The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
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Book Reviews of The Other Boleyn Girl
Book Review: Wonderfully Written and Captivating
Summary: 5 Stars
In the process of researching my family tree, I discovered that I am descended from Mary Boleyn. After researching everything possible about Tudor England, I came across this book. Not knowing what to expect I began reading it and became so engrossed that I couldn't put it down.
This was the first time I'd read any of Philippa Gregory's books, but I was impressed with her ability as a storyteller and with her research. The book gives you the Boleyn family story from the perspective of Mary, the lesser known Boleyn girl, but the one who was equally exploited in the attempt to win the heart of King Henry VIII. The story covers a period of 15 years, from the time Mary is still a newly wedded wife of 12, to the execution of her sister Anne. All of the intrigue, gossip, scandal, and treachery of life within the court of one of the most powerful kings in history is woven together in such a way that you feel you are one of the courtiers.
Throughout the story, Mary is portrayed as a pawn in the family chess game of gaining power within the kingdom. She is told she must do the family's bidding, that their position and power with the king are at stake. At the age of 13, Mary is taken from the bed of her husband of less than 1 year and installed as Henry's mistress, a relationship that will last almost 4 years and produce 2 children. Not only is Mary juggling the family's plotting and scheming, but she is also dealing with the bitter jealousy and rivalry with her sister, Anne. As the story progresses it explores not only the power struggle for a Howard-Boleyn girl to win and hold Henry's favor, it also explores the love-hate relationship of Anne, Mary, and their brother, George as they dance to the tune of the family's bidding.
Also woven into the story is the affect this has on Mary's marriage, her life in general, the lives of her children, and ultimately her sense of self worth as a woman. One of the most compelling moments in the book is when Mary realizes that she is in love with William Stafford, the man who becomes her second husband. The realization that she loves him and love is enough for her is a powerful one. As she realizes that she can be happy married to a commoner we see new depth to her character and a new spirit come alive in her.
For anyone who is a fan of historical fiction, I highly recommend this book. It is not difficult to read, the story is entertaining, and it puts a whole new spin on the history surrounding the Boleyns and King Henry VIII.
Book Review: Didn't think I would, but I LOVED this book!
Summary: 5 Stars
I am not into historical fiction--or at least I wasn't, until I read this book. It was a pick for my book club and I honestly was not all that excited, although I had heard great things about it. I read the first chapter and some of the second and passed it on to a friend, deciding I would read it later on, because I just wasn't into it. She gave it back to me in less than 3 days (the book is over 600 pages), telling me that it was incredible and that she couldn't believe that I had put it down...that said, I decided to give it a second shot, and I am SO glad that I did. It is, by far, one of the best books I have ever read. I honestly could not put it down and my poor children had macaroni and cheese two nights in a row (I really couldn't stop reading to cook), and watched a little extra TV while I read it...
I got completely sucked in and could not get enough of it. I found myself googling the characters to learn more about them. Prior to reading the book, I knew a little about Anne Boleyn--mostly about the horrible fate she suffered. After reading it, I felt as though I had actually LEARNED something about a period of time that I just was completely unfamiliar with. Philippa Gregory's imagination--her ability to creaate dialogue and to fill in the gaps with such incredible detail and such well-written descriptions of the period--beyond impressive. She has an ability to create a captivating tale from such a famous part of history with such famous characters--in such a way that you truly can't put it down. I think her choice of Mary to narrate the tale, instead of Anne, was what made the book. Mary's perspective starts out so young and naive and after all she sees, endures and learns, she ends up much wiser than anyone realizes or ever gives her credit for. Gregory's development of Anne started with me feeling badly for her, then hating her, then almost feeling badly for her, again. There are so many characters in this book, and she does such a great job describing them and bringing them to life.
I am in the midst of reading another one of her books, which, so far, is equally as good. Philippa Gregory has converted me to a fan of historical fiction!
Book Review: Engrossing
Summary: 5 Stars
The Other Boleyn Girl...I wanted to see BBC's version of the book so bad because I thought I would love it, I couldn't find the video and started the book instead. At first I din't like it at all. Everyone is so selfish, immature, evil-minded and all they care about is money, titles and [physical activity], the women are mere [physical activity] objects but even that only until they can make baby boy heirs, they have no voice, no power, no money of their own, no control of their lives, there's too much adultery and while the men are justified, it's the women that face the hurt, and I hate hate hate books with sisters that are each other's rivals and knife each other's back. But I told myself, I'll read just a little bit more to see where it's going and will definitely not continue if this is how it's going to be.
And I found myself unable to put it down.
- Maybe it's my current classics and historical books obssession
- maybe it took a while to settle into the period in which it is set and at last come to terms that this was 1530s after all...I think this was a bit difficult to sink in because the language has a modern feel to it
- maybe it's Mary's narrative voice, especially during the middle of the book, where one can feel sympathy for her.
- maybe it's Queen Katherine, the Spanish princess of Aragon and her quiet dignity and strength
- maybe it's Mary's love of Queen K, inspite of all Mary's betrayals of her
because of her family
- maybe it's because I want to see Mary do something for herself and stand up to her Boleyn and Howard family's evil machinations
- maybe it's because I want to see Anne, quite probably the most ambitious woman of her times, succeed because she is so ambitious, willing to work for it, and independently competant; but I am torn because I also want her to redeem herself through some failure, because she is so selfish, and stomped everyone in her way to get there including her sister who means her no harm, I want her to realize it's not all worth it.
- maybe it's George
- maybe I'm still waiting for the sisters to love each other as sisters
I don't know which of the above but I'm still curious about it and reading it.
Book Review: Now, now, let's not be too hasty...
Summary: 5 Stars
I thought the book was really very good, very well written and all around entertaining. Yes, there were some MINOR, and I do mean MINOR, incorrect historical facts. Yes, Mary was older than Anne. Yes, certain executions are not in chronological order. But the people who are letting these facts bother them are missing out on a wonderful novel.
To all those who see Anne as the clearcut 'villian' in the novel - for shame! You seemed to have missed something, something so blatantly obvious that I wonder if you were paying attention. Anne was a Boleyn and a Howard, first and foremost, but she was also a girl. A girl with a heart that was broken by her family, time and time again but a heart deprived of the only boy she ever loved: Having Henry Percy stolen from Anne hardened her heart against everyone and anyone - and any girl whose ever suffered from a broken heart knows just how she felt. Haven't you ever cried and hugged yourself and promised, 'Never again!'. Most girls get over that and learn to love and trust again, but Anne didn't have that chance - she was too busy being a courtier. She couldn't trust her family - even her closest friends, George and Mary, had their own agendas.
Anne's broken heart never recovered and she felt she would only be vindicated if she became Queen. Nothing mattered more then the queenship, not George's forbidden love, not Mary's happiness. Nothing.
I think that point alone makes Anne so much more approachable. In her desperation, she was wonderful enchantress. And towards the end, when she was alone and desperate and friendless, she couldn't stand to see anyone else happy. She committed horrendous atrocities on her path to the throne, but felt remorse for them. The one thing I felt Gregory should have included was that Anne asked Princess Mary for forgiveness the night before her execution.
But I digress. It was a wonderful story, if you can take it for what it is. 'The other Boleyn Girl' is indeed Mary, pushed to the side but ultimately happy - but the victim of the story is without a doubt Anne, the Boleyn Girl whose broken heart would eventually lead her to ruin.
Book Review: Historical Fiction At Its' Best
Summary: 5 Stars
Historical fiction is an art. To write a great piece, you must have not only engaging characters, but a vivid painting of the times, and a focus on the events of the time instead of just the characters itself.
The Other Boleyn Girl is just this. I have always been fascinated with Tudor England, and am always looking for new books to read. I have read good and bad, but this is truly one of the best.
One of the most unique things is that the perspective is not told from Anne, but her sister Mary. In all of the other books, Mary is just a characature with no real place in the story. In this, she is placed front and center as she tells of her reign as King Henry VIII mistress, her fierce rivalry between her sister, and the illusion of the court, where everything looks perfect, but scandal and backstabbing reign. As a result of this, a compelling and very likable character is created.
The writing is so vivid in this work, that you can see the court in your mind. You can picture the palaces, the intricate dresses, and the chess game that the Tudor court always was.
I love how the court was portrayed as an illusion in this work, and how it was indeed a chess game, where you could be the queen one day, and not even a pawn the next, depending on how you played your move. Also greatly addressed are the difficulties of being a woman in the times, and how they were simply pawns in a man's kingdom.
Above all though, I greatly enjoyed how the the whole Boleyn family was given life. I won't give it all away here, but you are given such a different perspective and a longing to know more.
While this seems like a long book at six hundred plus pages, it is also a fast read that is very entertaining to pass the time with, while learning even more about Tudor England. Phillipa Gregory is a fantastic story teller, where the words come to life, and you are transported to an entirely different world. Now that, is historical fiction!
Also a great book for reading groups, and anyone who is interested in, or wants to know more about this compelling and fragile time in history.