Mistress Anne

The Exceptional Life of Anne Boleyn

By: Carolly Erickson

Narrated by: Simon Prebble

A powerful ruler, an alluring young woman, a scandal that would rock the nation: Anne Boleyn’s life story sounds more like a juicy TV docu-drama than a chapter of English history. Although she is not of noble birth or even especially beautiful, Anne Boleyn manages to rise to the very pinnacle of the English aristocracy.

Renowned for her extraordinarily vivid recreations of historical events, Carolly Erickson brings out the full fascinating story of the enigmatic Anne Boleyn. Erickson paints an engaging portrait of this intriguing woman and her tragic life, from her early education in court intrigue, through her courtship and controversial marriage to Henry VIII, to the day she mounts the scaffold.

With her expertise in the Tudor period, her sensitivity to sexual and political nuance, and her eminently readable prose style, Carolly Erickson is the ideal biographer for the elusive Anne Boleyn. Narrator Simon Prebble’s elegant performance evokes all of the bittersweet drama of Boleyn’s exceptional life and the tumultuous times in which she lived.

©1984 Carolly Erickson (P)1998 Recorded Books, LLC

Excellent view of Anne

I liked the flow of the book and info I had not encountered in other versions during the time period .

Well done

Many interesting details about the relationship that I had not found elsewhere. This was history as storytelling and very well done.

Perspective

Isn’t interesting how perspective alters our perception? I have studied and read many texts on Anne Boleyn’ slide. Each time, I discover something new and different. This retelling was straightforward and insightful. It was not dramatic or prone to emotional prose. I found it informative but not necessarily entertaining.

I loved the performance

It was worth it! I loved the details and the performance is not annoying. Enjoyed it many times.

not historically accurate, not documented

I had to stop listening to this litany of unsupported tales. This book seems to ignore what is known about Anne and slanders her based on what is known about the French court. It's free, but not worth my time.