The Other Boleyn Girl (Paperback) by Philippa Gregory - Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, Lists

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03/12/08

Sally rated it:

(review of isbn 0006514006)

bookshelves: historicalfiction

I picked this one up at work because I want to see the movie (hello, Scarlett Johansen and Natalie Portman? Yes please), and because I know I'll have thousands of people asking me about it, like with Atonement, which I never read. In short, this book sucks. It's the worst kind of historical fiction - light on the history, and not fun or well written to make up for it. The characters are one dimensional, the writing is trite and full of cliches. Complete trash, but I'm not putting it on my enjoya...more I picked this one up at work because I want to see the movie (hello, Scarlett Johansen and Natalie Portman? Yes please), and because I know I'll have thousands of people asking me about it, like with Atonement, which I never read. In short, this book sucks. It's the worst kind of historical fiction - light on the history, and not fun or well written to make up for it. The characters are one dimensional, the writing is trite and full of cliches. Complete trash, but I'm not putting it on my enjoyable trash shelf, because it's not particularly enjoyable.
The worst thing about this book was how blatantly obvious it was that Gregory hates Anne Boleyn. Mary may have been the narrator, but Anne was without doubt the main character, and it is impossible to enjoy a book where the author goes all out to make you hate the main character. Especially a badly written main character. Anyone who has done any literary criticism, or any writing, will know that good characterisation involves showing, not telling. We're told how charming and witty Anne is to the King, but we're shown her being a bitch and arguing with Mary. Anne would have been a much more effective character if she'd been written like her brother George (the only likeable character in the whole book), who IS charming and witty, will stab you in the back if it suits him, but then admit to it with a disarming honesty. If she'd been charming but manipulative to everyone, including Mary, her seduction of the King would have been much more plausible, but as it was I just couldn't see it.
Then there's the way Gregory manipulates historical fact in order to make Anne seem worse. Anne was clever, and well educated, all we got from that was that she spoke French and read a lot, but in reality her education and ability to discuss politics and serious issues with Henry was a significant attraction. And there was the love affair with Henry Percy. Anne admits to her sworn enemy that she has slept with her betrothed, and he says, no you didn't because it isn't politically convenient for you to marry him and later doesn't tell the king even when he's in a precarious political position because of Anne. WTF plothole??
Next we have the incest and the witchcraft, both of which Gregory paints as true. No, seriously. As far as incest goes, well, who the hell would sleep with their own brother? Apart from the fact that it's generally acknowledged that it was just a means of getting rid of them. As for witchcraft, well she was a devout Christian, and again, it's generally thought to be a convenient pretext.
The whole enmity between sisters thing is a creation, which would be fair enough, poetic license, dramatic tension, etc etc. Except Mary hates Anne, and yet she's always doing what she's told, helping Anne out, blah blah. She'll occasionally say that of course she loves her she's her sister, but we're told far more often and with far more vehemence how much she hates her, and all we're shown is the fights and the vindictiveness. Again, this is mostly because Gregory hates Anne. She seems to like Mary, although if the real Mary was anything like the characterisation then I can't see why. Gregory's Mary is insipid, whiny and spineless, and pretty much irritates the hell out of me. And then we get the whole "wanting to marry for love and not power as a feminist statement" thing that Gregory does with Mary, while we are told Anne, who had power and intelligence in her own right, is a spineless pawn in a man's game of politics. She couldn't possibly have been regent of England without her uncle's help, we are told. This of the woman who split the church, dethroned a queen, and was mother to Queen Elizabeth.
In the Author's note Gregory cites Retha Warnicke's The Rise and Fall of Anne Boleyn as one of her main sources, which according to Wikipedia (I know, Wikipedia, but still), is generally considered to be unsubstantiated which explains some of this. She also expresses admiration for Queen Elizabeth I, which I found rather ironic considering she is Anne's daughter and Anne and Elizabeth seem to me to have been very similar in character as well as ability. (less)

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05/18/07

Mandy rated it:

Read in July, 2007

Disclaimer: Don't confuse this book with a biography of Mary Boleyn. It's fiction all the way. It's a good read when you remember that this is fiction and not a blow-by-blow account of historical events. And because it is fiction, Gregory is able to play a little fast and loose with historical fact. Mary was most likely the oldest Boleyn child, not the youngest as presented here. She had also served the French kings court, just as Anne did, but was sent home in disgrace after tales of her promis...more Disclaimer: Don't confuse this book with a biography of Mary Boleyn. It's fiction all the way. It's a good read when you remember that this is fiction and not a blow-by-blow account of historical events. And because it is fiction, Gregory is able to play a little fast and loose with historical fact. Mary was most likely the oldest Boleyn child, not the youngest as presented here. She had also served the French kings court, just as Anne did, but was sent home in disgrace after tales of her promiscuity got out, including the fact that she was probably also that king's mistress. She was probably not the young, inexperienced girl Gregory chooses to portray her as. Gregory also depends heavily on Retha Warnicke's thesis that a homosexual ring surrounded Anne and included her brother George. This has been widely discredited by historians, since both Anne and George were very religious, and George was also a renowned womanizer.

Otherwise, it was a decent book. There were parts I thought went a little far, especially with Mary and George teaching Anne "whore's tricks" to woo the king without actually having sex with him. Granted, activity like this may have happened, but I don't necessarily want to read about it. I loved the love story between Mary and William Stafford, and would have liked to seen more of the relationship between Anne and Henry, when they were younger, seemingly in love, and she was as much a partner and advisor in his affairs as king (especially in religious thinking and such) as any man at court.

Somehow though, this book has tarnished my romanticized concept of courtly behavior. It's horrifying to consider that some of the political wrangling and the use of women as temptations, mistresses, and pawns to rise in society, titles, and the court probably happened, at least to some extent. If this was the way life was in those days, I would hope that I was a commoner. Because being in the court and used as someone's chattel to get what they wanted with no regard for my desires or who I loved would have been awful. (less)

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06/02/07

Madeline rated it:

(review of isbn 0743269837)

bookshelves: history

Some people (read: uptight history nerds with nothing better to do) like to get their undies in knots over Philippa Gregory's writing and whine about how she takes too many liberties with history. Well, guess what? She makes it interesting, and since her books are classified as fiction, I think she can be allowed that. Also, I consider myself a history nerd, especially when it comes to the Tudors, and I think Gregory's books are great. The stories surrounding Henry VIII are already really good; ...more

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04/07/08

Cindy rated it:

bookshelves: fiction

Read in May, 2008

recommends it for: no one

I love anything that has to do with English History and really am kinda facinated by Henry the 8th. After reading so many good things on here and elsewhere about this book I was looking forward to it.

At about 100 pages into it I thought I really was enjoying it. Too bad the book didn't end at page 200. Because I hated this book with a passion. I don't even know where to start with it.

First you have the writing style which is written by Mary Boylen's POV. Which is fine....more I love anything that has to do with English History and really am kinda facinated by Henry the 8th. After reading so many good things on here and elsewhere about this book I was looking forward to it.

At about 100 pages into it I thought I really was enjoying it. Too bad the book didn't end at page 200. Because I hated this book with a passion. I don't even know where to start with it.

First you have the writing style which is written by Mary Boylen's POV. Which is fine. But every character in this book is one sided. Mary hasn't a brain for herself, Henry is a lustfilled king (that may be true), the Queen is soooooo smart but doesn't know what is going on. And Anne Boleyn is this hateful person that makes the reader want to kill her before she even is sent to the axe. There was also the same use of phrases over and over again. "You're just the other Bolyn Girl, we don't like you"...."I am Queen", "You are a whore" it's almost like the author has a limited vocabulary and wanted us to know it.

Second thing I hated was that there wasn't one ounce of family love, or loyalty about anyone. I know there is the family games going on in England, but not one guy thought about his daughter as anything more then a piece of old meat. That really really bothered me.

Third, this book had more details about sex then porn. I really wanted to hope the movie would be good and people have complained the movie is nothing like the book, which is obvious because if it was like the book it would be in the XXX section of the video stores.

Fourth, There were parts that focused on things that didn't matter. 5 pages about a tennis tournament that made you say "Why do I care about this". It's like the author had a goal page amount and she was going to go above and beyond it.

Lastly, the topic of Homosexuality and incest. Yes this is a theory out there about Anne but did the WHOLE book have to focus on it. Anne's brother was this neck kissing, french kissing sister lover the whole entire book. Anne was this girl that was always hot for her brother regardless of anything. Great way to branch out there!

Overall I hated this book. (less)

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12/09/07

Ana T. rated it:

(review of isbn 0006514006)

bookshelves: read-along-challenge, read-in-2008, renaissance, traded

Read in February, 2008

I bought this book a few months back but I was hesitant to pick it up. Anne Boleyn's story is one I researched a long time ago and I wasn't too sure I wanted to revisit it. However this month I decided to read it with A. and A. so we could all discuss it and now I'm glad that I did it.

I wasn't sure I was enjoying it very much at first. Mary Boleyn seemed, at times too innocent and tongue-tied, and at other times an intelligent observer of human nature. I wasn't too convinced with her...more I bought this book a few months back but I was hesitant to pick it up. Anne Boleyn's story is one I researched a long time ago and I wasn't too sure I wanted to revisit it. However this month I decided to read it with A. and A. so we could all discuss it and now I'm glad that I did it.

I wasn't sure I was enjoying it very much at first. Mary Boleyn seemed, at times too innocent and tongue-tied, and at other times an intelligent observer of human nature. I wasn't too convinced with her as a character! A king's mistress should be at the time an enviable position and she seems not to care for it which I found a bit unbelievable. Also Anne seemed too sophisticated for a girl of 16, not only she knows anything and everything about manipulating and seducing a man she is even knowledgeable enough to know her sister wont hold his interest for long and the real secret to do that. Even if she has learned a few tricks in the french court it seems a bit too much that in that time and age powerful nobles like her father and uncle would listen to a mere girl of 16. She seems a bit over the top in her ruthlessness and her knowledgeable attitudes. It's difficult to believe that Mary, being the king's mistress would so readily be ordered about by Anne, she would surely revel in the power she had. And being born is such a family of courtiers it's also difficult to believe she would be as innocent and without malice as she is portrayed here. She might be young but she was surely aware of what riches she could and should obtain. If nothing else from being brought up that way.

I became much more engrossed in the action after Anne captures the kings attention, and seems much more aware of what's at stake, and Mary is allowed to spend more time in the country with the children. It's seems to me that both sisters are much more fleshed out after that and it became more interesting for me too.

I think Gregory tried to paint them has having two opposing tempers and attitudes. To me she went a bit too far, that black and white approach is too unreal. The story is reported from Mary's point of view who is the narrator and is usurped and sometimes humiliated by Anne on her way to the throne. It would be too easy to say that one was the good and the other the bad but I feel that they basically did the same thing. Gregory chooses to portray Mary's affair as the family's ambition and Anne's fight for the throne as her personal ambition but can we really say that was what happened? And is that really relevant? The girl who had Henry's attention when he first thought of getting rid of Catherine would do all in her power to be his future queen. And if Anne was an intelligent and learned young woman who participated in the debates regarding the new religion to help her cause I think that that is more compliment to her than something to condemn. What she may not have realised was that, after getting rid of one queen it would be easier for Henry to get rid of another if she fell out of favour or didn't give him the desired son. He was a king of which it was safer to be mistress than wife.

As Mary's story unfolds I became more and more interested in her. She did really marry a "nobody" and she had to go away because of it, it seems like a beautiful love story and I found myself eager for more details about her and William's courtship. Much more than about Henry and Anne's which is ruined a bit for me because of Gregory’s portrayal of Anne who must have been scheming and determined yes but also intriguing and more complex than she appeared here.

Gregory does take several liberties with the story and I'm usually okay with that if there are no known facts or if there are several theories about it but I was really disappointed with what she decided to use to support Henry's accusations. Totally unnecessary I think, history is interesting enough in this case; no need to pass for truth something that is widely known today to be a lie... The case against Anne Boleyn was so badly done and the king's interest in getting rid of her was so open that even his contemporaries (and Anne's enemies) felt it unfair and without cause.

So yes I think Gregory is a good storyteller if even I am sometimes jarred out of the story by things I recognise as not being true or because the characters react in ways that I find are too modern. I will read her again but I'm hoping she won’t pull much more stunts like that one or she will ruin the books for me.

Grade: B(less)

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11/22/07

Oriana rated it:

(review of isbn 0006514006)

bookshelves: 2008, english, keepers, read-along-challenge

Read in February, 2008

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

I normally don't write reviews, never did but somehow, I think I should start todo something to keep track of my readings. With the support of my two friends, Ana T. and Ana O., here's my first try... Beware, there’s some slight spoilers and a major one at the end.

The Other Boleyn Girl was, in fact, a reread. This book was part of my Read Along Challenge with Ana T. and Ana O. and I'm glad we included it in our list.

I still remembered getting really annoyed the first ti...more I normally don't write reviews, never did but somehow, I think I should start todo something to keep track of my readings. With the support of my two friends, Ana T. and Ana O., here's my first try... Beware, there’s some slight spoilers and a major one at the end.

The Other Boleyn Girl was, in fact, a reread. This book was part of my Read Along Challenge with Ana T. and Ana O. and I'm glad we included it in our list.

I still remembered getting really annoyed the first time with the historical liberties taken by Philippa Gregory and this second round I just wanted to enjoy the story while keeping in my mind it is (very!) loosely based on real facts and it's far from being an accurate historical portrayal. Like Ana O. says in her review, this is better to be read as an historical fantasy. Couldn't agree more!

I struggled during all the book to keep that thought, but sometimes it was useless. Many parts of this story was based in unproved theories and even Mary Boleyn's life is mostly a mystery. There's some tidbits here and there, but very little information, especially about her relationship with her sister or/and the King Henry VIII.

It's rather obvious that the author has a huge sympathy for Mary Boleyn and even, sometimes, a bit of a condescending attitude towards the young, pretty and naive girl who fell helplessly in love for her king. Now, Anne is an entirely different thing, she's described as a true villain! An intelligent and ambitious young woman who did everything she could to attract Henry's attention and become a Queen. Two sisters. The fair and the dark one. The generous and the ruthless. This omnipresent dichotomy was kind of annoying and took some of the characters complexity and richness.

Henry VIII gained here an image that I suppose he really never had. He might have been a charismatic king, even charming occasionally but never someone physically attractive or even sweet and gentle or an attentive husband. For some moments, I even had the feeling that everyone had their schemes and intrigues, except for him. He is clearly a victim, just like sweet Mary.

What really bothered me in this story, was the sensationalized end. The incest with the brother, the accusations of witchcraft and treason. Gregory gives reason to the king for murdering his wife when nothing, absolutely nothing proves she was guilty of all those crimes. Even knowing the flaws, the historical mistakes and trying to keep this as a light reading, I just couldn't stomach this one without some frustration.

Besides these aspects, I really must confess that Gregory's writing style make up for the other less pleasant parts. The 16th century settings are described vividly and the court life and intrigues really drags you easily into the story. She is a talented storyteller and this was a page turner.

Grade: B+.
(less)

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12/02/07

Ana O. rated it:

(review of isbn 0006514006)

bookshelves: 2008-read, english, historical

Read in February, 2008

My advice to anyone wanting to read this book is to think of it as historical fantasy, any familiar names and settings are pure coincidence, or you probably won't be able to enjoy it. The author took some liberties with the story of the Boleyn family, using facts that were already proven false and others that are pure speculation. But if you're able to close your eyes and imagine that what you're reading is just fantasy, then you're in for a wonderful time!
The story is told from the point ...more My advice to anyone wanting to read this book is to think of it as historical fantasy, any familiar names and settings are pure coincidence, or you probably won't be able to enjoy it. The author took some liberties with the story of the Boleyn family, using facts that were already proven false and others that are pure speculation. But if you're able to close your eyes and imagine that what you're reading is just fantasy, then you're in for a wonderful time!
The story is told from the point of view of Mary Boleyn, Anne's sister and the other Boleyn girl, she's only 14 when the story starts and one of the Queen's ladies in waiting. This was one of the things that I most liked about this book, the fact that you get a narrator like Mary, someone who is usually cast aside and forgotten when Anne enters the scene. This time we're able to read more about her and her feelings even if they're fantasized! At first her character annoyed me, she seemed too innocent and ignorant for someone already married and raised at court, maybe she was 14 but at that time she was already a woman and not a child. But her character grows, learns, and at the end she was probably the only Boleyn that I liked. With everything that she went through I was so glad that she finally rebelled against her family and married William Stafford, she deserved a shot at happiness, I was just sorry to see the book end with Anne's death, I wanted to know more about their future life together.
This author has definitely something against Anne Boleyn, I'll grant you that she probably wasn't one of the most loving women, but I don't know how much of her ambition and coldness wasn't due to her odious family. They wanted to have one of the Boleyns in power, no matter which one, so they schemed and plotted using one of the girls in the family and Anne didn't want to be cast aside like her sister, she wasn't getting any younger either so she must act soon. The author portrays her as a cold bitch, the complete opposite of her sweet sister, doing everything in her power to be Queen, never caring who she hurt along the way. In the end I always feel a little sorry for her, she learns the hard way what she did to Queen Catherine!
The two sisters were always closely followed by their brother George, his character was probably the one that I hated the most, he was a spineless weakling and to tell you the truth I wasn't a tad sorry for his fate, I was sick and tired of him. Even his gossipy wife, Jane Parker, was more interesting than he was, in fact I'd very much like to read something about her to learn the other side of the story, every book that I've read portrays Jane from the Boleyn's point of view.
The biggest surprise in this book, and I'm not talking about the end, is King Henry's character, no wonder Eric Bana was chosen to play his part. Philippa Gregory describes him in such a way that even I fell in love with him in the beginning, and this is King Henry VIII we're talking about, the very man that is able to repel me every time I read about his real story. He must have had something interesting about him, I'll grant you that, but for the most part women only wanted to be near him because he was the king and not because of his sunny personality. In the book we have an attentive, caring, sensitive and loving king that would charm any woman!
So Philippa Gregory created a story that grabs you from the beginning and won't let go until the very end, no matter if it's truthful or not. I loved her writing and will certainly read more of her books, I'm especially curious about The Constant Princess which tells the story of Catherine of Aragon, she always fascinated me.(less)

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02/25/08

Edallia rated it:

Read in November, 2007

recommends it for: people in need of brain candy

I will review this festering mound of shhh....surely quality literature, although I doubt I have anything to say about it that hasn't already been said.

"Historical controvery" aside- I mean, *whatever,* Gregory totally went to the Dan Brown place, and as someone who's interested in history, I don't entirely appreciate it, but I think we intelligent people all know that this is fiction, despite what Gregory seems to be saying in the "Author's Q & A" thingy at the...more I will review this festering mound of shhh....surely quality literature, although I doubt I have anything to say about it that hasn't already been said.

"Historical controvery" aside- I mean, *whatever,* Gregory totally went to the Dan Brown place, and as someone who's interested in history, I don't entirely appreciate it, but I think we intelligent people all know that this is fiction, despite what Gregory seems to be saying in the "Author's Q & A" thingy at the back of my copy.

This is the story of Anne Boleyn's rise to power, her reign as Queen of England, and her eventual execution, told through the eyes of her sister and fellow courtier, Mary. As a young girl, Mary becomes the mistress of Henry VIII, has two children with him, and is eventually supplanted by Anne.

And hoo boy, is this some fiction. I mean, it was kinda *fun.* It was light and frothy, and not really much of a substantial meal. Gregory gravitated towards one of the more sensational theories about Anne Boleyn and her whole deal, and she really, really ran with it. I felt that many of her narrative choices were made for shock value when she could have spent a little more time developing the characters and motivations of Mary and Anne. Come on, Anne Boleyn was at least an *interesting historical figure!* Here, she's reduced to a scheming witch or a shrieking harridan- pretty much at all times. And Gregory tries to browbeat us into thinking that Mary's making all of these "Empowered Woman!!" decisions, when, truth be told, she lies pretty flat on the page.

Ms. Gregory, honestly, you threw in the gay thing, and the secret midnight birth of witchcraft babies thing, and the saying "whore" a lot thing, and on top of all of that "isn't it just so shocking!" cake batter, you give me the icing of... a milquetoast heroine. Huzzah.

Hell, it's a light, quick read, despite its size, and I enjoyed on the "eh, sometimes I like to read trash" level, so I have to give it two stars, but I feel kinda dirty.(less)

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06/16/08

Stella rated it:

Read in June, 2008

recommends it for: No-one

OK firstly, there's no doubt that Philippa Gregory can write a good story. Her prose is engaging and the content fThe Other Boleyn girl was easy to read.

However what put me off was the absolute ignorance of historical fact and total villification of Anne Boleyn - yes this is a fictional interpretation but now it has made it to the big screen, there are a few who will think this is what really happened.

Ms. Gregory describes Mary Boleyn as her personal heroine and this bias...more

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01/08/08

Nichole rated it:

(review of isbn 1416556532)

Read in March, 2008

I finally finished this book! Just in time to go see the movie, which was nothing like it. And neither was much like actual history. But I suppose that's not very important, is it?
This book is full of scandal and intrigue, sex and debauchery, scheming, betrayal, and maybe a little bit of love. Much like any good soap opera. This is a fairly entertaining read if you like such things. I had a hard time staying interested, and read several other books while I was trying to finish this one. I ...more I finally finished this book! Just in time to go see the movie, which was nothing like it. And neither was much like actual history. But I suppose that's not very important, is it?
This book is full of scandal and intrigue, sex and debauchery, scheming, betrayal, and maybe a little bit of love. Much like any good soap opera. This is a fairly entertaining read if you like such things. I had a hard time staying interested, and read several other books while I was trying to finish this one. I did like it, it just never quite grabbed me enough to make me "have to finish it!"
Two complaints about this book. The first I've already mentioned; it's not very historically accurate. I didn't know much about Henry VIII or Anne Boleyn, so while I was reading this book I decided to do a little research. (Well, wikipedia... that counts, right?) While the major events and players are correct, the timeline and a lot of the more minor occurrences are all twisted or fabricated. Anne was not and is not remembered in history as being quite so conniving or evil. Mary was actually the older sister, her affair with the king had been over for quite some time before he took up with Anne, and she'd actually had an affair with the king of France first. And there is no evidence that their parents pushed either of them into the king's bed. I'll stop ranting, just keep in mind that most of what you read in this book isn't quite the way it really was.
My second complaint was that it was way too long. Not that I have a problem with long books, if they can keep it fresh. But I felt like Philippa Gregory came into my house, took this book and beat me over the head with it. 200 pages in and I was saying "Okay! I get it!" This book could have easily been half as long and still gotten the same point across. It felt like she took the same scene and rewrote it over and over and over again.... Mary's parents and uncle want her to sleep with the king. Anne must produce a male heir. Mary wants to leave court and live in the country. I understood these points the first time you brought them up. Repeating them two or three times, fine. But five, six, twelve times... Enough already! I got a little frustrated with the redundancy of this novel.
Overall this was a pretty good book and I would say if you're interested, read it. There is kind of a sweet love story hidden there, between Mary and one of her uncle's employees. But I did get frustrated with the redundancies and the historical inaccuracies, and occasionally the soap opera feel got to be a little too much.
Read it knowing what you're getting into; and keep in mind it's nothing like the movie!(less)

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12/30/07

Lynn rated it:

bookshelves: british-history, historical-fiction

Read in February, 2008

I'd been meaning to get to this book for years, but, despite my love of historical fiction, hadn't felt a sense of urgency over reading it for a couple of reasons: 1) I've had a hard time getting over the negative reaction I had to this author's earlier book The Favored Child, and I also wasn't a big fan of her condescending introduction to the new edition of Anya Seton's Katherine. 2) The reviews I'd read were also mixed, at best; this book seems to be one you either really love or really hat...more I'd been meaning to get to this book for years, but, despite my love of historical fiction, hadn't felt a sense of urgency over reading it for a couple of reasons: 1) I've had a hard time getting over the negative reaction I had to this author's earlier book The Favored Child, and I also wasn't a big fan of her condescending introduction to the new edition of Anya Seton's Katherine. 2) The reviews I'd read were also mixed, at best; this book seems to be one you either really love or really hate.

However, I did know I wanted to read it before I saw the movie, so I finally gave it a shot.

My verdict? Meh. I can't say that I either really loved or hated it. It didn't make me feel much of anything.

I think I might have liked this book a lot more if it had had a different narrator. Mary Boleyn was such an insipid and unbelievable character that I had a hard time following her thought process. One minute she's wildly in love with Henry, the next she just wants to settle down in the country with her children - and maybe a hundred pages later she'll give you a hint of when her feelings changed and why. She seemed to constantly switch between unbelievable naiveté, and unbelievable independence. I never knew which Mary was going to show up from scene to scene.

I'd like to blast this book for historical inaccuracy, since I'd always been told Mary was the elder of the Boleyn girls, but, having done a bit of sleuthing, it does appear that the details of her life remain so much of a mystery that scholars still debate her birthdate, and whether or not Henry VIII could have fathered either or both of her Carey children. So, I'll give Philippa Gregory that round. I'll eat my hat if the other events in this book happened as represented, though. Others have already pointed out the incredibly unfair depictions of Mary and George Boleyn. I also would have liked to have seen more of Henry in the second half of the book. Mary keeps telling us he's turned into a tyrant and a monster, and we see it from a distance in his actions, but not in the few times we see him face to face.

The characters I thought were best-drawn were actually the two wronged spouses, Katherine of Aragon, and William Carey. Here were a couple of characters who were allowed a bit of depth and ambiguity - and they also disappeared after the first half.

After reading this book, I have a hard time understanding what the fuss was about. I guess I have The Other Boleyn Girl to thank for the current crop of historical fiction bestsellers, but I don't see what about it struck such a chord with the public. I've read far better, and far worse, in the genre. And, although I enjoy books about the Tudors, I think life's too short to bother with the rest of Ms. Gregory's oeuvre.

(less)

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08/14/07

Linda rated it:

Read in July, 2007

recommends it for: People who think soap operas are high art

This book is pure trash. Simple as that. I was kind of embarrassed reading it. It reads something like a Danielle Steel novel wannabe. Not to knock Danielle Steel cause I'm certainly guilty of reading a number of Danielle Steele. (Tho in truth it was when I was much younger so I really didn't know any better.)

So back to "The Other Boleyn Girl" being pure trash. It's crazy for me to make such a harsh claim cause: 1. I love historical fiction-- always have. Even since ...more

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11/03/07

Rebecca rated it:

bookshelves: historical-fiction

Read in November, 2007

For the first half of the book, I was very intrigued. I thought the story to be fascinating. However, the book is too long (about 650 pages). I suppose it must be in order to cover the majority of Marty Boleyn's lifetime. Yet, I was finding myself fatigued by the end. Most of us know at least part of what happened to Mary's sister, Queen Anne, and so I knew already how the book would end. Also, I have never read a true, authentic "romance" novel. I don't know how explicit the ro...more

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03/24/08

Lisa rated it:

Read in May, 2008

I can't imagine that anyone who picks this book up is not at least somewhat familiar with the historical story of Henry VIII and his unfortunate marital history so the plot is no mystery. I was only vaguely aware of the rumors of his relationship with Anne's sister, Mary Boleyn, and Mary is the narrator and witness to the story.

The marked physical and temperment differences between Mary and Anne were contrived and hard to believe. Truly I think it was just a lazy way for the auth...more I can't imagine that anyone who picks this book up is not at least somewhat familiar with the historical story of Henry VIII and his unfortunate marital history so the plot is no mystery. I was only vaguely aware of the rumors of his relationship with Anne's sister, Mary Boleyn, and Mary is the narrator and witness to the story.

The marked physical and temperment differences between Mary and Anne were contrived and hard to believe. Truly I think it was just a lazy way for the author to get the reader to immediately understand the situation: Mary - Good; Anne - Bad. How did two girls with identical backgrounds and upbringing end up so diametrically opposite in personality and ambition? How did Anne not get married off to the benefit of her family as did her YOUNGER sister, Mary? I kept coming back to these questions when reading the book and the lack of explanation of the inconsistencies of their respective situations bothered me. It's the age-old Madonna/Whore dichotomy and I expected better.

I can't imagine that this book can be taken as a historically-accurate recounting of the story so I discounted much of the more "Harlequinesqe" happenings, but it did provide interesting background into how King Henry could go from loving husband to Katherine of Aragon to tyrant and despot so easily led around by the nose by Anne. Obsession with Anne alone didn't explain why he completely went off the deep end during the second half of his reign. When he finds that his power is truly absolute, I don't know anyone that wouldn't easily lose their sense of boundaries and become rudderless. For the first time that I was able to understand that evolution.

The author makes an obvious effort portray the absolute lack of power/autonomy that women struggled with during the era. But, even given that context, I had a hard time believing that Mary, or Anne for that matter, would be so passive in the face of the machinations of their family. My understanding is that once a woman married, she was her husband's "property", but certainly not here and Mary's husband's actions never rang true for me. I also found Mary's troubled relationship with Anne hard to swallow. Even when the writing was on the wall and given Mary's strong feelings for her own children, she seemed unable to break free from putting her sister first and doing what she knew to be morally right. Bullocks.

But, the thing I kept wondering after finishing this book was: What was Anne thinking? I couldn't imagine she thought this was going to end well for her--regardless of her able manipulations. Once a King throws over one woman, every subsequent woman is in a precarious position and Anne doesn't ever seem to clue into that. For someone who seemed so attuned to handling the King early on, firey Anne inexplicably lost the ability to read/fulfill his desires when it mattered most. Enter docile Jane Seymour. The Boleyn family gambled quite a lot when the whole question of success boiled down to one uncontrollable fact: Anne's always questionable ability to produce a legitimate male heir and we all know how that worked out. They put all their eggs into Anne's basket and suffered for it.

I think I agree with other reviewers in that I recommend reading this as a piece of historical fiction rather than an actual retelling of the ill-fated relationship between Henry and Anne. The story was engrossing and I enjoyed exploring the questions of women's roles in marriage and family within the Tudor court. There were a number of memorable characters for me, namely Queen Katherine and even George Boleyn, that I enjoyed reading. I haven't seen the movie, but I imagine this story, filled with sex, betrayal, sex, and conspiracy, and a little sex, should translate well in Hollywood.

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02/09/08

Megumi rated it:

(review of isbn 0743269837)

bookshelves: historical, romance

Read in November, 2007

I picked up this book on a whim. Generally, I don't go for historical fiction, but I have a bit of an interest in the era of Henry VIII. What better way to dive further into the period than with this book, right? Wrong.

The Other Boleyn Girl suffers from several problems. There are no truly likeable characters (save a couple of minor characters), and they all lack any real development. The writing is also somewhat juvenile and repetitive.

The heroine of the story, Mary,...more I picked up this book on a whim. Generally, I don't go for historical fiction, but I have a bit of an interest in the era of Henry VIII. What better way to dive further into the period than with this book, right? Wrong.

The Other Boleyn Girl suffers from several problems. There are no truly likeable characters (save a couple of minor characters), and they all lack any real development. The writing is also somewhat juvenile and repetitive.

The heroine of the story, Mary, is too good and naive to take seriously or even like. It is hard to believe someone so dim-witted would ever survive in a court like Henry VIII's. It is also extremely hard to believe Mary could be so good-natured having been raised by a family so amoral and ambitious as the one described in this book. I could have overlooked Mary's simplicity if she had shown some growth, but at the end of the book she is just as naive and simple-minded as she is at the beginning. Anne, on the other hand, is depicted almost as evil incarnate. She's nothing more than a cookie-cutter villain in this story. The rest of the characters are never developed enough to be of any real interest, or even provide decent relief from the Boleyn sisters.

Along with the dull two-dimensional characters, The Other Boleyn Girl is written in a style that seems very dumbed down. Perhaps this is on purpose since the book is narrated by Mary in the first-person. Even so, unless I'm reading a book targeted towards a juvenile audience, I expect the writing to be of a higher quality than what I found in this book. More annoying is the repetitiveness of Philippa Gregory's writing. Gregory has a habit of using the same phrases and even situations over and over again. There are so many family meetings among Mary's family they are hard to distinguish one from another, and worse yet, they hardly advance the plot.

I'll say one positive thing for this book. I think Gregory did a decent job capturing the feeling of life at a royal court. I'm no historian, so I cannot vouch for the accuracy of Gregory's descriptions, but I think her portrayal of it, with all the scheming and underhanded goings on between the houses, makes sense.

My overall impression is Gregory's The Other Boleyn Girl is nothing more than junk food for the brain. If you're looking for something solid and satisfying, look elsewhere. If you just want something mindless to nibble on while you pass the time, then perhaps you may get some enjoyment from this book.(less)

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09/28/07

Meaghan rated it:

bookshelves: adult-novels, favorites, historical-novels, tudors

Read in January, 2005

The thing you must realize about this book is that it is, first and foremost, a novel. A novel based on actual historical events, yes, but still a work of fiction. So for those that criticize it for its historical inaccuracy, your criticism is misplaced. This is not a biography of Mary Boleyn or Anne Boleyn and it doesn't pretend to be.

I myself am a bit of a Tudor junkie and love reading both fiction and nonfiction about the family and the times, and I found this book a delight....more

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07/16/07

nfwbls rated it:

Read in July, 2007

There's a lot to like about this book if you're an aficionado of historical romantic fiction. It reads quickly, the main character, Mary Boleyn, is written quite likeably, and the narrative is immersed in period details that give the novel lots of color. It's an interesting take on a little known historical figure who must have led an interesting life, having been the mistress of Henry VIII, supplanted by her sister, and then it seems married for love later in life. It certainly sent me googling...more

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11/27/08

Tilbatilba rated it:

Read in January, 2007

Utter rubbish. It is poorly written, particularly the embarrassing dialogue e.g. "she was hot for the King".

The author selects a particularly fascinating period of history, but those events just weren't interesting enough apparently, so she makes up various events purely for their titillation value.

There is much better historical fiction out there.

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07/31/08

Beth(MN) rated it:

bookshelves: 2009, historical-fantasy, medieval-romance, tnbbc-winter-challenge, tv-and-movies

Read in February, 2009

When I started this book I could hardly put it down. It was easy to read. It was fast. And Philippa Gregory is a wonderful story-teller. But by the middle of the book, I started to lose my momentum because the repetition began to wear on me and I realized that any sort of real character development was decidedly lacking. It gave me flashbacks to reading Twilight.

That being said, I have given the book an extra star because the story was quite enjoyable, and even though I strugg...more

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06/03/08

Kelsey rated it:

(review of isbn 0743269837)

bookshelves: 2008, general-fiction, historical-fiction

Read in August, 2008

"Meh"

That is honestly all I can really say after reading this book. I had several issues with it, and at the same time, I enjoyed several aspects about it.

The main reasons I didn't like about this book:
1. The vulgarity. Sure, this is not the most bawdy book I have ever read--but it is close. The details it gives about "whore tricks" and other sexual practices are somewhat disturbing. I can hardly imagine what a teen would think if subjecte...more "Meh"

That is honestly all I can really say after reading this book. I had several issues with it, and at the same time, I enjoyed several aspects about it.

The main reasons I didn't like about this book:
1. The vulgarity. Sure, this is not the most bawdy book I have ever read--but it is close. The details it gives about "whore tricks" and other sexual practices are somewhat disturbing. I can hardly imagine what a teen would think if subjected to this book.

2. The classification. I am a conneseiur of good historical fiction. Having heard of this book, I thought I might give it a try. Be forewarned this book is far from historical fiction . It is closer to a modern, more obscene version of a Jane Austen novel. Don't get me wrong, the book does have some historical evidence in it--but for the most part, it is just a romantic tale of couple after couple after couple.

3. The writing (partially). As I have read elsewhere, Gregory does one thing really well in this book: she makes you dislike the main character Anne Boleyn. I can't think of another book that I have had that much distaste for one of the main characters. Shouldn't an author try to get you to like her characters? (At least present the truth and then let you decide if they are good or bad?)

4. The plot. At times this book seemed to lack a plot. It just kind of drudged along. ...meh...

What I did like about this book:

1. The sappy romance: All one has to do is look at the cover of this book and realize that it is a sappy chick book. With that in mind, be prepared for some think romance in this book. It was Mary's later courtings allowed me to enjoy some of the romance presented in this book.

2. The writing about court: I enjoyed reading Gregory's words of how the royal court dined and entertained themselves. How most girls had dozens of fine gowns... Wine was used to "wake one up" in the morning... Other details such of those were very enjoyable for me.

3. The organization. The book was organized by season and year making it helpful to reference where you were in the story. Believe it or not, I recall that about 8 years pass in this one book.

Overall, this book was okay. It wasn't phenomenal...and I probably won't read it again. But now at least I can watch the movie and say..."Hey! I actually read this book before I saw the movie."(less)

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