rewrite.
June 16, 2010
The only reason this book got more than one star is that it's so bad it becomes amusing.
I bought that book because it was about Jane Boleyn. I think she was fantastically wicked and tragic. However upon reading it I discovered that it was actually a book I'd be warned about. If you know only about history then prepare to be slapped in the face.
Almost every character, and i mean EVERY character, ends up psychotic.They all end up screaming and crying and being hysterical and when they're not they are all one dimensionally Jolly or nasty. Jane Boleyn complains about not having a baby then when she gets pregnant with Thomas Cromwell she kills it. Henry VIII makes BREIF appearances. George Boleyn is gay and sleeping with everyone. Katherine Howard and Anne of Cleves are lesbians and have an erotic scene with honey. Henry Percy is a comic character that stutters and trips whenever he takes a step. Thomas Wyatt's a brat. Jane Seymour is in the book for less then ten pages. I could go on with all the insanity this book produces but I won't. You need to not take it seriously or you're brain will explode.
I bought that book because it was about Jane Boleyn. I think she was fantastically wicked and tragic. However upon reading it I discovered that it was actually a book I'd be warned about. If you know only about history then prepare to be slapped in the face.
Almost every character, and i mean EVERY character, ends up psychotic.They all end up screaming and crying and being hysterical and when they're not they are all one dimensionally Jolly or nasty. Jane Boleyn complains about not having a baby then when she gets pregnant with Thomas Cromwell she kills it. Henry VIII makes BREIF appearances. George Boleyn is gay and sleeping with everyone. Katherine Howard and Anne of Cleves are lesbians and have an erotic scene with honey. Henry Percy is a comic character that stutters and trips whenever he takes a step. Thomas Wyatt's a brat. Jane Seymour is in the book for less then ten pages. I could go on with all the insanity this book produces but I won't. You need to not take it seriously or you're brain will explode.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2011
If you don't know by now that Anne Boleyn was framed, you simply haven't read enough. But this book - out of the many many Tudor dynasty books out there - is told from the perspective of Lady Jane Rochford, wife to George Boleyn, Anne's beloved brother.
In the same way and for the same reason I didn't enjoy Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, reading about one person's cruelty to another is not a pleasurable experience. Lady Rochford's madness and hatred is uncomfortable often, but offered a sometimes salacious look into Anne Boleyn's life. It followed what i knew of Boleyn's time at court, but then got weird, suggesting that Anne of Cleves was actually clever enough to make herself unappealing to Henry and that she had a lesbian romance with Katherine Howard. Wha, what?
Despite that, it was a pretty good book.
In the same way and for the same reason I didn't enjoy Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, reading about one person's cruelty to another is not a pleasurable experience. Lady Rochford's madness and hatred is uncomfortable often, but offered a sometimes salacious look into Anne Boleyn's life. It followed what i knew of Boleyn's time at court, but then got weird, suggesting that Anne of Cleves was actually clever enough to make herself unappealing to Henry and that she had a lesbian romance with Katherine Howard. Wha, what?
Despite that, it was a pretty good book.
February 16, 2013
I will say that I like this one quite a bit more than the author's utterly dire Confession of Piers Gaveston. Vengeance is Mine is a romp, a very silly implausible one with some sex scenes that have become famous (or infamous, rather), and it's hard to take it very seriously. It's OK if you just want a few hours' entertainment and aren't bothered about historical accuracy in your fiction. Personally I find Brandy Purdy's writing style, with italics and exclamation marks all over the place, deeply, deeply irritating. If she could curb that tendency (maybe she does in her later novels, which I haven't read), I'd like her novels a bit more. Oh, and I laughed myself sick at Purdy's attempt to give Anne of Cleves a German accent. Pure comedy gold.
April 29, 2016
I think I enjoyed this better than The Ripper's Wife, and I would've given this one 4 stars if the main character, Lady Jane, had been a bit more likeable and relatable. I was a little bit scandalized with all the scenes that show her to be a bit of a "peeping tom," peering through keyholes at people having sex. I did not like her at all. This is definitely a racy, steamy look at Tudor times ("soap opera," as another reviewer or two have said). I don't mind that a vast majority of this book wasn't true, wasn't based on historical fact, but I don't mind that in my historical novels. I know it's a novel, I know it can be made up, and I like reading about real-life characters in fiction, with made-up details.
January 29, 2010
it was ok, The rise and fall of Anne Boleyn told thru the eyes of her jealous angry sister-in-law. Portrays Anne as never getting over Henry Percy and not in the least interested or in love with King Henry and therefore able to keep him chasing her all those years because she truly does not want him. Interesting take on the common fable.
August 21, 2021
Historical fiction is my favorite book form and I am all for taking some license with it. However, this book took it a bit too far. I won't put the spoilers in as you can read other reviews if you really want to find out. The overall character of Jane Rochword was pretty accurate but I would suggest finding something else to read if you want to learn more about her.
August 12, 2013
Dreadful book, although the introduction of Catherine Howard's and Anne of Cleves' lesbian romp with a pot of honey does liven up proceedings a bit!
December 6, 2009
Shy, plain Lady Jane Parker feels out of place in Henry VIII's courtly world of glamour and intrigue--until she meets the handsome George Boleyn. Overjoyed when their fathers arrange a match, her dreams of a loving union are waylaid when she meets George's sister, Anne. For George is completely devoted to his sister, and cold and indifferent to his bride. As Anne acquires a wide circle of admirers, including King Henry, Jane's resentment grows. But if becoming Henry's queen makes Anne the most powerful woman in England, it also makes her highly vulnerable. And as Henry, desperate for a male heir, begins to tire of his mercurial wife, the stage is set for the ultimate betrayal...
Encompassing the reigns of five of Henry's queens, THE BOLEYN WIFE is an unforgettable story of ambition, lust, and jealousy, of the power of love to change the course of history, and of the terrible price of revenge.
Book Description from http://brandypurdy.com
When I first started blogging in September 2009 The Boleyn Wife was one of the first books I spotted on other blogs. There were a lot of early reviews that I read and it sounded like a book I really wanted to read. I am also an avid fan of Anne Boleyn so that was a selling point right there. At this point I had not read a lot about Jane Boleyn other than the fact that I really did not like her. I found her to be a whinny, vindictive and all around nasty person, but I still wanted to read The Boleyn Wife. Note* this review may have some spoilers..
The Boleyn Wife takes place over five reigns of Henry VIII’s wives. The story is told in Lady Jane Boleyn’s, nee Rochford, voice starting with her last days in the tower. She awaits her fate after being charged with treason along with Katherine Howard who was sentenced to death for adultery. She speaks of her young years, of her father, Lord Morley, and Sir Thomas Boleyn and how they want a match between their children Jane Rochford and George Boleyn. Jane was sole heiress to her fathers fortune and George was the only Boleyn son. Jane was already in love with George when first she came to Henry’s court.
The same could not be said of her feelings toward George’s sister Anne. Jane despised Anne almost from the beginning, beside Anne she felt homely, clumsy, shy. She said she was not as accomplished as Anne, didn’t dance or sing as well. She also noticed right away George’s attentions were always taken up with Anne. It took 3 years before she became part of the Boleyn family, and not very well liked at that.
As time goes on, Jane’s animosity and immense dislike of Anne grows into hate as her husband George cares not at all about Jane and spends all his time with Anne and her admirers, Sir Francis Weston, Sir Henry Norris, Sir Thomas Wyatt ,Sir William Brereton and Mark Smeaton.
During this time King Henry VIII is pursuing Anne and trying to get his marriage annulled from Catherine of Aragon . Henry desperately wants a legitimate male heir to follow him on the throne. Catherine suffers many miscarriages and is not able to have a male living child. They do have a daughter though, Mary. Henry eventually gets his way, his divorce and his Anne.
Henry and Anne’s marriage is very tumultuous and Anne is not able to have a male heir either. They do have a daughter together, Elizabeth, but Henry is adamant that he needs a son. During this time Jane’s hatred keeps growing as she is constantly pushed aside by her husband for Anne. She starts to spy on Anne and sees George and Anne and all their friends having fun, dancing and singing and being happy while she becomes more despondent and unhappy. George literally wants nothing to do with Jane so there are no children. Jane believes that her husband and Anne are having an incestuous relationship.
As Henry falls out of love with Anne, Jane is ready to seek her revenge on George and Anne. She has become a nagging wife and George wants nothing to do with her. Queen Anne has another miscarriage and Henry is done with her.
Jane at this time is befriended by Thomas Cromwell, who also despises Anne and has his own political agenda and uses jane to discredit Anne and her followers. As a result George and his friends are charged with treason against the King and George is also charged with incest with Anne and is sentenced to death. Anne is eventually charged with treason and incest with her brother and also sentenced to death.
We all know what happens after that. Henry is free to marry again and he chooses Jane Seymour, a very lovely woman who is also a pawn of her family. The are married for a short time. Jane dies after giving birth to a sickly son, Edward. After she dies Henry marries again this time to Anne of Cleeves who does not speak English very well and he finds her unattractive so he sends her off to live as his ‘sister’ so he can marry again.
Jane remains at court as a lady in waiting to these queens and Henry does marry again to Katherine Howard, Jane becomes close to ‘Kat” and aides her in her adulterous relationship with Thomas Culpepper. Katherine was raised in a very liberal way and had quite a few dalliances with men when she lived with her grandmother. Then she met Thomas Culpepper and they were madly in love with each other. Unfortunately Katherine’s past does catch up with her in the guise of a childhood friend that she had had a relationship with. Once Henry finds all this out, he imprisons Jane and Katherine, Katherine for adultery and Jane for aiding and abetting Katherine and Thomas’s relationship.
Through all this I think that Jane thought she was trying to do good after she had been the catalyst that caused Anne and George to be executed and I think that she actually felt a lot guilt in this. Not for Anne because she still hated her until the day she died but she felt if it hadn’t been for Anne, George would have loved her and things would have been good between them.
I feel that all the women portrayed in this book were at the whim and mercy of the men around them. This was a time when women hardly mattered in the scheme of things and all they really were there for was to have children and if they were rich they would enrich the men's coffers. I think that these women were all strong in their own way. I did come to have some sympathy for Jane, circumstances seemed to be against her and she was so in love with her husband that she was driven to the point of madness, anger and revenge.
I enjoyed this story very much and it was very well written and researched. As I have said before, I am not a historian and I am not bothered whether a story is historically correct or not. I liked this story as another perspective of life in the Tudor court.
Did I say that this ARC was signed by Brandy?? Yes it was so this one will stay in my bookcase and you will all have to wait to get your copy…it will be worth the wait.
The Boleyn Wife by Brandy Purdy will be published in the USA on January 26, 2010 by Kensington Books, and in the UK on April 1, 2010 by Avon/Harper under the title of The Tudor Wife by Emily Purdy.
As I stated before, The Boleyn Wife ARC was sent to me from the author for review.
Shy, plain Lady Jane Parker feels out of place in Henry VIII's courtly world of glamour and intrigue--until she meets the handsome George Boleyn. Overjoyed when their fathers arrange a match, her dreams of a loving union are waylaid when she meets George's sister, Anne. For George is completely devoted to his sister, and cold and indifferent to his bride. As Anne acquires a wide circle of admirers, including King Henry, Jane's resentment grows. But if becoming Henry's queen makes Anne the most powerful woman in England, it also makes her highly vulnerable. And as Henry, desperate for a male heir, begins to tire of his mercurial wife, the stage is set for the ultimate betrayal...
Encompassing the reigns of five of Henry's queens, THE BOLEYN WIFE is an unforgettable story of ambition, lust, and jealousy, of the power of love to change the course of history, and of the terrible price of revenge.
Book Description from http://brandypurdy.com
When I first started blogging in September 2009 The Boleyn Wife was one of the first books I spotted on other blogs. There were a lot of early reviews that I read and it sounded like a book I really wanted to read. I am also an avid fan of Anne Boleyn so that was a selling point right there. At this point I had not read a lot about Jane Boleyn other than the fact that I really did not like her. I found her to be a whinny, vindictive and all around nasty person, but I still wanted to read The Boleyn Wife. Note* this review may have some spoilers..
Brandy Purdy got in touch with me via Twitter and graciously offered me an ARC of the book and I jumped at the chance. I am really glad that I did.
The Boleyn Wife takes place over five reigns of Henry VIII’s wives. The story is told in Lady Jane Boleyn’s, nee Rochford, voice starting with her last days in the tower. She awaits her fate after being charged with treason along with Katherine Howard who was sentenced to death for adultery. She speaks of her young years, of her father, Lord Morley, and Sir Thomas Boleyn and how they want a match between their children Jane Rochford and George Boleyn. Jane was sole heiress to her fathers fortune and George was the only Boleyn son. Jane was already in love with George when first she came to Henry’s court.
The same could not be said of her feelings toward George’s sister Anne. Jane despised Anne almost from the beginning, beside Anne she felt homely, clumsy, shy. She said she was not as accomplished as Anne, didn’t dance or sing as well. She also noticed right away George’s attentions were always taken up with Anne. It took 3 years before she became part of the Boleyn family, and not very well liked at that.
As time goes on, Jane’s animosity and immense dislike of Anne grows into hate as her husband George cares not at all about Jane and spends all his time with Anne and her admirers, Sir Francis Weston, Sir Henry Norris, Sir Thomas Wyatt ,Sir William Brereton and Mark Smeaton.
During this time King Henry VIII is pursuing Anne and trying to get his marriage annulled from Catherine of Aragon . Henry desperately wants a legitimate male heir to follow him on the throne. Catherine suffers many miscarriages and is not able to have a male living child. They do have a daughter though, Mary. Henry eventually gets his way, his divorce and his Anne.
Henry and Anne’s marriage is very tumultuous and Anne is not able to have a male heir either. They do have a daughter together, Elizabeth, but Henry is adamant that he needs a son. During this time Jane’s hatred keeps growing as she is constantly pushed aside by her husband for Anne. She starts to spy on Anne and sees George and Anne and all their friends having fun, dancing and singing and being happy while she becomes more despondent and unhappy. George literally wants nothing to do with Jane so there are no children. Jane believes that her husband and Anne are having an incestuous relationship.
As Henry falls out of love with Anne, Jane is ready to seek her revenge on George and Anne. She has become a nagging wife and George wants nothing to do with her. Queen Anne has another miscarriage and Henry is done with her.
Jane at this time is befriended by Thomas Cromwell, who also despises Anne and has his own political agenda and uses jane to discredit Anne and her followers. As a result George and his friends are charged with treason against the King and George is also charged with incest with Anne and is sentenced to death. Anne is eventually charged with treason and incest with her brother and also sentenced to death.
We all know what happens after that. Henry is free to marry again and he chooses Jane Seymour, a very lovely woman who is also a pawn of her family. The are married for a short time. Jane dies after giving birth to a sickly son, Edward. After she dies Henry marries again this time to Anne of Cleeves who does not speak English very well and he finds her unattractive so he sends her off to live as his ‘sister’ so he can marry again.
Jane remains at court as a lady in waiting to these queens and Henry does marry again to Katherine Howard, Jane becomes close to ‘Kat” and aides her in her adulterous relationship with Thomas Culpepper. Katherine was raised in a very liberal way and had quite a few dalliances with men when she lived with her grandmother. Then she met Thomas Culpepper and they were madly in love with each other. Unfortunately Katherine’s past does catch up with her in the guise of a childhood friend that she had had a relationship with. Once Henry finds all this out, he imprisons Jane and Katherine, Katherine for adultery and Jane for aiding and abetting Katherine and Thomas’s relationship.
Through all this I think that Jane thought she was trying to do good after she had been the catalyst that caused Anne and George to be executed and I think that she actually felt a lot guilt in this. Not for Anne because she still hated her until the day she died but she felt if it hadn’t been for Anne, George would have loved her and things would have been good between them.
I feel that all the women portrayed in this book were at the whim and mercy of the men around them. This was a time when women hardly mattered in the scheme of things and all they really were there for was to have children and if they were rich they would enrich the men's coffers. I think that these women were all strong in their own way. I did come to have some sympathy for Jane, circumstances seemed to be against her and she was so in love with her husband that she was driven to the point of madness, anger and revenge.
I enjoyed this story very much and it was very well written and researched. As I have said before, I am not a historian and I am not bothered whether a story is historically correct or not. I liked this story as another perspective of life in the Tudor court.
Did I say that this ARC was signed by Brandy?? Yes it was so this one will stay in my bookcase and you will all have to wait to get your copy…it will be worth the wait.
The Boleyn Wife by Brandy Purdy will be published in the USA on January 26, 2010 by Kensington Books, and in the UK on April 1, 2010 by Avon/Harper under the title of The Tudor Wife by Emily Purdy.
As I stated before, The Boleyn Wife ARC was sent to me from the author for review.
Encompassing the reigns of five of Henry's queens, THE BOLEYN WIFE is an unforgettable story of ambition, lust, and jealousy, of the power of love to change the course of history, and of the terrible price of revenge.
Book Description from http://brandypurdy.com
When I first started blogging in September 2009 The Boleyn Wife was one of the first books I spotted on other blogs. There were a lot of early reviews that I read and it sounded like a book I really wanted to read. I am also an avid fan of Anne Boleyn so that was a selling point right there. At this point I had not read a lot about Jane Boleyn other than the fact that I really did not like her. I found her to be a whinny, vindictive and all around nasty person, but I still wanted to read The Boleyn Wife. Note* this review may have some spoilers..
The Boleyn Wife takes place over five reigns of Henry VIII’s wives. The story is told in Lady Jane Boleyn’s, nee Rochford, voice starting with her last days in the tower. She awaits her fate after being charged with treason along with Katherine Howard who was sentenced to death for adultery. She speaks of her young years, of her father, Lord Morley, and Sir Thomas Boleyn and how they want a match between their children Jane Rochford and George Boleyn. Jane was sole heiress to her fathers fortune and George was the only Boleyn son. Jane was already in love with George when first she came to Henry’s court.
The same could not be said of her feelings toward George’s sister Anne. Jane despised Anne almost from the beginning, beside Anne she felt homely, clumsy, shy. She said she was not as accomplished as Anne, didn’t dance or sing as well. She also noticed right away George’s attentions were always taken up with Anne. It took 3 years before she became part of the Boleyn family, and not very well liked at that.
As time goes on, Jane’s animosity and immense dislike of Anne grows into hate as her husband George cares not at all about Jane and spends all his time with Anne and her admirers, Sir Francis Weston, Sir Henry Norris, Sir Thomas Wyatt ,Sir William Brereton and Mark Smeaton.
During this time King Henry VIII is pursuing Anne and trying to get his marriage annulled from Catherine of Aragon . Henry desperately wants a legitimate male heir to follow him on the throne. Catherine suffers many miscarriages and is not able to have a male living child. They do have a daughter though, Mary. Henry eventually gets his way, his divorce and his Anne.
Henry and Anne’s marriage is very tumultuous and Anne is not able to have a male heir either. They do have a daughter together, Elizabeth, but Henry is adamant that he needs a son. During this time Jane’s hatred keeps growing as she is constantly pushed aside by her husband for Anne. She starts to spy on Anne and sees George and Anne and all their friends having fun, dancing and singing and being happy while she becomes more despondent and unhappy. George literally wants nothing to do with Jane so there are no children. Jane believes that her husband and Anne are having an incestuous relationship.
As Henry falls out of love with Anne, Jane is ready to seek her revenge on George and Anne. She has become a nagging wife and George wants nothing to do with her. Queen Anne has another miscarriage and Henry is done with her.
Jane at this time is befriended by Thomas Cromwell, who also despises Anne and has his own political agenda and uses jane to discredit Anne and her followers. As a result George and his friends are charged with treason against the King and George is also charged with incest with Anne and is sentenced to death. Anne is eventually charged with treason and incest with her brother and also sentenced to death.
We all know what happens after that. Henry is free to marry again and he chooses Jane Seymour, a very lovely woman who is also a pawn of her family. The are married for a short time. Jane dies after giving birth to a sickly son, Edward. After she dies Henry marries again this time to Anne of Cleeves who does not speak English very well and he finds her unattractive so he sends her off to live as his ‘sister’ so he can marry again.
Jane remains at court as a lady in waiting to these queens and Henry does marry again to Katherine Howard, Jane becomes close to ‘Kat” and aides her in her adulterous relationship with Thomas Culpepper. Katherine was raised in a very liberal way and had quite a few dalliances with men when she lived with her grandmother. Then she met Thomas Culpepper and they were madly in love with each other. Unfortunately Katherine’s past does catch up with her in the guise of a childhood friend that she had had a relationship with. Once Henry finds all this out, he imprisons Jane and Katherine, Katherine for adultery and Jane for aiding and abetting Katherine and Thomas’s relationship.
Through all this I think that Jane thought she was trying to do good after she had been the catalyst that caused Anne and George to be executed and I think that she actually felt a lot guilt in this. Not for Anne because she still hated her until the day she died but she felt if it hadn’t been for Anne, George would have loved her and things would have been good between them.
I feel that all the women portrayed in this book were at the whim and mercy of the men around them. This was a time when women hardly mattered in the scheme of things and all they really were there for was to have children and if they were rich they would enrich the men's coffers. I think that these women were all strong in their own way. I did come to have some sympathy for Jane, circumstances seemed to be against her and she was so in love with her husband that she was driven to the point of madness, anger and revenge.
I enjoyed this story very much and it was very well written and researched. As I have said before, I am not a historian and I am not bothered whether a story is historically correct or not. I liked this story as another perspective of life in the Tudor court.
Did I say that this ARC was signed by Brandy?? Yes it was so this one will stay in my bookcase and you will all have to wait to get your copy…it will be worth the wait.
The Boleyn Wife by Brandy Purdy will be published in the USA on January 26, 2010 by Kensington Books, and in the UK on April 1, 2010 by Avon/Harper under the title of The Tudor Wife by Emily Purdy.
As I stated before, The Boleyn Wife ARC was sent to me from the author for review.
Shy, plain Lady Jane Parker feels out of place in Henry VIII's courtly world of glamour and intrigue--until she meets the handsome George Boleyn. Overjoyed when their fathers arrange a match, her dreams of a loving union are waylaid when she meets George's sister, Anne. For George is completely devoted to his sister, and cold and indifferent to his bride. As Anne acquires a wide circle of admirers, including King Henry, Jane's resentment grows. But if becoming Henry's queen makes Anne the most powerful woman in England, it also makes her highly vulnerable. And as Henry, desperate for a male heir, begins to tire of his mercurial wife, the stage is set for the ultimate betrayal...
Encompassing the reigns of five of Henry's queens, THE BOLEYN WIFE is an unforgettable story of ambition, lust, and jealousy, of the power of love to change the course of history, and of the terrible price of revenge.
Book Description from http://brandypurdy.com
When I first started blogging in September 2009 The Boleyn Wife was one of the first books I spotted on other blogs. There were a lot of early reviews that I read and it sounded like a book I really wanted to read. I am also an avid fan of Anne Boleyn so that was a selling point right there. At this point I had not read a lot about Jane Boleyn other than the fact that I really did not like her. I found her to be a whinny, vindictive and all around nasty person, but I still wanted to read The Boleyn Wife. Note* this review may have some spoilers..
Brandy Purdy got in touch with me via Twitter and graciously offered me an ARC of the book and I jumped at the chance. I am really glad that I did.
The Boleyn Wife takes place over five reigns of Henry VIII’s wives. The story is told in Lady Jane Boleyn’s, nee Rochford, voice starting with her last days in the tower. She awaits her fate after being charged with treason along with Katherine Howard who was sentenced to death for adultery. She speaks of her young years, of her father, Lord Morley, and Sir Thomas Boleyn and how they want a match between their children Jane Rochford and George Boleyn. Jane was sole heiress to her fathers fortune and George was the only Boleyn son. Jane was already in love with George when first she came to Henry’s court.
The same could not be said of her feelings toward George’s sister Anne. Jane despised Anne almost from the beginning, beside Anne she felt homely, clumsy, shy. She said she was not as accomplished as Anne, didn’t dance or sing as well. She also noticed right away George’s attentions were always taken up with Anne. It took 3 years before she became part of the Boleyn family, and not very well liked at that.
As time goes on, Jane’s animosity and immense dislike of Anne grows into hate as her husband George cares not at all about Jane and spends all his time with Anne and her admirers, Sir Francis Weston, Sir Henry Norris, Sir Thomas Wyatt ,Sir William Brereton and Mark Smeaton.
During this time King Henry VIII is pursuing Anne and trying to get his marriage annulled from Catherine of Aragon . Henry desperately wants a legitimate male heir to follow him on the throne. Catherine suffers many miscarriages and is not able to have a male living child. They do have a daughter though, Mary. Henry eventually gets his way, his divorce and his Anne.
Henry and Anne’s marriage is very tumultuous and Anne is not able to have a male heir either. They do have a daughter together, Elizabeth, but Henry is adamant that he needs a son. During this time Jane’s hatred keeps growing as she is constantly pushed aside by her husband for Anne. She starts to spy on Anne and sees George and Anne and all their friends having fun, dancing and singing and being happy while she becomes more despondent and unhappy. George literally wants nothing to do with Jane so there are no children. Jane believes that her husband and Anne are having an incestuous relationship.
As Henry falls out of love with Anne, Jane is ready to seek her revenge on George and Anne. She has become a nagging wife and George wants nothing to do with her. Queen Anne has another miscarriage and Henry is done with her.
Jane at this time is befriended by Thomas Cromwell, who also despises Anne and has his own political agenda and uses jane to discredit Anne and her followers. As a result George and his friends are charged with treason against the King and George is also charged with incest with Anne and is sentenced to death. Anne is eventually charged with treason and incest with her brother and also sentenced to death.
We all know what happens after that. Henry is free to marry again and he chooses Jane Seymour, a very lovely woman who is also a pawn of her family. The are married for a short time. Jane dies after giving birth to a sickly son, Edward. After she dies Henry marries again this time to Anne of Cleeves who does not speak English very well and he finds her unattractive so he sends her off to live as his ‘sister’ so he can marry again.
Jane remains at court as a lady in waiting to these queens and Henry does marry again to Katherine Howard, Jane becomes close to ‘Kat” and aides her in her adulterous relationship with Thomas Culpepper. Katherine was raised in a very liberal way and had quite a few dalliances with men when she lived with her grandmother. Then she met Thomas Culpepper and they were madly in love with each other. Unfortunately Katherine’s past does catch up with her in the guise of a childhood friend that she had had a relationship with. Once Henry finds all this out, he imprisons Jane and Katherine, Katherine for adultery and Jane for aiding and abetting Katherine and Thomas’s relationship.
Through all this I think that Jane thought she was trying to do good after she had been the catalyst that caused Anne and George to be executed and I think that she actually felt a lot guilt in this. Not for Anne because she still hated her until the day she died but she felt if it hadn’t been for Anne, George would have loved her and things would have been good between them.
I feel that all the women portrayed in this book were at the whim and mercy of the men around them. This was a time when women hardly mattered in the scheme of things and all they really were there for was to have children and if they were rich they would enrich the men's coffers. I think that these women were all strong in their own way. I did come to have some sympathy for Jane, circumstances seemed to be against her and she was so in love with her husband that she was driven to the point of madness, anger and revenge.
I enjoyed this story very much and it was very well written and researched. As I have said before, I am not a historian and I am not bothered whether a story is historically correct or not. I liked this story as another perspective of life in the Tudor court.
Did I say that this ARC was signed by Brandy?? Yes it was so this one will stay in my bookcase and you will all have to wait to get your copy…it will be worth the wait.
The Boleyn Wife by Brandy Purdy will be published in the USA on January 26, 2010 by Kensington Books, and in the UK on April 1, 2010 by Avon/Harper under the title of The Tudor Wife by Emily Purdy.
As I stated before, The Boleyn Wife ARC was sent to me from the author for review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2021
I read this book because a lot is not known about Lady Jane Rochford, George Boleyn’s wife, aside from the fact that she provided damning evidence against Anne and her group of “evergreen gallants,” she aided Katherine Howard in betraying the King, and that she may possibly have been insane.
Obviously, none of us will know the true story, but I found this to be an interesting and entertaining take on that part of history.
One thing that really stuck out as I was reading this book was that the author seemed to turn every character in this book into an awful human being.
Although I did not give this book a very high rating, a few of her other books caught my attention and I look forward to reading those.
Obviously, none of us will know the true story, but I found this to be an interesting and entertaining take on that part of history.
One thing that really stuck out as I was reading this book was that the author seemed to turn every character in this book into an awful human being.
Although I did not give this book a very high rating, a few of her other books caught my attention and I look forward to reading those.
March 11, 2021
Worst book ever! Jane Rochford's lilac nail polish on the cover picture should have been the give-away - that this is historical fiction, with a strong emphasis on the FICTION. Everyone in this book is murdered by the author long before they die. I am surprised that Brandy Purdy is not haunted by the ghost of Anne Boleyn. ......The whole thing made me feel like puking.
December 2, 2019
After reading and enjoying the story of Anne Boleyn’s mother, Boleyn Bride, I couldn’t wait to get this book narrated by Lady Jane Parker Rochford, the woman who had the misfortune of marrying in the Boleyn family and becoming the sister-in-law of Anne Boleyn. The book flows well and beautifully written bringing the period and characters to life. What I didn’t care about is the personalities of the characters in the book are a little bit on the black on white side: either all good and mostly bad.
October 24, 2020
Really enjoyed this take on the Tudors. Seeing familiar events unfold through Jane Parker's jealous, vindictive eyes felt fresh and was extremely entertaining. She's not someone you could ever root for, but her take on the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn and her experience with Henry's other queens is one of my favorites. I wish the story would have spent more time with Katherine Howard, but I enjoyed what was there.
March 28, 2018
I wanted to like this book, really I did. I have an obsession with the Tudors, so this book seemed right up my alley.
Yes, I know it is historical FICTION, but the author took some liberties that actually made me cringe. (Hello weird lesbian scene with Katherine Howard and Anne of Cleves). And overall I just found the writing off and I struggled to get through the book.
Yes, I know it is historical FICTION, but the author took some liberties that actually made me cringe. (Hello weird lesbian scene with Katherine Howard and Anne of Cleves). And overall I just found the writing off and I struggled to get through the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2020
An entertaining book for the most part but at times it felt like the author was trying too hard. At several points it felt like the author was throwing in quotes from every anecdote one would typically find in a history book on the tudors. The lesbian sex scene between Katherine Howard and Anne of cleves was also an interesting choice that served no purpose to the plot.
May 14, 2017
Total waste of my time
August 7, 2017
I very much enjoyed this book!
February 6, 2018
First half was not bad the rest not so much...
August 22, 2018
Somewhat pornographic which I wasn't expecting.
March 20, 2019
the worst historical fiction book..
September 2, 2019
I always wondered about George Boleyn's wife, Jane Parker. I know this book is fictional, but it tells the story of why she loved George and hated him in the same breath. It is an interesting read.
February 8, 2021
Decent! I don’t love Jane as a narrator/historical figure but it is interesting to read a story from her point of view!
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