Book Overview
"A moving and lifelike portrait... a thoroughly delightful novel." - New York Times
Country-lad-turned-jester Will Somers tells the behind-the-scenes story of King Henry VIII and his six wives. Told by the man who saw the triumphs and tragedies, weddings, divorces, and dramatic pageantry that was the Tudor court.
When country lad Will Somers lands himself the plum position of jester to the mercurial King Henry VIII, he has no idea that he's just been handed a front-row seat to history.
At court Will witnesses firsthand the dizzying power struggles and sly scheming that marked the reign of the fiery Tudor king. A confidante of all six wives of Henry VIII including the tragic Katherine of Aragon, the doomed Anne Boleyn, and the charming princess Mary Tudor, Will's tale casts a new light on England's most infamous king.
This intimate peek into the royal chambers gives readers a unique perspective on the capricious King Henry, told from the point of view of a sympathetic friend whose loyalty never wavered.
A unique tale of tumultuous Tudor England, fans of Philippa Gregory, Anya Seton and Sharon Kay Penman will delight in this new look at a well-known dynasty from world-renowned historical novelist Margaret Campbell Barnes.
Other books about the six wives of Henry VIII and the Tudors by Margaret Campbell Barnes:
Brief Gaudy Hour - a refreshing novel of Anne Boleyn, cast in a new light
My Lady of Cleves - a fresh story of Anne of Cleves, the bride who survived Henry VIII
The Tudor Rose - the richly drawn story of Elizabeth of York who united a kingdom and birthed a dynasty
What readers are saying about The King's Fool:
"a remarkable insider tale of the Tudor court"
"I loved this REFRESHING perspective"
"What a great way to look at King Henry VIII. Henry was a very difficult King to feel compassion for. Yet, after reading this book, one is reminded that things aren't always as the world views it."
"But THIS book revealed sides to all characters in depths I've never seen."
"a deftly written, well-researched, absorbing story"
"If you liked The Other Boleyn Girl, here's another prospective of Henry 8th court."
"Absolutely loved this book Must read for any TUDOR fan."
What reviewers are saying about The King's Fool:
"A moving and lifelike portrait... a thoroughly delightful novel." - New York Times
"Immensely entertaining and absorbing." - Chicago Tribune
"A dramatic story, full of color and good characters, great people made more human." - Book of the Month Club
"...Watch the king's cruel vanities through the eyes of a friend whose love and sympathy never waver." - News Chronicle
What everyone is saying about Margaret Campbell Barnes:
"Margaret Campbell Barnes has added brilliant hues to a picture which never lacked in color." - Vancouver (BC) Daily Province
"Immensely entertaining and absorbing." - Chicago Tribune
"Turns A BRILLIANT LIGHT on one of the lustiest and one of the most dramatic periods of English history." - Philadelphia Inquirer
Customer Reviews
Rated 5 starsKing Henry From a Refreshingly Different Perspective...
I have read many books about Henry VIII, and while different in their own ways, they still tended to be the pretty much the same. The King's Fool, however, was a completely different take on Henry, and I enjoyed it immensely. I'm not going to summarize since it's already been done here, but Will Sommers is such a likeable, caring, every-day kinda man. He's not abusive of the Kings friendship, he's not out to make a fortune...
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Rated 5 starsBest Margaret Campbell Barnes I've read so far
I've read several of Margaret Campbell Barnes' books, and enjoyed them, but this is the best I've read so far. I am a Tudor history buff (and history major), and almost everything in this book is accurate, with a couple of exceptions, that do not detract from the enjoyment of the book. The life of Will Somers, the King's Fool, is accurate with all the known details, and very sympathetic. Also, King Henry VIII is portrayed...
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Rated 4 starsa story of the inner Henry VIII
King's Fool is a story about Will Somers, a shy boy from Shropshire who becomes jester, friend and confidante to one of the most extraordinary of monarchs, King Henry VIII. Narrated by Will himself, we are given a special glimpse into the King Henry that only he knew. A chance meeting with King Henry was all it took for the King to take a liking to Somers and offer him to join his court. Will was a well-rounded man - honest,...
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Rated 5 starsA+
I've wanted to learn more about Will Somers since reading Philippa Gregory's books about the women in Henry VIII's life. How interesting it would have been to be within Henry VIII's inner circle, but not to be considered a threat by such a powerful man. Will Somers was in just such a position. Born in Shropshire, England Will Somers was the only son, only child actually, of a churchman father and a Welsh mother, she died...
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Rated 5 starsBrilliant!
Will Somers' life started out as a simple one, living and working in the country with his family. However, circumstances led to Will getting the attention of the most important man in England at the time... King Henry VIII. Will soon finds himself in a dubious position of power. As the KING'S FOOL, he has unprecedented access to the notorious king but all Will craves is the love of one woman. Will's tale is one of love lost...
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