Book Reviews of 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.

I love this book and like the other hundred people after I started reading I couldn't stop. The historical storyline is so provacitive and blended with fact and fiction its almost impossible to put down. I really identify with Marys struggle with sibling rivlary. I also find it sweet how Mary never lost sight of her own heart whearas Anne lost herself vying for queen. This book is one of my favorites and will remain so. I rec omend this book for any historical fiction lover or anyone who loves suspense, romance and a good sibling rivlary.

If you love a good historical fiction read, this is it. I had trouble putting it down. I would suggest it to any one interested in English history or the history of the monarchy should give this a read.

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.

Really enjoyed this. It had been along time since I had read a Philippa Gregory book, this made me remember why I use to have so many of her books a long time ago.. I would recommend this to anyone and you should diffenitely read it before you see the movie for background information.

This book was such frivolous rubbish that after 120 pages I had to count it a loss and quite. I'd rather read a non-fiction account or watch a fictionalized show such as "The Tudors" of these events because I've found them to be more interesting. This book was just blah and pure torture to try and like.

When I first watched the movie on DVD I was impressed mostly by the historical errors made in the movie and I was eager to read if historical fiction is just that. I had the book and began reading it and quickly fell in love with the whole subject and writing style. Not really minding quite a few historical errors and huge differences between movie and book.

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The whole subject of parents telling you whom to go to bed with, getting pregnant to steady the families wealth and future has a way that makes the modern women blink twice as well as the openly flirtations and degradations towards his wife, queen Catherine, by king Henry himself.

Mary and Anne Boleyn have been rivals from early childhood. While Mary is the golden child with the friendly heart, Anne is the more ambitious, reckless one of the two sisters.
The Boleyn girls are sent to court to become maids in waiting for the king's queen when King Henry himself discovers the beauty of freshly married Mary Boleyn. Sniffing the family's opportunity to grow mostly moneywise Mary is expected to become the king's favorite maid visiting him during nights and offer herself. While engulfed in a tender relationship Mary becomes pregnant twice giving birth to a girl and later to a little boy. However, soon she learns that her sister Anne who originally was sent to keep the kings mind on Mary seduces the king and he falls in love with her. Anne's plans are different from Mary's. She wants everything which includes the throne. The king himself desires nothing more then a son and his hopes rise with his unconditional love for the beautiful young Anne.
With making his own laws and separating from the Romes church his marriage to queen Catherine is declared as invalid but as Anne' fails to fulfill the kings desire to receive an heir she quickly finds herself in the same, much more worse and dangerous position than once queen Catherine found herself in.

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Reading historical fiction is a new genre to me and I have to admit I liked it quite a bit.

I did see the movie before I read this great book. Thankfully I was not disappointed in either. This historical fiction is a great story of King Henry VIII second wife Anne Boleyn. Mary Boleyn (Anne’s sister) tells her account of life in the king’s court. The Boleyn’s were a family willing to risk life itself for power and wealth. I would use two olds saying to sum this book up… “Be careful what you ask for – you might get it” and the “Grass is not always greener”

I loved this book! I could not stop reading it the story is very interesting and ten times better than the movie!!!

I think that "The Other Boleyn Girl" is my first novel in the historical fiction category. I honestly don't know why I haven't read more of this genre before. I have always been fascinated with the time frame of Henry VIII. (Ever since "Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman" which Jane Seymour. My mom told me that that was the name of one of the wives of Henry VIII. The way she said it made me ask how many wives he had. When she said 6, I was shocked. Since then I've been very curious about it.)

"The Other Boleyn Girl" tells the story of Anne Boleyn through the eyes of her sister, Mary. Actually, the story is more about Mary, but it also gives the reader a different view of Anne. I loved "learning" about the Boleyn family. But, I have to admit that the story was so well written that I don't know what to believe as fiction, and what to believe as fact.

I highly recommend that you read "The Other Boleyn Girl". I loved it.

I didn't think I would like it as much as I did. I don't usually go for the historical fiction books. I brought it with me on a 4 hour trip, just as a diversion...I couldn't put it down! When my trip was over, I came into the house and read it all the way through.

I loved the relationships. The whole way Anne clawed her way to the top. Literally paved the way for her own demise. Very entertaining. I don't know how much was true. Doesn't really matter to me. I was fascinated and entertained.

As soon as I was done, I popped the movie in and was very disappointed. Only watched about 1/2 hour of it. I prefer to remember the story from the book.

Hands down my favorite novel this year.....i couldn't put it down. Now i am hooked on the Tudors. Since reading this book, I have read other Gregory books on the Tudors, but i like this one BEST. I haven't seen the movie yet....but who cares? This was a great reading experience and it has gotten me interested in the lineage and 'family tree' of those outrageous royal families of the 1500's. If you want a page turner - can't put it down - read till the wee hours in the morning, this is IT!

This is not the sort of book i would usually pick up and read, but when the movie came out it looked interesting, and the book is always better than the movie, so thanks to PBS i was able to get a copy and read it before the pay per view movie is released. I must say i was pleasantly surprised at how the book kept my attention and was very entertaining. who know things were so scandalous in the 1500s! the book is over 700 pages long, however it never felt long. the characters are well thought out and the images are painted beautifully by Philippa Gregory. I would rec. this book to anyone!

My High School English teacher got me interested in this piece of history, so I really enjoyed this book. She really brought the characters to life. I would have hated to be at court...especially with Anne!

Best book I've read this year, hands down!

Very intriguing book! Lost lots of sleep getting through this one because I just couldn't put it down.

I am usually not a fan of any type of history book, fiction or not, but this book was amazing. I could not put it down.

This is a great story about Mary Boleyn. It's historical fiction, but many details in the book are true. Great companion book to Philippa Gregory's other books, The Boleyn Inheritance and The Constant Princess. The movie just came out but got bad reviews, so just read the book!

I can honestly say that this is one of the best books I have read in many a moon. If you love history and court intrigue this is for you. Loved it! I couldn't put it down. Genny

An amazing book! I want to read everything by Philippa Gregory now! I never really cared for history that much but this book gives insight into the royal family. Full of betrayal and scandal, you won't want to put this book down!

Fascinating read! I couldn't put it down! Historical fiction at it's finest!

This book was slow to start but once I got in it I really like it. The movie left out a lot that the book so much more in depth.

OK.

Crazy!

At first I was really into it but after a couple absurd events the story lines seemed a bit ridiculous. I felt like the book was too long and could have ended sooner.

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.

I really enjoyed this book. Although it's fiction, there are enough historical events in it to give an understanding of how the Royal Court operated. As much information as is available of Anne Bolelyn, it was nice to have a story with adifferent point of view.

I had read the Biography of Henry VIII by Margaret George and this was a great follow-up. Excellent choice for readers of historical drama.

I couldn't put this book down. It was rich with history and while it definitely appeals to women readers, I wouldn't necessarily categorize it as "chick lit"...

A fairly raunchy book about Ann Boleyn's sister, Mary. She was mistress to King Henry the 8th before Ann set her sights on him. The story is about both sisters and their life in court, affairs with the King, family battles, and then Ann's marriage, betrayals, and demise. Mary is a pawn who eventually finds some happiness. The movie was actually less graphic than the book.

I love this time period and this book is such a great Historical read and then if you can watch the movie after it is even better!

Loved this book and the movie.

I hope you will too!

This was a great book! Very well composed. Beautiful history with passion and court drama. Much better than the movie.

You cannot help but get completely wrapped up in this story. And it's a long book, which I absolutely love. I cannot wait to read more by this author. Have already requested two books in this same line!

Really enjoyed this book! The 700+ pages went by quickly and the characters really come to life. This book will not disappoint!

Honestly, this was one of the best books I have ever read. I loved it! Philippa Gregory is an amazing writer. She describes things in such great detail, that it's almost like she was there herself. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone!

This is a great book. I've always been interested in Henry the VIII and this book does it's best to show the story. I'm so happy with this author, and I can't put this book down!