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Threads: The Reincarnation of Anne Boleyn
In 1536 a woman dies, and the story begins ...
Threads, a reincarnation fantasy, opens with Anne's execution. Her fury at her husband's betrayal has enough momentum to survive centuries, but in Threads she learns that she has been assigned a hard task: she must review their history together through a number of past lives, and find it within herself to forgive him. This may prove difficult and take some time. The husband in question is Henry Tudor, the notorious Henry VIII. The narrator is the stubborn, volatile Anne Boleyn, who is not at all inclined to forgive.
It is a very unusual love story.
Threads, a reincarnation fantasy, opens with Anne's execution. Her fury at her husband's betrayal has enough momentum to survive centuries, but in Threads she learns that she has been assigned a hard task: she must review their history together through a number of past lives, and find it within herself to forgive him. This may prove difficult and take some time. The husband in question is Henry Tudor, the notorious Henry VIII. The narrator is the stubborn, volatile Anne Boleyn, who is not at all inclined to forgive.
It is a very unusual love story.
350 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
99 people are currently reading
1,139 people want to read
About the author
Nell Gavin
4Ìýbooks33ÌýfollowersI was born in Chicago, raised my family in Texas, and now live in Michigan. I spent a number of years as a technical writer and wrote a couple of novels over the years. Life got hectic, and I went without writing any new books until 60 Minutes ran a story about UFOs on May 16, 2021.
I didn't think the UFOs were built by the Chinese, and I didn't think they were aliens from outer space. I thought the most likely explanation was time travel.
The story captured my imagination for months. I figured they were watching us, and I wondered what they thought about everything they saw from their more "evolved" perspective in the future. I finally gave in and wrote a book, The Historian Project: A Time Travel Catastrophe, which was 100% inspired by that news story.
I didn't think the UFOs were built by the Chinese, and I didn't think they were aliens from outer space. I thought the most likely explanation was time travel.
The story captured my imagination for months. I figured they were watching us, and I wondered what they thought about everything they saw from their more "evolved" perspective in the future. I finally gave in and wrote a book, The Historian Project: A Time Travel Catastrophe, which was 100% inspired by that news story.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
April 6, 2012
Anne Boleyn was the first historical figure that really drew me into historical fiction and the Tudor period. I always like books on her and reading an authors "take" on this much talked about woman.Now one may think this is a story of Anne Boleyn going into the body of another woman,and meeting Henry in the body of another man and they find their HEA. Not so at all,this story begins at the end of Anne's life: "I sensed there were tears,but his face was stone and tears would not be shed"."He would never face what he had done,he would do it again and it would change him and the lives he touches from this day forward"."I absently thought he should cry" Then left him..good-bye.
Anne being the narrator to her story is now "hovering" between her death and passing into the next life. But in order to do so,she must look back and examine her past and search within herself to find what she did or didnt do to bring her to this end.She also has to come to terms with certain advents that happened,her motives and others and most of all her feelings for Henry.In doing so she must also learn to forgive not only herself for things she did in the past and those around her, but Henry as well. Not an easy task since she took with her upon her death,bitterness and hatred for those involved in her life and her demise. So begins Anne's journey.."As for "history", or rather that hearsay of my past,I have some knowledge of it here". "The historic "Anne" is not much loved,whereas I was loved much..Henry's love had a very high price".
A nice twist to a historical fact in history that has been told many times . What I liked so much about this book was I felt like I got to see Anne Boleyn as a woman caught in her time,and lesson's learned here, going back to examine one's past to accept and forgive..so you can move on. Nicely done.
Anne being the narrator to her story is now "hovering" between her death and passing into the next life. But in order to do so,she must look back and examine her past and search within herself to find what she did or didnt do to bring her to this end.She also has to come to terms with certain advents that happened,her motives and others and most of all her feelings for Henry.In doing so she must also learn to forgive not only herself for things she did in the past and those around her, but Henry as well. Not an easy task since she took with her upon her death,bitterness and hatred for those involved in her life and her demise. So begins Anne's journey.."As for "history", or rather that hearsay of my past,I have some knowledge of it here". "The historic "Anne" is not much loved,whereas I was loved much..Henry's love had a very high price".
A nice twist to a historical fact in history that has been told many times . What I liked so much about this book was I felt like I got to see Anne Boleyn as a woman caught in her time,and lesson's learned here, going back to examine one's past to accept and forgive..so you can move on. Nicely done.
December 28, 2012
My only complaint about this book is that it wasn't longer. I would've been happy to keep reading forever and ever about all the lifetimes of Anne and Henry. The subject of reincarnation is one that fascinates me, and especially with this novel being about Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII, whom I've read historical fiction on and find very interesting. I know its impossible to know how the real Anne Boleyn felt and what she was thinking when these events happened, but this book really made me sympathize with her, and wonder what it might've been like if their souls really have met up in other incarnations. Fascinating idea for a novel, and very well-done!
Read
April 19, 2011This novel has an interesting premise--Anne Boleyn and Henry meet each other, in various guises, throughout the centuries. Unfortunately, I couldn't get past the first few chapters--and I got through them only because I was on a train and didn't have anything else to read. Anne, who narrates, is tiresome and preachy. There's very little dialogue, and what there is of it is reminiscent of a Renaissance Faire--lots of "mayhaps" and the like. Catherine of Aragaon is a horrible person--we know because Anne tells us so--and Henry Percy is witty and lovable--again, we know because Anne tells us so. One can't wall-bang a Kindle, so I could only turn it off with great force and sigh with relief when I finally got off the train.
February 23, 2012
I didn't think I would like this book as much as I did (I mean, I consider myself a liker of Serious Historical Fiction). I really enjoyed this take on Anne and Henry (and other characters) and I found each segment of Anne's past lives (as she remembered them) to be interesting and entertaining new takes on characters that have been pretty much set in stone by history. Do not go into this book thinking you are going to be reading a thick, densely historic book because you aren't. I want to say that in comparison this is a bit of a romp through a well-established (and much written about) time period and characters but "romp" seems too light. While this book does feel light overall, it is written seriously and touches on some serious issues.
I really enjoyed it.
I really enjoyed it.
July 25, 2018
I got this because it was billed as Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII meet 400 years later (as different people) and have things to work out. I buy reincarnation, I dig Anne Boleyn, and I'm a Tudor nut, so why not give it a try, I figured. Okay, first off, it's mis-billed in the way it's marketed. The part that's AFTER Anne dies is rushed and in an epilogue that makes little sense and is not in any way moving . In fact, the whole book, with only a few exceptions, was not moving. It was all tell, no show. Anne going on and on about her life, with the occasional actual scene rather than recounting. There was no chemistry between Henry and her, despite Anne constantly telling us there was. I kept reading because I was expecting that part to be prologue and the more current era to be the story. Wrong. Also, the author changes key facts and makes up some pretty farfetched ones to support her story. Now, I watch The Tudors and I tried to read The Other Boleyn Girl, so I'm used to this. But I have issues with it when it's used to make this particular plot more interesting: it's Anne Boleyn--how much more interesting do you need to make it?? This book was disappointing as hell. If I hadn't been expecting a payoff, I'd have abandoned it after the first few chapters.
December 8, 2007
Damn good read!
June 15, 2011
Threads is a work that can be read on many levels; it is a complex and very unusual book. If you're looking for a rumbustious bodice-ripper, this may not be the book for you;the story as it deals with Anne and Henry's relationship is more an assimilation of the information from several different autobiographies, put together thoughtfully and with a real attempt to sieve through the gossip and slander and make sense of both characters in a very human and sympathetic manner.
On a separate level, Threads is about love, hate, forgiveness and betrayal, specifically between Anne and Henry in their various incarnations, but also as concepts; the effects they have and the repercussions they cause.
And lastly, this book is an intelligent, deeply-thought-through discussion of what the afterlife might be like, what it could be for, and how an entity could learn and develop through subsequent lives in different situations, times, and social positions.
I found it a very sad read, but I loved the intellectual side of it, and Nell Gavin does a wonderful job of making the relationship between Anne and Henry make sense - and then imbues it with more significance by laying it alongside their (and other characters') interactions in previous and subsequent lives.
If I have a criticism, it is simply that there is no real sense of closure. Even at the end, you're not at all sure that the eventual ending (no spoilers here!) is a good thing or not. It does leave you with a sense of things unfinished and continuing - but then as that's the point, really, I suspect that's more the author's choice than any omission.
It's a very interesting book to read, and most unusual. Don't start it when you're feeling depressed, certainly, but if you have a taste for a leisurely exploration of what love is and what it is for; what it can do to the lover and the beloved; and what might come after death, then this is the book for you.
JAC
On a separate level, Threads is about love, hate, forgiveness and betrayal, specifically between Anne and Henry in their various incarnations, but also as concepts; the effects they have and the repercussions they cause.
And lastly, this book is an intelligent, deeply-thought-through discussion of what the afterlife might be like, what it could be for, and how an entity could learn and develop through subsequent lives in different situations, times, and social positions.
I found it a very sad read, but I loved the intellectual side of it, and Nell Gavin does a wonderful job of making the relationship between Anne and Henry make sense - and then imbues it with more significance by laying it alongside their (and other characters') interactions in previous and subsequent lives.
If I have a criticism, it is simply that there is no real sense of closure. Even at the end, you're not at all sure that the eventual ending (no spoilers here!) is a good thing or not. It does leave you with a sense of things unfinished and continuing - but then as that's the point, really, I suspect that's more the author's choice than any omission.
It's a very interesting book to read, and most unusual. Don't start it when you're feeling depressed, certainly, but if you have a taste for a leisurely exploration of what love is and what it is for; what it can do to the lover and the beloved; and what might come after death, then this is the book for you.
JAC
November 27, 2021
This is an unusual love story. Strictly speaking, it's not Historical romance and it's not just about the Tudor's, but because the main character is Anne Boleyn you'd be forgiven for thinking so.
It's all a bit far fetched and confusing... but in a good way. It's a new slant on Anne and Henry, iconic 16th century lovers at war.
The main narrator is Anne Boleyn, she has to go through a series of reincarnations to learn her 'lesson'. Obviously she has to forgive Henry VIII, who it transpires has been her husband over many lifetimes. It always ends the same way, Henry lets Anne down and Anne disappoints Henry. They have issues that they need to work through and it's taking centuries to get to the bottom of the problem.
The problem is, whilst living the life (any and all of the reincarnations) Anne and Henry have no notion of what they are here to do.
It's heartbreaking and rewarding and frustrating all at the same time, for us the reader AND Henry and Anne. I got so involved with the story and kept wanting to shout and tell them what they needed to do to be happy, to save them further heartache.
I can't do it justice in a few paragraphs, I wouldn't know where to start. There's Anne and Henry from Tudor times, there's Egypt, the circus, modern America....it's all here.
I loved it. It's different to most books with a Tudor theme and it's an unusual book with just enough familiar things to make it enjoyable, and just enough unfamiliar to make it exciting.
It's all a bit far fetched and confusing... but in a good way. It's a new slant on Anne and Henry, iconic 16th century lovers at war.
The main narrator is Anne Boleyn, she has to go through a series of reincarnations to learn her 'lesson'. Obviously she has to forgive Henry VIII, who it transpires has been her husband over many lifetimes. It always ends the same way, Henry lets Anne down and Anne disappoints Henry. They have issues that they need to work through and it's taking centuries to get to the bottom of the problem.
The problem is, whilst living the life (any and all of the reincarnations) Anne and Henry have no notion of what they are here to do.
It's heartbreaking and rewarding and frustrating all at the same time, for us the reader AND Henry and Anne. I got so involved with the story and kept wanting to shout and tell them what they needed to do to be happy, to save them further heartache.
I can't do it justice in a few paragraphs, I wouldn't know where to start. There's Anne and Henry from Tudor times, there's Egypt, the circus, modern America....it's all here.
I loved it. It's different to most books with a Tudor theme and it's an unusual book with just enough familiar things to make it enjoyable, and just enough unfamiliar to make it exciting.
February 1, 2013
Threads is a unique look at the life of Anne Boleyn from the vast perspective of a disembodied soul. It is a sensitive, well written novel with strong metaphysical themes. There is much here to provoke contemplation about the purpose of life, or lives. A truly delightful read on many levels.
Anne has been beheaded, and after her death reviews not just her past life with Henry the 8th, but also many previous lives that she shared with him and others that played major roles in her life as Anne. With another soul to help her, Anne sees the lessons she has been learning in her series of lives and begins to understand how the actions she has taken in one life have affected other lives. When she has been hard on others, she will one day be in the situation of those she had been harsh with, receiving the same kind of abuse from others as she gave out herself. In the same way, the situation she found herself in in her life as Anne were due to her actions in previous lives. She understands that the lessons will continue until she, like all souls, learns to cherish all beings equally.
Ms Gavin paints Anne as a victim of her time and of a man who grows unbalanced in his later years. But the experiences of and decisions made in her other lives also play a part in creating the Anne that made the choices that lead to Henry's dissatisfaction and eventual betrayal. This is a multilayered story, rich with interwoven threads of colour - an apt title indeed. The section on the very young Anne and Henry from their life as travelling players was truly delightful, especially the scene where Anne discovers sex, and decides they must make sure it fits before they commit to marriage.
The historical era of Anne's life and reincarnation as a plot device makes this story very suitable for the omniscient viewpoint which Ms Gavin uses here. The soul of Anne has the clairvoyance usually attributed to souls between lives, so she can understand others motivations, desires and insecurities, or strengths, carried with them from previous lives. This allows her to put her and others behaviour in a greater perspective. In order for her soul to move forward on her journey (to enlightenment/union with God) she will one day have to forgive Henry for having her beheaded, but she is not ready . . .not yet.
The writing is mostly expositional, but it is a relevant way of writing this particular story, after all, Anne is looking back at her lives, she is no longer in them. The emotional distance in telling her story rather than writing it as if she were living it now is necessary for her to be able to review her lives with equanimity. Some readers will find this less than engaging, and the book probably would have been better with a more immediate approach to the actual lives, but, for me, it works here. The thrust of the book is, after all, not so much the life of Anne Boleyn as the review of all lives relevant to that one.
The book ends with her in a later life meeting Henry again. She is no longer a disembodied soul, so she has forgotten all those other lives, but she has a feeling, one that draws her to him at the same time that it makes her want to flee. We are left wondering what her choice will be, to share another life with Henry, or to walk away. The question is, is she ready to forgive. How many lives does it lake to forgive your beloved turning on you so completely that they order your execution?
This is one of those rare books that offers readers much more than a great story, it also offers wisdom - the kind honoured by all spiritual traditions - and rouses compassion for all those who find themselves in difficult circumstances. I recommend it for anyone who enjoys historical literature with a metaphysical slant, but be warned, it is not your ordinary historical fiction focused on action and intrigue, or even on one story. Its focus is contemplative and its scope that of several seemingly unrelated lives.
I received this book free in return for an honest review.
Anne has been beheaded, and after her death reviews not just her past life with Henry the 8th, but also many previous lives that she shared with him and others that played major roles in her life as Anne. With another soul to help her, Anne sees the lessons she has been learning in her series of lives and begins to understand how the actions she has taken in one life have affected other lives. When she has been hard on others, she will one day be in the situation of those she had been harsh with, receiving the same kind of abuse from others as she gave out herself. In the same way, the situation she found herself in in her life as Anne were due to her actions in previous lives. She understands that the lessons will continue until she, like all souls, learns to cherish all beings equally.
Ms Gavin paints Anne as a victim of her time and of a man who grows unbalanced in his later years. But the experiences of and decisions made in her other lives also play a part in creating the Anne that made the choices that lead to Henry's dissatisfaction and eventual betrayal. This is a multilayered story, rich with interwoven threads of colour - an apt title indeed. The section on the very young Anne and Henry from their life as travelling players was truly delightful, especially the scene where Anne discovers sex, and decides they must make sure it fits before they commit to marriage.
The historical era of Anne's life and reincarnation as a plot device makes this story very suitable for the omniscient viewpoint which Ms Gavin uses here. The soul of Anne has the clairvoyance usually attributed to souls between lives, so she can understand others motivations, desires and insecurities, or strengths, carried with them from previous lives. This allows her to put her and others behaviour in a greater perspective. In order for her soul to move forward on her journey (to enlightenment/union with God) she will one day have to forgive Henry for having her beheaded, but she is not ready . . .not yet.
The writing is mostly expositional, but it is a relevant way of writing this particular story, after all, Anne is looking back at her lives, she is no longer in them. The emotional distance in telling her story rather than writing it as if she were living it now is necessary for her to be able to review her lives with equanimity. Some readers will find this less than engaging, and the book probably would have been better with a more immediate approach to the actual lives, but, for me, it works here. The thrust of the book is, after all, not so much the life of Anne Boleyn as the review of all lives relevant to that one.
The book ends with her in a later life meeting Henry again. She is no longer a disembodied soul, so she has forgotten all those other lives, but she has a feeling, one that draws her to him at the same time that it makes her want to flee. We are left wondering what her choice will be, to share another life with Henry, or to walk away. The question is, is she ready to forgive. How many lives does it lake to forgive your beloved turning on you so completely that they order your execution?
This is one of those rare books that offers readers much more than a great story, it also offers wisdom - the kind honoured by all spiritual traditions - and rouses compassion for all those who find themselves in difficult circumstances. I recommend it for anyone who enjoys historical literature with a metaphysical slant, but be warned, it is not your ordinary historical fiction focused on action and intrigue, or even on one story. Its focus is contemplative and its scope that of several seemingly unrelated lives.
I received this book free in return for an honest review.
April 26, 2011
This is a historical fantasy with the underlying theme of reincarnation, forgiveness and love. I would say that it doesn't require a belief in reincarnation for you to like this book - just read it with an open-mind and you may even find yourself half-convinced by the end of it (or wanting to believe in it, like I did). I think that this will probably require another read through to help me fully understand and interpret each section of the book, but this is my opinion on the first read through.
The historical part of the story is based on the story of Anne Boleyn, and it is Anne who narrates the story to us. It starts with her execution, after which she finds herself with a spiritual mentor who guides her through her memories of this life (and previous ones) to understand, learn and forgive.
It is an extraordinary story. It is told in parts, each having a theme of it's own, a thread if you will. Anne examines her upbringing, her time with Hal (Lord Percy), her courtship with Henry, her marriage, her child... We see glimpses of past lives and how this has shaped her most recent life. It is a lesson, a series of lessons, and all these lead to an inevitable conclusion. Anne and Henry are bound, soul mates for eternity, and she must learn to forgive him. The point of this story is not how it ends, but how we get to the end!
The best part of this book was the reincarnation theme, and the parts which seemed quite philosophical in a way. I liked the idea (even if I don't believe in it and it might be viewed as silly by some) that we are tied to certain people, to certain souls, and that in each life we find these souls again. I liked the narrative. Anne as a character is quite fascinating and neither completely likeable or unlikeable. I also liked the research that has clearly been done. Though some liberties have been taken with the story (the deformity, for example), it does not take away the fact that the author has clearly done her research and managed to portray and explain Anne Boleyn in a very honest way. My favourite part of the story is Anne's fondness for her life as a "traveller" in twelfth century Flanders.
The worst part, I think, was simply getting into the story. For those not interested in Tudor history, or in Anne Boleyn, they might find it slow-going, lacking in dialogue or repetitive. I found it a little slow-going at first (and contrary to what this site reports, I did not start it two days earlier, I only put it on as a currently reading book on that day). However, when I got about a third of the way through it became much more easy-going. I don't mind lack of dialogue, and the dialogue that does exist seems true to the times and not just put in for the sake of it. Also, it wasn't really repetitive so much as it told different "threads" of the same story. There was the basic story told in the beginning, and then each subsequent part took a section of that story and examined it further, in more detail.
I would definitely recommend this book, and am already working on getting my family to read it!
The historical part of the story is based on the story of Anne Boleyn, and it is Anne who narrates the story to us. It starts with her execution, after which she finds herself with a spiritual mentor who guides her through her memories of this life (and previous ones) to understand, learn and forgive.
It is an extraordinary story. It is told in parts, each having a theme of it's own, a thread if you will. Anne examines her upbringing, her time with Hal (Lord Percy), her courtship with Henry, her marriage, her child... We see glimpses of past lives and how this has shaped her most recent life. It is a lesson, a series of lessons, and all these lead to an inevitable conclusion. Anne and Henry are bound, soul mates for eternity, and she must learn to forgive him. The point of this story is not how it ends, but how we get to the end!
The best part of this book was the reincarnation theme, and the parts which seemed quite philosophical in a way. I liked the idea (even if I don't believe in it and it might be viewed as silly by some) that we are tied to certain people, to certain souls, and that in each life we find these souls again. I liked the narrative. Anne as a character is quite fascinating and neither completely likeable or unlikeable. I also liked the research that has clearly been done. Though some liberties have been taken with the story (the deformity, for example), it does not take away the fact that the author has clearly done her research and managed to portray and explain Anne Boleyn in a very honest way. My favourite part of the story is Anne's fondness for her life as a "traveller" in twelfth century Flanders.
The worst part, I think, was simply getting into the story. For those not interested in Tudor history, or in Anne Boleyn, they might find it slow-going, lacking in dialogue or repetitive. I found it a little slow-going at first (and contrary to what this site reports, I did not start it two days earlier, I only put it on as a currently reading book on that day). However, when I got about a third of the way through it became much more easy-going. I don't mind lack of dialogue, and the dialogue that does exist seems true to the times and not just put in for the sake of it. Also, it wasn't really repetitive so much as it told different "threads" of the same story. There was the basic story told in the beginning, and then each subsequent part took a section of that story and examined it further, in more detail.
I would definitely recommend this book, and am already working on getting my family to read it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2011
This was a book that sounded very interesting-- the reincarnation of Anne Boleyn! I've always found her an interesting historical figure, but I've never read much fiction that took on her story. This book, however, is not interesting. Most of it is exposition, Anne Boleyn speaking to the reader from the afterlife. The best thing about fiction is the show aspect of it. I want to be shown the story, shown the meaning within the story, through the character's actions. This is all tell. And tell. And then some more tell. It's also repetitive. The author is basically saying (through Anne's voice) "This is what I mean." There's some snippets where we see Anne in other lives, and some of that was mildly interesting. But the writing just wasn't engaging enough to make any of it come alive. And, even though it is a work of fiction, I really just couldn't buy that Anne Boleyn wasn't ambitious. If there's one thing Tudor history buffs can agree on, it's that Anne Boleyn was as ambitious as all get out. Her ambition was probably the most interesting thing about her.
The most interesting part of this book was the end, where Anne and Henry finally meet again in New York, 1970. And then the book ends, rather abruptly. I guess, for me, I liked the premise of the book, but the execution (no pun intended) just wasn't done well.
The most interesting part of this book was the end, where Anne and Henry finally meet again in New York, 1970. And then the book ends, rather abruptly. I guess, for me, I liked the premise of the book, but the execution (no pun intended) just wasn't done well.
February 18, 2013
This could've been so good. It's such a good idea for a story. Unfortunately, I didn't find it good. I thought the past lives were ridiculous and far fetched. I thought the fact that the whole court was also involved in each past life was silly. In every life, Henry, Henry Percy, Katherine, Mary Boleyn, Princess Mary, Thomas Whyatt, her father and so on.
One particular low point was the prostitution in ancient Egypt. Anne was trying to feed two small children and the only way to do so was to turn tricks. However, next thing we know, Henry turns up. As a man (obviously). He is also a prostitute. Dressed as a woman, with kohl around his eyes. I just stopped and thought, this is outrageous.
Other previous lives included a Flanders traveller, a farmer's wife in 17th century China, a Victorian era American woman.
As the book is focusing on Anne looking back at previous lives, there isn't much dialogue.
I didn't like the way Katherine was portrayed as a spiteful woman and also a bit of a bully. That goes against anything I've ever read about Katherine.
Anne was apparently raped by a priest in France at a young age. This is why she wears a close fitting necklace, to cover a scar from her attacker. She has flashbacks to these attacks which I feel the author uses to excuse some of Anne's behaviour as queen.
The thing I did like about this book is that it deals with some quite deep emotions and harrowing situations, like the order to kill her newborn child in China, as its a female.
Also, Anne looks back on her previous lives and sees where things go wrong, she learns from her mistakes and she understands why things happened.
Had this book been written entirely as fantasy fiction, I think it would've worked much better. Instead of basing it on two very real figures in history, whom we know a lot about, I think fictional characters would have made for better reading. I found myself picking apart the chapters about Tudor England, thinking, that didn't happen like that or that didn't happen at all.
If fantasy is your bag then give it a read. If history is your choice of genre, perhaps give it a miss.
One particular low point was the prostitution in ancient Egypt. Anne was trying to feed two small children and the only way to do so was to turn tricks. However, next thing we know, Henry turns up. As a man (obviously). He is also a prostitute. Dressed as a woman, with kohl around his eyes. I just stopped and thought, this is outrageous.
Other previous lives included a Flanders traveller, a farmer's wife in 17th century China, a Victorian era American woman.
As the book is focusing on Anne looking back at previous lives, there isn't much dialogue.
I didn't like the way Katherine was portrayed as a spiteful woman and also a bit of a bully. That goes against anything I've ever read about Katherine.
Anne was apparently raped by a priest in France at a young age. This is why she wears a close fitting necklace, to cover a scar from her attacker. She has flashbacks to these attacks which I feel the author uses to excuse some of Anne's behaviour as queen.
The thing I did like about this book is that it deals with some quite deep emotions and harrowing situations, like the order to kill her newborn child in China, as its a female.
Also, Anne looks back on her previous lives and sees where things go wrong, she learns from her mistakes and she understands why things happened.
Had this book been written entirely as fantasy fiction, I think it would've worked much better. Instead of basing it on two very real figures in history, whom we know a lot about, I think fictional characters would have made for better reading. I found myself picking apart the chapters about Tudor England, thinking, that didn't happen like that or that didn't happen at all.
If fantasy is your bag then give it a read. If history is your choice of genre, perhaps give it a miss.
May 17, 2011
I've waited years to read this, waiting for it to show up in one of the libraries that I frequent. However, this never happened, and I finally broke down and bought a copy online.
I wasn't disappointed. The story starts out a little slow, but if you stick with it and settle into the story, you'll never want to put it down. Seeing Anne and Henry's various different lives, be they situated high or low, was incredibly engrossing. I zipped through it, glued to the pages.
Some of the explanations given for Henry's actions toward Anne were a bit far-fetched, as well as the fact that they've been pretty much disproved (such as the idea that Henry had a sexually transmitted disease), but that doesn't detract from the story all that much. The core theme of the book still moves along, regardless of the smaller details.
A great story.
I wasn't disappointed. The story starts out a little slow, but if you stick with it and settle into the story, you'll never want to put it down. Seeing Anne and Henry's various different lives, be they situated high or low, was incredibly engrossing. I zipped through it, glued to the pages.
Some of the explanations given for Henry's actions toward Anne were a bit far-fetched, as well as the fact that they've been pretty much disproved (such as the idea that Henry had a sexually transmitted disease), but that doesn't detract from the story all that much. The core theme of the book still moves along, regardless of the smaller details.
A great story.
February 17, 2012
Ugh. The description sounded so promising, but the author violates the "show, don't tell" rule to the greatest extent I've ever seen in a book that managed to get published. I made it about 30 pages in, flipped it to realize that it barely contains any dialogue at all and is basically purely exposition, and then gave up.
Read
October 23, 2012Absolutely loved this book , poignant and thought provoking . Deeply touching in parts and brings a different perspective to the much written about events we are all familiar with . I am an avid reader of Tudor writing but began reading this with some trepidation . This was proven to be unwarranted and I am sure this will be a book I read over and over ...
February 9, 2014
After reading this book three times, I am surprised by the sheer artistry Ms Gavin achieved. This is one of my favorite books. Thank you for writing Threads. You have achieved a true level of inspiration with this work. Cheers.
July 8, 2017
3 1/2 stars
A different fantasy genre take on the relationship of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn through different reincarnations, interesting and easily readable. The story is told mostly from first person, train of thought, Anne. The occasional swings to other character point of view left me a tad confused.
A different fantasy genre take on the relationship of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn through different reincarnations, interesting and easily readable. The story is told mostly from first person, train of thought, Anne. The occasional swings to other character point of view left me a tad confused.
May 6, 2013
In 1536 woman dies and the story begins...
Starting a story with the death of the main character is not done successfully very often. Anne Boleyn has just been lawfully, if not fairly, executed on the orders of her husband, King Henry VIII. This novel takes an unusual look at the events that led up to this; not just in Anne’s just past lifetime, but in the many lifetimes she and Henry have shared for centuries.
Anne’s task is to understand, to learn where she has failed, and to forgive what seems unforgivable, her murder by her once-beloved husband and soulmate.
If this is the very first book someone is reading about the story of Anne Boleyn and King Henry VIII, it would probably be very confusing. The story is told in first person, in some places with little dialogue, but to me it still flowed smoothly. The author makes some interesting choices - there are several “facts� about Anne Boleyn’s life, about which some historians say Point A is true, and others say that Point A is demonstrably false. Historians now are in agreement that Henry did not have syphilis, as is given here as reason for his growing derangement; however, he may well had other diseases or conditions which affected his brain.
She also gives Anne a history of being raped, as a child in France. This experience returns to Anne after the birth of Elizabeth, in the form of nightmares. She shrinks away from Henry’s lovemaking, which he takes badly, as a personal rejection, and things continue to go downhill from there.
I very much liked the threads of other lifetimes, and other stories, woven into this one. The time as troubadours/circus performers was especially delightful. The idea that many of the most important people in their lives were also present in past lives: Katherine, Emma, Hal Percy, Princess Mary, as their children, parents, spouses, siblings was very interesting. I also loved the vision of Henry as an ancient Egyptian homosexual prostitute, who tenderly helps care for Anne’s children.
What I liked about this is suggestion that there are forces and influences under the surface of what people choose to say and do. Past lives? Or simply experiences and traumas from this one that no one knows about? Of all the books that I’ve read about the Tudor period, this is one that has stayed with me.
Starting a story with the death of the main character is not done successfully very often. Anne Boleyn has just been lawfully, if not fairly, executed on the orders of her husband, King Henry VIII. This novel takes an unusual look at the events that led up to this; not just in Anne’s just past lifetime, but in the many lifetimes she and Henry have shared for centuries.
Anne’s task is to understand, to learn where she has failed, and to forgive what seems unforgivable, her murder by her once-beloved husband and soulmate.
Then I will return to try again, to see if I can overcome my faults and repay my mistakes... I see also that I have woven my own tapestry thread by thread from the beginning of time, and have no one to blame but myself for the pattern and the outcome.
If this is the very first book someone is reading about the story of Anne Boleyn and King Henry VIII, it would probably be very confusing. The story is told in first person, in some places with little dialogue, but to me it still flowed smoothly. The author makes some interesting choices - there are several “facts� about Anne Boleyn’s life, about which some historians say Point A is true, and others say that Point A is demonstrably false. Historians now are in agreement that Henry did not have syphilis, as is given here as reason for his growing derangement; however, he may well had other diseases or conditions which affected his brain.
She also gives Anne a history of being raped, as a child in France. This experience returns to Anne after the birth of Elizabeth, in the form of nightmares. She shrinks away from Henry’s lovemaking, which he takes badly, as a personal rejection, and things continue to go downhill from there.
I very much liked the threads of other lifetimes, and other stories, woven into this one. The time as troubadours/circus performers was especially delightful. The idea that many of the most important people in their lives were also present in past lives: Katherine, Emma, Hal Percy, Princess Mary, as their children, parents, spouses, siblings was very interesting. I also loved the vision of Henry as an ancient Egyptian homosexual prostitute, who tenderly helps care for Anne’s children.
What I liked about this is suggestion that there are forces and influences under the surface of what people choose to say and do. Past lives? Or simply experiences and traumas from this one that no one knows about? Of all the books that I’ve read about the Tudor period, this is one that has stayed with me.
January 9, 2010
Honestly, I can't make up my mind whether I loved this or hated it. There were large sections in the middle that I just couldn't read they got so tedious, so I skimmed through and there were some historical-type things that were a bit ridiculous. BUT, then there were sections that were so engaging I fell in love with the story. This is more than just a retelling of the Anne Boleyn/Henry VIII story - it is a story of the human spirit and redemption and is also a journey through history as Anne and Henry's relationship is tested time and again in early Egypt and other historic eras. Unfortunately, the relationship doesn't ever seem to grow and the couple, and primarily Anne, appear to repeat the same patterns over and over and over again. So - in the end this just wasn't engaging enough for me to get caught up in the story.
March 6, 2013
I never thought a story of reincarnation (I've never read one before) could be so multifaceted. I have never read anything about Anne Boyle before and looking at her supposed lives through the eyes of Anne and the subtle messages for the reader about the affect your life has on others is intriguing. It makes almost, but not quite question whether or not you've lived other lives. A fascinating first person account of numerous lives with the same characters interwoven in her life through the ages. Well written and entertaining
March 19, 2016
This book left me wondering what had possessed me to pick it up in the first place. I really did not like anything about it at all. It was slow, long winded and boring, with page after endless page of tell, from the POV of Anne speaking to use from the afterlife. I don't know exactly what I expected given the blurb but I found this to be really poor and a total disappointment. Anne is one of the most interesting women in history and there was nothing of interest in this whiny version of her.
November 5, 2013
Sadly, this book lacks any basis as a historical fiction or as a fantasy. The author cannot leave her Christian beliefs behind, nor delve into the world of reincarnation with any sort of imagination. The facts of Anne Boleyn's life are out there, and there are plenty of biographies and novels that do her justice. This,sadly, is the worst one I have read. Pass on this book!
August 29, 2011
I persisted with this against my better judgement. Have read numerous accounts (fiction and non-fiction) of Anne Boelyn but this is just strange. I kept thinking that the author was going to explain some of the idiosyncrasies about Anne through her previous incantations but it didn't work well at least not for me
January 20, 2013
This was one of the best books I have read, the most excited I have been about a book in a long time, not for its historical content, though that was clearly thoughtfully done, but for the perspective on the importance of forgiveness, under very trying circumstances, and the complexities in relationships. It read very true to me.
June 17, 2008
I am a Tudor literature buff and have read many books written about that era. Gavin puts a very fresh twist on the complicated relationship Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII shared. It goes beyond Tudor England and into other parts of the world and other places in time.
July 28, 2014
Quite possibly one of the worst books I have ever read. The premise is fascinating - but the execution clunky and repetitive. The facts regarding Anne's life are pulled out of Alison Weir and the other lives are somewhat cookie cutter. The book comes off as preachy. Disappointing.
June 17, 2013
LOVED this book! Really interesting look at the relationship between Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn and the writing moves seamlessly through different time periods. Excellent read!
May 6, 2022
Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!!!!!!!
I devoured every word and longed for more!!! This experience may change forever how I read historical fiction or fictionalized history.
I devoured every word and longed for more!!! This experience may change forever how I read historical fiction or fictionalized history.
July 30, 2017
It's impossible to know the real truth about Anne Boleyn because much of the stories about her are written by her known enemies and detractors. Gavin strives to give Anne a voice upon the moment of her death. As she reexamines her life and relationship to Henry Tudor, the truth about what they mean to each other is revealed. Through the centuries, Anne and Henry are always together and there is a reason for this - they are soulmates. What happens to love when you're soulmate is the one responsible for your death?
I will admit to being instantly draw to Thread: The Reincarnation of Anne Boleyn the moment I saw the title. I've long been a history buff and have been quite fascinated with the British monarchy. Thread: The Reincarnation of Anne Boleyn is fantasy in that it assumes thoughts and idea which historians most certainly could not verify and because it enlarges the story of Anne and Henry to encompass various incarnations throughout the centuries. Anne herself appears in ancient Egypt, in Europe as part of a traveling Romani circus, the 1800's New York, and in Brooklyn during the seventies. Each new life is a chance to grow and to pay for the sins of the last life. As a prostitute working in the Valley of the Kings in ancient Egypt, Anne would amuse herself by mocking and bullying a fellow prostitute who had an extra finger, causing her to be born as Anne Boleyn and also have an extra finger which she would strive for the entirety of her short to life to hide.
Because this is a historical fantasy, certain liberties were clearly taken with Anne and Henry's lives. Thread: The Reincarnation of Anne Boleyn is not an academic text and most certainly does not read like one. Anyone familiar with the history however might enjoy the speculation into what Anne might have been thinking when Henry broke off her engagement, or her loss at dealing with the fact that despite her supposed power, so much was really outside of her control. I'm not sure that Gavin's tone always rang true but that didn't detract my enjoyment with the story.
I found that when the story switched to Ancient Egypt in particular, Gavin really set a beautiful stage and I could picture all of her characters vividly and their setting. Henry as a gay male prostitute who craved the love of a family because he was rejected by his own, made sense to me. I do however wish that the only LGBT representation of sexual identity had not been reduced to prostitution and dependency on a straight woman for companionship.
The premise of Thread: The Reincarnation of Anne Boleyn, is that Anne keeps returning to earth after each death to pay a penance for the mistakes that she made in each previous life and to continue to grow as a soul. Anne learns early on that she and Henry are soulmates and have been twins, husband and wife, friends many times over. They are continually drawn to each other. Also in Anne's orbit are many people that she met in her lifetime as a queen. Some come back as her children and still others are her friends. Percy, Anne's betrothed for instance was a regular customer of hers when she was a prostitute in ancient Egypt, while Katherine turned out to be her daughter.
Obviously reincarnation is not a new idea, nor is the concept of learning lessons with each additional life new. I'm not disturbed by the idea of Anne and Henry being soulmates, particularly because they had varied relationships in the different lives. What I am disturbed by is Anne reviewing her lives in order to find a way to forgive Henry. By every definition possible, Henry Tudor was a very abusive, angry man. He raped Anne and then had her head cut off. Gavin worked hard to suggest that because of Henry's syphilis ( a condition that has only been speculated about and not proven) that Henry was not himself and therefore entitled to Anne's forgiveness. It was very much implied that Anne could not move on if she didn't find a way to forgive Henry. Even in fiction, perpetuating the idea that an abuser is deserving of forgiveness from their victim is harmful.
As much as Gavin sought to explore the inner feelings of Anne, She also spent a lot of time justifying Henry's actions. Yes, syphilis can attack the brain but does that justify executing Anne? What about Catherine Howard? Even if I were to simply accept syphilis as a justification, it does not explain why in a previous life, Henry tricked Anne into sleeping with him by suggesting he wouldn't marry her unless his penis fit inside her. Anne, who was raised to believe that Henry would be her husband had to submit to the size check. How is that not abusive?
I will admit to being instantly draw to Thread: The Reincarnation of Anne Boleyn the moment I saw the title. I've long been a history buff and have been quite fascinated with the British monarchy. Thread: The Reincarnation of Anne Boleyn is fantasy in that it assumes thoughts and idea which historians most certainly could not verify and because it enlarges the story of Anne and Henry to encompass various incarnations throughout the centuries. Anne herself appears in ancient Egypt, in Europe as part of a traveling Romani circus, the 1800's New York, and in Brooklyn during the seventies. Each new life is a chance to grow and to pay for the sins of the last life. As a prostitute working in the Valley of the Kings in ancient Egypt, Anne would amuse herself by mocking and bullying a fellow prostitute who had an extra finger, causing her to be born as Anne Boleyn and also have an extra finger which she would strive for the entirety of her short to life to hide.
Because this is a historical fantasy, certain liberties were clearly taken with Anne and Henry's lives. Thread: The Reincarnation of Anne Boleyn is not an academic text and most certainly does not read like one. Anyone familiar with the history however might enjoy the speculation into what Anne might have been thinking when Henry broke off her engagement, or her loss at dealing with the fact that despite her supposed power, so much was really outside of her control. I'm not sure that Gavin's tone always rang true but that didn't detract my enjoyment with the story.
I found that when the story switched to Ancient Egypt in particular, Gavin really set a beautiful stage and I could picture all of her characters vividly and their setting. Henry as a gay male prostitute who craved the love of a family because he was rejected by his own, made sense to me. I do however wish that the only LGBT representation of sexual identity had not been reduced to prostitution and dependency on a straight woman for companionship.
The premise of Thread: The Reincarnation of Anne Boleyn, is that Anne keeps returning to earth after each death to pay a penance for the mistakes that she made in each previous life and to continue to grow as a soul. Anne learns early on that she and Henry are soulmates and have been twins, husband and wife, friends many times over. They are continually drawn to each other. Also in Anne's orbit are many people that she met in her lifetime as a queen. Some come back as her children and still others are her friends. Percy, Anne's betrothed for instance was a regular customer of hers when she was a prostitute in ancient Egypt, while Katherine turned out to be her daughter.
Obviously reincarnation is not a new idea, nor is the concept of learning lessons with each additional life new. I'm not disturbed by the idea of Anne and Henry being soulmates, particularly because they had varied relationships in the different lives. What I am disturbed by is Anne reviewing her lives in order to find a way to forgive Henry. By every definition possible, Henry Tudor was a very abusive, angry man. He raped Anne and then had her head cut off. Gavin worked hard to suggest that because of Henry's syphilis ( a condition that has only been speculated about and not proven) that Henry was not himself and therefore entitled to Anne's forgiveness. It was very much implied that Anne could not move on if she didn't find a way to forgive Henry. Even in fiction, perpetuating the idea that an abuser is deserving of forgiveness from their victim is harmful.
As much as Gavin sought to explore the inner feelings of Anne, She also spent a lot of time justifying Henry's actions. Yes, syphilis can attack the brain but does that justify executing Anne? What about Catherine Howard? Even if I were to simply accept syphilis as a justification, it does not explain why in a previous life, Henry tricked Anne into sleeping with him by suggesting he wouldn't marry her unless his penis fit inside her. Anne, who was raised to believe that Henry would be her husband had to submit to the size check. How is that not abusive?
July 28, 2021
You must read the forward, notes, and author's conclusion.
It took me a few pages before i was able to establish the pattern and movement of the book. At first I thought I was reading a journal or diary but I couldn't have been more wrong. Before you make the same error please take the time to read and really absorb what clues and maps MS. Gavin provides because they are almost100% explanatory and illuminate not just the story but the path you need to understand before you are hopelessly lost. I tend to skip or skim preface type of pages because I think I know how to read and understand. I do, of course but I think I might have just been left with a few unrelated and disconnected fictional romps. That would have been a shame because this is so much more than a collection of prose.
You have been warned.
Now about*Threads". What a glorious creation. My words just will not do this justice. Every page brings new insight and understanding of the sheer struggle women of those long faded from memory centuries. Modern women are challenged in far different situations but our very social fabric keeps us dynamic, and capable of solving immense problems but the difference is most of us don't have to ask permission to conquer our demons and finalize our solutions without also fearing death at any moment from or at the whim of dogmatic delusions or psychotic episodes of our partners. Much less when the relationship power also happens to be our very governing state. Before the criticism mavens jump on me for including across the board social circle, network, or government, I will add that I am more than aware of societies where women are still, in the 21st. Century, oppressed and degraded for daring to demand education, healthcare, support, freedom of subservience and the right to move forward in time outside of the2nd century mores, I also know some things are being changed and corrected, but I live in the Western countries where we just will not accept such overwhelming control of our personal freedoms. I doubt anyone reading this review can interpret that issue any other way but critically however this is not a place for that discussion.
"Threads" is complex and simple at the same time. But rich with details and not to be read hastily. I think this book can be absorbed fully by deep consideration and comparison to the troubles and struggles women have faced throughout the ages.
I'm deliberately not going into detail but I couldn't explain the pages adequately anyway. Just let me encourage serious readers of historical fiction to at least trOy to settle down and open your mind to the effect MS. Gavin has given us. This is NOT a trashy, notice tripping thriller with little more substance than a comic book.
"Threads" is incredible and deeply moving. At times tears were my only resort.
An awesome book.
Well worth the time I held it in my hands and I shall plan to read it again.
It took me a few pages before i was able to establish the pattern and movement of the book. At first I thought I was reading a journal or diary but I couldn't have been more wrong. Before you make the same error please take the time to read and really absorb what clues and maps MS. Gavin provides because they are almost100% explanatory and illuminate not just the story but the path you need to understand before you are hopelessly lost. I tend to skip or skim preface type of pages because I think I know how to read and understand. I do, of course but I think I might have just been left with a few unrelated and disconnected fictional romps. That would have been a shame because this is so much more than a collection of prose.
You have been warned.
Now about*Threads". What a glorious creation. My words just will not do this justice. Every page brings new insight and understanding of the sheer struggle women of those long faded from memory centuries. Modern women are challenged in far different situations but our very social fabric keeps us dynamic, and capable of solving immense problems but the difference is most of us don't have to ask permission to conquer our demons and finalize our solutions without also fearing death at any moment from or at the whim of dogmatic delusions or psychotic episodes of our partners. Much less when the relationship power also happens to be our very governing state. Before the criticism mavens jump on me for including across the board social circle, network, or government, I will add that I am more than aware of societies where women are still, in the 21st. Century, oppressed and degraded for daring to demand education, healthcare, support, freedom of subservience and the right to move forward in time outside of the2nd century mores, I also know some things are being changed and corrected, but I live in the Western countries where we just will not accept such overwhelming control of our personal freedoms. I doubt anyone reading this review can interpret that issue any other way but critically however this is not a place for that discussion.
"Threads" is complex and simple at the same time. But rich with details and not to be read hastily. I think this book can be absorbed fully by deep consideration and comparison to the troubles and struggles women have faced throughout the ages.
I'm deliberately not going into detail but I couldn't explain the pages adequately anyway. Just let me encourage serious readers of historical fiction to at least trOy to settle down and open your mind to the effect MS. Gavin has given us. This is NOT a trashy, notice tripping thriller with little more substance than a comic book.
"Threads" is incredible and deeply moving. At times tears were my only resort.
An awesome book.
Well worth the time I held it in my hands and I shall plan to read it again.
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