Mika O'Donovan’s Reviews > The Queen of Subtleties: A Novel of Anne Boleyn's Tragic Fall Told Through Dual Voices > Status Update

Other POV narrator, the confectioner, introduced. Parallels between the two narrators as competent, intelligent women living in a world of men. The thread of relationship with Smeaton runs between. Dialog is jarring already, with use of modern vernacular mentioned by other reviewers.

Finished chapter 1, Anne Boleyn. Her character alternates between crowing about her power and sighing about her powerlessness. The prose veers into an oddly flippant modern tone, and the combination of chirping and excessively labile mood/self identity make Anne seem insane, unstable, and unlikeable. Intro of second narrator, Lucy. Don't yet see the connection, but I am craving sweets.

Also, read the descriptive blurb. Pretty sure Anne Boleyn was not actually described as pretty - I thought rather skinny and bony, with shallow skin and dark hair. Those were not features considered attractive then. I am going to be annoyed if this book mentions a sixth finger or a miscarried mutant baby.

Author attempting to present story from Anne's perspective reads a bit like Anne's diary or a long letter to Elizabeth. While Dunn seems to be trying to make Anne likeable, I have not found her to be so, yet. I would like to see that sparkle and wit she was known for, because the protests too much dowdy thing is a bit lame.