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46 of 58 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unique twist to a compelling story, 6 Mar 2003
By A Customer
When Anne Boleyn dies at the scaffold in 1536, she finds herself faced with a mysterious Voice (her spiritual "guide"), severe emotional and psychological trauma, a lifetime's worth of memories she has to sort through (usually unwillingly), and an assignment: forgive Henry Tudor for having her put to death because she didn't have a son.It appears on the surface that Anne's failure to have a son was the reason she was put to death. But in Threads, her story is much more complicated than that. During the time Anne Boleyn was queen, she was wildly unpopular with the English subjects, and under constant siege by her enemies. She was always terrified, and had the sort of personality that caused her to get unpleasant under stress. It was her nervous harping, nagging and complaining that got her executed, NOT the fact that she didn't have a son. But it goes even beyond that, back to a lifetime in Egypt where her problems first began. Anne, throughout history, has never liked women much, and always passed judgment on their behavior. She was especially judgmental toward women who were adulterous or sexually "loose". In one lifetime after another, she has earned karma from her treatment of other women that eventually accumulated to the point where, as Anne Boleyn, she would be accused of, and executed for things she didn't do, called a "whore", and publicly accused of sexual indescretions that even involved sleeping with her own brother. Threads tells the story of Anne Boleyn from her point of view, while it weaves the tale through various other lifetimes. You learn that Anne was more mischievous than manipulative, had incredibly poor judgment at times, but actually married Henry VIII out of love. You find out which lifetimes and which choices resulted in what circumstances. Then you watch her carry the karma she earned as "Anne Boleyn" into future lifes. Eventually, she and Henry VIII meet up again... I would really recommend this book. It is historical fantasy, but more than that. It deftly explores the thoughts and emotions of a real woman, rather than parrotting the usual two-dimensions of an "historical character". Not only is it a good read (it's almost as though the words have little "suction cups" on them that pull you through the story no matter where you open the book!), but it is philosophical and inspirational without preaching - in fact, if you don't feel like being inspired, just read it for the story! Otherwise - especially if you've ever experienced any sort of psychological trauma yourself as I have - you may find that Anne's observations and experiences will touch you and start you thinking. Anne shows us how much we all, as human beings, have in common.
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by Robin Maxwell
by W.S.Pakenham Walsh
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