BRIEF GAUDY HOUR

Author: Margaret Campbell Barnes ISBN: 9781402211751 3/2008 HISTORICAL FICTION Publisher: SOURCEBOOKS
Time Period: Tudor England

The enigmatic Anne Boleyn comes to life in this charming, brilliant portrayal by acclaimed British novelist Margaret Campbell Barnes. The infamous love of King Henry VIII and the mother of Queen Elizabeth I, Anne Boleyn undertook a rocky journey from innocent courtier to powerful Queen of England. A meticulous researcher, Margaret Campbell Barnes immerses readers in this intrigue and in the lush, glittery world of the Tudor Court. The beauty and charms of Anne Boleyn bewitched the most powerful man in the world, King Henry VIII, but her resourcefulness and cleverness were not enough to stop the malice of her enemies. Her swift rise to power quickly became her own undoing. The author brings to light Boleyn’s humanity and courage, giving an intimate look at a young woman struggling to find her own way in a world dominated by men and adversaries.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

BRIEF GAUDY HOUR by Margaret Campbell Barnes was first published in 1949. For those of us who weren't around when it first came out or who missed it, this rerelease is a real treat. I admit I'm a lover of historical novels who feels that this time period is, unfortunately, often overlooked. This Tudor tale satisfies my yearning for this era in more ways than I can begin to say.
 
Anne Boleyn was definitely a woman ahead of her time, a fact this novel showcases. She was smart and ambitious in a way that most of her contemporary females weren't, but, like them, she was bound by the circumstances of her life and time. I felt like I was on a personal journey with Anne as her childhood, with its pervasive unhappiness, is examined. I loved watching her rise to power to become Queen of England, even though I knew her story would have a sad end.
 
Even in a stellar tale like this, rewriting history to ease the sadness is an unsuccessful endeavor. This author doesn't attempt that; instead, she focuses on bringing Anne Boleyn off the pages and to life. It is a feat she accomplishes well. That is no more apparent than when Henry and Anne are discussing their future. Even though he's a king, Henry takes Anne's hand and beseeches her to tell him whether or not she will give him a place in her heart. This passage shows their humanity in a way that brought a sigh to this reader's lips. It is but one example of the down-to-earth telling of Anne and Henry's story.
 
In short, I loved this book. BRIEF GAUDY HOUR by Margaret Campbell Barnes is a rare treat that brings life and love out of the history books and right into the reader's heart.

Kay James