| Author: |
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Suzannah Dunn
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| Title: |
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The Queen of Subtleties |
| Moochable copies: |
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No copies available |
| Amazon suggests: |
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| Recommended: |
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| Topics: |
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| Published in: |
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English |
| Binding: |
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Paperback |
| Pages: |
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352 |
| Date: |
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2005-01-03 |
| ISBN: |
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0007139381 |
| Publisher: |
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HarperPerennial |
| Weight: |
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0.57 pounds |
| Size: |
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0.94 x 5.12 x 7.76 inches |
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| Wishlists: |
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| Description: |
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Product Description
A tremendously vivid, page-turning and plausible novel that depicts the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn, the most spirited, independent and courageous of Henry's queens, as viewed from both the bedrooms and the kitchens of the Tudor court. Everyone knows the story of Anne Boleyn. Henry VIII divorced his longstanding, long-suffering, older, Spanish wife for a young, black-eyed English beauty, and, in doing so, severed England from Rome and indeed from the rest of the western world. Then, when Henry had what he wanted, he managed a mere three years of marriage before beheading his wife for alleged adultery with several men, among them his own best friend and her own brother. This is the context for Suzannah Dunn's wonderful new novel, which is about -- and told by -- two women: Anne Boleyn, king's mistress and fated queen; and Lucy Cornwallis, the king's confectioner, an employee of the very highest status, who made the centrepiece of each of the feasts to mark the important occasions in Anne's ascent. There's another link between them, though: the lovely Mark Smeaton, wunderkind musician, the innocent on whom, ultimately, Anne's downfall hinged! Suzannah Dunn has wit, a mastery of dialogue, brilliant characterization, lack of pretence, and good humour. The Queen of Subtleties adds to that mix a wonderfully balanced, strong story and the result is sensational.
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| Reviews: |
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selkie (USA: IL) (2007/08/14):
The book provides two points of view; one from a kitchen-maid, & the one of Queen Anne. The last two chapters from Anne's point of view were done exceptionally well, but the remaining ones too often lapsed into modern language.
I must admit, I do not know enough of confectionary to appreciate the chapters from the point of view of the kitchen-maid.
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| URL: |
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http://bookmooch.com/0007139381 |
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