Journal Entry 1 by sorcha-sidhe from Quorn, South Australia Australia on Saturday, April 18, 2009

This is a novel of Jane Seymour, third wife of King Henry VIII of England, and is the second I've read by Laurien Gardner. The first, A LADY RAISED HIGH, was of Anne Boleyn.

I have struggled to find historical fiction about Jane Seymour, who seems to be Henry Tudor's most oft forgotten wife, even though she was the only one who gave him the male heir he so craved.

It is not as gripping, and doesnt appear to be as well-researched and certainly isnt as well-written as A LADY RAISED HIGH. But then, tudor history nuts like myself might say that the two novels are reflections of the queens themselves: Anne is always considered to be the most striking, interesting, and clever of all of King Henry's wives, whilst Jane quiet, dull and, er, un-striking.

With few other novels to chose from and compare to, I wont be too picky. I did enjoy this book, because I really wanted to consider what life may have been like for Jane Seymour, and PLAIN JANE allowed me to be swallowed into her (possible) world for a while.

I recommend this to all those interested in Tudor history, and also to those readers who enjoy a good romance story.

 

Journal Entry 2 by sorcha-sidhe from Quorn, South Australia Australia on Friday, April 24, 2009

Is about to start its international journey as a BOOKRING!

FLIGHTLIST (as @ 24 July 2009)**UPDATED**:
sorcha-sidhe (AUSTRALIA)
kitiarablue (USA)
thegoaliegirl (USA)
darkpunkangel (CANADA)
rapturina (HOLLAND)
[home to sorcha-sidhe]

Please remember to not hold it any longer than three months before passing it on. There are a number of readers! Thanks.

ENJOY! :) 

Journal Entry 3 by sorcha-sidhe at Port Augusta, South Australia Australia on Sunday, April 26, 2009

Released 3 yrs ago (4/26/2009 UTC) at Port Augusta, South Australia Australia

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On its way to kitiarablue in the USA, as part of a bookring.

Best of luck, little book! :) 

Journal Entry 4 by kitiarablue from Jersey City, New Jersey USA on Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Arrived today! I love the book tag with the flight list! Very pretty! I have one bookring that I'm almost finished with, so I should be starting Plain Jane this week... 

Journal Entry 5 by kitiarablue from Jersey City, New Jersey USA on Wednesday, June 03, 2009

I agree with you, sorcha-sidhe, in how the two novels are like reflections of the queens they are about. Although I might add that at times the dynamic personality of Anne Boleyn almost steals the central position of this novel as well. I would imagine that in real life it must have been like that as well, but I would have liked to learn a little more about Jane's role in the king's life as well as what her life must have been like in Anne's shadow. I enjoyed the book though, and will send it on as soon as I have shausha's address! Thanks again sorcha-sidhe! 

Journal Entry 6 by kitiarablue at Postal Release, Mailed to another bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (6/23/2009 UTC) at Postal Release, Mailed to another bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases

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Sent off to thegoaliegirl this afternoon. Have a safe trip little book! 

Journal Entry 7 by thegoaliegirl from Spokane, Washington USA on Saturday, June 27, 2009

This book is now safe and sound with me. Will start this once I finish my current book. Thanks so much for sharing this book! 

Journal Entry 8 by thegoaliegirl from Spokane, Washington USA on Wednesday, July 08, 2009

This was a very interesting book. I have a Lady Raised High but haven't read it yet. Now I want to. I did like Laurien Gardner though. Compared to Philippa Gregory and Jean Plaidy I wasn't too sure.

What I found intresting is that the book started with Katherine of Aragon while she was Queen and then moved on to when Anne Boleyn was Queen before Jane Seymour became queen. Perhaps it was because she was a lady in waiting for both, so it gave a taste of what life was like for her before she became Queen.

I really want to find more books/information on Jane Seymour. Not sure how easy it will be, as Henry's other wives seem to get all of the limelight.

Thanks for sharing this book. The flight list is adorable. I have PM'd the next in line for their address.

 

Journal Entry 9 by thegoaliegirl at By mail, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, July 30, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (7/30/2009 UTC) at By mail, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases

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Went out to the next reader. Sent via airmail to Canada. 

Journal Entry 10 by darkpunkangel from Barrie, Ontario Canada on Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Arrived safe and soundly last week, sorry I didn't journal it early because I was in the middle of exams. I should get to this soon. 

Journal Entry 11 by darkpunkangel from Barrie, Ontario Canada on Wednesday, September 23, 2009

I really enjoyed reading this book, but I did not like the fact that she portrayed Anne Boleyn as having a sixth finger when there is no historical proof. I know that this is a work of fiction but still don't like having her portrayed as having one.

Will PM rapturina and will send this off to her ASAP. 

Journal Entry 12 by darkpunkangel at Book Ring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, September 26, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (9/25/2009 UTC) at Book Ring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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Sent to the next participant, hope you enjoy the book! Thanks for letting me join sorcha-sidhe. 

Journal Entry 13 by rapturina from Yantai, Shandong China on Saturday, October 17, 2009

It's here! It's been here for a while but I was on holiday and couldn't post the book had arrived. :D I just started another book, but this one will be next. 

Journal Entry 14 by rapturina from Yantai, Shandong China on Sunday, November 08, 2009

I finished reading this book a while ago, and I enjoyed it! I'm becoming more and more interested in the Tudor period and I thought this book was well written. Jane did really get on my nerves every now and then though, as she was always going on about being plain and believing nobody liked her, though it was quite obvious that some people did like her (the king, d'oh!). It's probably just my 21st century view on things though. :D

What I also thought interesting was how differently Anne Boleyn is being portrayed in every Tudor period novel I read. In this book she comes across as almost evil, but I suppose that would be how Jane perceived her. 

Journal Entry 15 by sorcha-sidhe from Quorn, South Australia Australia on Monday, March 15, 2010

Received in the post from Rapturina on 9/3/10. 

Journal Entry 16 by sorcha-sidhe at Port Augusta, South Australia Australia on Monday, March 15, 2010

Released 2 yrs ago (3/15/2010 UTC) at Port Augusta, South Australia Australia

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On its way to cosminx in South Australia as an RABCK. Hoping she likes it! :)

Safe travels once again, little book! 

Journal Entry 17 by cosminx from Hackham, South Australia Australia on Tuesday, April 06, 2010

so sorry it's taken this long to register the books you recently sent, sorcha-sidhe, but better late than never (i hope!) thanks very much for the lovely parcel, and i'll write more after i've read your books! 

Journal Entry 18 by cosminx at Hackham, South Australia Australia on Wednesday, January 12, 2011

oops, so sorry but it seems i forgot to journal this book after i read it! i'm new to hist. fic, but sorcha-sidhe appears determined to change all that :) i was surprised by how engaged i was with this character and her story. i'm not sure where this book goes now... 

Journal Entry 19 by grooble at Adelaide, South Australia Australia on Saturday, April 23, 2011

it's on my huge tottering pile of Books To Be Read. Thanks, cosminx!