The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn

I just glanced over the other reviews and some reviewers were offended by the bodice-ripping in the first few chapters ~~ I have a piece of advice for you ~~ keep reading. I, too, thought this was another one of those heaving bare-bosoms novels ~~ a bodice ripper but it's not. In fact, I think there were only a few sexual scenes written in this novel after the first few chapters. So even if you're not interested in bodice rippers, I still wouldn't give up this novel at all.This is an incredibly satisfying read of Elizabeth, my favorite queen in history, and about her mother, who is much-maligned. It is written in an orderly fashion and the emotion that Maxwell poured into this novel is noticable ~~ these are people that history has made her stamp on ~~ and while Anne is known more for her beheading and siring a queen, there isn't much known about her. And this book provides a glimpse into the queen that mothered Elizabeth, an incredibly strong woman then and now. I have read several nonfictions on Henry the Eighth and his wives, and on Elizabeth as well. This book is about Anne and her story as Maxwell tried to imagine. Now, I am not sure about all the accuracy in the historical facts, but at this point, I really don't care. It's a satisfying read and one I really enjoyed. I highly recommend this one to everyone!12-18-03

Having just finished reading The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn, I can comfortably say it is one of the best historical fiction books I've ever read. Robin Maxwell is a genius! Whether or not the premise is close to truth, one can't help but be taken in to Anne's world. Through her words I have lived alongside Anne Boleyn. This book is a must read for anyone who is fascinated with Tudor history.

Few love stories, fiction or non-fiction, are as fascinating or tragic as that of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. This novel goes back and forth between the life of the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth I, who was Henry and Anne's only surviving offspring, and Anne's diary given to Elizabeth by one of her mother's former waiting women. The diary entries, as well as what we are told of Elizabeth's early years, are both historically accurate. The author is careful to incorporate fiction with these details and the result is a masterful and entertaining novel. Having believed for many years what people had said of her mother, it is fascinating to see Elizabeth's reactions to her mother's personal thoughts and the tragic turn her life takes. Having resisted any ill thoughts of her father, Elizabeth is compelled to think differently after reading how her mother (and her young self) were used and cruelly discarded by him. The more sexual aspects of the diaries entries are handled well and in no way distort the historical accounts. In fact these passages ADD to the known history as it is a given that this was an enormously passionate affair, which not only caused the ending of a marriage, but also the separation of the Church of England from Rome and Catholicism. Anne's diary presents her much as history has: A young and ambitious girl thrown into a large pool of sharks who had to fight for her survival. And fight she does, though to a tragic end. Her last entries, particularly one directed specifically to her daughter, Elizabeth, are touching and honest. If you enjoy Tudor history, you'll savor this book until the last page!

Having read just about every book ever written about Anne Bolyen as well as dozens of others about Tudor England, I have to say this one enthralled me the most. When I first saw it I wasn't interested, thinking I need another book about Anne Boleyn like a hole in the head. On a whim and a sale price I bought it---so glad I did. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Historically accurate and well crafted.

As an avid reader of Tudor biographies with a particular fascination for Queen Anne Boleyn, I approached this historical fiction novel with some skepticism. I was pleasantly surprised and impressed! Not only was it factually accurate, but the best read on Anne Boleyn I've had. This novel is premised on the idea that Anne Boleyn kept a diary from the inception of her romance with King Henry VIII up until the day before her execution. This diary was discreetly given to Anne's daughter Queen Elizabeth I shortly after her coronation. Most of the book is comprised of the chronological diary excerpts, which I ravenously devoured. Robin Maxwell captured the language pattern of these Medieval times so magnificently. As I read Anne Boleyn's heartfelt thoughts it was a most intimate and poignant experience. I fought back tears reading Anne's tender words for the daughter she would never live to see grow up. This fictional but authentically presented diary gives the reader a personal and unique forum to experience this royal trajedy.