Anne of Hollywood by Carol Wolper
Posted By Claire on February 22, 2012
When best-selling author Carol Wolper sent me an email introducing her book and describing it as “the story of Anne and Henry updated for 2012″ and saying “Not a lot has changed since the 16th century. Shorter skirts and iPhones, that’s about it”, I was intrigued and agreed to read and review it. When it arrived and I read the back cover I was even more intrigued, but also worried that I just wouldn’t be able to cope with Anne Boleyn’s story set in present day Hollywood. I’m not a lover of chick-lit or Hollywood type novels so I really had my doubts, and I have strong feelings about Anne Boleyn and how she is presented, and often misrepresented, in fiction. How would I cope with this novel?
Well, I was bemused by the first few pages and then I was hooked. I read it in two evenings, staying up rather late last night to finish it because I wanted to know what on earth Wolper was going to do with Anne, and they were two very enjoyable evenings. Wolper has cleverly brought Anne’s story to life in 21st century LA “Hollywood: the flashiest, most treacherous court of all” and it is entertaining, gripping and, at times, funny. You’ve got all of the elements of Anne’s true story – love, passion, intrigue, betrayal, infidelity, conspiracy… – but with cocktails, iPads, Hollywood parties, threesomes, viagra and pot thrown in. It works!
Let me introduce you to some of the characters:-
- Henry Tudor – Described as “A Los Angeles power player with sex appeal that matches his wealth”. The ‘King’ of Hollywood.
- Anne Boleyn – His girlfriend and not the usual woman to catch Tudor’s eye – she’s not an A list celebrity.
- George Boleyn – Anne’s brother and best friend who might just have a thing for men, rather than women – Yes, I know, this was one of two character I had trouble with, the other being his spiteful wife Lacy.
- Mary Boleyn – Anne’s sister, Henry’s ex and a pot-loving woman who just wants to be free to live her own life
- Theresa Cromwell – “A mature woman in a world that places a premium on youth. Henry’s brilliant VP is determined not to lose her perch on the pinnacle of power.”
- Catherine Aragon Tudor – Henry’s ex-wife and mother of his daughter, Maren.
- Ferdinand Aragon – Catherine’s politician father
- Carl Wolsey – “The wily funds manager”
- Jane Seymour – The blonde jewelry designer from San Francisco
- Wyatt – Parking valet and musician who writes a song for Anne
- Leo de Vince – The artist everyone wants to be painted by
Recognise anyone?!
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