Divorced, Beheaded, Survived: A Feminist Reinterpretation Of The Wives Of Henry Viii (Paperback)

~ (Author) "If Catherine of Aragon had been the eldest instead of the youngest daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella, she might be remembered not as the discarded..." (more)
Key Phrases: princess dowager, Ann Boleyn, Catherine of Aragon, Anne of Cleves (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

One hardly needs to reinterpret history to conclude that some of Henry VIII's wives were manipulated and victimized by a male-dominated society; most historians see that as a given. In her apparent determination to find something new under the sun, Lindsey sacrifices both objectivity and credibility. Virtually every important event is filtered through her feminist prism. Ann Boleyn may not have been the "great whore" of popular lore, but Lindsey's portrayal of her as a victim of sexual harassment on a grand scale is a bit much. Still, this book has value. In examining these women as flesh-and-blood humans rather than pawns in a chess game of power politics, Lindsey has performed a useful service. Her portrait of Henry's first and perhaps most tragic wife, Catherine of Aragon, is particularly poignant. This is a generally enjoyable and informative work, considering the self-imposed constraints the author worked under. Jay Freeman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Karen Lindsey is coauthor of Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book and Dr. Susan Love's Hormone Book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 262 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (May 2, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201408236
• ISBN-13: 978-0201408232
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #197,601 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Reinterpretation of the Women in Henry's Life, May 3, 2001

By	Dana Keish (Ohio, United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Author Lindsey does a fine job of describing the Tudor time period and what being a women meant during that time. All of the wives are examined in detailed, with Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn standing out compared to the others. Especially Catherine who is portrayed as a very sympathetic character, with her unwavering love for her husband, no matter how fouly he has treated her. But it is not this undeserving love on her part which makes her stand out. Of all of the wivesm Catherine defied him most openly and with such bravery and conviction that she seems the most modern of the wives. Henry VIII is not dealt with kindly but he does not seem to deserve any kind of credit for his treatment of these women. His cold and calculating manner with Anne Boleyn is hard to fathom.

The title of the book is a little misleading. While clearly a critique of the manner in which these women were treated, it is also clear that many women of this time led enriching and productive lives. The text is lively and flows very smoothly. After reading this book, I feel that I have a much better understanding of the time period.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lindsey's personal take on Henry's wives, February 2, 2000

By	cyberpiglet "cyberpiglet" (Coudersport, PA USA) - See all my reviews

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If you can stand back and appreciate Karen Lindsey's book as a personal - rather than feminist - interpretation of the six wives of Henry VIII, there is much to enjoy in this book. Her theory concerning Henry's negative reaction to Anne of Cleves is very amusing and as likely to be near the truth as any other I've read. Lindsey ,however, lacks objectivity in pursuing her subject and makes it clear from the outset that she is firmly in Anne Boleyn's camp. Actions that she attacks in the case of Jane Seymour are summarily excused in Anne Boleyn - although both women were in essentially the same situation. For one well grounded in Tudor history this book makes a diverting read. Readers in search of a solid history of Henry's six wives should look elsewhere.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very readable, with new ideas to think about, June 17, 2003

By	Kimberly Borrowdale (Oregon USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This history/biography reads like a historical novel--Ms. Lindsey's prose is that smooth. The book tells the stories of each of Henry VIII's six wives--their stories as people, not just parts of Tudor England. Don't let the subtitle dissuade you--Lindsey did much of her research with primary resources yet turns many popular opinions on their ears, taking on such questions as "Were Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard really immoral whores?" If you don't know a lot about this time period, you will learn it here; if you do, this book will give you some new twists to think about.

I zipped through this book in two days--it was that intriguing, and that readable...