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The Other Boleyn Girl
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The Other Boleyn Girl
Author: Philippa Gregory

Book Information
Publisher: Pocket Star
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9781416556534 - ISBN-10: 1416556532
Publication Date: 9/25/2007

Book Description:
Two sisters competing for the greatest prize: the love of a king

When Mary Boleyn comes to court as an innocent girl of fourteen, she catches the eye of Henry VIII. Dazzled by the king, Mary falls in love with both her golden prince and her growing role as unofficial queen. However, she soon realizes just how much she is a pawn in her family?s ambitious plots as the king?s interest begins to wane and she is forced to step aside for her best friend and rival: her sister, Anne. Then Mary knows that she must defy her family and her king, and take her fate into her own hands.

A rich and compelling tale of love, sex, ambition, and intrigue, The Other Boleyn Girl introduces a woman of extraordinary determination and desire who lived at the heart of the most exciting and glamorous court in Europe and survived by following her own heart.


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Top Member Book Reviews

Stacy W. (slippergirl) wrote on 5/7/2008...

6 member(s) found this review helpful.

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.

Mallorie M. (Lucystrawberry) - Maple Valley, WA wrote on 2/17/2009...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

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.

Kara H. (karaweiler) wrote on 4/30/2008...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

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.

Brandon J. (bran-flakes14) wrote on 3/8/2009...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Okay, so the history of this book is questionable. Isn't all history, though? After all "History is written by the winners", as the saying goes. This book is very readable, and the characters are written with genuine interest and care. Yes, the plot is similar to a soap-opera, but if you know anything about that period in history, most everyone's lives were straight out of "As the World Turns". What interested me about the novel is the fact that it sheds light on the infamous Anne Boleyn's sister, Mary, someone I didn't even know existed! So, in the end, I definitely recommend this book if you're interested in Tudor history. Just don't go into it expecting history as you've always thought it to be! A great read.

Dana (daedelys) wrote on 2/12/2009...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

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.

Sleepy26177 wrote on 1/30/2009...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

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.

Mandee R. (mross) wrote on 1/4/2009...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

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”

Megan B. wrote on 8/18/2008...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

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

Carrie R. wrote on 8/5/2008...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

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.

Stacy C. (onemoremakessix) wrote on 6/24/2008...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

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.


Please Rate these Book Reviews

Melanie V. (MX) wrote on 9/2/2009...


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.

Denise S. (deezbooks) - Walnut Creek, CA wrote on 8/8/2009...


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"...

(mimibottoms) wrote on 7/20/2009...


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.

Kathleen H. (SushiKat123) - West Palm Bch wrote on 6/26/2009...


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!

Bridge R. (solisray) wrote on 1/1/2009...


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

Kellie M. (siberianhuskylover) wrote on 11/15/2008...


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!

Barbara D. (TNFan17) wrote on 7/19/2008...


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

Chastity T. (Noelle) wrote on 7/15/2008...


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!

Corina W. (rinablaze) wrote on 6/18/2008...


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!


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