Another Boleyn Inheritance (The Boleyn Inheritance - Philippa Gregory)

Member Name: blackviolets

Product:	The Boleyn Inheritance - Philippa Gregory
Date:	19/04/09 (23 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: good writing

Disadvantages: maybe a bit longer than necessary.

Truth is, I'm a sucker for anything to do with history. Especially if it's about past Kings and Queens of Britain or the Romans! Hence the reason why I'm such a keen viewer of programmes such as The Tudors and Rome. Yes I know that neither are completely correct with the truth, but there are some things which you can get away with.

One of my favourite authors of these types of novels is Jean Plaidy but recently I have discovered another who is just as good. Phillipa Gregory. She has written past books The Other Boleyn Girl and The Virgin Lover.

The Boleyn Inheritance is based around the year of 1539 at the time of Henry VIII. It has been over 3 years since the beheading of Anne Boleyn and her brother George, whilst the people of England are desperate for a new Queen. Jane Seymour has already died, alone, the absence of the King well noticed. But now is not the time for grieving of those who are no longer around.

There are 3 main narrators throughout the book. Jane Boleyn (wife of George), Anne of Cleves ( the 4th wife) and Katherine Howard (the 5th wife.)

After being tarnished thanks to the scandal of the Boleyn's Jane is now a 30 year old woman who has sent her son away, desperate to be back at court however she dreams about the day when the Duke of Suffolk will send her a letter, granting her wish.

Anne has had to deal with the coldness of her brother towards her, whilst he cherishes her other sisters especially Amelia. Longing to be free from her world of constraint the idea of being Queen, naturally appeals to her. Although, she has been brought up under the strictest of circumstances and can only speak German this proves a certain problem when trying to make friends with other people. Even the King seems to dislike her and gets angry with her frequently for such small things.

Katherine Howard is a flirt. And a lot more. At the age of 14 she knows all about how to go about attracting a man. In fact everyone knows of it. Until her Uncle sends her to court to be one of Anne's Maids in Waiting. She is instructed that she must be rid of all the talk of her waywardness which when all she is interested in is having fun, makes things a bit of a struggle.

Until, that is, when she picks up on the fact that Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves have been unable to consummate the marriage. Which is not surprising after their first meeting. Henry, well known for disguising himself and then revealing who he is to fake surprises from the people around, was surprised at how Anne shoved him away when he kissed her fully on the mouth. To the horror of her maids afterwards when she spat onto the floor beside him. Perhaps making Henry see what others see him to appear as. An old, fat, wounded man. Not the handsomest prince in Christendom.
Wounded he does not forgive her for this, and blames her of witchcraft when he is 'unmanned.'

Using this to her own advantage, Katherine makes the most of her flirtatious knowledge, wearing tight clothes and curtseying as low as possible when in front of him. It is clear to quite a few of the court that he has shown a keen interest in her.
This novel follows the way in which each of the three go about trying to make something of their lives. Anne, trying to cope in her new home when she feels isolated from her family and how she knows something is not right with how the King and other officials who deal with him act suspiciously when they think she is not looking.

Katherine flirting her way to the crown and Jane, still being held of suspicion and haunted because of the Boleyn name.

This is a great book for those who are keen on Tudor history. I don't claim to know if everything in it is based on the truth but that doesn't make it the worse for it.

Summary: .