Today’s Team Review is from Noelle, she blogs at http://saylingaway.wordpress.com
Noelle has been reading La Petite Boulain by G Lawrence
La Petite Boulain is the first of a series of novels that will follow the life of Anne Boleyn (this is Above all Others; The Lady Anne Book 1) by Gemma Lawrence, author of The Bastard Princess and The Heretic Heir, both about the daughter of Henry VIII who would become Queen Elizabeth.
Anne Boleyn has been the subject of many books, either about her or about the Tudors. I counted 45 on Goodreads alone, by some impressive historical fiction authors such as Antonia Frasier, Philippa Gregory, Jean Plaidy, and Nora Lofts, to name a few. Many of them I have read because I am in love with the Tudor story, so I looked forward to this book.
In La Petite Boulain, the early years of Anne’s life are explored in depth, beginning with her happy childhood at Hever Castle in Kent with her sister Mary and her parents, who were courtiers to both Henry VII and Henry the VIII. While still very young, Anne sees Henry VIII and is infatuated with him, even from a distance. Women in those times were always used as pawns by their parents to enable the family to rise in the ranks. Anne is no exception and at the age of twelve is sent to is sent to the Court of Burgundy to be tutored in court ways and manners by Margaret of Austria. An intelligent girl, Anne not only learns the various arts and language necessary for a courtier, but becomes an astute observer of court life and politics. As a polished young woman, she is sent to the court of France to be a lady-in-waiting to the Princess Mary Tudor, Henry’s sister, who was to wed the aged Louis XII, king of France. Eventually, she is recalled to England by her father, following the death of the Duke of Buckingham. The reader is reminded of her fate, as the story is bookended by her thoughts and observances during her time in the Tower of London, awaiting her possible execution.
What I liked about this book: The author did an exception and detailed job with the historical detail, from the food to the clothing. I loved being immersed in the minutiae of life in that age. The politics of the royal courts, which defines everyone’s life and fate, are laid out crisply and understandably. Religion becomes a part of this, as Martin Luther teachings took root in the Christianity of the commoners. The reader becomes drawn into Anne’s life and sees through her observations and thoughts the fate and treatment of women during that time. It also becomes clear why Henry would become so infatuated with her, as she learns well the lesson of enticing men with beauty, talent and intelligence, but never succumbing to their entreaties and wants. This prompts the question of whether Anne was really in love with Henry, or simply playing the political role of desirable courtier to advance her family. The next book may provide an answer!
What I did not like: The book is very heavy in exposition, mainly very lengthy descriptions of Anne’s thoughts. The dialogue that interspersed these long passages was well-imagined and a relief. Also, Anne’s constant wonderment and delight in the beauty and magnificence of the royal courts and nobility was somewhat overwhelming and at times slightly tedious. I deliberately read The Heretic Heir right after completing this book, to see if this were the author’s writing style. It is, but The Heretic Heir, in my limited opinion, is somewhat better.
All in all, I do recommend La Petite Boulain. I came away with a clearer picture of Anne herself and the time in which she lived. She became a real person, and even those who are not rabid fans of the Tudors will love the historical detail and reach an understanding of this complicated woman. I look forward to the next book in the series.
Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
Rosie Amber 
I haven’t read any other of the author’s novels. I enjoyed this one. I also noticed her wonderment at everything but thought more of it in terms of her age (I thought she became more critical as she grew older). But I haven’t read tonnes of books about the period and I really enjoyed the descriptions and the ins and outs of the politics and the workings of the court. I’m also looking forward to the next one
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I didn’t see those thoughts as exposition, I thought they were a well-imagined insight into her mind, and fascinating and well written scene setting When people complain about exposition (these days, anyway; I know the various definitions… ;)!) they usually mean painful information dumps, not the thoughts of the main character, which is what the book is about, after all? Then again, one of the beauties of #RBRT is all the different viewpoints – interesting in itself! 🙂
Noelle, one day we will agree about a book – maybe! 😉 x
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ps, Sorry, Noelle, I’ve just realised that looks as though I’m saying you don’t know what you’re talking about – not at all and far from it, I just meant to comment on what people mean by the world ‘exposition’ – what I meant was that you’ve used its proper meaning, although these days people often use it to mean ‘cringe-making information dumps’!!
I really must learn not to comment on blog posts pre-coffee….! x
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