The Other Boleyn Girl
by Philippa Gregory
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Book Summary Information
Author: Philippa GregoryEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2003-06-04
ISBN: 0743227441
Number of pages: 672
Publisher: Touchstone
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9780743227445
- Condition: New
- Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Book Reviews of The Other Boleyn Girl
Book Review: Read at the Library if you arent sure, I truly enjoyed this novel
Summary: 5 Stars
I wont give away too many spoilers from this book as I think each reader should make their own opinion on it. If you are looking for a truly 100% accurate historical account of the Tudor Era sadly there is no book out there to find. It isnt for lack of trying but there are no longer "witnesses" to actual events to corroborate or refute anything written. So in my opinion all "elizabethan/tudor" books are going to have some fiction in it somewhere.
I personally enjoyed this book tremendously, more than I thought I would. I have been an Elizabethan Historical Re-enactor for more than 10 year now and as part of our training and education we are all drilled with the fact that accurate historical record keeping was not a fine tuned science. Considering the mindset of the era it would be difficult to be accurate. Henry VIII for example changed his (and England's) laws and religion to suit his desire's and needs this part is historically accurate. Monarchs sadly were very selfish and abused their power in order to justify their "sins".
In this book, Henry VIII is portrayed as an over-bearing, randy man who let his loins run his head while his heart tried to run England. This seems to be somewhat true as most nobility were held higher as they were appointed (in most cases) to their station by a monarch and as monarchs were chosen by God himself to rule. It has never been a mystery or secret that Henry had many mistresses and it was even "rumored" that he had several illegitimate children by these mistresses. Children that were raised to believe they were the child of the mistresses husband.
I was intrigued by the portrayal of him in this book. First and foremost he was the King of England but he was also a man and a man in power can only be as great as his Council. The portrayal of the members of court and the tidbits of information that were placed in his ear would explain some of his irrational actions. The members of the court were vultures and only cared about one thing, how to gain the favor of the king and not caring who they sacraficed or stepped on to get that favor.
The other job of the court and nobility was to protect their own so they could remain having it all. Just as easily as they were rewarded they could be stripped of everything in the same breath. They would twist and contort whatever they could in order to protect their king thus protecting their interests and holdings. So planting irrational bugs with the king was doubly beneficial.
The Howard Family and the Boleyn Family possibly did offer their girls up for Henry's taking. It was not uncommon to betroth your children by their 1st birthday and have them married by 13-14 years of age. So The Boleyn's turning Mary into the King's paramour would have benefited the family greatly. Mary was young and not so naive being already married but her being curious makes sense. If you look at it as from the time she was a child she was "trained" to be a doting, devoted wife and mother. In that order, the children came second to the man's needs and female children were only good for marrying to wealthy title holding men. The girls were also taught to obey and never question, the husband was right and never wrong and the wife was never right.
Mary was raised to never refuse the requests of the men in her life (her father, her uncle, her husband, her king). She certainly didnt come across as being an innocent in any way, but the guilt she felt must have been real and true for "betraying" Queen Katherine. Another woman who was raised and taught to never question or refute her husband. They were actually taught and believed that it was a man's nature to have a wife and a mistress. Similarly to the beliefs of some women today are still the same. Thus the reason that cheating seems to be somewhat acceptable.
Anne was portrayed as a selfish, shrew who looked down on everyone but the king and herself. This may or may not be accurate, in the past she has been seen as a shy, innocent girl who was used and taken advantage of. This book shows the reverse side of the possibility that she did everything she could to gain and keep her station in life. She possibly didnt care who she hurt to get what she felt she was deserved. It is a twist on what is believed to be true, again sadly no one knows.
Witchcraft was very popular in the time whether it was accurate or not. Even if you were known to grow certain herbs and plants you could be accused to witchcraft. If a man took fancy of you as a female and you were not interested and he became what we call infatuated or "a stalker" then you could be accused of witchcraft simply because you were kind or beautiful. I did not see any "proof" of witchcraft in this book it was merely insinuated and an accusation that tied in with finding reason to execute Anne.
In regards to the "monsterous fetus" delivered by Anne that has been referred to as the "demonic baby" this part is possibly inaccurate. As is the insinuated story line behind its conception. But it was not unheard of
for a woman to become pregnant by another man in order to provide a male heir to her husband. The story line that it was her brother's child is what I believe is purely fiction but it ties into the accusations that Anne and George were executed for so made for a great twist in the historical fiction story line. Miscarriages were common and a deformed baby could be nothing more than an under developed fetus. In an era of the fear of witchcraft, a deformity was deemed as proof of cohorting with evil and satan.
The hint and out right blatant homosexual undertones that were leveled at many of the men in court is also possibly inaccurate. However I personally found the possiblity as being literary genious. Its not as if male/male and female/female relationships werent around in that period of history. It simply was totally taboo and kept very hush hush. Society in the time was not as accepting and forgiving as today's society is therefore it would make sense that even nobles had skeletons in their closets that were only known in small groups of well trusted circles. In fact homosexuality can be found as far back in history as the Bible, look at Sodom and Gomorrah.
It was also true for the time that a man and woman could not be married without the approval of the fathers and in some cases especially those of nobility had to be approved what every monarch was on the throne. Many people had secret marriages and were "ruined" especially if it came into public light.
In closing as I stated in my title, if you are in doubt about this book check it out from the library and read it before buying it. Even if you just read part of it and then buy it to finish it is still the same. I personally bought it because I wanted to add it to my collection of historical and historical fiction library. I also had a waitress tell me that it was a worthwhile read and therefore didnt hesitate. I have yet to see the movie yet but am looking forward to seeing it when it comes to dvd.
Summary of The Other Boleyn Girl
When Mary Boleyn comes to court as an innocent girl of fourteen, she catches the eye of Henry VIII. Dazzled by the king, Mary falls in love with both her golden prince and her growing role as unofficial queen. However, she soon realizes just how much she is a pawn in her familys ambitious plots as the kings interest begins to wane and she is forced to step aside for her best friend and rival: her sister, Anne. Then Mary knows that she must defy her family and her king, and take her fate into her own hands.
A rich and compelling tale of love, sex, ambition, and intrigue, The Other Boleyn Girl introduces a woman of extraordinary determination and desire who lived at the heart of the most exciting and glamorous court in Europe and survived by following her own heart.
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