What do you think?
Rate this book
Anne Boleyn
Set against the intrigue and pageantry of the sixteenth-century English court,ÌýEvelyn Anthony’s novel tells the love story of Henry Tudor and Anne Boleyn, who would become his wife, his queen, and the mother of one of Britain’s greatest monarchs
Ìý
On a lovely midsummer afternoon, Henry Tudor rides to Hever Castle. There, he feasts his eyes on Anne Boleyn, who caught his roving attention at court a few months earlier. Anne is in no mood to receive her king. He has torn from her the one man she loved: Harry Percy, who was forced to marry another. But King Henry VIII is not a man who gives up—the thrill of the chase only excites him more. Yet the woman he desires so passionately is no fool. Educated at the French court, Anne vows that she will not share the fate of her naïve younger sister, Mary, who after bearing Henry a bastard son was cast away and married off to a country squire. No, Anne will settle for nothing less than the crown of England, even if Henry has to break with Rome in order to marry her.
Ìý
History comes thrillingly alive in a novel that features a teeming canvas of iconic real-life characters: Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, the enemy Anne vows to destroy; Henry’s first wife, the proud and pious Queen Catherine of Aragon; and Thomas Cromwell, who engineers Anne’s downfall. From the halcyon early days of courtship to her imprisonment in the palace tower for treason, this is a tale of love, ambition, and the tragic destiny of Anne of the Thousand Days.
Ìý
On a lovely midsummer afternoon, Henry Tudor rides to Hever Castle. There, he feasts his eyes on Anne Boleyn, who caught his roving attention at court a few months earlier. Anne is in no mood to receive her king. He has torn from her the one man she loved: Harry Percy, who was forced to marry another. But King Henry VIII is not a man who gives up—the thrill of the chase only excites him more. Yet the woman he desires so passionately is no fool. Educated at the French court, Anne vows that she will not share the fate of her naïve younger sister, Mary, who after bearing Henry a bastard son was cast away and married off to a country squire. No, Anne will settle for nothing less than the crown of England, even if Henry has to break with Rome in order to marry her.
Ìý
History comes thrillingly alive in a novel that features a teeming canvas of iconic real-life characters: Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, the enemy Anne vows to destroy; Henry’s first wife, the proud and pious Queen Catherine of Aragon; and Thomas Cromwell, who engineers Anne’s downfall. From the halcyon early days of courtship to her imprisonment in the palace tower for treason, this is a tale of love, ambition, and the tragic destiny of Anne of the Thousand Days.
310 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1957
62 people are currently reading
534 people want to read
About the author
Evelyn Anthony
94Ìýbooks91ÌýfollowersEvelyn Anthony was the pen name of Evelyn Bridgett Patricia Stephens Ward-Thomas,
Started her career as a writer of historical fiction, later switched to writing contemporary thrillers, often with an espionage theme.
She met Michael Ward-Thomas on a double date in The Dorchester and both were attracted to each other.] He worked for the Consolidated African Selection Trust. They switched partners and were married a few months later.
They bought Horham Hall in 1968 but found that it was costly and sold it in 1976 and moved to Naas, County Kildare where she had relatives. Increased income from her writing allowed her to buy Horham Hall back in 1982.
In 1994 she became High Sheriff of Essex, the firswt woman in over 700 years to hold this office.
In 1995 her daughter Kitty died of a heroin overdose, leading Evelyn to not write for another seven years.
In 2004 her husband died of a stroke.
She was survived by her children Susan, Anthony, Ewan, Christian and Luke as well as 16 grandchildren.
NB:Some sources give Ms Anthonys year of birth as 1926.
Additional information added from Wikipedia
Started her career as a writer of historical fiction, later switched to writing contemporary thrillers, often with an espionage theme.
She met Michael Ward-Thomas on a double date in The Dorchester and both were attracted to each other.] He worked for the Consolidated African Selection Trust. They switched partners and were married a few months later.
They bought Horham Hall in 1968 but found that it was costly and sold it in 1976 and moved to Naas, County Kildare where she had relatives. Increased income from her writing allowed her to buy Horham Hall back in 1982.
In 1994 she became High Sheriff of Essex, the firswt woman in over 700 years to hold this office.
In 1995 her daughter Kitty died of a heroin overdose, leading Evelyn to not write for another seven years.
In 2004 her husband died of a stroke.
She was survived by her children Susan, Anthony, Ewan, Christian and Luke as well as 16 grandchildren.
NB:Some sources give Ms Anthonys year of birth as 1926.
Additional information added from Wikipedia
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
March 23, 2022
Ik heb al verschillende boeken over Anna Boleyn gelezen, maar ik ben altijd nieuwsgierig als ik er nog een tegenkom.
Ik vond dit boek wel goed, alhoewel sommige zaken maar summier uitgelegd werden, zoals de relaties tussen sommige personen, en de geschiedenis aan het hof van anderen. Zo wordt er bv. heel weinig over Thomas More gezegd, terwijl die toch wel belangrijk was in zijn tijd. Ik was ook blij dat ik reeds op de hoogte was van het feit dat Anna een tijd een Frankrijk verbleven had als hofdame van de zus van Hendrik, Mary, die een tijdje met de koning van Frankrijk getrouwd was en dus koningin van Frankrijk geweest is. Daarna trouwde ze met de hertog van Suffolk, die dus een schoonbroer van Hendrik was. Interessante achtergrond die toch wel nuttig is om te weten als je dit boek leest.
Verder, ja, het verhaal is bekend. Wat mij vooral geraakt heeft, is het feit dat Anna voor het huwelijk zo veel in alle vrijheid samen kon zijn met Hendrik, maar eens ze getrouwd waren, kon ze nooit meer (volgens het protocol) zo maar onaangekondigd bij Hendrik aanlopen. Zij waren alleen samen 'op afspraak'. En andere vrouwen genoten vanaf dan meer vrijheden t.o.v. hun samenzijn met de koning dan Anne. De rollen waren dus omgedraaid. Dat had ik eigenlijk daarvoor nooit zo beseft. Daarom ook dat Catherine (voor een deel althans) zo hulpeloos was toen ze koningin was.
Dit boek is historische fictie, maar ik denk dat het toch in vele opzichten zich aan de waarheid (in zoverre die echt gekend kan zijn) houdt. Waarschijnlijk door het beperkt aantal pagina's zijn er wel wat hiaten, die ik liever opgevuld had gezien. De schrijfstijl is niet denderend, maar zeker ook niet slecht.
Ik vond dit boek wel goed, alhoewel sommige zaken maar summier uitgelegd werden, zoals de relaties tussen sommige personen, en de geschiedenis aan het hof van anderen. Zo wordt er bv. heel weinig over Thomas More gezegd, terwijl die toch wel belangrijk was in zijn tijd. Ik was ook blij dat ik reeds op de hoogte was van het feit dat Anna een tijd een Frankrijk verbleven had als hofdame van de zus van Hendrik, Mary, die een tijdje met de koning van Frankrijk getrouwd was en dus koningin van Frankrijk geweest is. Daarna trouwde ze met de hertog van Suffolk, die dus een schoonbroer van Hendrik was. Interessante achtergrond die toch wel nuttig is om te weten als je dit boek leest.
Verder, ja, het verhaal is bekend. Wat mij vooral geraakt heeft, is het feit dat Anna voor het huwelijk zo veel in alle vrijheid samen kon zijn met Hendrik, maar eens ze getrouwd waren, kon ze nooit meer (volgens het protocol) zo maar onaangekondigd bij Hendrik aanlopen. Zij waren alleen samen 'op afspraak'. En andere vrouwen genoten vanaf dan meer vrijheden t.o.v. hun samenzijn met de koning dan Anne. De rollen waren dus omgedraaid. Dat had ik eigenlijk daarvoor nooit zo beseft. Daarom ook dat Catherine (voor een deel althans) zo hulpeloos was toen ze koningin was.
Dit boek is historische fictie, maar ik denk dat het toch in vele opzichten zich aan de waarheid (in zoverre die echt gekend kan zijn) houdt. Waarschijnlijk door het beperkt aantal pagina's zijn er wel wat hiaten, die ik liever opgevuld had gezien. De schrijfstijl is niet denderend, maar zeker ook niet slecht.
July 12, 2009
One of my favorite books of all time, I finally found this in a used bookstore in Oregon after literally years of searching. I originally read this book when I was about 11 years old, which now seems a bit odd to me since, having re-read the book as an adult, I realize it is quite sophisticated. Though a novel, 'Anne Boleyn' helped fuel my lifelong love of history and biography, as well as my continuing fascination with this singular, tragic woman.
December 29, 2016
This version doesn’t bring anything terribly new to the Anne-Boleyn-historical-fiction-table, but, considering it was written about 70 years ago, I won’t hold that against it.
It is a solid presentation of what may have happened, and really digs into what may have been going on in various people’s heads as Anne and Henry decided to reshape the world to suit their own desires. A good mix of modern language and quotes from the time period, without going overboard either way.
And I loved how much it emphasized how much everyone was a part of this or that faction, quick to make alliances, but just as quick to turn on each other. Good lord - reality shows have nothing on the Tudor court!
January 29, 2025
Rated 3 stars. Published in 1957; this was one of my Mother's favorite books. I didn't like this as much as her novels of Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria. Probably because I read the magnificent Wolf Hall trilogy a few years back. I understand that her espionage novels are highly rated so maybe will read those sometime in the future.
May 2, 2023
Those of us who read historical fiction recognize that the author needs to surmise a great deal in order to bring the characters to life. Evelyn Anthony has superbly captured relatable protagonists and antagonists in her representation of the life and death of Anne Boleyn. The court intrigue and the personal power plays of the time period were firmly laid out for inspection. I won't say I "enjoyed" this book, but I certainly learned a great about this complicated and sad character that most of us only briefly glimpsed in our high school history lessons.
March 9, 2022
I was really surprised by how much I liked this! A very reasonably accurate dramatization of Anne Boleyn's 7-8 years at the court of King Henry VIII, I found myself captivated by the story despite knowing ultimately what happens. I went from rooting for Anne as a sort of vengeful femme fatale figure, to having a combination of admiration and disgust for her as she wielded her newfound favor and power abusively, to pitying her as her allies and safety dwindled in the last year of her life. I don't typically love historical fiction/dramatization, but Anthony is a great author and wove the story well. I actually found myself internalizing more about 16th century Western European history thru reading this than I ever have in any of my history classes.
April 5, 2018
2.5? Maybe, conflicted.
Written a great many years ago, it isn't a bad historical novel. It is far more acccurate than say The Other Boleyn Girl (though that is damning with faint praise, isn't it?). I enjoyed Anthony's mysteries/thrillers better. There are some really nice scenes here, and she does a good job of capturing Henry VIII, but it's a bit been there, done that kinda of a book.
Written a great many years ago, it isn't a bad historical novel. It is far more acccurate than say The Other Boleyn Girl (though that is damning with faint praise, isn't it?). I enjoyed Anthony's mysteries/thrillers better. There are some really nice scenes here, and she does a good job of capturing Henry VIII, but it's a bit been there, done that kinda of a book.
July 28, 2023
A slightly different perspective on the Anne Boleyn story but a ver good read highly recommend
October 4, 2016
Evelyn was able to put a different spin on this much written about character. Although I wouldn't call this book a page-turner (as most of us know how it ends for poor Anne), it had enough plot twists to make it entertaining and interesting.
July 3, 2020
Whew! This book is a real downer! Before reading this, I knew the general outcome, so that part wasn't a surprise, but all the details of how awful everyone was to each other was quite an ordeal. Anne Boleyn was King Henry VIII's second wife, by scandalous and treacherous means. She was not a nice person, Henry was not a nice person, lots of people were not nice. This was like a soap opera, with all the wheelings and dealings and back-stabbings and self-serving grubbery.
January 21, 2021
Easy and engaging read. What could be a dizzying cast is kept to the minimum necessary. Some historical facts, especially regarding religious aspects, are fuzzy at best and inaccurate at worst. I’ve read this multiple times, meeting it first as a middle schooler perusing my grandmother’s shelves, so even though neither my favorite nor the best book about Anne Boleyn it continues to earn shelf space.
August 11, 2021
This historical fiction novel was a bit dry. I’m very interested in Anne Boleyn, I’ve read a lot about her, and I just feel like Anthony’s version � cold, conniving, and calculating � isn’t true to what we know about her in a lot of ways. On top of that, there were a lot of events mentioned in the book but glossed over, and others that involved far more assumptions than I think were necessary. All in all, not my favorite novel covering her life.
December 11, 2022
It was hard to put down, and I was disappointed it wasn't a longer story, not only because the writing is so good but the reason it ended was Anne's life ended - murdered. Trumped up charges, equals murder, end of story - pun intended. I find her life story fascinating, and try to read any and all I am able to about her experience.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2018
Not my favorite novel of Anne Boleyn. It left out a lot of information and there were quite a few spelling and grammatical errors. Maybe a good just getting to know Anne Boleyn novel, but having read both historical and true history about the Tudors, I was really underwhelmed.
May 14, 2020
Oh my god well what a fascinating book!
This is a novel based on historical facts of the life of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. What a tragic life she had.
I think the Tudor’s will be my new obsession and I’ve already brought another book on all of Henry VIIIs wives.
This is a novel based on historical facts of the life of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. What a tragic life she had.
I think the Tudor’s will be my new obsession and I’ve already brought another book on all of Henry VIIIs wives.
August 18, 2021
If you're a fan of the Tudors I highly recommend this novel. Anthony suggests a story so in depth and intricate that the reader finds it quite plausible this could be close to the truth. And my reference here is to the inner workings of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.
September 11, 2021
A Fun Read But.....
The story of Anne Boleyn is well known. So is Catherine of Aragon. This book has some glaring historical inaccuracies. The description of Catherine is dead wrong.
The story of Anne Boleyn is well known. So is Catherine of Aragon. This book has some glaring historical inaccuracies. The description of Catherine is dead wrong.
June 26, 2018
Gotta love her!
I’ve read quite a few books on Anne Boleyn and this one had a different prospective. I liked it well!
I’ve read quite a few books on Anne Boleyn and this one had a different prospective. I liked it well!
February 25, 2019
Compelling, vivid, memorable.
November 9, 2019
Found this book a cute little Kentucky antique shop. It launched my fascination with AB and Tudor history.
December 13, 2024
A sweeping, beautiful novel on Anne Boleyn’s life and her tragic fate. It’s not completely historically accurate but it is glamorous.
January 6, 2025
Great retelling of Anne Boleyn - there's nothing new under the sun but I enjoyed the portrait the author painted of her as an individual with feelings and emotions. Worth a read if you're a fan.
March 13, 2025
Evelyn Anthony Has an exquisite ability to paint an epic historical romance.
September 10, 2014
Read this initially when I was a senior in high school and absolutely loved it. Anne Boleyn was my favorite of Henry 8's wives because of this book. Re-reading it now with wiser, more adult eyes, I see Anne and Henry both as unhinged, each in a different way -- Henry, far more dangerously so. Still, just as Anne won over the crowd at the very end of her life, so also has Anthony by virtue of her skillful depiction won me all over again to Anne's side in spite of her faults.
I say this because so many people judge a book, in a juvenile way, on the basis of whether they like the main character or not. The fact that so many people do this is really driving me up the wall. Anne is not likable. She is vain, ambitious to the point of destroying other people, greedy for power, clever, witty, able to think like lightning, passionate, literate, intelligent -- in short, a gold mine full of personality. And Evelyn Anthony makes all of this come to life in a setting that might otherwise have been weighed down by all the costumes and castles and pomp. Anne is not someone you'd want to be your friend, or at least, if she were your friend, you would want to be very wary of her even as you admired her talents. But isn't it good to know this about someone? Isn't it good to become so acquainted with a character like this you know her inside and out, feel like you are living inside her? This is the true gift of fiction, which is that it allows us to experience what it is like to life live as someone else, someone dramatically NOT us, and in this case, someone who lived in a wildly different time and set of circumstances. Yet Anthony is so skilled, she made 16th century England recognizable territory. All the scheming and infighting and people struggling to step over one another reminded me forcibly of The Sopranos. I was left to conclude, this is what the pursuit of power does to people, whatever the environment. What an incredibly valuable thing to learn. And on top of all that, in addition to just plain telling a damn good story, Anthony made me respect the hell out of Anne Boleyn even as she showed me how she schemed her life away. That is an achievement.
All you readers who would ditch this book because Anne is not "nice" or "likable," you are missing out on LIFE.
I say this because so many people judge a book, in a juvenile way, on the basis of whether they like the main character or not. The fact that so many people do this is really driving me up the wall. Anne is not likable. She is vain, ambitious to the point of destroying other people, greedy for power, clever, witty, able to think like lightning, passionate, literate, intelligent -- in short, a gold mine full of personality. And Evelyn Anthony makes all of this come to life in a setting that might otherwise have been weighed down by all the costumes and castles and pomp. Anne is not someone you'd want to be your friend, or at least, if she were your friend, you would want to be very wary of her even as you admired her talents. But isn't it good to know this about someone? Isn't it good to become so acquainted with a character like this you know her inside and out, feel like you are living inside her? This is the true gift of fiction, which is that it allows us to experience what it is like to life live as someone else, someone dramatically NOT us, and in this case, someone who lived in a wildly different time and set of circumstances. Yet Anthony is so skilled, she made 16th century England recognizable territory. All the scheming and infighting and people struggling to step over one another reminded me forcibly of The Sopranos. I was left to conclude, this is what the pursuit of power does to people, whatever the environment. What an incredibly valuable thing to learn. And on top of all that, in addition to just plain telling a damn good story, Anthony made me respect the hell out of Anne Boleyn even as she showed me how she schemed her life away. That is an achievement.
All you readers who would ditch this book because Anne is not "nice" or "likable," you are missing out on LIFE.
November 24, 2009
Interesting account of Anne Boleyn’s life from the time Henry VIII first becomes interested in her through her beheading. Very easy read, kept interest throughout and did not drag on details though they were provided. Enough history to set the stage but this was more about actions and consequences. Based on the information provided it didn’t feel “embellished.� It wasn’t overly sexual in nature thought that was covered.
The author covered Anne’s pre-Henry trysts and her ongoing seduction of Henry through her decision to finally become his lover. We see Anne’s thought process at its highest and we see her wrong moves which ultimately dethroned her. Characters are defined in their relationships to her and Henry; this is their story.
The author covered Anne’s pre-Henry trysts and her ongoing seduction of Henry through her decision to finally become his lover. We see Anne’s thought process at its highest and we see her wrong moves which ultimately dethroned her. Characters are defined in their relationships to her and Henry; this is their story.
February 2, 2022
From the moment that Henry Tudor enters the courtyard at Heaver, Anne Boleyn attracts his attention. He eventually becomes fixated on her and even breaks with the church to have her. In this retelling of her life, Anne is in control. She gets Henry to break with the church and thinks she has the crown in the palm of her hand. Anne forgot that Henry could set her aside as well. If you enjoy the love story of Anne and Henry, then you will enjoy this book.
April 15, 2016
I enjoyed this book so much more than I thought I would. I learned so much about Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII as well as Mary and Catherine. The author did such a great job making these people from history really come to life. The story was engaging and political while also being informative. Really great for people wanting to learn about Anne Boleyn but not wanting to read a dense biography.
July 12, 2012
Oui, j'adore. Yes, I love. This is one of the best Anne Boleyn books I've ever read. A clear description from her most tragic point of veiw. Devastating, thrilling and smooth. A slightly easy read, but, hey. I enjoyed this book. Any history lover will. Insights on Anne, good and bad. Read!
October 30, 2012
Part of my annual summer review of books by a single author or books of s single topic. This year I chose Anne Boleyn. I have always been mesmerized by the history of her and how she changed the course of history.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.