Mary, Bloody Mary

History belongs to writers. Mankind has always seen history through the eyes and the imagination of those with the pen. Limited facts are expanded and massaged by those who write, thence somehow become truth. Books, movies, television, develop the belief of reality for those who read. Societies without a written work can, and does, relate their history as they "want" it to be. The american indian lore, and that of most of Africa, grows real through the telling and imagination of the story teller. Reality is probably another matter, so history does belong to the writer. Carolyn Meyer has taken the skeletal facts and woven wonderful story from much of her own imagination, telling the story through the eyes of a very young girl, born a princess, in sixteenth century England. This young princess sweeps through the magnificent highs of the utmost luxury of the time to the lowest station of a threatened servant. The social standards of the time placed the ultimate power in the hands of the highest royalty. Mary Tudor was caught within that system. Her mother was pushed aside through a selfish and unlawful divorce (unlawful according to the church) leaving Mary Tudor officially a "bastard" and stripped of all royal privilege. Her subsequent roller-coaster life, from the imprisonment of the tower to the throne of England, Is the story that Carolyn Meyer has told so well and beautifully. Certain personalities, or masks, are assigned to the major players in this story. This establishes the time and place, the voice, by which the author relates her version of reality. The basis for this story is framed by historical fact and decorated by the history of "writers" as is always the case of historical fiction. Believe what you will, but realize much of what you read here is a product of a series of writers' imagination and belief. This book is among the best and most enjoyable, superbly written, accounts of the reign of Henry VIII, and the immediate years following. Well worth reading and enjoying, but don't lose sight of the genre-historical FICTION.

Most people consider Mary the bloodiest queen in English history, and many people have dubbed her awful names like "the killer queen," but I've never bought those lies. Meyer doesn't either, and she paints a gorgeous portrait of what this girl might have been like. We dive into Mary Tudor's early years, her engagements to men older than her and men so closely related to her that the proposals border on incestuous. She is a girl loved by her father, adored by her mother, and treated as the "pearl of England." Her life is an easy one, until her father's obsession for a son drives him into a relationship with the mysterious Anne Boleyn. Suddenly Mary is reduced to a servant, separated from her mother, stripped of her title, and declared a bastard. She is forced to serve her little half-sister Elizabeth, daughter of Anne, and endure Anne's jealousy. Once a princess, Mary is a servant in her own home. She does pull out in the end, but it is truly a wonder that she did. This gives readers a better picture of why Mary became whom she did, though her reign truly was no bloodier than her father's. It is a great introspective look on "what could've happened" built around the facts we know, and that makes this a truly enjoyable and riveting book. :)

Awesome book

I know it's hard to separate fact and rumor where the Tudors are concerned, but there's some glaring errors in this book - most notably surrounding Anne Bolelyn's execution. I can forgive the other minor historical transgressions because they are from Mary's POV and she only knew what was told to her. But Anne Bolelyn's execution was described so differently from what other historical texts were reported that it annoyed me and drew me out of an otherwise good story. I did, however, like the story as it made me rethink the story of Mary Tudor, who I can't help but think of every time I order a brunch cocktail. People defend her by saying that she did not spill as much blood as other monarchs, but that is hardly an endorsement of one's character. The author complains that Elizabeth wasn't much better, but author forgets that Elizabeth had several redeeming victories whereas Mary's reign was an ineffectual failure. There was nothing for us to remember her by other than violence. Which is why I actually LIKE the book - it gave me something else to remember her by. Mary definitely pulled the short straw in the Tudor family. The only people that truly loved her were abruptly torn away from her and the next time she heard their names it was only to learn of their horrific ends. So yes, I could see how something in her was broken. Like other reviewers said, I can't FORGIVE her for the bloody reign she is known for, but I can understand it. She wasn't born a monster, but everything that happened in her life surely transpired to make her one.

It is well written and gives a great deal of detail into the live of Mary, Queen of Scots. The historical detail fit in our historical fiction class.

I you want "Cinderella-esque", then you will love this. If you want a gritty, realistic depiction of history, then you will hate it. I adore history, both ficttion and non-fiction. Mary Tudor and the events of her life are a period I find fascinating. I have to say, therefore, that I was quite disappointed with Carolyn Meyer's novelised version of Mary's life as a young Princess. I bought this not aware that it had been written for a teenage audience. Firstly, the title is not really appropriate. "Bloody Mary" was a sobriquet she was given only after the burnings of the Protestants she authorised as Queen of England. Since this is a story set many years previously, it is pointless; if only to inform someone unfamiliar with history that the woman who eventually became known as "Bloody Mary" is the protagonist of the novel. Secondly, when writing a historical novel, any changes made have to be subtle, not glaring. Anne Boleyn did not always ONLY wear blacck with a white trim. She was very fashionable and as Queen, would have had an extensive wardrobe. Garbing her always in black, in order to further demonise her is unrealistic. Nor is there ever a Sir Francis Peacham accused of adultery with Anne Boleyn. Sir Francis Weston is the man accused, along with the other four, who are executed for adultery with the Queen. Thirdly, the characters are archetypal and one-dimensional. I do admire Meyer's attempt to explain Mary's actions when on the throne as a cause and effect of her early life, but it doesn't really work. She spends so much time casting Mary as the hapless victim and listing her grievances, that the opposing characters in the story; such as King Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and Thomas Cromwell, among others; are really CARICATURES. King Henry goes from golden prince to bloated tyrant far too quickly, while Anne is always the evil witch dressed in black. Cromwell is referred to as "the toad". Never do we really hear the viewpoints of the other characters, except to cement Mary as the victim. That said, there is no denying that her father, stepmother and many others at the royal behest treated Mary appallingly. However, the audience does not need this constantly reiterated. Overall, I found the novel inaccurate and monotonous. For those who want a more sophisticated version of historical fiction, I suggest reading the works of Jean Plaidy.

What can I say, Carolyn Meyer's period writings are sooo good!!!! I haven't found one of them I don't like.

Really nice book and brand new layers. love it

this book is about marys teens and her young adult life it stops before she ascends the throne ,its good

Shocking to read that she was treated so cruelly. Understandable she became hard hearted and found her religion the only thing she had.

Never read much about Elizabeths half sister before. Was an eye opener. I loved the book because it showed what she was like and why she signed the death warrant for Lady Jane Grey.

I thought the book was something else, but I read it anyway. But an ok read as it was for teenagers. Good story line

All about her teenage years and what she was going through at the time when the king got his divorces from her mother...she was not do mean just proving her mother right