European Royalty discussion

Please discuss chapters 1 through 17 here.

Well, I'm through chapter 11 so far, and the novel is pretty interesting. Norah Lofts uses a lot of different points of view which I really enjoy. I've read a lot of novels and non-fiction about Anne, so I was expecting to be a little bored with this book, but with all the different personalities that get focused on here and there, the book and story line feel fresh. Most other books I've read about Anne deal strictly from her point of view, so it's great getting different perspectives.

I completely agree about the different points of view as helping to keep the reader's interest. I thought that the overall theme of the book - that Anne wasn't conniving and skanky as most other books I've read assert - that she was just heartbroken and broken generally - was refreshing.

I think I've read mostly pro-Anne books because she is pretty similar in this as compared to other books I've read (heartbroken about Percy, wanting to be left alone but the king keeps pursuing her, etc). I think the books I've read about her are Jean Plaidy books and non-fiction books. I've been watching The Tudors series every now and then, and they definitely make her conniving. There are a ton of novels about Anne though, so I must have missed the ones you've read. Which ones have you read? For me, it would be interesting to take a peek at those (although I've gotten so used to really liking Anne and viewing her as an unwilling pawn of the king that it'll be a little sad to see her all conniving and skanky!).

I am on chapter 15 and this book seems to be a good "quick read" compared some of the last few books. I have read books in the past which has lead me to NOT like Anne. Then again, I am not a Henry VIII fan either. I am like Emily and have seen her as the problem not a pawn. I really am enjoying Emma Arnett and her trying to influence Anne. Anne actually becoming a Protestant is not something I have come across in my reading before. (I personally haven't searched out Anne books as I just don't like her.)
I think this was a good choice of a book for summer.

Oh, I do have to agree with you there, Michele. I hadn't had much interaction with the Arnett character before and enjoyed the theory of a larger scheme around Anne. By the end of the book I had lost enough interest that it mattered less, but I remember this part at the beginning of the book keeping my interest

And, Michele? Not a fan of Henry VIII? You don't like womanizing wife-murderers? I am SHOCKED and APPALLED! :)

And Sara, I didn't think Other Boleyn Girl was very pro-Anne, did you? I think because it's so popular I assume all have read it, but I kind of left that book thinking she was pretty guilty of SOMETHING.

I never read The Other Boleyn Girl. Actually, I tried starting it today and after 25 pages I had to put it down. Based on those pages (and the reviews I read on Amazon afterwards), that book is very much NOT pro-Anne, and I just don't have it in me to read it right now (a little bit too frustrating!).