Log In
Register
Home
Topic RSS
5:44 pm
October 28, 2011
Offline
I’ve just finished two of Joanna Denny’s books, the biography of Anne Boleyn and the one on Katherine Howard. I’m just wondering if anyone else has read them and what they thought of them. I initially put the Anne Boleyn bio on my to-read list after seeing it on Claire’s recommended reading list but I am actually pretty disappointed in both books. The Anne Boleyn book was reasonably good in some respects but I didn’t like the Kitty Howard book at all.
The main things that annoyed me were a lot of broad claims without any supporting evidence, and having probably only read ten books on Tudor history so far I’m not exactly an expert but there was enough to annoy me even as a novice. She banged on and on and on about Henry having syphilis and that he “most likely” caught it from Mary Boleyn because she slept with Francis, and although she pointed out on a few occasions that there’s no evidence he was treated for it, she managed to mention it at least half-a-dozen times in both books. She is extraordinarily biased against certain figures, Culpeper – “a rapist” (she must have called him a rapist about 50 times), Mary Boleyn “wayward” (almost every time she mentions her), Thomas More “a most unattractive person”, Mary Tudor (Henry’s sister) and she has a real loathing for Mary and Catherine of Aragorn. I obviously don’t mind authors and historians having their opinions but quite frankly most of it comes across as gossipy and conspiratorial.
She even mentions that “some stories claimed Henry had Will Somers killed for calling Elizabeth a bastard” when clearly he was around for years after the incident.
I did like the general tone towards Anne Boleyn, especially as she she pointed out all the charitable work Anne did and how devout she was in her faith, but I found her general biased tone towards a lot of others and her constant nit-picking at other historians really irritating.
6:16 pm
April 9, 2011
Offline
The only book of hers I have is the one on Wife #5. I haven’t read it yet, but I purchased it as it was the most recent book on Katherine. I know there is a more comprehensive biography by Baldwin Smith but I heard that since it was written a while ago it contains some information which has been shown to be incorrect although it was correct at the time of writing. I’m not saying that Denny’s is more correct cause it is more recent but since I was going through the craze of completing my Tudor books, I thought why not go for the more recent one (same reason why I got Norton’s books on Wife #3 and #4). Plus I heard Balwin Smith wrote more tfor the academics that the common man. Having said all that, I have heard other people complain about Denny’s book so maybe I should bite the bullet one day and get Baldwin Smith’s book.
6:34 pm
November 18, 2010
Offline
I read both books a couple of years ago. They are ….different for want of a better word. I really must dig them out and re-read them
Sadly she won’t be updating them having died in 2006…
It's always bunnies.
7:57 am
October 28, 2011
Offline
Oh I wondered why there were no more books by her Anyanka. They are a really easy read Bill, I just found them a bit maddening. But I finished two of them in a week.
12:44 pm
June 7, 2010
Offline
I concur with Anyanka: they are different.
I found her book on KH to be more about the Howard’s in general than an examination of Katherine’s life. Given, the sources on KH’s life are limited, much more could have been done with the subject. I would recommend Baldwin Smith’s work on KH.
As for her book on Anne, it’s been awhile. I do recall wondering what her intention was in writing it. There were times when I felt it was an apologist piece, which I hate. I felt (and this is my opinion), but to make Anne appear in a better light, Denny attempted to vilify KOA. I get KOA not being a saint, but this was something totally different. It also seemed Denny had a high opinion of Thomas Boleyn to the point she made him a saint (again, my opinion). However, I do not regret buying or reading it.
It is sad that Ms. Denny died. I would have liked more books from her and her unique perspective. I would also have liked some revised editions.
"By daily proof you shall find me to be to you both loving and kind" Anne Boleyn
4:46 pm
October 28, 2011
Offline
DuchessofBrittany said
As for her book on Anne, it’s been awhile. I do recall wondering what her intention was in writing it. There were times when I felt it was an apologist piece, which I hate. I felt (and this is my opinion), but to make Anne appear in a better light, Denny attempted to vilify KOA.
Actually that sounds like a pretty apt description of the books Duchess. Although I actually haven’t warmed to KOA at all in my reading so far, I found Denny was just downright nasty to her. I’m planning on finishing at least three books before I actually decide that I don’t like her (although I am heading that way)
5:28 pm
June 7, 2010
Offline
Olga said
DuchessofBrittany said
As for her book on Anne, it’s been awhile. I do recall wondering what her intention was in writing it. There were times when I felt it was an apologist piece, which I hate. I felt (and this is my opinion), but to make Anne appear in a better light, Denny attempted to vilify KOA.
Actually that sounds like a pretty apt description of the books Duchess. Although I actually haven’t warmed to KOA at all in my reading so far, I found Denny was just downright nasty to her. I’m planning on finishing at least three books before I actually decide that I don’t like her (although I am heading that way)
Olga,
Have you read Giles Tremlett’s bio on Catherine of Aragon? It is a a great read on KOA. I found he gave insight into the woman, especially during her formative years in Spain, and as a young lady in England. I understood how she became the formative woman of her older years.
May I ask, what is it about KOA that leaves you cold (for lack of a better word)? I’ve always admired her, so I am interested to hear another’s view point.
"By daily proof you shall find me to be to you both loving and kind" Anne Boleyn
5:53 pm
October 28, 2011
Offline
Oh good I have the Giles Tremlett book here actually, I tend to order piles of books and try to sort them out in the order I want to read them but I keep getting distracted 
I am trying to dedicate this years reading to Henry’s wives so I was planning on reading it soon.
I think I am going to come off sounding a bit mean here, and I’m a bit hesitant about my feelings, but bear with me. I’m not sure about Katherine’s choices in all honesty. I am suspecting she had as much of a hand as Henry did in damaging Mary beyond repair and I am starting to feel she was overly prideful. Battling Henry all those years did nothing to ensure Mary’s safety in the succession, and I just wonder where her head was at and what she thought she would achieve. I don’t know if there was another solution. As I said I’ve got a lot more reading to do. But for some reason I am feeling this outrageous sympathy with Mary Tudor in my latest reading and I feel she really is a product of those years, and both of her parents abused her.
6:33 pm
May 16, 2011
Offline
Huh, I don’t think i’ve read any of Joanna’s books….
• Grumble all you like, this is how it’s going to be.
5:22 am
June 7, 2010
Offline
Olga said
Oh good I have the Giles Tremlett book here actually, I tend to order piles of books and try to sort them out in the order I want to read them but I keep getting distracted
I think I am going to come off sounding a bit mean here, and I’m a bit hesitant about my feelings, but bear with me. I’m not sure about Katherine’s choices in all honesty. I am suspecting she had as much of a hand as Henry did in damaging Mary beyond repair and I am starting to feel she was overly prideful. Battling Henry all those years did nothing to ensure Mary’s safety in the succession, and I just wonder where her head was at and what she thought she would achieve. I don’t know if there was another solution. As I said I’ve got a lot more reading to do. But for some reason I am feeling this outrageous sympathy with Mary Tudor in my latest reading and I feel she really is a product of those years, and both of her parents abused her.
Olga,
I agree with you about Mary Tudor. I feel she was a chess piece for her parents, and was used to further their political agendas. She was a highly valuable asset to have, especially since she was so popular. I did find in Tremlett’s book he does highlight the amount of control KOA had over Mary. I felt he dealt with it intelligently and with consideration of both KOA and Mary’s position. It seemed natural Mary would side with her mother, but I am sure it had a negative effect on her psyche.
Tremlett gives good insight into where KOA’s obstience and pride came from. Since I knew very little of KOA’s younger years, I lacked the understanding of her upbringing and cultural values. I understood her more after I finished. She was as much a product of her time, as was Mary Tudor when she was Queen.
Let me know what you think of the book.
"By daily proof you shall find me to be to you both loving and kind" Anne Boleyn
6:27 pm
October 28, 2011
Offline
I will Duchess, I’m quite looking forward to reading it. I have just finished the portion in Six Wives by Starkey on K.O.A, although I am only just up to Anne Boleyn and I’m sure there will be plenty more on Katherine. Although (and I wasn’t sure about this until I read it) I did see they offered her the option of ‘retiring’ to a nunnery. I understand in some respects why she didn’t want to, but to be blunt I wish she had. I think things would have been much easier for Mary.
I haven’t found Starkey to be overly-critical of K.O.A, I am quite glad, Denny had her plotting and scheming and flying a broomstick.
