Margaret George

with notes by his fool, Will Somers

The autobiography of Henry VIII

Just call me Katherine Parr because I survived Henry VIII. More than three weeks I spent reading this mammoth 900+ page novel, one of the physically largest books I've read, too. A weight has been lifted off my shoulders (literally, as I think I permanently damaged my neck and spine from reading this and trying to hold it).

It kept me reading throughout; I never entirely lost interest, so that is a plus. I love Margaret George and all the books I've read by her so far. As this was her debut novel, it wasn't as strong as her later works, but this book has a strong concept and was executed fairly well.

However, I didn't really like Will's notes. It felt like the author contradicting herself more than anything. And, it's weird where Will chooses to, and to not, include his notes. At one point about 100 pages went by without anything from Will. It was just not well-balanced there. I would have been fine with just Will's comments/letters at the beginning and end.

The more I read this, the more I felt it allows the reader to kind of draw our own conclusions and opinions. It becomes more and more obvious (at least to me) that Henry is an unreliable narrator, especially if you consider the end and at what point, and state of mind, he was writing in. 

One strong dislike I have of this book was making Anne Boleyn an actual witch. At least, I thought that's where the author was headed before realizing Henry was just not in his right mind when he was recounting his life. Or I'm going to choose to believe that, anyway. I don't normally read books from the male perspective, as they're never sympathetic to the female characters, and this is a prime example. Anne Boleyn was not a witch! I suppose the point of the book may be to make Henry sympathetic instead--until you realize he's unreliable. That's my takeaway, and I do like that it can be left up to interpretation. (For example, is Anne "young and entirely flawless" as Henry remarked on page 270, or does she have a witch's mark, as he stated on page 269?) 

As I said, Margaret George is one of my favorite authors, and this book is well detailed, well researched and well written like her other books, but it's not as strong. I thought it odd some things she chose to include in great detail (especially long, drawn-out pointless conversations--how could Henry remember them exactly as they were?) and the things she skimmed over, like the execution of Henry Howard. Additionally, I do wish it had an author's note. Those always enhance my reading experience.

Overall, I'm glad to have read this book and I'm glad to be done with it. Henry does have a strong voice, and I found myself liking him at various points throughout. I just wish the women had more justice. 

Amanda

Just call me Katherine Parr because I survived Henry VIII. More than three weeks I spent reading this mammoth 900+ page novel, one of the physically largest books I've read, too. A weight has been lifted off my shoulders (literally, as I think I permanently damaged my neck and spine from reading this and trying to hold it).

It kept me reading throughout; I never entirely lost interest, so that is a plus. I love Margaret George and all the books I've read by her so far. As this was her debut novel, it wasn't as strong as her later works, but this book has a strong concept and was executed fairly well.

However, I didn't really like Will's notes. It felt like the author contradicting herself more than anything. And, it's weird where Will chooses to, and to not, include his notes. At one point about 100 pages went by without anything from Will. It was just not well-balanced there. I would have been fine with just Will's comments/letters at the beginning and end.

The more I read this, the more I felt it allows the reader to kind of draw our own conclusions and opinions. It becomes more and more obvious (at least to me) that Henry is an unreliable narrator, especially if you consider the end and at what point, and state of mind, he was writing in. 

One strong dislike I have of this book was making Anne Boleyn an actual witch. At least, I thought that's where the author was headed before realizing Henry was just not in his right mind when he was recounting his life. Or I'm going to choose to believe that, anyway. I don't normally read books from the male perspective, as they're never sympathetic to the female characters, and this is a prime example. Anne Boleyn was not a witch! I suppose the point of the book may be to make Henry sympathetic instead--until you realize he's unreliable. That's my takeaway, and I do like that it can be left up to interpretation. (For example, is Anne "young and entirely flawless" as Henry remarked on page 270, or does she have a witch's mark, as he stated on page 269?) 

As I said, Margaret George is one of my favorite authors, and this book is well detailed, well researched and well written like her other books, but it's not as strong. I thought it odd some things she chose to include in great detail (especially long, drawn-out pointless conversations--how could Henry remember them exactly as they were?) and the things she skimmed over, like the execution of Henry Howard. Additionally, I do wish it had an author's note. Those always enhance my reading experience.

Overall, I'm glad to have read this book and I'm glad to be done with it. Henry does have a strong voice, and I found myself liking him at various points throughout. I just wish the women had more justice. 

Jayme Bosio

There isn't a lot of violence or suspense in this novel, but Margaret George excels at the detail to make this a fascinating psychological look at the transformation of a man.

The autobiography of Henry VIII with notes by his fool, Will Somers

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