Doomed Queen Anne - Carolyn Meyer

 

"My heart beat faster as I listened, and my anger mounted. Blood pounded in my temples, my mouth was dry as dust, and my hands were shaking. How dare they speak of me like this? I wanted to shout at them. One day I shall be queen above all of you!"

- Doomed Queen Anne, Carolyn Meyer

 

 

 

This book was very enjoyable. Although I had to read it for school, I finished it way before the deadline.

 

Anne was not very attractive compared to the other ladies at court. She was different and certainly had some flaws. Once she learned to accentuate her beautiful features at the French court, however,  and to hide her ugly imperfections, she was still different, but in a very attractive way. Maybe it was her uniqueness and confidence that drew her to Henry.

 

This historical fiction is written from Anne's perspective. The author covers all the stages of her life, which gives us a seemingly greater insight to what Anne was really like. The book starts at when she is an awkward and unattractive girl who hated her sister. From the beginning we see that Anne admired King Henry VIII, and therefore despised her sister, who was his mistress. Then we see her at the court in France, and in England as a lady-in-waiting to her enemy, Henry's wife, Catherine of Aragon.   

 

Anne was quite sneaky, but also kind to certain people. Different people portray her differently. This book, since she is the main character, displays her as favorable and throughout the entire book we're rooting for her.  She was wise and clever, cautious, discerning, and alluring. We see how she feels about Catherine, and Catherine's daughter, Mary. Her vicious anger burns through the pages.

 

This book is, in short, a love story. Maybe that's why I enjoyed it so much. There is, however, not just one love story. Evidently, there's the admiration that was  shared between her and Henry. Before that, though, she had other lovers who she sincerely cared for. We also see the sad fate of a friend whom she used to weave her way to Henry.

 

The ending was sad, but it was factual. Overall, though, the author did a superb job at incorporating facts and making Anne come alive once again.  I would love to read another book by her.