The SECRET DIARY OF ANNE BOLEYN

Rating:
Summary: Painful Reading...
Review: I've always been fascinated by the Tudors and will read ANYTHING (be it fiction or non-fiction) about them. I was really looking forward to reading this book, but once I started I was pushing myself to finish it. I couldn't relate the characterisations in this book to the Anne Boleyn that I "knew" from my other reading. Although it is a work of fiction, the woman came off as a caricature of what I consider the "real" Anne. Other readers have commented about the graphic sexual scenes - I personally didn't find them distracting. I had to think long and hard about rating this - finally deciding upon 3 stars. It's not great, but there's a lot more out there that's worse than this. For being of a subject matter that fascinates me alone, it gets bonus points. I do have Maxwell's sequels, but I'm not certain how quickly I'll be reading them.

Rating:
Summary: England's greatest Queen and the mother she never knew...
Review: Elizabeth Tudor has just been crowned Queen of England. With her father's stubborn temperament and her mother's alluring charm, her councillors amire and at the same time are frustrated with this defiant woman. She has seen enough of her father's marital problems to convince her that she would be better off staying single. Yet, as she says, she is the Queen and she will do as she wishes, pursuing a somewhat scandalous love affair with her childhood friend, Robin Dudley, now her Master of the Horse. When she is entrusted with a secret diary having been kept by the mother she hardly knew, the story in its pages tell her that the business of men is a dangerous thing, and one must not go too far...
A little risque for my taste, but a riveting tale of love and betrayal. I recommend it to anyone who loves a good historical fiction romance (if a bit "naughty"). But read and judge for yourself.

Rating:
Summary: Abominal
Review: This book is outrageous and not in a good way. I put it down only just a way into the second chapter. I found [certain] scenes offensive and totally unescessary. I don't recommend this to anyone at all. ... Stay away from this.

Rating:
Summary: A new insight in to Anne Boleyn's character
Review: I have been reading many books lately that center around Tudor times. All of the others have painted a negative picture of Anne Boleyn as a woman without morals and intent on manipulating anyone who opposed her plan . Quite frankly, they shaped my interpretation of her pesonality. This book, on the other hand,presented her in a brighter and more positive light. It offered the possibility that she was a caring and kindhearted woman who was grossly misunderstood and mislabeled. She still had the capability of manipulating those around her, but without the malicious intent other books suggest. I don't know which is true, but would love to do more research to find out.
I was even more captivated by the story of Elizabeth I (who I admit to knowing little about). This book will be the stepping stone to more reading more literature about this interesting and powerful historical figure.
Robin Maxwell's writing style is wonderful and easy to read and clearly tells a story using dialogue, diction and mannerisms of the time. I look forward to reading more of her books.

Rating:
Summary: A good read
Review: A good mix of history and fiction. Very enjoyable - would recommend for over 13 years of age.

Rating:
Summary: A page-turning must read!
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: A Good History Lesson
Review: This book was a history lesson yet it actually kept me interested. It's about the life and struggles of Queen Anne and the secret diary she kept throughout her life and up until her death. No one knows about this diary besides Anne, her servant, and now many years after her death, her daughter, Queen Elizabeth. I definitely would recommend this book to anyone who's interested in the history of England royalty.

Rating:
Summary: Anne As A Saint? Ha!
Review: Well, even though I enjoyed this book I only gave it 4 stars because I have a hard time believing that Anne Boleyn was so perfectly innocent. Although her death was cruel and wrongful punishment (I don't believe she commited incest or adultry), I do feel that she may have became too comfortable in her position and probablly a shrew that gave her husband many headaches (according to other books I have read). I find it hard to believe after the King anulled his first marriage to Katherine of Aragon (not caring one bit what the pope thought), that he could not do the same in this case especially if she would have stepped aside to save her own neck. According to this book, in the end Anne seemed willing enough to live and retire quietly (so unlike Katherine who lived until her own 'natural' death). It would seem that the King probally would of had mercy on the wife he was so smittin with at one time if her only fault was that she could not give him a son. All in all it is a great book written in Anne's defense.

Rating:
Summary: stupid!
Review: This book proves that authors should really research their books more carefully. In The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn, Anne is portrayed as a sappy, stupid woman who didn't try to and would never dream of being queen. Although some people make her out to be a cruel, vicious woman, Anne Boleyn was a woman who wanted to make her own destiny. She wouldn't take what life gave her. "She would have the crown or nothing", is what one author described her as. She really is not very well represented in this book. The author could have researched more carefully. Other than that it was an enjoyable book.

Rating:
Summary: Truly Heartbreaking
Review: This book really tugs at your heart strings. It tells the story of Henry VIII's second wife. She was falsly accused of adultery and was executed. I've always wondered myself how Elizabeth I felt about her mother as well as her death. This book completely described her feelings as well as her thoughts on her mothers death. Truly wonderful book! One of the best novels i've ever read. Also check out Robin Maxwell's other books, The Queen's Bastard and Virgin. They are also amazing!