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26th out of 199 books
—
547 voters
The Concubine
by
Norah Lofts
Acclaimed and beloved historical novelist Norah Lofts brings to life the danger, romance, and intrigue of the Tudor court that forever altered the course of English history.
The king first noticed Anne Boleyn as a heartbroken sixteen-year-old, sullen and beautiful after a thwarted romance with the son of the Earl of Northumberland. "All eyes and hair," a courtier had said
...morePaperback, 358 pages
Published
April 4th 2007
by Tempus Publishing, Limited
(first published 1963)
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Update: I increased my rating by one star because after thinking about it, two stars seemed a little harsh (especially since I've given two stars to books I never finished). It wasn't really a bad book by any means - I just didn't enjoy the second half.
The first half of this book I would give four stars, but I really didn't care for the second half at all (it would probably get the two stars I originally rated this book). The book jumps around different people's points of view, which I liked (at...more
The first half of this book I would give four stars, but I really didn't care for the second half at all (it would probably get the two stars I originally rated this book). The book jumps around different people's points of view, which I liked (at...more
The Concubine, by Norah Lofts, long overdue for reissue, is my own ideal of what a historical novel ought to be. As someone with a passionate interest in Tudor history in general and the dramatic story of Anne Boleyn in particular, I’ve been gritting my teeth at the plot absurdities of Philippa Gregory’s inexplicably best-selling The Other Boleyn Girl. (Basic fact: Mary Boleyn was the experienced ‘bad girl’ elder sister, NOT the innocent younger one — this has always been known !). Now at last I...more
I enjoyed a lot of this book; the bits I didn't care for came mostly in the second half, though the last few pages made up for it. It's not my favorite Norah Lofts so far, but I definitely preferred it over the Jean Plaidy I just read (The Lady in the Tower), and it made great warm-n-comfy autumn reading. It's also kind of funny to note that it's been ages since I read an omniscient narrator. They're not really in style these days, are they?
1 like · like · see review
The first several chapters read more like a history than a novel. They were rather dry, but the book warmed up as the plot did. There was one absolutely devastating moment in this book that reveals much (that is probably true) about Henry. As other reviewers have pointed out, Anne is not the harridan in this book that she is in The Other Boleyn Girl. Unless I'm mistaken, she had more pregnancies and more babies in TOBG as well.
Mary Boleyn is, of course, so sympathetic a character is TOBG that i...more
Mary Boleyn is, of course, so sympathetic a character is TOBG that i...more
The book is very well done, despite the fact it has a slightly dated feel to it – the kind of stale whiff you get from historical fiction written in the early to mid twentieth century. Still, Lofts did her research, showing off the Tudor court and characters with the precession and brilliance of a master jeweler. However, she did so much research that she likes to show it off by quoting either a primary or secondary source at the beginning of each chapter.
Yes, it’s good to know she followed the...more
Another book about Anne Boleyn...written in 1965. Very interesting to read a less than contemporary view of Henry & Anne. Henry is much more complicit in the ultimate downfall of Anne than the more modern versions. And unlike contemporary novels, Ms. Lofts gives voice to Henry and Anne. She just creates their time together and makes it a much more fun read, and of course makes it further from the truth...but Ms. Lofts has a nice writing style, easy to read, good to while away the time. I'd r...more
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If I'm in the mood for a bit of historical fiction then Norah Lofts is my go-to author. She always does her research and manages to present her knowledge in a way that never comes across as simply showing off what she's learnt. In addition she always invests her larger-than-life and infamous characters with humanity and pathos, with valiant attempts to explain their motivations. In this particular novel she gives a balanced view of Anne Boleyn - not perfect but a victim of fate and powers beyond...more
The Concubine is a story about Anne Boleyn and King Henry VIII. It tells the tale through various characters. A few of them being Anne, Henry, Wolsey and Anne's maid Emma Arnett. It's a frustrating story to me because I've read so many books on Anne Boleyn and I find it distasteful when historical fiction writers over embellish a story. I don't believe that Anne was ever actually called a concubine. I have no doubt that she was called many horrible names but I do not think that history remembers...more
May 13, 2008
Amy
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone interested in Tudor history and Anne Boleyn
Recommended to Amy by:
a bookseller who was none too impressed by 'The Other Boleyn Gir
Shelves:
historical-fiction
Less salacious than The Other Boleyn Girl, The Concubine also presents a fictionalized account of Anne Boleyn's rise to and fall from power. However, unlike TOBG, The Concubine focuses strictly on Anne; Mary Boleyn is a secondary (at best) character in the story.
There are several other differences between the two books as well. The Concubine, which nickname was given to Anne Boleyn by the Spanish Ambassador (a friend to Catharine of Aragon), is far more sympathetic to Anne; though still scheming...more
There are several other differences between the two books as well. The Concubine, which nickname was given to Anne Boleyn by the Spanish Ambassador (a friend to Catharine of Aragon), is far more sympathetic to Anne; though still scheming...more
Dec 29, 2012
Ashley
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Tudor fans, historical fiction fans...
Recommended to Ashley by:
Goodreads!
Shelves:
historical-fiction,
fiction
This was a great book and I am happy I finally read it. There were times when the book was a bit challenging; not because it is too difficult to understand or complex, it is simply due to the fact that it goes into such detail. I oftentimes had to go back and reread several pages at a time to make sure I got everything from it. I was surprised how easy it was for me to get caught up in the novel.
I liked this book because it offered so many different views on Anne Boleyn's rise and fall. It was...more
I liked this book because it offered so many different views on Anne Boleyn's rise and fall. It was...more
I had forgotten how good a writer Norah lofts is. This book is an interesting take on the life of Anne Boleyn which is kinder to her than others I have read, and is very believable. It takes a different view on her celibacy before marriage. It is a very sad story of someone who waits a long time for something that ends up as sawdust in their mouth (and that could refer to Jenry as well as Anne), but Henry comes across as a selfish child.
This is a book crossing book that is currently available if...more
This is a book crossing book that is currently available if...more
This a vivid and very emotional portrait, one of the best created in fiction, of the often misunderstood Anne Boleyn. Nora Lofts claims that Anne Boleyn's pain and loss as a young girl shaped her motivation for vengeance and, ultimately, brings her to her tragic death. The book is written from the perspective of a loyal servant, who seems largely fictional.
I really enjoyed this book, as it gave me an idea of a potential way that Anne Boleyn would have seen herself, and her relationship with Henry VIII. I thought it was a good way of adapting a well known historical story and weaving in fiction and delveloping the characters so well. Great read!
Feb 05, 2011
Amy
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Fans of Tudor history and historical fiction
Shelves:
pure-pleasure,
tudor-history
Entertaining novelization of the well-known story of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII's second wife. Norah Lofts deftly and chillingly plays up the dangerous politics that characterized life in the Tudor Court. Her writing style is straightforward and unadorned, almost like reading a history, yet the book is a page-turner that holds your attention throughout.
The Concubine is definitely on my top 10 Tudor fiction list. I found Lofts' way of presenting such a well known historic tale refreshing and extremely interesting. The writing style delves into the minds of several characters and all of them are done very well. I can't recommend this book enough, a definite one to add to your reading list.
I commissioned the current reissue at Tempus (under the Torc imprint). It was Alison Weir's suggestion to reissue the book. Touchstone then bought the US rights through me. The cover jpeg is of the Touchstone edition.
The best historical fiction novel about Anne Boleyn that I've read. Ms. Lofts also wrote a biography, "Anne Boleyn," and she is able to weave factual information with fiction in a very readable way.
I read this when I was 9 years old. To say it was an eye-opener is an understatement. I loved it so much that I became a tad bit obsessed with Henry VIII and his wives. One of my favorite books...
This is a brilliantly written look at the life of Anne Boleyn. Lofts is a preeminent historical novelist with beautiful description, fearless characterizations and astute psychological insights.
early on is a little dense in name-dropping to establish historical context, which i found hard to digest so i just skimmed this. otherwise, a fun read with nice creepy character evolution.
Centering around Anne and not having her father or uncle pushing her as in other books, it was interesting. I felt that Norah presented an interesting motive for Anne - revenge and the want of power in return for her love engagement being broken.
not wholly historically accurate but I did enjoy this classic retelling of the Anne Boleyn story -- I will definitely be reading more Lofts! 4+ stars
I really liked it and thought that it was a well paced novel with several interesting perspectives. I'd like to read more from Norah Lofts.
A fascinating look at the Anne Boleyn story, told from the viewpoint of her maid - a woman with strong Protestant leanings.
Jun 11, 2012
Brenna
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
arthur-to-elizabeth-ii
I finished the Concubine last night and I have to say I was a bit disappointed, but perhaps unfairly so. When I first bought this book, I thought it would tell Anne's story from her perspective. Instead, it was more of a retelling of Henry and his "issues" regarding Catherine, himself, Jane, etc. The parts I truly enjoyed were when Anne made an appearance which wasn't as much as I would have liked. I think another reason I didn't enjoy this one as much is because it's like the 5th book I've read...more
THis was a good one, if for nothing else than Ms. Lofts writing style. I immediately attached myself to the character of Emma Arnett. However, I did not like the portrayal of Thomas Boleyn, Anne's father. In all non-ficitonal accounts of him he is hands down a social climbing, heartless bastard who puts his ambitions before the caring of his children. In this novel he is portrayed as being complacent and out of character...if there is one person in history that I would love to meet it would be h...more
Henry the 8th was such a letch. Nice sexy cover, would have been better had she been wearing less.
Sep 19, 2012
Bonnie Walters
added it
Beautifully written, perfectly imagined and, best of all, historically accurate.
Very good , easy read, tells the story of Anne as the victim of her own faith
Another one of those --Read it eons ago" books that I loved to pieces
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Norah Lofts, née Norah Robinson, (27 August 1904–10 September 1983) was a 20th century best-selling British author. She wrote over fifty books specialising in historical fiction, but she also wrote non-fiction and short stories. Many of her novels, including her Suffolk Trilogy, follow the history of a specific house and the residents that lived in it.
Lofts was born in Shipdham, Norfolk in England...more
More about Norah Lofts...
Lofts was born in Shipdham, Norfolk in England...more
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“Simple people always reduce everything to their own simple measure.”
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