Where did Anne Boleyn first learn the skills that captured the heart of Henry VIII and and launched England's reformation? Not in France, as is widely supposed...but at Margaret of Austria's 1513 imperial court in Mechelen, in what is now present-day Belgium. Enter the world of the Burgundian-Habsburg Low Countries, where Anne Boleyn grows from girlhood to womanhood under the guidance of Europe’s most brilliant female ruler. As one of Margaret of Austria's eighteen maids of honor, Anne faces the challenges of cliques and envy, longing to be noticed by the powerful Habsburgs. Yet beneath her bravado she yearns to prove herself to her absent father, whose ambition she shares. With the arrival of Erasmus of Rotterdam and winds of reform from Germany, Anne questions tradition. Why shouldn't the Bible be read in one’s own tongue? And why should she blindly defer to authority when Europe's new learning has taught her to think for herself? Inspired by Margaret of Austria's leadership, Anne sets her sights high, determined to leave her mark on the world. But political machinations intervene, cutting short Anne’s time at Margaret’s court, and launching her to France. Armed with the skills learned under the Low Countries' ruler, Anne inches closer to her destiny, one that will reshape the course of England's history and transform her into legend.
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: Gaston portrays two remarkable historical women with bold, vibrant strokes in this intriguing novel. Both Anne Boleyn and Margaret of Austria are rendered larger-than-life, playing off each other’s strengths and mirroring the often-harsh experiences for women in the 1500s. The plot recreates their time together—and their individual lives—with clarity, anticipation, and tenderness.
Prose: The prose is polished and appropriate to the book’s time period, convincingly setting the scene and sharing background details in a subtle, natural way.
Originality: Gaston’s more intimate focus on the interplay between Anne Boleyn and Margaret of Austria makes this novel stand out compared to similar titles, and the author’s devotion to rendering both women realistic and engaging is notable.
Character/Execution: Anne is depicted with a softer side in Gaston’s novel, as she grows familiar with court life and learns to mold it to meet her needs. Margaret is sharp but caring, a capable woman keeping pace with international intrigue customarily orchestrated by men during that time period, and she emerges as an appealing, admirable character.
Date Submitted: August 31, 2024
