I have loved history since my 8th grade year when I had a teacher that made it fun and interesting. She was always excited about what she was teaching and it made me want to know more. I started reading about 90% historical fiction after this point. I had to learn about places and people while I was enjoying the story.
During my freshman year of college, as a history major, I finally bought a copy of a book I had had my eye on for several years. The book was The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory. I was enthralled! Gregory’s writing was stunning and the characters were brought to life before my eyes. It centers around the younger sister of Anne Boleyn, Mary, who becomes the mistress of Henry VIII. Even though the story is centered around Mary it was Anne who fascinated me.
Anne Boleyn was the infamous second wife of Henry VIII and mother of Elizabeth I. She has been described in many ways from temptress, witch, whore, martyr and pawn. Her beliefs and stubbornness to stand up for them made her the target for many. Changes came to England during the years of her courtship and marriage to Henry that reshaped the world. She was executed in the Tower of London on May 19, 1536 on the charges of treason, witchcraft and adultery.
There are differing opinions about this woman who is still very unknown to historians even today. Little is known but many books have been written about her. One of the latest is by Alison Weir as part of her Six Tudor Queens series. As soon as I could get my hands on this book I was ready to read it!
Anne Boleyn: A King’s Obsession by Alison Weir
First Line: Her skin was rather sallow, Anne thought as she studied herself in the silver mirror, and she had too many moles, but at least her face was a fashionable oval.
Summary: Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII, spent her early years in the courts of Burgundy and France. She learned from duchesses and queens on how to be a lady but it is a king that truly changes her life. When the King Henry VIII notices her and wants her to be his mistress Anne decides that she is not going to be used like other women of her time. She tries to discourage the king but to no avail. But when Henry proposes marriage to her, even though he is already married, she sets her sights on the ultimate power. After years of legal and religious battles she finally is crowned queen but it turns out to not be all that was promised.
Highlights: The descriptions are very detailed. I could feel the frustration with the Great Matter as much as Anne and Henry. Anne is a smart and passionate woman who knows what she wants and is willing to do whatever she can to achieve it. There is so much in this novel about a woman that very little is known. The author takes you all the way back to Anne’s childhood which most books do not do.
Lowlights: I have read many books about Anne Boleyn. And a book that is written by a historian like Alison Weir, I was expecting more. There were things that I did not agree with in her descriptions of Anne such as the sixth finger. Plus she makes Anne seem more like a child at times when she was a powerful woman with strong beliefs.
FYI: Some of this is written for a more dramatic and fictional account than most historians have been able to back up. Great for a fun and interesting book about the life of Anne Boleyn, the unfortunate second wife of Henry VIII.
If you are ever lucky enough to visit the 
Tower of London, visit her grave in the chapel and the memorial to Anne Boleyn (and many others who lost their lives inside this fortress). It has been 481 years since that fateful day on Tower Green and people still remember this fascinating woman.
