The Autobiography of Henry VIII

By: Margaret George

Narrated by: David Case

Length: 41 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

An extraordinary novel that brings into vivid focus the larger-than-life King Henry VIII, monarch of prodigious appetites for wine, women, and song. This is a readable, entertaining, tour de force that captures the essence of the 16th century, in all its drama and atmosphere. A can't-miss for listeners who delight in wonderful historical fiction perfectly rendered.

"It doth brim with lust, violence, cruelty and lively conversation...Margaret George has found a new and fresh way to tell the story." (Detroit Free Press)

©1986 Margaret George (P)1998 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

"A remarkable achievement....Magnificently researched and admirably written." (Mary Stewart)

"Her novel is a...banquet feast for most readers...astonishing. There's rousing drama, robust atmosphere, and consistently solid characterization; and finally, Margaret George's triumph is anchored in the urgent rhythm her writing attains." (Forth Worth Star Telegram)

"It doth brim with lust, violence, cruelty, and living conservation....Margaret George has found a new and fresh way to tell the story." (Detroit Free Press)

Transport yourself, today!

I cannot sing the praises of Margaret George enough for this incredible work of historical fiction. I must say that out of all of her novels, this one exceeded all expectations. She has portrayed Henry VIII in a world-wind of descriptive metaphors that had me back in the 16th century as if I were living in King Henry's court myself. I found myself the object of many curious stares when caught laughing raucously in public places. This had to be one of the more humorous of any of her creations. I have loved hating Henry VIII for his horrid treatment of the women in his life. However, Margaret George's intimate portrayal of him actually had me feeling as though he might have been human and not the monster so readily accepted. I don't think I've laughed this hard through a book meant for seriousness. Hearing Henry's intimate thoughts out loud? Along with sidelines from his fool? Wonderful idea. I'm still muddling through Memoirs of Cleopatra as it was and is incredibly slow. But this was a work of art that I devoured most enjoyably. With this narrator, EVERY minute of this book was entertaining. Loved it!!!!

Addicting

I purchase this book in 3 formats just because I could not stop. It was educational, entertaining and simply divine.

This reader is very believable as Henry VIII

Loved The story. This book includes much that is believable about Henry and his trials. His obsession with male heirs and with having his kingdom submit to his will. Well worth the listen.

Not riveting. Stately

The narrator perfectly captures the tone of Both Henry & Will. And the story is one we know well. But the entirely different perspective makes it all new again!

I love the Tudors!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, if they like audible books and are prepared to a LONG listen (41 hrs and 20 mins). And they love history and want a view into the huge cast of characters from that era. Many books/movies have been done about them but some with less vividness. Some bits of history that have been skipped over or briefly mentioned are fleshed out here (thus the reason for the length of the novel!).

Who was your favorite character and why?

That's a hard question to answer. Henry VIII is so very complex. I got the book because I wanted to learn more about him. Henry was a very complex man; sometimes very wise and talented, sometimes very ruthless and selfish. He was THE KING! He was THE POWER! He was a man of his time and the view of the time was very interesting.

What about David Case’s performance did you like?

It's worth the time as David Case (narrator) does such a good job! And it is one of the better historical novels I've read or listened to...there is a lot good historical data here that only an excellent narrator can keep listener invested in listening to the end. He did that for me!

Who was the most memorable character of The Autobiography of Henry VIII and why?

Henry VIII!! Who else has had so much written about him, even when he was not the main character. How could any media production be done of his time without alluding to him in one way or another?

Any additional comments?

I've read Ms. George's tombs about Elizabeth I and Cleopatra. They too are very lengthy. I prefer the audio version as holding the paperback gets difficult when reading in bed! Probably, Ms. George could have cut some of the rhetoric in all 3 books and still had good novels but I did not skip over any part of any of the novels (audible or written). There are no abridged versions of any of her audible books. I assume it is because cutting them would just be such a Herculean task.

Loved the Story, Hated the Performance

Where does The Autobiography of Henry VIII rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Quite high for engagement in the story, but the worst for the performance/reader.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Autobiography of Henry VIII?

The execution of Anne Boleyn.

What didn’t you like about David Case’s performance?

His pinched and strained conservative English BBC-style voice made listening a chore, almost painful, no matter how engaging the story was. There was also little variety in different character's voices.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Henry spending the day of Katherine Howard's execution with his children.

A Favorite Book

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book captires you in every way. I have relistened several times.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Henry of course! I KNOW what he was really like, truly evil a really bad human being. BUT this book has a way of hooking your interest and keeping it. Very well researched. For me a book has to be well researched and this one is.

What does David Case bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I loved the narration, beautifully done.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Hypnotic

Any additional comments?

A GREAT listen

Fantastic compilation

I've gone a bit down the rabbit with Great Britain and this book did a wonderful job putting King Henry VIII, the infrastructure of his reign, and the times he lived in all together.
This is a very looong book but it doesn't feel that way. It's horrific and yet fascinating to watch the measures people would go to to justify the actions of a megalomaniac. I say this with all seriousness, it was like having Trump as President again.
Horrific indeed.

If you like historical fiction . . .

. . . you will LOVE this book. The reader is lead to believe that it is more fact than fiction because of the amount of research Margaret George did in preparing this book for publication. She read and studied many books and period accounts (check out the bibliography), as well as having visited England more than once for the express purpose of researching the life and personality of Henry VIII. No one had ever thought to try to get into the mind of Henry to see what was really going on there until Ms. George did her homework for this book. I believe it is very revealing. She does not try to make him into something that he is not. We still see him as the king we love to hate - an overweight king who suffered from dementia, felt things very deeply, acted on impulse, loved women, and had people around him put to death if they didn't agree with him. But what it does show is how he came to feel and do the things that he did. One can come close to understanding him, and perhaps even empathizing with him through this book. It is very well and beautifully written. I loved the associated history that I learned along the way. My one and only criticism is that towards the end I got a little bogged down in the war and the politics. I had become so accustomed to the forward movement in this lengthy book that I was a bit disappointed when it slowed down. Just a minor criticism, however. It is overall a fabulous book.

I feel so bad for people who cannot get past the so-called aristocratic, stuck-up British accent that narrator David Case uses. It has been said that his narrations are an acquired taste. I was a bit put off at first myself. But I tell you, he is incredible! I believe that Henry VIII must have sounded just like David Case (also known as Frederick Davidson)! His characterizations are fabulous, and he runs the gamut of emotions which I feel right along with him. He brought me to tears when Brandon died, and made me feel sad at Henry's death. I was as mad at Ann Boleyn as Henry was, and I adored Jane Seymour right along with him. I was disappointed for Henry when Elizabeth was born female (definitely not like me in real life), and so sad for him when baby boy after baby boy did not survive. This book lives because of David Case's narration. If you have not acquired the taste, it will be worth it for you to persevere until you do. He is a master and has done a masterful job of narrating some of the best literature ever written!

Excellent

David Case did an wonderful job of capturing the very complicated personality of H VIII and the other characters of George's comprehensive writing of one of the history's most impactful players. Not only did George build for us Henry's England but what it was like to be a King of England. A perspective very critical to understanding of who H VIII was and why he made the decisions he did. Having read many history books of the period it was wonderful to view the characters in a new and different format. I do agree with the other reviewers, do get this book if you like historical fiction, long reads, good naration, or just a good book. It is really pleasent to spend two credits and feel you really got a great deal!