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lee25's review against another edition
3.0
Le Temps Viendra is a difficult book for me to rate. Like the protagonist, I am fascinated by Anne Boleyn, so I really wanted to love it, and there were times when I did. It was well written and Sarah Morris' Anne Boleyn is smart and strong and very likeable. She even managed to make Henry VIII likeable.
However, I struggled with the premise that modern Anne had gone back in time and was "possessing" Anne Boleyn. There were inconsistencies - modern Anne appeared in control most of the time (and took credit for some of Anne Boleyn's "innovations" as a modern women not knowing protocol in the 16th century) but other times Anne Boleyn would step up and take control. Where was Anne Boleyn when modern Anne was in control? How would such a dynamic woman feel about another women "driving" her body most of the time?
Although I usually really love time-slip stories, this time I think I would have enjoyed Henry and Anne's love story as a standard historical fiction much more.
However, I struggled with the premise that modern Anne had gone back in time and was "possessing" Anne Boleyn. There were inconsistencies - modern Anne appeared in control most of the time (and took credit for some of Anne Boleyn's "innovations" as a modern women not knowing protocol in the 16th century) but other times Anne Boleyn would step up and take control. Where was Anne Boleyn when modern Anne was in control? How would such a dynamic woman feel about another women "driving" her body most of the time?
Although I usually really love time-slip stories, this time I think I would have enjoyed Henry and Anne's love story as a standard historical fiction much more.
zarco_j's review
3.0
When my friend lent me this I thought the combination of time travel and Anne Boleyn wasn't going to work, but I'm pleased to admit that I was pleasantly surprised.
The level of historical accuracy is outstanding and you can tell the author has a real affinity for the time period.
Although.... I was a tad disappointed that the book was basically a historical retelling with a few modern day thoughts thrown in. I wished that the author had almost been brave enough to retell history making different choices for Anne. It seemed that whenever modern day Anne was about to change things she was taken over by the spirit of Anne Boleyn and the status quo remained.
All in all a good read, and I will look out for the sequal.
The level of historical accuracy is outstanding and you can tell the author has a real affinity for the time period.
Although.... I was a tad disappointed that the book was basically a historical retelling with a few modern day thoughts thrown in. I wished that the author had almost been brave enough to retell history making different choices for Anne. It seemed that whenever modern day Anne was about to change things she was taken over by the spirit of Anne Boleyn and the status quo remained.
All in all a good read, and I will look out for the sequal.
jayfr's review
3.0
When my friend lent me this I thought the combination of time travel and Anne Boleyn wasn't going to work, but I'm pleased to admit that I was pleasantly surprised.
The level of historical accuracy is outstanding and you can tell the author has a real affinity for the time period.
Although.... I was a tad disappointed that the book was basically a historical retelling with a few modern day thoughts thrown in. I wished that the author had almost been brave enough to retell history making different choices for Anne. It seemed that whenever modern day Anne was about to change things she was taken over by the spirit of Anne Boleyn and the status quo remained.
All in all a good read, and I will look out for the sequal.
The level of historical accuracy is outstanding and you can tell the author has a real affinity for the time period.
Although.... I was a tad disappointed that the book was basically a historical retelling with a few modern day thoughts thrown in. I wished that the author had almost been brave enough to retell history making different choices for Anne. It seemed that whenever modern day Anne was about to change things she was taken over by the spirit of Anne Boleyn and the status quo remained.
All in all a good read, and I will look out for the sequal.
chick72's review
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sarahbryson's review
5.0
I have to admit that I have never been a great fan of Tudor fiction but from the moment that I first heard about this book I was hooked. I found the idea of a modern day woman being drawn back in time not just to experience the life of Anne Boleyn but to actually become Anne Boleyn extraordinarily appealing. I have always been fascinated with the private life of Anne, her thoughts and feelings and this book explores exactly those aspects. What is fantastic about this novel is that it is not simply a fiction work on Anne Boleyn’s life, it is a story of a modern day heroine rediscovering the intimate and personal side of one of England’s most famous Queen’s.
This story starts at the end with the tragic death of Anne then it moves to modern day where the Heroine visits Hever Castle and an extraordinary experience takes place, she is pulled back five hundred years through time into the life of Anne Boleyn. What I found appealing about this story is that the heroine is not just experiencing the life of Anne she actually becomes Anne. She feels all of Anne’s raw emotions, her fear, her excitement, her joy. The modern day Anne rides the waves of Anne’s life in a desperate attempt to change the course of Anne’s fateful end.
This first part of Sarah Morris’ story moves through the early years of Anne Boleyn’s courtship with Henry VIII; exploring her thoughts and feelings during this quite exciting and yet turbulent time. What I most adored about this book was the way in which Sarah Morris wrote. As I read I laughed, I gasped, I waited with baited breath and I also wept. The raw emotion that Sarah weaves into her story of Anne is compelling and captivating and leaves the heart pounding. Sarah writes in such a manner that she draws the reader in and sets them off on a journey of passion and excitement. When I was reading I did not simply feel as though I was reading a story I felt as though I had been thrust back five hundred years into the past and was witnessing some of the most private moments in Anne Boleyn’s life. With each joy I felt Anne’s excitement and with each upset I felt her pain. Sarah Morris writes with such great passion and raw emotion that it felt as though I was part of Anne’s life.
While this story is a fiction novel it is based upon fact. What is even more amazing about this book is that most of the story is based on actual events and details in Anne’s life. Sarah Morris did countless hours of in depth research to make sure that every detail; every costume and palace within the story was described in accurate detail. She visited Hever Castle, researched about Greenwich Palace, studied books about sixteenth century clothing. She spent hours upon hours researching to ensure that all the details she included within the book were as accurate as possible. While this is a fiction book I can assure the reader that it is based upon fact. It is only the most intimate moments of Anne’s life, conversations and thoughts that were not recorded which have been created to give further depth to Anne Boleyn..
For me personally this is the best piece of fiction about Anne Boleyn that I have ever read. My heart was overcome with emotions as I rode out the waves of Anne’s early years of courtship with Henry VIII. This book is more than just a simple story about Anne Boleyn; it is Anne Boleyn’s life. By creating a modern day heroine that is thrust back in time into the body of Anne Boleyn, the reader is able to follow and learn with the heroine all the aspects, thoughts and emotions that Anne Boleyn must have experienced during those years.
If you only ever read one fiction book about Anne Boleyn then I strongly urge you to read this book. In my option it is the best fiction book ever written about Anne Boleyn. Although a fiction novel it is based on researched facts and this only adds to the depth of Anne’s life. Le Temps Viendra is compelling, captivating and will take you on such an amazing emotional ride that you will never forget.
This story starts at the end with the tragic death of Anne then it moves to modern day where the Heroine visits Hever Castle and an extraordinary experience takes place, she is pulled back five hundred years through time into the life of Anne Boleyn. What I found appealing about this story is that the heroine is not just experiencing the life of Anne she actually becomes Anne. She feels all of Anne’s raw emotions, her fear, her excitement, her joy. The modern day Anne rides the waves of Anne’s life in a desperate attempt to change the course of Anne’s fateful end.
This first part of Sarah Morris’ story moves through the early years of Anne Boleyn’s courtship with Henry VIII; exploring her thoughts and feelings during this quite exciting and yet turbulent time. What I most adored about this book was the way in which Sarah Morris wrote. As I read I laughed, I gasped, I waited with baited breath and I also wept. The raw emotion that Sarah weaves into her story of Anne is compelling and captivating and leaves the heart pounding. Sarah writes in such a manner that she draws the reader in and sets them off on a journey of passion and excitement. When I was reading I did not simply feel as though I was reading a story I felt as though I had been thrust back five hundred years into the past and was witnessing some of the most private moments in Anne Boleyn’s life. With each joy I felt Anne’s excitement and with each upset I felt her pain. Sarah Morris writes with such great passion and raw emotion that it felt as though I was part of Anne’s life.
While this story is a fiction novel it is based upon fact. What is even more amazing about this book is that most of the story is based on actual events and details in Anne’s life. Sarah Morris did countless hours of in depth research to make sure that every detail; every costume and palace within the story was described in accurate detail. She visited Hever Castle, researched about Greenwich Palace, studied books about sixteenth century clothing. She spent hours upon hours researching to ensure that all the details she included within the book were as accurate as possible. While this is a fiction book I can assure the reader that it is based upon fact. It is only the most intimate moments of Anne’s life, conversations and thoughts that were not recorded which have been created to give further depth to Anne Boleyn..
For me personally this is the best piece of fiction about Anne Boleyn that I have ever read. My heart was overcome with emotions as I rode out the waves of Anne’s early years of courtship with Henry VIII. This book is more than just a simple story about Anne Boleyn; it is Anne Boleyn’s life. By creating a modern day heroine that is thrust back in time into the body of Anne Boleyn, the reader is able to follow and learn with the heroine all the aspects, thoughts and emotions that Anne Boleyn must have experienced during those years.
If you only ever read one fiction book about Anne Boleyn then I strongly urge you to read this book. In my option it is the best fiction book ever written about Anne Boleyn. Although a fiction novel it is based on researched facts and this only adds to the depth of Anne’s life. Le Temps Viendra is compelling, captivating and will take you on such an amazing emotional ride that you will never forget.
lisa_bergin's review
3.0
I wanted to love this book but something about how it was written really jarred with me. I will read its sequel and parts of the book I found enjoyable. I am not sure if it was the mechanism used to get us to Anne Boleyn that did not sit right with me, but there was something. Anyway it was worth a read but not the best novel about Anne Boleyn I have read.
nzoeller's review
3.0
Enjoying Anne's story with this time travel twist. Will read the other 2 volumes for sure.
ohmy_m's review
5.0
This is a concept I've often wondered about, as I'm sure other Anne Boleyn fans have as well. Maybe not exactly in this way, but very similar. This story is intimate and emotional, giving a 21st century look at how Anne and Henry's relationship would be today and how deeply everyone involved was affected. There is a personal side to Henry that we see, but more importantly, we see the very personal side of Anne that was ripped from us and history along with her fall. Any AB fan should be reading this.
rubyslippersreads's review
4.0
A fascinating time-travel story about what might have made Anne Boleyn more "modern" than most women of her time. I look forward to the second book!
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