The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
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Book Reviews of The Other Boleyn Girl
Book Review: A Dysfunctional Family?
Summary: 5 Stars
I must admit that I don't usually read historical fiction, but I kept either seeing and hearing about this book. Of course I had some general knowledge of King Henry VIII (and all the wife-killing) and I had a very vague sense of his second wife Anne Boleyn, but never would I have expected to become totally involved with characters from that time period. The main characters were so vivid and their personalities were so familiar, the novel could have easily taken place today.
The Boleyn siblings (Anne, Mary, and George) are brought to the king's court at an early age to help fatten the family purse. Mary, in her early teens, is encouraged to cozy up to the married king. She bears the king two children--a daughter and a son. One would think having a son would please a king--but sadly an illegitimate son cannot be heir to the throne.
While Mary's been handling the bedroom duties for the king, her sister, Anne has been plotting on her position. Cunning Anne not only finangles her way into Mary's spot, but using her superior feminine wiles, she also manages to overthrow the reigning queen.
Brother George "looses his head" over another man.
When Anne, now Queen Anne, can't deliver an heir to the throne...well, it's off with her head.
Mary's story ends well, but with all that family dysfunction and mayhem going on in the castle (heads rolling at the king's whim) it's a miracle Mary was able to leave the castle physically and emotionally unscathed.
This was a great historical read with some unexpected steamy sex, which added more spice to an already spicey tale.
Book Review: Learn a little, live a little and love a lot!
Summary: 5 Stars
Could be your favorite historical fiction novel, if you like to learn about history, certain time periods in a way that's entertaining.I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is written through the eyes of Mary Boleyn, Anne Boleyn's sister, who is a courtier of the court. From this viewpoint, the reader is allowed to experience the "whole" Boleyn story. Starting with the relationship between King Henry and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon. Through, the influence Anne Boleyn had over the court, politics, and eventually the Church of England.
This book also introduces major historically influencial characters in this time period, and explains about the establishment of the Church of England and the seperation from the Roman Catholic church and why.
There is a lot discussion about whether Mary was the elder Boleyn or the younger. Philippa Gregory depicts Mary as the younger Boleyn, which recent studies and theories believe is TRUE. The fact that Anne was sent abroad to study in the French court, while they settled on a suit for Mary, supports the claim that Mary was younger. Also, there is some historical information that the Boleyn's were attempting to marry the eldest daughter, Anne to a suit that would have been beneficial to the Boleyn's. During that time, Mary was married, while they negotiated Anne's marriage. As history can prove, Anne did not marry in that "advantageous" suit, but later married Henry the VIII, as his 2nd wife. The first to be beheaded.
Totally mesmorizing, engaging and spellbinding. This ranks as one of my favorite historical fictions. Very well written, and complete.
Book Review: Finally A History Lesson You'll Want to Read About
Summary: 5 Stars
Why can't all history lessons be embedded within the luscious words, flowing movements, and vivid descriptions of a book such as The Other Boleyn Girl? I was so taken aback by this author's historical fiction piece, to find myself curled up on the couch savory every word like the last bite of creme brulee, the last taste of a juicy steak cooked to perfection. Get started on this book, and you'll abandon reality TV, soap operas, and every other object of trashy consumerism just to turn page after page and be seduced by history.
Despite the nail-biting plot twists and the wickedly delightful tug of war between the characters, this book allows the reader an opportunity to put historical fact into a realm for discussion and contemplation of many things---nepotism, politics, religion, family dynamics, marriage, and something that hits closer to home during these turblent times---leadership. Yes, I've heard about King Henry the VIII, and I knew as most probably do, that he was some kind of magnificent bastard back in his day. But, looking at these pieces of his life, while considering those he manipulated and abused, I've come to one sorry realization....he and George Bush have a lot in common! Times really haven't changed much.
But, seriously, do yourself a favor, and read a beautifully written piece of historical fiction, and let it sweep you into the eyes and ears of Mary Boleyn, a side character, a person cast aside for causes born out of lust, greed, and deception. You will wish that all of your history lessons in school had been this clearly laid out and conceptually delivered.
Book Review: A captivating read
Summary: 5 Stars
This is probably one of the best if not the best historical book I have ever read. I study Art, and have been through many history books and novels, but never have I read one that was so captivating. It takes you right to the Tudor era, where you see everything vivdly in your head, the places, the castles, the people, even the outskirts of London City.
The story revolves around Mary and Anne Boleyn (Daughters of Elizabeth Howard). Mary beacme King Henry's mistress under the influence of her family, and was in the courts favor for some time, while Anne , her sister, overshadowed Mary by marrying King Henry and becoming Queen.
The book is a mixture of a lot of things, drama, romance, politics, history, that when you've finished reading it, you'll know a lot more about the Tudor age, courts in the 16th century, the King and some of his wives...
The close connection and rivarly between Anne and Mary, is astonishing, you'll cry with them, laugh with them, feel happy for them, and sometimes sorry. The story is narrated by Mary Boleyn, which gives a nice change, since most books on this particualr period are from Anne's point of view. Gregory goes into so much depth and detail that the books you read after this one will seem to lack them. It's one of those books, that you can't stop thinking about it till you've finished it, and will probably think about it after it too. I also recommend reading The Queen's Fool, and the Virgin's Lover, after this one, as they are basically sequential.
A great read, a great subject, and only a great author could have wrote it. This book is a winner.
Book Review: Top notch historical fiction
Summary: 5 Stars
The Other Boleyn Girl is a fascinating tale of the role that Anne Boleyn played in Henry VIII's court, but that's not until at least halfway through. First, the reader is taken on an emotional and captivating journey through the life of Anne's younger sister Mary, who, at age 14, is taken away from her husband to serve as the king's mistress.
Mary is clearly in love with the king and enjoys the fact that she has temporarily won a round in the sisterly war against the older Anne. Their brother George, who has issues of his own, is a key player in controlling the Howard family's involvement in and control over the throne of England.
Told from Mary's point of view, we finally see through King Henry as a womanizer, and Anne as a political player to the death. None of the characters however, is predictable at all. Mary grows wise with her age; George vacillates back and forth between brother, lover, and politician; Anne feigns love for her family and her king, only to later commit shocking atrocities in the name of power.
Katherine of Aragon becomes a beloved but pitied figure in Mary's eyes, and a pawn in the wicked game the Howards play. The reality of her position on the throne is revealed quite deftly by this talented author.
Although the historical account of Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, and the fight for the throne of England are familiar to almost everyone, the reader will find many complexities in the characters and the unpredictable plot that make the story riveting right to the very end.