from back
"When the young Queen Elizabeth I is entrusted with Anne Boleyn's secret diary, she discovers a great deal about the much-maligned mother she never knew. And on learning the truth about her lascivious and despotic father, Henry VIII, she vows never to relinquish control to any man. But this avowal doesn't prevent Elizabeth from pursuing a torrid love affair with her horsemaster, Robin Dudley- described with near-shocking candor- as too are Anne's graphic trysts with a persistent and lustful Henry. Blending a historian's attention to accuracy with a novelist's artful rendering, Maxwell weaves compelling descriptions of court life and devastating portraits of actual people into her naughty, page-turning tale. The result is a masterpiece of historical fiction- so prophetic of our time that one would think it were ripped from today's headlines."

I've made this book into a BOOKRING. The list is as follows:

1. awakeagain--New Jersey
2. bookwormmom2--Canada
3. Lpree--Maryland
4. vivdripper--Massachusetts
5. Rrrcaron--New Hampshire
6. gypsyrose02--Australia
7. taniazed- Australia
8. monast--Malaysia
9. Scrawler--Poland
10. Loeweneckerchen--Germany
11. muffin77--Germany
12. loribee--UK
13. Auglaise--UK

I'll keep this ring open, just in case someone stumbles upon it and is interested. Whoever has the book last, please return it to me, Czersk, in Roscoe, MN, USA.

Mailed out today-May 15,2004- to awakeagain in New Jersey.

Received yesterday from Czersk as part of a bookring. I've already started it!

Although the facts weren't new, I enjoyed the style in which this book was written. What better way to see who Anne Boleyn really was but to read it in her own words from her journal? I've read many books about this subject and time period and this presents a very personal view of both Anne and Elizabeth. Will send it to the next on the bookring as soon as I get the address.

I just received this book from awakeagain as part of a bookring. I'm just finishing another book, but should be able to start this next week. Looks interesting.

First of all, my apologies to those who've been patiently waiting to read this book! This took me longer to read than expected since I didn't find it very absorbing initially, although it did seem to pick up towards the end. My first mistake was that I kept comparing it to "The Other Boleyn Girl" by Philippa Gregory, which I found to be a real page-turner. With "The Secret Diary of Ann Boleyn", I had no problem putting it down and then picking it up days later and I likely would have put it aside altogether if I hadn't read so many great reviews by other readers. Because of those great reviews I decided to persevere and finish reading it.

In the end I enjoyed it more than I initially thought I would, even though at times I felt like I was reading a romance novel. My only other issue was that some parts could have been more convincing. For example, because so much of the book seemed to focus on Henry's undying affection and love for Anne, I found it rather unconvincing when his love suddenly turned to hate because she didn't bear him his desired son.

On a more positive note, I was completely captivated by the author's political and religious insight into that time period.

Thanks for sharing this book Czersk. In the end I found it quite enjoyable.

I'll be mailing this to Lpree later today.

This arrived in yesterday's mail, along with two other bookrings. I have several bookrings now to wade through, but will read as quickly as I can and get through these. You can look at my bookshelf to see where I am in my TBR list along with my estimated finish date.

UPDATE 8/29 - I started this book last night and hope to finish it in the next day or two.

I just finished the last few pages of this book this morning. At times I had trouble getting through it, but I'm glad I stayed through to read the end. I too have read "The Other Boleyn Girl" so it was an interesting comparison to reading from Mary's point of view vs Anne's point of view. Both portrayed themselves as the good girl. I think this book easily could have been just the diary itself. The parts with Elizabeth seemed unnecessary, though I see how the diary affected her decisions in the end. I don't know... I enjoyed this book, but I think "The Other Boleyn Girl" was more of a page-turner. I'm glad I read this - I love the different perspective it gives!

I've sent a PM to the next person on the list and will get this mailed out soon.

UPDATE 9/9 - Sent media mail to vivdripper today.

This arrived today and I'll be starting it soon. Will post with y thoughts when I'm done. I've read very little about these characters or this time period, so I expect to be intrigued! Thanks Czersk, for starting this ring.

Well- I just finished this today. It was tough going at times but I really am glad that I finished this. I never would have picked this up on my own. Having only basic knowledge of this story, I found this novel a great springboard for some more reading! Thanks so much. I'm waiting on addy from next participant.

Shipping out to Rrrcaron. Enjoy!

I received this book in the mail today. I plan on starting it soon.
Ruth

I loved reading this book and seeing things from another point of view than what I read in The Other Boleyn Girl last year. Since they are both works of historical fiction, I find myself wondering, "What is the real story behind Anne's death?" I'm so glad I had the chance to read this book. Thankk you so much for sharing. Off to gypsyrose02 in Australia tomorrow.
Ruth

received as part of a ring. looks interesting. thanks guys!

i tried so hard to read this, but kept putting it aside to read others. i dont want to hold it up, so sending it on its way. thanks for adding me.

going out to taniazed tomorrow. enjoy.

got this a few days ago! Thanks will read asap!

RELEASE NOTES:

Obviously wasn't released back then. Ready to send on soon, Monast passed, have contacted Scrawler.

Finally ready and able to send this on. So sorry for the extremely long stall Czersk! I'll be posting this to muffin77 today. All others have passed or I haven't been able to contact.

I really enjoyed this book. For some reason I couldn't get into it well in the beginning, but by the end it really moved me. The letter from Anne to Elizabeth had me in tears. While reading this book I was also reading two other books that covered the time of Anne, and it was fascinating how different the views of her were between the three books.

no worries ;) the book arrived safe and sound a couple of days ago... i was just sick in bed and without i-net ;(
will be read soon (hopefully)

i liked it. it didn't fascinate me as much as "the other boleyn girl" some years ago, but for sure i liked reading it. i like the idea of writing a book as a diary... also this historical times at courts are interesting to read about - but i am for sure glad to live now and have more than two options ;)

Safely arrived today - thanks to all who passed it on so far1

Giving to a friend to pass on to people missing their library books in lockdown