BOOK REVIEW: "The Autobiography of Henry VIII" by Margaret George

Most novels feature the stories and perspectives of the six wives of Henry VIII.  Readers have experienced the joy, love, success, fear, pain, and heartbreak that all six women, wives, and queens went through in various novels.  It is rare we get the view, thoughts, and opinions on the man himself.  Henry VIII appears as a character in the novels of his queens, but readers don't get to truly know the man himself.  In "The Autobiography of Henry VIII" by Margaret George, all of Henry VIII's views, thoughts, and opinions are expressed.

The story of Henry VIII is told in journal form along with notes from his beloved fool Will Sommers.  The novel follows Henry's childhood going from unimportant second son to eventual heir.  It takes readers on the journey of his young days as King of England, a glittering and popular monarch with his regal and beloved Catherine of Aragon, his rescued princess turned queen by his side.  We follow his frustrations and sorrow at the lack of male issue in his marriage and only a daughter to show for his efforts.  Henry VIII's obsession, desire, and the King's Great Matter with Anne Boleyn are detailed along with Anne's swift downfall and Henry's eventual hatred of her.  His blissful, but short marriage with Jane Seymour is featured as is his finally having a son, a male heir.  His disastrous marriage to Anne of Cleves and his lusty then heartbreaking marriage to Catherine Howard is also focused on.  Finally, his final marriage to Catherine Parr, days of domesticity with his children, his war campaign with France, and his final days are explained in great detail.  Throughout the novel, you get a sense of how important certain people are in the life of Henry VIII.  His grave and cold father, Henry VII and his beautiful, but distant mother, Elizabeth of York are like shadows in his life, there, present, but not fully there for him.  His deep bond and trust of his advisers, Cardinal Wolsey, Thomas More, and Thomas Cromwell is beautifully portrayed.  The most detailed and fascinating portrayal is the relationship Henry VIII had with his six wives: his first love turned great disappointment of Catherine of Aragon, his passionate and obsessive love turned hate with Anne Boleyn, his true adoration and love of Jane Seymour, his disgust, but then respect for Anne of Cleves, his lust and desire for Catherine Howard, and his respect and admiration of Catherine Parr.  The novel journeys from Henry VIII's childhood to his death as he explains in great detail every incident, situation, marriage, child, or execution that was part of his life.

The novel is strong and well-written.  Henry VIII's narrative is fascinating and rich with him explaining everything that occurred in his life.  You almost believe that the real Henry VIII wrote this journal.  The novel presents every incident in his life in great detail from what food he ate at a banquet with Anne Boleyn to his sexual romps with Catherine Howard.  The novel presents a pious, courageous, and stubborn Catherine of Aragon, a kind and surprisingly smart Anne of Cleves, a deliciously selfish wanton with surprising insight in Catherine Howard, and a loyal, loving, and maternal figure in Catherine Parr.  Where it struggles is in the portrayal of Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour.  It makes Anne Boleyn a total sinner who Henry believes a true witch with no good qualities and Jane Seymour a perfect saint.  Yes, the novel is seen from Henry VIII's point of view where he probably believed Anne was a sinner and Jane was a saint, but it can get frustrating to read Anne as this evil person ignoring any good qualities she had.  There are also some historical inaccuracies such as referring to Catherine Howard's musician lover as Edward Mannox and has Anne Boleyn becoming Marquess of Pembroke after the trip to see King Francis I in France. 

The best parts of the novel are Henry's days as a young king, popular, beloved, handsome, and fun-loving, no cruelty in him yet.  Also strong is his relationship with his advisers from Cardinal Wolsey, to Sir Thomas More to Thomas "Crum" Cromwell.  The best portrayal of his marriages are the last two with his sincere heartbreak and devastation over Catherine Howard making him a cuckold and his domesticity and quiet tranquility with Catherine Parr.  Also, heartwarming is his relationship with his children, his beloved Edward, his first child in Mary, and Elizabeth who fascinated him so. 

"The Autobiography of Henry VIII" is a strong work that focuses on the life, thoughts, reactions, and ideas of a man and king who experienced it all.  Where else can we enjoy the reactions of a king who went through so much?