Search - The Other Boleyn Girl

I did not want to put this book down. It is not a real page turner because you want to find out what happens in the story (the story of Henry VIII is well known), but you immediately empathize with Mary Boleyn and want her to find her own way in a world where women are not valued except for their ability to further the family’s ambitions for wealth and power or create a son for Henry VIII.

The Other Boleyn Girl is narrated first person by Mary Boleyn. The characters are well developed for the three Bolyen siblings – Mary, Ann and George. Although all three of them are thrust into the crazy inner workings of the court of Henry VIII, they all have different challenges and reactions to their own family’s ambitions as well as the greed, corruption, immorality and narcissism of the court of Henry VIII.

It’s interesting to see the story of Anne Boleyn from a different perspective and the author does a great job of telling the story through the eyes of the less infamous sister. This book is of course fiction, but it brings this time in history to life in a very entertaining way.

This is the first book I have ready by Philippa Gregory, but I am now a fan. I am looking forward to reading other books written by her.

This was my first historical fiction book and I loved it! After the first hundred pages or so, I couldn't put it down. I loved the characters, hated them, got annoyed with them. . . it was great. I was sad when the 700+ pages were finished.

Interesting read. Slow start but became hard to put down. Over 700 pages but it seemed to go fast. Meshing of non-fictional characters and speculations of affairs and King Henry's children born from mistresses with fictional scenarios. Anne is portrayed as a nasty individual. And in reality, it is said she could be vicious. Mary is the one the reader hopes escaped her family and the court and lives a happy life. The book reinforces my belief that money does not buy one happiness. Gregory does a fabulous job creating stories with use of her historical knowledge.

Much MUCH better than the movie that was adapted from this book. Please don't base you opinion on the movie, if you've seen it. The movie did NOT do it justice.

Very entertaining...full of twists and turns, an awesome plot. You can truely relate to both Boleyn girls. A great historical novel.

Even though I knew the ending (Anne is killed, the author doesn't rewrite history) I couldn't put this book down. I cried when she died and part of me wanted Henry to come in and rescue her. I enjoyed reading about this time period.

This was a very good book. I couldn't put it down and look forward to viewing the movie. I really didn't think I would like a book with kings, etc. but was a great change.