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Book Review of The Boleyn Inheritance

The Boleyn Inheritance
dolleygurl avatar reviewed on + 32 more book reviews


âThree women who share one fate: the Boleyn Inheritanceâ (from the back cover)

This quote really sums up what I consider to be the third book in the Tudor saga by Philippa Gregory. The Boleyn Inheritance is narrated through the voices of three narrators: Anne of Cleves (the 4th wife of Henry VIII), Katherine Howard (Henry's 5th wife), and Jane Rochford (the late Anne Boleyn's sister-in-law). Each of these women has a lot on the line because of the cloud that hovered above with the name of Boleyn. Each has earned their current place, in a sense, because of the death of Anne.

I enjoyed the parts of the book that were narrated by Anne of Cleves the best. She was only really part of the Tudor Court for a very short time and was new to the country of England as well. Her chapters brought an outside eye to the story while Jane and Katherine's brought the inside eye. One thing that I really saw in this book was how easily used Katherine Howard was. She was manipulated by all sides and didn't even have a chance to realize quite what was happening. I wasn't a huge fan of Katherine's sections for that reason â she was completely oblivious to everything that was happening â come on girl! Jane's sections were interesting to see her wrestling with the guilt over what she did to her husband and sister-in-law. It was also enlightening to see the way she rationalized everything she did.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book just as much as The Other Boleyn Girl and The Constant Princess. A unique way at looking at this short period of time and the events that quickly unfolded.

To borrow a little more from the back cover to wrap this up nicely âAnne of Cleves â Her Boleyn Inheritance: accusations and false witness. Katherine Howard â Her Boleyn Inheritance: the threat of the axe. Jane Rochford â Her Boleyn Inheritance: a fortune and a title, in exchange for her soul.â

4.5 out of 5 stars.