Thorns in a Realm of Roses: The Henry Queens by Thomas CrockettMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
If only every novel I read could be this engrossing! THORNS IN A REALM OF ROSES: THE HENRY QUEENS is a brilliant work of historical narrative fiction elucidating that famed tyrant-king Henry VIII of England, and the poor ladies summoned to be his multiple consecutive wives. A fine work of character delineation as well as revelation of history, the novel kept me beyond enthralled throughout, as I kept turning the pages without really realizing so, as I was so enrapt with the story line and characters.
I especially admire the way in which the author balances the viewpoints of multiple characters and also how he managed to delineate the character and personality of Henry throughout his life, from his ascension at age seventeen, to his literally "larger than life" middle age (tall, grossly obese, a constant daily consumer of rich, fatty foods in astonishing quantities, in poor health, unable to properly joust, ride, or tour his country). THORNS IN A REALM OF ROSES is a truly remarkable narrative, both as history and as fiction, and is definitely one to re-read.
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