The Last Boleyn: A Novel
by Karen Harper
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Book Summary Information
Author: Karen HarperEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2006-02-28
ISBN: 0307237907
Number of pages: 592
Publisher: Three Rivers Press
Book Reviews of The Last Boleyn: A Novel
Book Review: Fame at last - the great survior of the Boleyn clan
Summary: 4 Stars
Fame at last - Mary Boleyn mistress of two Kings and the survivor of the Boleyn clan, 2 Nov 2006
By Klaus Meyer "kjmoc" (Brussels, Belgium) - See all my reviews
Two recent novels - The "Other Boleyn Girl" by Philippa Gregory and Karen Harpers "The last Boleyn" - have re-established the life of Mary Boleyn. She was a mistress of two kings, Francis I of France, and Henry VIII of England. She was instrumental of the rise of the Boleyn's and of her sister Anne, but the managed to survive the Boleyn downfall.
Karen Harper's novel is a sympathetic adaptation of Mary's life from earliest childhood until her sister's death. Mary is described first as a tool of her father's ambitions, she struggles to for fill all what was expected of her, and only later can manage to escape the clutches of the power game at the royal court of England. She comes into her own when she secretly marries her second husband who does not fit the bill of a powerful courtier who can increase the Boleyn fortune. Mary the victim turns into Mary the Strong, Mary the happy and Mary the lucky as she is the only one of the three Boleyn siblings who survives the wrath of Henry VIII.
Karen Harper's picture of Mary is a sympathetic one, more sinned against than a sinner herself. She is very likeable. Karen Harper's style of writing is neither as lively nor fluent than that of Philippa Greogry. Sometimes the book just drags on and on when the story should have moved forward. It is a bit slow. Absolutely dreadful however are the parts on Mary's life at the court of France when Mrs. Harper seems to believe she has to use some French. I do not think that she has a clue how to express things in French. Why didn't' the editors intervene here? Nevertheless Karen Harper creates an interesting and plausible impression of the life and times of Mary Boleyn.
So all in all, it is an ok book, neither a waste of time, but not a book which will stick in one's mind
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