The House of Boleyn by Tracy Borman (Grove Atlantic)

We all know the ending of the Boleyn story, which is the main hurdle for any author. Tracy Borman tries to leap over it by focusing on the man who started it all: Thomas Boleyn. This is a novel about the cost of a seat at the table. It covers thirty years of rapid ascent and a very messy descent.

The pacing is steady, though it lacks the sharp bite I look for in court intrigue. The characters are well-realized, especially the fictional staff who see the cracks in the family facade before the royals do. Borman’s style is minimal and avoids the usual velvet-and-lace clichés. 

It feels grounded. Still, I felt a certain distance; perhaps because the Tudor era is so saturated in our culture right now.

"Ambition is a hungry thing; it eats the children first."

Read this if you want a historical novel that actually respects the history. It is for people who want accuracy over soap opera dramatics. It is a sharp, professional look at a family that flew too close to a very volatile sun.

4/5

If you like this book, you'll like these too

• Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
• The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory