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Brief Gaudy Hour | 
| Author: Margaret Campbell Barnes
Publisher: Sphere
Category: Book
This item is no longer available
Avg. Customer Rating:  13 reviews
Format: Import
Media: Paperback
Edition: New Ed
Pages: 384
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
ISBN: 0722121792
EAN: 9780722121795
ASIN: 0722121792
Publication Date: January 1, 1971
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| Customer Reviews: Read 8 more reviews...
 A most refreshing approach September 30, 2008
For historical fiction fans, Brief Gaudy Hour: A Novel of Anne Boleyn is a must-read. We've heard the stories, the hit movies and an enthusiastic few have explored the numerous novels. Yet, Campbell Barnes has the unique ability to make the story of Anne Boleyn a new one, and make the reader feel that it is an account equally as accurate as the history books and numerous other novels. While we may already know the story, how it starts and how it ends, the author takes a new approach: she has us decide whether or not we truly knew the main character.
First published in 1949, this novel of Anne Boleyn paints a gripping portrait of one of the most ambitious women in history. What's exceptional about this piece is that it is both a plot-driven and character-driven novel where the reader already knows much about the plot as well as the character. Moreover, the descriptions of what life was like at court are more than just scenes, but are real interactions noting the art of people and play that was considered the actual business of court.
Most historical accounts position Boleyn as a vixen. Yet the author takes a new approach where we see how cunning Boleyn was, but we also see her power. What the author considers is that, perhaps, she was simply a young woman struggling to find her way and self in a male-dominated world. And perhaps for that, for trying her best to survive in these circumstances, she could be considered a modern-day feminist, a valid pre-cursor to her daughter, Elizabeth I.
From a person who loves historical fiction and has read numerous pieces of Tudor fiction, A Brief Gaudy Hour was a refreshing approach to a known tale. Even those who aren't versed in or naturally drawn to historical fiction will find this a brilliant story and character portrayal.
Armchair Interviews agrees.
Very enjoyable tale of Anne Boleyn August 23, 2008
I've read many books about Anne Boleyn, and this is one of my favorites. I gave only 4 of 5 stars just because there are some historical inaccuracies. This book is very well written and fleshes out some of Anne's relationships more than other books about her, which was enjoyable for me. The author portrays her in a way that makes you sympathetic toward her but without too much glossing over the not-so-nice aspects of her personality. She was a complicated person, placed in a complicated situation, and I like the way the author had Anne choosing to get the most for herself out of a situation she would have rather avoided entirely but could not due to King Henry's determination to have her. Well worth reading!
 Exceptionally written July 30, 2008
This novel was exceptional in it's portrayal of Anne Boleyn and the glitz and glamor of the English Tudor court. It was refreshing to read a story where Thomas Boleyn was actually pretty nice and not out to sell his daughters to the highest bidders and to see Anne as a character that you could relate to. She was very much an intriguing character to read about and the description of all the events that happened were described so beautifully that I could imagine myself so clearly as a bystander. Even though I know the outcome of Anne's character a small part of me was hoping that she would be okay because I liked her soooo much in this novel. Such a shame... Anyhoo, I recommend this to history buffs and casual readers alike since it has so much to give in terms of rich character development and climactic action.
captures the spirit and essence of Anne Boleyn April 10, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Anne Boleyn stands alone in her garden taking in the tranquility and joy of her surroundings, before her life is changed forever when she is summoned to court to serve for Katherine of Arragon - Queen of England. It was while serving the Queen that she caught the attention of Henry VIII - King of England and husband to Katherine. Anne, though, is deeply in love with Harry Percy. It was an innocent day when Princess Mary stumbled upon the two young lovers revealing them to the King. It set his blood on fire and in a jealous rage he separated the two lovers - married one off never to have a private moment again. For Anne it was outrage and anger that drove her into the King's arms as his mistress - wife - mother of his child and the betrayal that led to her death.
History documents well the chain of events that led up to Anne's execution, however many authors are not able to capture the woman, Anne was so passionately human - flawed yet unique. It was interesting reading Anne's perspective on things, how her anger at the control a King has over one's person drove her ambitious greed. She was not well liked by the public and yet held her head up high. She had her moments of complete grief and guilt over events that transpired to her and her family and ones who were fiercely loyal to her. The flow of the novel, richness in details, and characterizations of well known historical figures are spell binding, enhancing the feel of the period, transporting you back there watching on the sidelines.
BRIEF GAUDY HOUR was originally published in 1949 - I did not know this until after I read the novel. While it was certainly tame in the sensual sense, the tension and desire between these two people was abundantly clear - right up to the end of the novel where Anne was secretly hoping for a reprieve. One that never came from the man she had come to love over the years. Margaret Campbell Barnes developed and told Anne's story with raw emotion, that drew me in and made me feel for her and I developed a better understanding of what life was possibly like for her and the personal tragedy she surely endured. Brief Gaudy Hour is a novel that captures the spirit and essence of Anne Boleyn, and it's a novel that any historical fiction enthusiast will enjoy and ponder over for days to come.
Anne Boleyn's finest April 7, 2008
Anne Boleyn is supposedly in my family tree and I was very much interested in yet another take on her life story. Can't wait to dig a little deeper.
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