The Other Boleyn Girl

by Philippa Gregory | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 0006514006 Global Overview for this book
Registered by kinedi of Rushyford, County Durham United Kingdom on 8/21/2006
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2 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by kinedi from Rushyford, County Durham United Kingdom on Monday, August 21, 2006
Everyone knows the fate of Anne Boleyn, but not many know the story of her rise to majesty and the part played by her rival and sister, Mary, who was Henry's mistress and mother to two of his bastard children before the dazzling older Boleyn girl even caught his eye. Philippa Gregory, whose own role as the Queen of historical romance grows more secure with each new novel, has surpassed her self with this epic tale of lust, jealousy and betrayal. The Other Boleyn Girl charts the lives of both Boleyns--each in their turn "the other Boleyn Girl"--and their fiercely ambitious, conniving family who used the girls as pawns to advance their own positions at the court of Henry VIII. At 13, Mary is little more than a child when she is presented to Henry, ordered by her scheming family to serve her King and country by opening her legs whenever commanded, or doing anything else the great monarch desires. And while his loins are satisfied, life at court is sweet for the unofficial Queen and her pushy coterie. Inevitably though, the King's eyes soon begin to wander and Mary is overlooked, helpless to do anything but aid her family's plot to advance their fortunes, replace her with Anne and give Henry the greatest gift of all: a son and heir.
So good a job has Ms Gregory done at portraying the Boleyns and Howards as selfish, scheming, treacherous manipulators however, that it becomes increasingly hard to feel empathy for any of them. While Mary is merely hapless, Anne is the most ruthless of them all, so that instead of feeling cheated by knowing the outcome of her story, it only serves to help digest her unpalatable rise. Such a gruesome destiny was never more deserved. Ms Gregory has worked hard at researching her historical references. Daily life at court is described in fascinating detail--from the relentless leisure pursuits, masques and banquets laid on for the easily bored King to the complex hierarchies and machinations of the courtiers. However, the fall of Queen Katherine of Aragon and her only child, the Princess Mary, and the politics of the competing European courts and the break with Rome are seen only as a backdrop to the bawdy goings-on of the Boleyns and their fateful race for the crown. --Carey Green


Journal Entry 2 by kinedi from Rushyford, County Durham United Kingdom on Monday, April 30, 2007
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Journal Entry 3 by kinedi at Edinburgh, Scotland United Kingdom on Monday, November 29, 2010
Excellent historical novel. Learned a lot about Henry VIII and the Boleyn/Tudors. Very well written and very entertaining

Journal Entry 4 by teapot at Edinburgh, Scotland United Kingdom on Monday, May 13, 2013
Raided Kinedi's available shelf on an evening visit and got a few things that have been on my wishlist for ages! Thanks Kinedi!!

Journal Entry 5 by teapot at Edinburgh, Scotland United Kingdom on Monday, March 31, 2014
This was oddly gripping, considering the outcome of the story is a foregone conclusion.
Well written with good dialogue, interesting details of daily life in the Tudor era, both at court and in the countryside, with solid characterization.

I didn't mind the liberties taken regarding historical accuracy, nobody knows the truth after all, and it wouldn't be much of a novel if it just narrated known facts.

I'm not sure about Anne Boleyn's characterization though, sometimes she seemed like such a cold-hearted monster it was almost too hard to swallow - she was said after all to be very charming, sophisticated and intelligent, and people were drawn to her. I found her relationship with George difficult to believe, as she was so haughty and rude, sometimes threatening to him and yet he never reacted much and just laughed if off and hugged and kissed her in response. King Henry definitely doesn't come off well, but I think that's a fair enough assessment. You'd think after a couple of failed marriages he'd start to think that maybe it's him, but no. It's always someone else's fault - off with their heads!

I'm intrigued by the author's writing and will take a look at the sequel, The Boleyn Inheritance, it will be interesting to see her angle on Henry's subsequent marriages.

Journal Entry 6 by teapot at Akva Bar in Edinburgh, Scotland United Kingdom on Sunday, July 19, 2015

Released 8 yrs ago (7/19/2015 UTC) at Akva Bar in Edinburgh, Scotland United Kingdom

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