The Kiss of the Concubine cover art

The Kiss of the Concubine

A Story of Anne Boleyn

 Preview

Get 30 days of Standard free

£5.99/mo after trial. Cancel monthly.
Try for £0.00
More purchase options

The Kiss of the Concubine

By: Judith Arnopp
Narrated by: Alex Lee
Try for £0.00

£5.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for £13.83

Buy Now for £13.83

Summary

January 28, 1547. It is almost midnight, and the cream of English nobility hold their breath as King Henry VIII prepares to face his God. As the royal physicians wring their hands and Archbishop Cranmer gallops through the frigid night, two dispossessed princesses pray for their father's soul, and a boy, soon to be king, snivels into his velvet sleeve.

Time slows, and dread settles around the royal bed, the candles dip, and something stirs in the darkness...something, or someone, has come to tell the king it is time to pay his dues.

The Kiss of the Concubine is the story of Anne Boleyn, the second of Henry VIII's queens.

©2013 Judith Arnopp (P)2018 Judith Arnopp Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Royalty
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_c
All stars
Most relevant
As a lover of history I really enjoyed this well researched and well written and often fascinating insight into the life of Anne Boleyn told from her own point of view. Solid historical research underpins and interweaves with some skillful 'fiction' to bring the characters of the story to life in a very real way. Even though the ending and much of the story is known when you start the book, you find yourself drawn into Anne's world and all the plotting and planning and struggles for power in the Tudor court and the frustrations and emotions of both Henry and Anne. I will look forward to more in the series.

History intertwined with a tale well told

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This is my favourite novel about Anne, the story is incredibly well researched and offers a more nuanced depiction of Henry and Anne’s relationship. If you love Anne Boleyn, you need to read this book!

My favourite Anne Boleyn novel

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
While I am, admittedly, very biased as I am a fan of Anne Boleyn and always have been, it never ceases to irk me that she is constantly portrayed as a harpy who was only interested in the title of "Queen". This is the most realistic portrayal of Anne I may have come across, particularly in fiction. Flawed? Yes. Human? Also yes. Arnopp highlights not only that it took her time to fall in love with a King who outwardly wooed her, but also (finally!) portrayed her as extremely intelligent, determined, and very interested in the politics of the time.

Finally, an Anne with a bit of depth

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

I have been enthralled with Judith Arnopp's interpretation of Anne Boleyn's life. The book is amazingly visual, every scene cones alive . Highly recommended to lovers of Tudor History.

Wonderful

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Anne brought to life so well by this talented lady
Tudor life brought to life so very well

Totally amazing this lady has an amazing talent taking us into the Tudor times

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews