The House of Boleyn
New Release“Historical fiction at its absolute best.”—Alison Weir
Acclaimed Tudor historian Tracy Borman weaves the dramatic history of the Boleyn family into a richly imagined novel of ambition, bloodlines, and the opulent and deadly court of Henry VIII
When nobleman Thomas Boleyn, lord of Hever Castle, is called to London in 1509 to present himself to a newly anointed King Henry VIII, he sets in train events that ensure the Boleyn name will never be forgotten. His daughters Mary and Anne were young then, and though he was ambitious for his family to prosper, he could not imagine what would transpire in the two decades to come.
Blending the history she knows so well with the creativity of her imagination, Tracy Borman brings the Boleyn family’s three-decade rise and precipitous fall to vivid life. Borman surrounds the main dramatic events of the Boleyn saga with a colorful tableau in which familial and inter-familial rivalries threaten and true love often loses out to keen ambition. Anne’s ever-loyal attendant Esther Frideswide and Thomas Boleyn’s perfidious steward Robert Cranwell are as memorable as Cardinal Wolsey, Thomas Cromwell, or anyone in the increasingly dangerous orbit of the royal court. Henry VIII pursues Anne relentlessly, showering her with gifts as the Boleyns are catapulted to political prominence. But when she can’t give him the son and heir he desperately seeks, the family faces a terrible and bloody fate. With lavish and compelling historical detail, Tracy Borman displays her keen gift for storytelling in this resonant novel of family, fate, and intrigue.
- Pages
- 416
- First published
- August 4, 2026
- Language
- English
- Edition
- Ebook
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Shelved by 1 Litcadian
Reviews
Finished June 3, 2026
This book embodies everything I love about historical fiction. Tracy Borman has an exceptional gift for storytelling, bringing some of the most familiar figures in English history vividly to life. We already know the fate of the Boleyn family, it's a story that has been told and retold for centuries, yet Borman’s skill in capturing each character’s perspective made me deeply invested in their journey. Despite learning about Anne Boleyn’s tragic end when I was only six years old, I still found myself hoping, against all reason and historical fact, that events might somehow unfold differently. What makes this novel particularly compelling is its fresh approach to Tudor fiction. In a genre that is already rich with stories about Anne Boleyn, Borman broadens the lens to encompass the entire Boleyn family, as well as the servants and individuals whose lives were intertwined with theirs. This wider perspective adds depth and nuance to a well-known story, offering new insights into the ambitions, loyalties, and relationships that shaped the family’s rise and fall. Because the narrative moves between multiple viewpoints, the story remains engaging throughout, and I never felt there was a lull in the pacing. Each chapter added another layer to the unfolding drama, making it difficult to put the book down. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, particularly readers with an interest in the Tudor period. Even those who are already familiar with Anne Boleyn’s story will find something fresh, immersive, and emotionally resonant in Borman’s retelling.