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Some Book Recommendations Please
October 29, 2011
4:10 pm
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Olga
Australia
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I'm hoping everyone can help me with some of their favourite books. I'd be particularly interested in some non-fiction books on the War of the Roses and some Tudor books. I have my book list from the welcome pack to start with, of course.

I'd like some further reading on Anne of Cleves and Jane Parker in particular.Is the Julia Fox book on Jane Parker good? My local library has a copy of that and the new book on Anne Boleyn by Bernard which I am going to head down tomorrow to grab.

Also if anyone has any historical fiction recommendation I'd be grateful. I was at our local remainder bookshop (which sells books for $5) and was lucky enough to find a Crown and Country by Starkey, I also picked up a book by Emily Purdy to read for a bit of a break, and I am finding it dreadful, but I am valiantly trying to finish it (I sincerely hope I am not offending any of her fans here) I haven't had much luck finding any historical fiction I've enjoyed a lot, I've purchased a couple by Suzannah Dunn and I'm not really enjoying those either.

I sell a great deal of Jean Plaidy books and usually have them around, are her Tudor books worth a read?

October 30, 2011
11:28 am
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Sharon
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Hi Olga,

The Julia Fox book on Jane Parker was very good.  Many people felt that it dealt more with Anne.  I thought that might put me off, but it didn't.  I found it very interesting.  Fox went a long way to disspell the theory that Jane was  the evil witch of the north.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I was very skeptical when it was first recommended to me.

Some will tell you that Bernard's book is an interesting read.  I cannot say.  I have not, and probably will not, read it. That's just me. Claire has a review of the book on her book review page. 

Many people on this site enjoy Jean Plaidy.  I have read a few, but that was a long time ago.  Kate Emerson has a few interesting books on some of the women of the Tudor court.  I have read “The Pleasure Palace,” and “Between Two Queens.”  The first is about Jane Popincourt and the second is about Anne (Nan) Bassett.  Supposedly two of Henry's mistresses.  I was pleasantly surprised.  Very enjoyable.  I have just finished reading “To Die For,” by Sandra Bryd.  I really liked that one. 

 If you can follow through with it, “Wolfhall,” by Hillary Mantel is excellent. It was kind of difficult to get into, but I am so glad I decided to persevere. It is the story of Thomas Cromwell from boyhood to his rise in the Tudor court.  The story ends as the court is on progress to Wolfhall in 1535.  Yes, a big Oh-Oh!  Leaves you wanting more.  It changed my viewpoint of Mr. Cromwell. I no longer think of him as being evil…lol  I hope Ms. Mantel is working on Part Two.

It seems to get harder and harder to find good fiction about the Tudors these days.  I think it might be me.  I end up throwing most of them across the room. Well I used to throw them.  Now I have a Kindle and I don't dare throw that.  Takes all the fun out of it.  But…fiction is just that.  I have to remember the grain of salt theory when I'm reading them.

Unfortunately, I have not read any recent non-fiction books about the War of the Roses.  Fiction, yes.  The Sunne in Splendor, by Sharon Kay Penman was good.  Anything by Anne Easter Smith.  I love all of her books on the subject.

October 30, 2011
5:18 pm
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Olga
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Sharon said:

It seems to get harder and harder to find good fiction about the Tudors these days.  I think it might be me.  I end up throwing most of them across the room.

 

 

Well I finished that book by Emily Purdy. In it, let's see, Henry rapes Anne. Then he rapes Jane Seymour when she is out of it on poppy syrup. Jane and Norfolk run in to tell Anne Henry is dead after his jousting accidents in hope of making her miscarry, which she does, immediately, right there in her bedchamber. Anne also miscarries a child with two faces and no bones in his limbs. Mary Boleyn miscarries her child in the courtroom after hearing the guilty verdict for Anne. Jane Parker has an affair with Cromwell and has his bastard child. Anne of Cleves and Kitty Howard have a lesbian affair. The author then creates a completely false speech Jane Parker made at the block and claims in her postscript she actually made it. The author then has the gall to make a list of discussion notes in the back of the book.

 

So no it is definitely not just you! I think I'll avoid anything modern for a while after that book. (And no throwing the kindle Laugh)

 I've seen some people here recommend Wolf Hall, I will definitely put it on my list. I think sticking to classics might be safer for me. I also saw one called “Naked to Mine Enemies” on Wolsey (fiction) has anyone read it?

Thanks for the recommendations Sharon, that gives me plenty to get on with.

October 31, 2011
7:49 am
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DuchessofBrittany
Canada
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I am not sure if I can be of any assistance, but here are some Tudor related books I've enjoyed.

As much as I disparage PG on the forum, I did like her fiction book on KOA The Constant Princess. The Boleyn Inheritence is not bad, either.

You might want to try (if you can find) Anya Seton's Green Darkness and Mary Luke's The Nunsuch Lure. Both are older books, but deal with connecting the present to the Tudor past. The later is one of my favourite novels.

Margaret Campbell Barnes's My Lady Cleves is a fictional take on Anne of Cleves, but I found it entertaining.

I am not a fan of Julia Fox's book on Jane Boleyn, but it is best to read, and form your own opinions about it.

Alison Weir's Innocent Traitor is a great read. It's about Jane Grey. A much ignored woman in history. Eric Ives writes a great non-fiction book about Lady Jane, and explores the events surrounding her life and short reign.

Jean Plaidy seems very popular. I've read a few of her books. They are usually good, and do cover the gamut of English history.

I agree with Sharon about Wulfhall. Hilary Mantel is an amazing writer, and I hope she writes a sequal.

BTW, the Emily Purdy novels sounds atrocious. This is one reason I am leery of historical fiction. There seems to be more bad than good, or perhaps I am just jaded!

Good luck reading!

"By daily proof you shall find me to be to you both loving and kind" Anne Boleyn

October 31, 2011
8:36 am
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Sharon
Binghamton, NY
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Olga said:  

Well I finished that book by Emily Purdy. In it, let’s see, Henry rapes Anne. Then he rapes Jane Seymour when she is out of it on poppy syrup. Jane and Norfolk run in to tell Anne Henry is dead after his jousting accidents in hope of making her miscarry, which she does, immediately, right there in her bedchamber. Anne also miscarries a child with two faces and no bones in his limbs. Mary Boleyn miscarries her child in the courtroom after hearing the guilty verdict for Anne. Jane Parker has an affair with Cromwell and has his bastard child. Anne of Cleves and Kitty Howard have a lesbian affair. The author then creates a completely false speech Jane Parker made at the block and claims in her postscript she actually made it. The author then has the gall to make a list of discussion notes in the back of the book.

 

So no it is definitely not just you! I think I’ll avoid anything modern for a while after that book. (And no throwing the kindle Laugh)

 I’ve seen some people here recommend Wolf Hall, I will definitely put it on my list. I think sticking to classics might be safer for me. I also saw one called “Naked to Mine Enemies” on Wolsey (fiction) has anyone read it?

Thanks for the recommendations Sharon, that gives me plenty to get on with.

 

Hi Olga,

I thought of another book as I was reading Duchess' list.  “Legacy,” by Susan Kay.  It is a novel about Elizabeth.  It is an older book, but has recently been re-released.

Thanks for the warning about Emily Purdy's book. Sounds like Ms Purdy threw every horrible rumor ever told into the book and then made up more of her own.  My Kindle would not have made it through that one!

I have not heard of “Naked To Mine Enemies.” I will have to check on that one.

I just added a Book to my wishlist called, “Anne of Cleves,” by Elizabeth Norton.  Has anyone read it?

October 31, 2011
2:10 pm
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Bella44
New Zealand
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Definitely read Wolf Hall and Legacy by Susan Kay.  They're amazing examples of what historical fiction can and should be.  Particularly Wolf Hall; a stunning book on so many levels.

Not too long ago I read Elizabeth l by Margaret George.  It's about Elizabeth in her later years and starts off at the time of the Spanish Armada. A well researched and gripping read.

The Emily Purdy book sounds like it could shame Philippa Gregory for sheer awfulness – might have to read it just for a good laugh  Laugh

October 31, 2011
2:38 pm
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Bella44
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Oooh, I almost forgot – Threads by Nell Gavin, a reincarnation story of Anne and Henry.  One of my personal favourites!  

November 1, 2011
12:32 am
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Olga
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Excellent, thanks so much guys. Wiles has recommended Margaret Campbell Barnes's Tudor Rose as well, so hopefully I can hunt down both that and the Anne of Cleves book.

I have had a copy of Legacy several times and had no idea it was about Elizabeth, if I'm lucky I may still have a copy hanging around somewhere. All of those book sound good.

I've ordered a bunch of books from awesome books actually, the book are usually average condtion but they're pretty cheap. Has anyone read Alison Plowden? I got a bio on lady Jane Grey of hers which I haven't started yet.

November 4, 2011
9:24 am
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Sophie1536
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My favourite book of all time is “Sound Now The Passing Bell” by Philippa Wiat, it makes me cry Cry

Beautifully written book about after Anne's execution and Thomas Wyatt. It's a love, mystery spooky kinda book if that makes sense. When Thomas goes to see Anne after she's been executed it makes me cry so much…..beautiful book.

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh144/nicksbabe28/Backstreet%20n%20Graffix/Image4-1.jpg

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