The Boleyn Wife

I admit it. I am rolling along in the current amore for historical novels of the Tudors and Plantagenets. During BBAW I was lucky enough to win The Boleyn Wifeby Brandy Purdy. A minor character in most of the Boleyn sagas, Lady Jane Parker is best known as the wife of George Boleyn, who was beheaded along with his sister Anne, and 4 others, for treason. Some novels include the fact that Jane was the primary witness in the case, but Ms. Purdy delves deep into her motives and behaviors, as well as those of the people around her, leading up to the fateful accusations. Written in the first person, Jane tells the story of her youthful infatuation with George Boleyn, who only sees her as on of many girls in the court. At Jane's urging, her father initiates marriage negotiations with Sir Thomas Boleyn, that go on for 3 years. During this time her father speaks to her more than once about his feelings that it will not be a good match, but Jane's hysterical insistence pushes the doting father to finalize the contract.

George does not want to be married to anyone, much less a quiet girl like Jane who cannot play the lute, sing, write poetry, or make witty jokes, but instead stands in the background watching all that happens around her. George enjoys singing, carousing, and gambling with a circle of friends, including his sister Anne. At first he is polite to Jane, but her obsessive attempts to gain his attention soon weary him and he becomes indifferent and often emotionally cruel. His constant solicitous, caring behavior toward Anne brings Jane to jealous rages and obsessive observations, which today would definitely be called stalking.With the story written from Jane's point of view, one would think she would be extremely sympathetic to the reader, yet my feelings for her ranged from confusion, to pity, to disgust. I could see where much of her social awkwardness came from, and living in a time when one did not talk to others about feelings and relationships the way we do today.
Being part of Henry VIII's court through five of his six wives, Jane has a unique perspective on each from her place on the sidelines. If you enjoy reading about this time in history, definitely get your hands on The Boleyn Wifeby Brandy Purdy.
I found this wonderful charcoal sketch by suburbanbeatnik online.