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ISBN-13: 9780743227445 - ISBN-10: 0743227441 Publication Date: 6/4/2003 Pages: 672 |
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Book Reviews of The Other Boleyn Girl
248 Book Reviews submitted by our Members
sorted by voted most helpful
Karen F. (
22 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book is over 600 pages, but is a fascinating look at life in
King Henry VIII's court. The story is told from Anne Boleyn's sister, Mary's, viewpoint. Mary was also Henry's mistress. It is historical fiction, with the emphasis on fiction. There is no doubt some conjecture on the author's part, but it is still an interesting tale. My book club read it and everyone liked it except one person who knew history and felt it wasn't very accurate .
Danielle (
18 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was my first Philippa Gregory book, but it definitely won't be my last. I'm not usually a historical fiction reader, but this book had me hooked. Fact and fiction were so thoroughily interwoven that it was often hard to tell the difference. After reading it, I was even prompted to learn a little more about Henry VIII and his reign.
Rebecca W. (
15 member(s) found this review helpful.
Fascinating look at the court of King Henry VIII. It made me go back and re-read some of the history of the era. As a novel, it kept me captured. I like that the story is told from the point of view of a woman most of us have never heard of before - Mary Boleyn, the sister of Henry's 2nd wife.
10 member(s) found this review helpful.
I devoured this book in two days. It was wonderful--it kept me intrigued and constantly guessing, even though I was already familiar with the basic history of the Boleyn family. This book really made the facts come to life for me.
Peggy L. (
10 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book was so much fun to read because it was...dare I say, I bit....trashy? Then again, it IS about the sordid love affairs and the power struggle between women in a male-dominant royal society. The two sisters Anne and Mary Boleyn are so over-the-top (one is a total b**ch, the other is just too sweet and kind) but you will still end up rooting for them (even though we know how poor Anne will end up). I don't know how historically accurate this was, but it was such a fun read that I didn't care!
10 member(s) found this review helpful.
Full of treachery and suspense! A very fitting elaboration on a historical tale. Read this on loan from my teenage niece... sad to say, I expected a simple book, but even tho I read a lot of real (dry) history, this was quite true to the spirit of the period and the real events! A fun romp for anyone who is interested in the period, and the oddities of capricious Henry and his Tudor court. Much recommended.
9 member(s) found this review helpful.
I love historical fiction and this applies, but don't take every little fact at absolute face value. There are some discrepancies in dates and birth order, but some of those are debated in historical societies as well. good read, very entertaining if you can't get beyond the scheming all for the goal of using women. I will read more of Philippa Gregory.
8 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was the first Phillipa Gregory book I read and I loved it. I have read several of her others since and although they are good, this one remains my favorite.
Donna J. reviewed on 7/7/2007...
7 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is the book you just never wanted to end.......amazing!
6 member(s) found this review helpful.
I loved this book even though I am not usually interested in historical fiction. I found myself relating to the charaters through all of their joys and heartaches.
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
I loved this book! It is a fast-moving drama about life in England's court under Henry VIII. Despite its length, it is a book that moves rapidly without a pause, and held my interest from the first page to the last. The story is told in the first person of Mary, sister of Anne Boleyn. Each of the characters is well drawn and believable. I found the intrigue and tyranny of court life fascinating. This is fiction, based on fact, though large portions are surely not historically documented. However, the general machinations of court life in this era are probably fairly accurately portrayed. This is a great read! I highly recommend it.
Debbie E. (
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Philippa Gregory is one of my newest favorite authors and this is one of her best. A telling of the story of Henry VIII from the perspective of Mary, Anne Boleyn's younger sister. A really fascinating story that was glossed over in other historys so I did not understand it. How did Henry go from Mary as his mistress to Anne as his wife? How did Anne keep the mercurial Henry on one course long enough to get him to the altar?
The best was the fleshing out of Mary who barely gets mentioned in most historys. Not an unfaithful wife and social climbing slut, but a teenage girl awestruck by the handsome and magnetic king, then heartbroken by her sister taking her place and more.
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Enoyable book. Philippa Gregory has a talent for taking you back to a time period and teaching you about what it was like to live then. Even though this is historical fiction, you get a real sense of the overall time period.
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Although at times tedious, I found The Other Boleyn Girl intriguing and worth every page of reading. Fascinating story seamlessly woven with historic fact!
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was the first book I have read by Philippa Gregory. I absolutely loved, loved, loved it!! I couldn't put it down. I loved the romance, but loved the historical background to it, even if it is not true facts, but based on real events. I believe that there is an order to the books, with "The Constance Princess" #1, "The Other Boleyn Sister" #2 and "The Boleyn Inheritance" #3 and possibly "The Virgin's Lover" #4, even though you don't have to read them in order. It just gives a time sequence for the characters. There are so many named
Catherine and Jane, which gets confusing sometimes.
Definitely worth the read.
The Queen's Fool was also very good.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is one of my guilty pleasure books. I can read this over and over again and still enjoy it.
Gregory gives you a good story wrapped around true events in Henry VIII's England. It depicts the fickleness of the court and the lasvisiousness exactly as I had imagined and read of. You follow Mary through her two marriages and really start to feel for her and the decisions that she has to take.
Gregory is a little too descriptive sometimes, so it is much longer than need be. Overall, one of my favorite books and one I'd happily recommend to any Historical Fiction fans!
Shelley G. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
My first foray into historical fiction! Loved it! Very intriguing. I know the author took great liberties with the details, but I don't care! I was highly entertained, and now I am obsessed with Henry VIII and his wives! Yeah, a little "trashy," and was Anne Boleyn really that over-the-top mad for power? Probably not, but it made the book very entertaining. I will definitely be reading more from Philippa Gregory.
Rose S. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Really enjoyed this one, as I have the others I have read. Complex and twisty storyline, of course with the expected ending. Look forward to the next one!
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I absolutely loved this book. It follows the time line of factual events pretty well and adds a bit of drama to them. Even though, you know what happens to both Boleyn girls, you can't help but root for both. The book is over 600 pages, but I found it to be a fast-paced read. It has also renewed my interest in Henry VIII and Elizabethan history. I plan on getting a hardcover copy for my permanent library so I can read it again and again.
Amy W. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I was hooked on this book from the moment I started reading it. It seemed to drag a little at the end, but I loved the book and read through it in a few days. I was sad to get to the end. If youre a historical literalist you may want to avoid this book, it is based on the well known Tudor family but steers toward fiction from there. If you love historical novels and wont get your knickers in a twist by conjecture, this is definately a book for you!
Lynda C. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Masterful retelling of the story of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, told from the viewpoint of her sister, Mary, who preceded her as mistress to the monarch. The characters are brilliantly drawn, from the bold young prince who slowly devolves into a monstrous tyrant, to the beautiful young women who are powerless to defy the demands of their families.
Ceylan G. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
It took me a little while to get into reading this book - not until I was about 250-300 pages in did I feel that it gripped me, but once it did I thought it was a great read. I believe that sections of the book that weren't that exciting just took too long to get through, but in all I thought it was a good book.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book is definitely in my top ten. It is historical fiction, which I love, but I think the story will appeal even to those not addicted to the genre. It is my favorite book so far from Philippa Gregory, althoug I will say that I enjoy them all.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I loved this book! I couldn't put it down. It was rich with detail and it made me want to read a novel about Elizabeth.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Wonderful book!!! Really takes you back in time and so enjoyable.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
My first of her books and I was very impressed. I very much liked this book and have ordered the next.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is a great book..long but very interesting.
Leah (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Great historical fiction set in England during the reign of King Henry VIII. I couldn't put it down. If you like historical fiction, this is a must read!
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Fascinating take on the lesser known Boleyn sister, jolly good fun for summer reading.
Linda G. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
One of the best historical novels I have read recently. Gives great insight into the Tudor court and the lives of King Henry and Ann Boleyn. Strongly recommend to anyone who enjoys Tudor history.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read. Read in 2 days - it was pretty good!
Marci G. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Excellent Historical fiction account of Anne Boleyn's sister Mary, originally henry VIII's mistress before Anne. Could not put it down, and have read all the subsequent Phillipa Gregory novels. She is an excellent author and really captures life in the royal court through her descriptions and character building.
Bobbie L. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I LOVED this book...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.
Caryn S. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Wow- hard to believe it was fiction. I can't wait to learn more about this era of history. A fascinating account of the rivalry between two sisters.
Marci S. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I've put off reading this book for some time -- tried to read Gregory's 'Wideacre' and hated it, so I wasn't expecting too much from this book. However, friend after friend read this and told me (the historical fiction nut) that I MUST read it, so I succumbed.
Overall -- a pretty good read. I liked the story (of Anne Boleyn's rise and fall) as told by her sister Mary, but at times I got confused as to who was telling the story that I'm so familiar with. I'm looking forward to reading Gregory's other books about the Tudors.
Jessica W. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Engrossing story of two sisters vying for the heart of a king. No one in my book club could put this one down!
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Intriguing and lush story of the court of Henty VIII. Mary and Anne Boylen struggle to overcome their roles as pawns in their family's political ambitions while they romance the powerful King.
Lori (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I'm not one to usually read this type of book, but I loved it!! I can't wait to read more of hers - and others like this.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
This story is about Mary Boleyn, Anne's sister and rival. It is an excellent book. Very well-written and an easy read considering the time period. I couldn't put it down. Philippa Gregory has become one of my favorite authors as a result of reading this book!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I really enjoyed the story lines and historical references in this book and had a hard time putting it down. Before reading this book, however, I read its sequel: The Boleyn Inheritance. I was a bit disappointed that there are major inconsistencies between the two.
On its own, The Other Boleyn Girl is addictive. I stayed up many nights simply because I had to keep reading.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I was pleasantly surprised with this book! I wasn't expecting much and I got so much. Philippa Gregory is a genius at writing historical fiction. I became fascinated in reading about the Tudor Dynasty after reading this book. Much better than the movie. Such an interesting perspective.
Destiny C. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I loved this book. No, it is not going to get a Pulitzer any time soon, but it was a fun read using real history as the backdrop. I loved the story of Mary and how she was used by her family and eventually the entire family's downfall. Even though I knew what was going to happen, it was still an addictive page-turner
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Two sisters. One fair-haired and charmingly clueless, the other dark and utterly ruthless. One sister gentle and obedient, the other cruel and defiant. Sisters who were best friends and bitter rivals. These were the Boleyn sisters as written by Philippa Gregory.
In the beginning of this novel, Mary and Anne Boleyn are sisters serving King Henry VIII during his reign in England. Their uncle's desire to capture the favor and wealth of the King compels him to grasp at the King's fancy using any means necessary, especially his attractive nieces. After an initial fling with Mary, Henry VIII becomes increasingly enamored by Anne, whose seductive, tempestuous nature and single-minded determination to become queen, eventually ends a royal marriage, divides a church, and brings about her own catastrophic demise. With the assistance of her family (including Mary and brother George) but no thought for anybody but herself, Anne rises to become queen of England and then plummets to scandalous ruin in 661 pages.
This book was an entertaining read! Excitement, malice, suspicion, rivalry, and death pervaded the pages of this novel (told from the perspective of the other Boleyn sister, Mary). The wide castle halls were full of music and whispers, poetry and poison, love and betrayal. The King's reign came alive, and as the story unfolded I was filled with a passionate dislike for Anne. For 630 pages I watched as her conniving actions and clever little jests convinced a foolish King to divorce a faithful and loving wife. I read, appalled, as she betrayed every person who helped her claw her way to the throne (even her faithful sister) and yet somehow in the last 30 pages, even as she seemed to be getting exactly what she deserved, I felt sorry for Anne. And that's how I know this was a well-written novel. Gregory had me feeling the tumultuous emotions that are part of a complicated sibling relationship... exactly what I imagine Mary would have felt watching her sister's royal rise and fall from grace.
I was able to enjoy this book because I kept in mind that it is fiction. This novel may be loosely based on the facts surrounding Anne Boleyn's life, but the details are definitely the imagination of Philippa Gregory.
And she has quite the imagination.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I really loved this book. I learned things about Henry VIII I never knew. I finished it in 3 days!
Dana (
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.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
While the whining, and conniving of Anne tended to irritate at times, this book was still a fascinating read. Told from the perspective of Mary, who once thought she would become the next queen, it gives an alternate view of the rise, fall, and struggles of Queen Anne. Well written and easy to follow even though there are many different characters it could have gotten very confusing. Would definitely recommend.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I wanted to wait until i read to the book to watch the movie. but that didn't work out. Did not matter. If you like historical works even if they are not all completely accurate, this is the writer for you. She gets you hooked...
Jeanette R. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
the movie doesnt look so appealing but my mom bought the book so i stuck it in my books to swap pile. someone finally requested it and i thought i'd give it a try to see if i liked it...LOVED IT!!!
i normally don't read period pieces, books about royalty, etc. because i think i dont like them (But i might actually enjoy them). i took this on a long trip and started it, and found that i didnt want to put it down!!!!!
its about two sisters and a brother. their family wants to move up in the world so they do everyhthing to get the one king to notice the sisters, and hopefully make one of them queen. the sisters, best friends, also become rivals, making their choices only for their family.
its very dramatic, a lot goes on, and their are sone great characters in it. im so glad i read this before passing it on!!!!
Brenna B. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I read this one over the summer but for some reason forgot to review it. Anyway, it started off a bit slow but soon picked up. This book as singlehandedly helped to thrust me into wanting to study the Tudor Dynasty. I put the other books in this series on my WishList (nearly all received now) as well a few other non-fiction books on this same topic (received a number of those too). Serious, this family was like a soap opera. Anyway, this story is told from the point of view of Mary Boleyn, the sister of Anne Boleyn (Henry VIII's second wife). From Mary's POV it shows the events that led to the fall of Queen Katherine and the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn. I was disgusted by how young girls were treated like game pieces, being married off to make alliances (boys too to an extent). The decadence and vanity of the court is on full display here. I kept cheering for William Strafford, Mary's second husband, a commoner, who was the only voice of reason at times since he was an outsider to court culture. Of course some events are dramatized since this is a work of fiction, you can tell that the author made a great attempt to research the true events (though were there are conflicting events, particularly with the charges made against Anne and her brother George) the author had to pick one so the story could progress. I look forward to reading Philippa Gregory's other books.
Claire P. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Definitely, rated R for content. But a very good book, all about Mary Boleyn.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I am not a very fast reader, but I had surgery and was stuck at home for a week and ended up reading the Other Boleyn Girl in 4 days. I was a little intimidated at first at how many pages it was but the writing is so fabulous I could not put it down. I've already ordered three more Philippa Gregory books so hopefully they'll get here soon!!! ((I also heard they made a movie out of this book too... better add it to my Netflix!))
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I loved this book. Although it probably didn't stick 100% to the facts it was an excellent book. From the moment you start reading it you get wrapped into this warped world and the manipulative family that is the Boleyn/Howard.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
The scheming, the scheming! Unlike some of Gregory's less sympathetic heroines (Wideacre, anyone?), you find yourself kind of liking Anne Boleyn, which makes it all the more upsetting when her world collapses around her. The smart one, however, is The Other Boleyn Girl - Anne's sister and mistress to King Henry before Anne. She's the one you root for, and even though it has a "Titanic" ending (the boat sinks, Anne Boleyn's head gets chopped off), it's not a disappointing read in the least. Loved it, and am looking forward to renting the movie.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
The movie does not do this book justice! This is a must read for anyone who likes to read about the drama that went on at court. To think that this is based on true events!
I loved this book!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I read this in 3 days, I simply couldn't put it down. It was very well-written, flowed nicely, and was very intriguing. I love the narration by Mary Boleyn.
I look forward to reading more Philippa Gregory novels.
Jennifer P. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I really enjoyed the story. The Boleyn family works very hard at becoming the next in line for the crown. They sacrifice their own flesh and blood for it. I enjoyed the characters. As always, this book is way better than the movie!
Michelle K. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Gripping and very hard to put down. Better than the movie although the movie is good too. Loved this book highly recommended!
Janis K. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
The other Boleyn girl is Mary Boleyn, whom little if anything has been recorded about in history books. But Philippa Gregory has taken this woman and drawn a vivid picture of her, first as a young woman and then a mature woman who not only suffers at the hands of Henry VIII but also at the hands of her sister, Anne.
It's hard to understand why Mary Boleyn was relegated to the sidelines of History. The sister of the beheaded Ann Boleyn, the aunt of Queen Elizabeth, and the mother of two of Henry VIII's illegitimate children, including a much coveted son, should rate more interest. But such was the strict legitimacy laws at the time, that an illegitimate child could not inherit the throne.
"The Other Boleyn Girl" is well written and an enjoyable reading experience; highly recommended for those who enjoy dabbling in Tudor England
Debra L. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This novel begins when an young lady in waiting, only fourteen years old, catches the eye of Henry VIII she falls in love with both her King and the status of being the King's favorite. But she soon realizes just how much she is being manipulated in other's ambitious plots. When the king's interest begins wander she is forced to step aside for her older sister, Anne, who then has the King's desire. A interesting tale of greed, lust, ambition, and schemes. The Other Boleyn Girl showed me the extraordinary determination and ambition of those who lived at the center of the glamorous court in Europe. I found the comparison of the sisters fascinating. I think you will as riveted to book as I was when Anne's ambition to become the Queen of England begins to effect her sanity. You will be shocked at the price one will pay for power! A very good book.
Denise H. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was my first Philippa Gregory book....I love historical fiction and found this to be a very good book....It hooks you at the beginning and keeps you hooked till the end....as a matter of fact you hate to see it come to an end
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was my first Philippa Gregory book. I have already ordered more books from the author after reading The Other Boleyn Girl. What a great historical novel this was for me. I am not a historical fiction reader, as this was recommended to me by my aunt, but this book had me hooked from page 1. It made me wonder where the fiction was having read it in depth. After reading it, I was even prompted to learn a little more about Henry VIII and his reign by buying more books for my newfound love for this period in time. I highly recommend it to all. The movie was also wonderful, but the book is a million times better.
Brooke G. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
To read this series chronologically, read them in this order: TCP, TOBG, TBI, TQF, TVL, and TOQ (coming 9/16/08). If you want advice on the best way to read the books when you have started with TOBG (most of us seem to have done this), I recommend reading all of them after TOBG, and then looping back to read TCP after you have finished the series. A note to readers of historical fiction, Gregory is filled with PLENTY romance and cotton candy to make the reads seem light while informing of the period.
Amber J. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I really enjoyed this book. The fact that most of the information is historically accurate is a bonus. The only thing that aggravated me was the author's use of run-on sentences throughout the story. :)
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
fascinating book. I could not put it down and read it in a week. I want to read more of this authors books!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
If I could take back the time spent reading this book, I would. And I don't say that about many books. It's not that it was a bad read, but I am disturbed by some of the graphic descriptions in the book (ie, childbirth horror stories). I did enjoy one of the romantic plot lines, but overall I don't think that reading this book has done anything positive for me.
Charlene P. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Enjoyable and entertaining story. I especially liked the point of view it was written from. Fit well into the other Gregory story lines. Was a very quick read and I found myself at the end before I knew it.
Suzanne S. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
My first book by this author and I was captivated. I wanted to get through all the pages quicker than I could! I was enthralled in the era and the characters. Very good read.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
When I read this book this first time, I loved it. It sparked an interest in English history and in the Tudor reign. I devoured historical books about the period. I went back to reread TOBG, excited with my newfound knowledge and was sorely disappointment. I realize that it is historical fiction not a non-fiction account but Gregory takes major dramatic license with the events both leading up to the novel and within it. The glaring inconsistencies were too much for me to ignore on a second read around.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was an excellent read. I really enjoyed immersing myself in the intrigues and emotions of the sisters as they were in the Tudor court - I"m not looking forward to the movie, b/c I'm afraid they will focus on the sensual and tawdry sections, and miss out on the deeper emotions and motivations involved.
(
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Filled with sex, scandal, corruption, and reckless ambition, The Other Boleyn Girl is a must-read for historical fiction fans. Told through the point of view of Mary Boleyn, Anne's sister, you can't help but despise and pity Anne Boleyn at the same time. As Anne and Mary are both used as pawns in the quest for power, it becomes very clear what a dangerous game they play. In the end, it's the success that they have that will be their ultimate undoing.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
My absolute favorite by Phillipa Gregory. She does such an amazing job of allowing you to feel what it was like to live that life in 18th century England, in the royal court. This was a romantic story about Mary Boleyn underneath all the drama of her sister, Anne Boleyn.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I couldn't stop reading this book! Who doesn't know the story of Anne Boleyn? And yet, with the period details, delicious dialogue, and perfect depiction of the gorgeous, ambitious, and doomed Anne, as seen through the eyes of her sister Mary (who was indeed a real person)- who can resist? I'm so glad I've discovered Philippa Gregory.
Carissa S. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was a fantastic look at 16th century England. Some things shocked me, but it was so great to get an inside look at the royal court. I will definately read more of Philippa Gregory.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Although I thought this wasn't "my type of book" it grabbed me from the 1st page and never let go 'til the end! I couldn't put it down.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was a wonderful book. I couldn't put it down. It's 661 pages and I read it in 48 hours. It puts the other Philippa Gregory books to shame.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
A look at the Anne Boleyn, Mary Boleyn, and King Henry VIII affair from Mary's point of view. If you enjoy period fiction and would like to learn more about King Henry and his court, this is a very good novel to read.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Great book. I will definitely read more from this author.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Excellent book... Highly recommended.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Loved this book!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Awesome page turner! Highly recommended!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Excellent reading. Lots of history and insight into the time although it is fiction. It gives good insight and background for watching the show "The Tudors" which I sometimes think it very hard to follow with respect to what is going on and who the characters are and their roles and relationships.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I love this author so very much-as usual, it was wonderful, and a very good read! :)
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I loved this book, and I want to pass it on. It is great to read right now especially if you have seen any of Showtime's The Tudors on TV. Phillipa Gregory writes so that I can see myself in the Tudor era.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This in trigued me an captured my imagination - I found it hard to put down! Not since "The Twentieth Wife" have I found such an engaging historical novel.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Historical Fiction I really enjoyed this book.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book was excellent! I didn't know much about this era - but this book really opened my eyes. Very interesting read!
Shannon Y. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
best historical fiction book i have ever read also greatly detailed and it is good to finally hear about Mary who is always overshadowed by Anne
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book is well worth all the attention it's receiving. Makes you hope the ending will be different even when you know it won't. Also makes you glad you didn't live in the era of "Good King Hal."
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Great for lovers of historical novels. Well written and researched, Gregory's novels are always top notch. Highly recommended!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
A very good book!!!
Mary Boleyn the "other Boleyn girl" competes with her sister Anne for King Henry VIII. Their family, the Boleyn's and the Howard's, pit them against each other for the King's favor.
We all know what happened to Anne Boleyn, but here is an account of Mary's life.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Excellent read! A story about Mary Boleyn, the sister of the famed, Anne, and how her encounters with Henry VIII. Little does she know how she is only playing a part for others to gain advantage. First in a trilogy.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I am a big history buff and although this is historical fiction it was still a fascinating read. You almost feel as though you've been transported into Anne Bolyen's England.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
For lovers of historical fiction this one is a real treat and if you're intrigued with 16th century England you won't want to miss this book. Why on earth anyone in their right mind would have wanted to be married to Henry VIII is anyone's guess!
Maggie C. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I can't believe I waited so long to read this! I enjoyed this greatly and am moving on to the next in the "series". It was rather sad at the end though...but very hard to put down!
Felicia J. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
A juicy read about the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn as seen through the eyes of her sister Mary. What the novel lacks in substance it almost makes up for with style and sheer daring. A guilty pleasure.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is the write up from the back of the book. You're sure to find it very compelling: 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 kings interest begins to wans 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 intriute.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I loved this book. I don't usually read historical fiction, but this book was recommended to me. I was surprised to read how most of the facts in this book were true!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is a novel (fictional work) and that took something away from the story, especially if you know your history. But her feel for the era was wonderful. A good read, all in all.
Jennie B. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
A surprising and always intriguing tale! Gregory is able to bring these characters, historical figures all, to life, making them as fresh and believable as your next door neighbor. At the same time, she exposes the sometimes strange and always perilous nature of life at court in Tudor England.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Excellent and engrossing! A vivid description of the rise and fall of the Boleyn family with the spotlight shifted slightly from Anne to her sister Mary from whom's perspective the story unfolds.
Sue C. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Great book. I found it a little tough to get into, but once I did, I didn't want to put it down. It has a little bit of everything: power struggles, family loyalty and dysfunction, social class disparity, scandals and true love. Phew. My entire book club enjoyed it. Don't let the length of this book intimidate you...it reads fairly quickly. Also, the dialogue/language is not 100% accurate to the era, but I found that made for an easier, less cumbersome and more enjoyable read.
Lisa L. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I thought this might be more of a historical romance novel, but it was so much more than that: good depth and a definite page-turner. I got caught up in Anne's Boleyn's deviousness and non-stop ambition. I went out and bought another of Philippa Gregory's books the day after I finished this at the used book store!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Enjoyable reading. I found myself believing this book and forgetting that it was fiction. Truly enjoyable for someone who loves history and reading.
Haley Joy F. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
What a good book! It can get kind of racy but it's fun to look back into their times.. and even though it is fiction, it seems believable.
Tracey (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
A very interesting read. I could barely put it down! Good historical fiction.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Definitely along the lines of a bodice-ripper type book. A good easy beach read.
ShawnMarie M. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This had interesting points but was dry overall.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
If you love historical fiction set during the time of the Knights of the Round Table, you will love this book about the other view of Henry VIII. It is a story of ambition, love, sex, and intrigue.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I could NOT put this book down. The writing is excellent, the characters are real, the plot is heart-breaking and exciting. It was so well-written that I completely forgot that I already knew how it would end, having paid a little attention in my World History class.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
If you enjoy historical fiction, you will enjoy this book. The book is a fictional account of the rise & fall of Anne Bolyen from the perspective of her sister Mary. Purists will find that it strays from what has commonly been thought of as fact as well as from some of the legends surrounding the circumstances of Anne's beheading & Mary's affair with the king, but IMHO it doesn't affect the story at all. I thoroughly enjoyed this book & could not put it down.
Gessika R. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
An interesting blending of history and fiction. I read it in two days...and I'm still not sure if I did so because I liked it or because I just wanted to find out what happened. But, I wasn't sorry I read it, so I guess it all works out in the end.:)
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
THis book was fascinating and intelligently written. It was a very political book and still maintained a great story without becoming propoganda. I had a difficult time separtaing history from fiction which made me want to do more reading and research into the reign of Henry the VIII.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Oh, man, this is a good one! This is one of the finest pieces of historical fiction ever written about Henry VIII and his wives and mistresses. It's brilliantly imagined and truly riveting. And chilling at certain points. In part, it's about a period in history when feudalism still held true, and the glory and the advancement of one's noble family and the family name was everything. The fate of an individual -- a hapless daughter -- matters nothing to the Boleyn/Howard family as they plot at the English Court to gain and retain their power. Their daughters' virtue and reputation, and finally, even their lives, are simply used as pawns on a chessboard. You'll be biting your nails on Mary's behalf more than once. Although historians may quibble about the accuracy of some details, I like to think Gregory's take on the characters involved was shrewd, insightful and dead-on. Gregory has written "my" Anne Boleyn, for good, the one against which any other fictional depictions now will be measured.
Janey H. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Philippa Gregory is a prolific author and it was a real struggle for me to decide to put this book up for swap, but it's been sitting on my bookshelf for over 2 years. It's one of those books you love if you are an Elizabethan Buff. Gregory does a wonderful job of blending fact and fiction and this book is almost impossible to put down.
This was okay - a little too gossipy, but I guess that was the court back then. I wish more had been said about what was happening outside her own sphere but since it was written by an 14 year-old, that's what to expect.
Great historical novel. I had no idea this sister existed. Again the book is better then the movie.
A fun read for a rainy day. I found the narrator, Anne Boleyn's sister, Mary, to be engaging and relatively non-cardboard cut-out'ish. Her descriptions of her fun loving older brother, George, also one of Henry VIII's courtiers were similarly engaging and realistic. Anne Boleyn, however, read like a pretty but humorless harridan in this telling. Given how shrewish she was described throughout, it's hard to believe anyone this nasty - no matter how beautiful or alluring - could get a powerful, fun-loving king to not only make enemies with the Spanish emperor by setting aside his aunt, Henry's wife of 20 years - Katherine of Aragon - to marry a notorious tramp, but to alienate the Pope as well and completely rewrite church history. The scheming ways of Anne's family, members of Boleyn and Howard clans, were shocking and interesting to watch as they clawed their way to power, using - and viewing - their daughters as disposable pawns.
Karen (Loved this book. It is over 600 pages but only took me a week to read because I couldn't put it down. I am not usually drawn to historical fiction, but this was a book club pick and I am so glad I read it.
I enjoyed this book, and now want to learn more about this period of British history. The story gives you insight into what it may have been like to live within the court of a King - the strategies, the competition, and the real cost to the men and women whose families valued ambition most of all.
I LOVED this book. It is days after I have finished it & I am still thinking about the characters. I get a little sinking feeling when I remember that I have finished the book...
Great read and it moves along fast. Helps remember some history lessons even thought it if fiction. I would read more by this author.
Karen D. (I really liked this book a lot and found the life of Ann Boleyn to be fascinating.I liked reading all about her from the time she was a teenager to the time she was a married women.
I couldnt put the book down once I started reading it.
Heather R. (The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
Genre: Historical Fiction
The Other Boleyn girl is told from the viewpoint of Mary Boleyn – the “other” Boleyn sister, sister to Anne the future Queen of England. There is a focus on the life of the relatively little known Mary as well as the tale of Anne’s ascendency and fall. Mary is initially chosen as mistress to Henry VIII – a role that she is pushed into by her family. When the star seems to be shining on Anne – the family throws Mary aside in favor of Anne. Even though Mary is not the star of the family anymore, they still seek to control her every move – when she marries someone that is not approved of they lash out at her. Even though Anne constantly mistreats her sister, she still comes back to her.
The story of Anne Boleyn is a much told story – but seeing it from the eyes of her sister puts her story into a very different perspective – sort of how I felt about reading about Anne from the eyes of her daughter Elizabeth in The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn by Robin Maxwell. I loved the compassion and general down-to-earthness of Mary, even when the world was spinning out of control. She was a constant character that you could connect with and anchor to in a turbulent world.
Gregory DOES change many events in the book from what is known to have really happened as well as embellished the real story in favor of the best told story. The good thing about this though, is that this is Historical Fiction and that is what I expect. If you are looking for true facts, check out a non-fiction book, but for a good story, try this on for size.
I couldn’t put this book down and as soon as I finished it I picked up The Boleyn Inheritance, the next in the series.
5 out of 5 stars
Amy H. (Captivating! The best of the series. Except maybe for The Queen's Fool.
This is a very good historical novel about Anne Boleyn's sister, Mary, who was also King Henry VIII's mistress (before Anne). Gregory's dialog and description make the period come to life. It is a novel that is hard to put down.
Shanan O. (Fascinating reading from one of my favorite authors.
Well written, kept my interest. BUT it gets kind of repetitive. I would definitely read something by this author again.
Good read. Nice look into the life of the Boleyn family and King Henry VIII. I really enjoyed reading this book.
Kristin M. (What can I say that hasn't already been said.... I very much enjoyed this book.
So interesting to hear the story from a "woman's POV"
Sharon R. (Another richly-textured novel by Philippa Gregory about the Boleyns. In this one Gregory shows her readers possibilities that do not reveal themselves in histories. I enjoyed this book and recommend it to readers interested in historical fiction about the Tudors and their world.
A great starter to the genre of historical fiction books. It reignited in me a love of books in a historical setting. One of Philippa's best.
I absolutely loved this book - a little bit of everything in 1 book - great character development, romance, suspense, history (albeit fictional)- I can't wait to read Book 2!
Fascinating! Everyone knows the story of Anne Boleyn towards the end of her life, but what about how she got there? A real page turner.
A great read about Mary and Anne Boleyn and their competition for Henry VIII.
My friends raved about this book, but I was very dissappointed. Although the history of Henry VIII was very interesting, the story dragged like it was never going to end. I thought the writing was corny and contrived, and I finally gave up half way through. The thought of reading a few humdred more pages was pure agony.
Natalie M. (The writing is pretty awful. I just couldn't get past sentences like, "I could feel his gaze from my shoes to my upturned glance." Ugh.
April K. (Fantastic book! I'm now a Phillipa Gregory fan, and all of her books I have read are great!
Tammy H. (I can't praise it enough, I stayed up ALL night reading it.
I didn't like the book (or movie, either). Boring, boring, boring.
I could not find myself interested in the girls, their circumstances or anything.
Also, the writing just didn't "flow". Extremely disappointing for me.
My daughter and her friend liked it very much. So maybe my hopes for it were just too high.
Jennifer H. (Very good book! I really enjoyed it. Philippa did a very interesting job of mixing history with fiction. This one is on my keeper shelf!
This book is a good accompaniment to the movie. It has much more information and also is absolutely fascinating. I read it in about 2 days, couldn't put it down.
This was a wonderfully rich book. I really enjoyed being totally involved in this world of the English Royal court. The book is full of details and its a great story.
Loved, loved, loved this book. It planted a new-found interest in the era of Henry IIX
This is a wonderful book, one I might keep to read again someday.
Absolutely fantastic! MUCH MUCH MUCH better than the movie! Highly recommended.
Catherine R. (This was a really good book. It is historical fiction and some details seem to be in conflict with info on wikipedia, but it is a book you won't want to put down.
Angela S. (Pure scandal! Good story! Can't wait for the movie to come out!!!
Great book-don't let the length scare you. I will be reading for the 2nd time before seeing the movie.
Jennifer L. (Two sisters competing for the greatest prize: the love of a king. A terrific reading experience which was almost impossible to put down.
a very interesting book! not my usual type but I really enjoyed it!
This book was so entertaining. I enjoyed it from start to finish. The book is in excellent condition, only read by myself.
Brand new. I read part of it, but just don't have the time to dedicate to a long period piece right now. When my schedule lightens I'll look to see if it's still around!
One of the best books I've read! I learned so much about history of England in this book and the story was so engrossing!
I read this book and loved it. A story of Mary Boleyn, Anne's sister.
From the back of the book: 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.
Excellent historical based story. A long book but it was hard to put down.
ANNA S. ("Two sisters competing for the greatest prize: the love of a king!" Recommended to all who love historical romances and intrigue!
Really enjoyed this book. Great historical fiction.
loved the book, now I WANT TO GO AND READ ALL HER oops, other books and start trying to remember all about the Tudors!
The is a tale of the court of Henry the vlll and his wife Ann Boleyn.
I could not put this book down. Though it is 661 pages the story pulls you along at a quick pace. A must read.
Karen G. (Mary Boleyn's story, sister of Anne Boleyn who became Henry VIII's second wife. Begins with Mary's entrance to the English court and ends with the beheading of Anne. Excellent portrayal of all.
From Publishers Weekly
Sisterly rivalry is the basis of this fresh, wonderfully vivid retelling of the story of Anne Boleyn. Anne, her sister Mary and their brother George are all brought to the king's court at a young age, as players in their uncle's plans to advance the family's fortunes. Mary, the sweet, blond sister, wins King Henry VIII's favor when she is barely 14 and already married to one of his courtiers. Their affair lasts several years, and she gives Henry a daughter and a son. But her dark, clever, scheming sister, Anne, insinuates herself into Henry's graces, styling herself as his adviser and confidant. Soon she displaces Mary as his lover and begins her machinations to rid him of his wife, Katherine of Aragon. This is only the beginning of the intrigue that Gregory so handily chronicles, capturing beautifully the mingled hate and nearly incestuous love Anne, Mary and George ("kin and enemies all at once") feel for each other and the toll their family's ambition takes on them. Mary, the story's narrator, is the most sympathetic of the siblings, but even she is twisted by the demands of power and status; charming George, an able plotter, finally brings disaster on his own head by falling in love with a male courtier. Anne, most tormented of all, is ruthless in her drive to become queen, and then to give Henry a male heir. Rather than settling for a picturesque rendering of court life, Gregory conveys its claustrophobic, all-consuming nature with consummate skill. In the end, Anne's famous, tragic end is offset by Mary's happier fate, but the self-defeating folly of the quest for power lingers longest in the reader's mind.
This book was so good........a work of fiction based on fact. A real page turner.
This is a wonderful historical fiction. I have enjoyed this and many other Philippa Gregory books very much.
"When Mary Bolyn comes to court as an innocent girl of 14, 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.
I couldn't put this book down...very interesting story, and made me want to find out more about that time in history.
A ver good story and an interesting look into Henry VIII and his England
Excellent Book if you like the Historical romance with Philipa's touch
This book was so much fun to read. I couldn't put it down. It is wonderful historical fiction.
A long book but an intimate look at courtly life for the Boleyn Sisters. Great historical fiction and addictive!
Janice R. (If you like historical novels - this is a great one! Fast paced, with lots of love, sex, ambition, and intrigue.
This was a very long book but you are quickly drawn in by the story. I really enjoyed this book.
Kim S. (A fictional retelling of the story of Mary Boleyn, mistress to England's King Henry VIII before her sister Anne Boleyn captured his heart.
Very good story about the family of King Henry's 2nd wife. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the pages just flew by.
Sarah W. (EXCELLENT book! I couldnt put it down. Of all the books Ive read so far this year, this is the best.
"Compelling...spellbinding...and almost impossible to put down"
a fun quick read. since i love english history, i particularly loved this piece of historical fiction.
Very interesting historical novel. I could hardly put it down.
I liked this book a lot. I enjoy historical fiction and the writer did a great job with this one. Very well researched and the characters are engrossing.
Wow, what a compelling read. I learned much about the ways of Court :)
If you love the Henry VIII period, you will love this book about Ann Boleyn and her sister
This is also a fictional story set within a real time period and place. This book was one of my favorites of all time. (But I am a history buff, especially Henry VIII & Elizabeth). Anyway, this book is so well-written and engaging, and I wanted it to last another 1,000 pages.
An exciting romp through the courts of King Henry VIII of England.
Elaine
A fictionalized account of the life of Anne Boleyn's sister Mary who was also a mistress of Henry VIII.
Maria F. (This book was a great choice for our book club. Not a book I would typically pick to read on my own, and wasn't too sure I would enjoy it, but I certainly did.
Mary Boleyn comes to the court as an innocent girl of fourteen, she catches the eye of Henry VIII. The story of Anne & Mary Boleyn.
A fantastic story which also provides some history! Very good read!
Wonderful story, wonderful historic detail, great characterizations. Far meatier than the Georgette Heyers stories I enjoyed when I was younger.
Loved it.
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When Mary Boleyn comes to court as an innocent girl of fourteen, she catches the eye of Henry VIII. Dazzled by the kind, 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, ambitions, 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.
"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 it by following her own heart." The novel is about Anne Boleyn's sister Mary, and I was drawn in right from the begining! Since reading this I have started collecting the other books by Phillipa Gregory. Excellent author!
I looooooooooed this book!!! I love historical romances and I was rooting for Anne Boleyn all the way!!!! She was so wicked and at the same time you felt sorry for her sometimes.
This historical fiction novel recounts the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII's second wife, through the eyes of her younger sister and former royal mistress, Mary. It includes lush descriptions of the Tudor court and the political intregues of the Boleyn and Seymoure families.
Historical fiction, this story follows the tail of Henry VIII prior to and during the Anne Boleyn years. Narrated by the sister of Anne, Mary- this tale rings for truth than fiction. A long but- but very interesting and easy to read. Sparks an interest in the Henry VIII life- and ALL of his wives.
Melissa P. (This is a great book - look for others by this author and you won't be disappointed!!!
Vicki M. (I really enjoyed this book because it gave another point of view on Anne Boleyn. I highly recommend this book.
good historical political intrigue and romance to boot
Mary V. (If you like historical fiction, you won't be able to put this book down. Mary Boleyn, sister of the more famous Anne, is a courtier who catches the eye of Kin Henry VIII. She becomes his mistress and bears his children, but is forced to step aside for her sister and her own family's ambitious plots for power. A great read!
Kathryn (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.
A very different look at a story we've all heard a million times, told from the perspective of Anne Boleyns sister Mary. Excellent, I couldn't put it down
A great read for those who enjoy historically based fiction.
Jennifer L. (I enjoyed reading about the Boleyns and King Henry. It's made me want to read more about the English history. I definitely recommend this one.
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