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Summary: Stunning, Sensual Novel of Tempestuous Tudor Times
Review: Wow! What a stunning book! Phillippa Gregory has managed to pull off a nearly impossible feat - weaving a tapestry of Tudor England, the struggles of Henry the VIII to sire an heir with the tempestuous Anne Boleyn, and the long-ignored sister of history, Mary Boleyn - in a way that is fresh, immediate, fascinating, and amazingly contemporary. Gregory gives us an utterly real cast of characters, with foibles and failings aplenty, but for all their flaws, we still feel, care and love them as we would difficult siblings. The machinations of the Tudor court and Henry's obsession with fathering a son (no matter the cost) combined with the ruthless ambition of the Howard/Boleyn clan makes for a riveting, bawdy ride through some lesser known rooms of Tudor history. Gregory is equally effective at painting (with a gossamer touch) the lot of highborn ladies at that time; often no better than cattle to the market of Royal ambition, we feel deeply for their lot, and cheer when Mary Boleyn - obedient daughter sent to bed the king - ultimately rejects everything for love. It is greatly to Gregory's credit that I quickly forgot I was reading about historical figures, they seemed so real and utterly human that even as I was hating some of them, I worried for their (foregone) fate. This is a splendid read, lucid, passionate, and deeply moving. Brava, Phillippa Gregory!
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Summary: Tudor England at its Best
Review: Though many may view this as yet another sympathetic retelling of Anne Boleyn's rise and fall, one could not be more mistaken. Gregory (Virgin Earth), a noted historical novelist, tells the story instead through the eyes of Mary Boleyn, Anne's sister. Mary comes to court and captures the wandering eye of King Henry VIII, putting her marriage aside to become his mistress. All of this is prompted by her ambitious family, the Howards, led by her powerful uncle, the Duke of Norfolk. Anne and their brother George play key roles in Mary's seduction of the king, each tutoring her in a different way. Eventually, Mary is put aside in favor of her sister, who will be content with nothing but the wife of Henry. As we watch Anne's tiring and sometimes frantic attempts to keep hold of fickle Henry for six years, we feel Mary's exasperation. Of course, we all know what happens now...Henry divorces Queen Katherine for Anne, Queen Anne gives birth to a daughter (the future Elizabeth I), and it all goes downhill from there. When Anne is put aside and executed, and Jane Seymour takes her place, Mary keeps her own head by denying her family and following her heart. Though the book has many inaccuracies, such as Mary was actually OLDER than Anne, whereas in this novel she is younger. Also, Mary's affair with King Francois of France is never actually mentioned. Aside from this, The Other Boleyn Girl is a wonderful retelling of the rise and fall of the Boleyn faction through the eyes of an unexpected heroine.
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Summary: I truly enjoyed this book and grieved when I was finished.
Review: This book had the perfect combination of true facts and fiction to keep me interested and excited with every page. It is a TERRIFIC book for a book club. Everyone I know who read it LOVED it. I even gave up napping while my son was sleeping to read!! ENJOY!
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Summary: Intriguing Read
Review: This is one of the most wonderful books I've read in ages. I finished it in 2 days which is a record for me since I have so much going on at home on weekends. I just plopped myself on the couch and grabbed a blanket and didn't stop till I was done. I highly recommend for all who love the Tudors...this is one from a different perspective which puts a fresh spin on old information.
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Summary: A Masterpiece
Review: This book was absolutely wonderful. It intrigues all kind of readers, and it creates a wonderful chemistry of romance, intrigue, sex, scandal, love, evil, and every other possible emotion that can make you hate,love, and empathsize with all the characters in the book. I personally loved getting into the minds and atmosphere of the time and court of Henry VIII, and found I couldn't put the book down. Once you get to the last page, you feel yourself wishing to be able to continue experiencing the lives of the characters. I totally loved this book, and can't wait to read more from Philippa Gregory. I may have just found my new favorite author!!
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Summary: Great Read
Review: Very good story telling. The characters were very well drawn, and I found I was staying up until the wee hours to finish this one. It is the mark of a great story that makes me curse out loud at one of the characters. But Anne was so deliciously evil in this book, that I just couldn't help it. Excellent!
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Summary: I read it like I didn't know how it would end
Review: I really enjoyed this book. I am more the romance genre reader but for some reason I kept picking up this book. I am glad I did. It was very interesting the roller coaster these characters lived on. In fact the story such a rollercoaster I couldn't put it down and I found myself speeding through the book as if I couldn't wait to read what happened in the end. Shockingly enough history did not change, but this author made you think the Queen actually had a shot. Good read!
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Summary: I loved this book!!
Review: This is such an amazing book! I could not put it down once I started reading it. I know when I am reading a fantastic book when my mind is totally consumed by the plot at all times. I would be at work and thinking, "what is going to happen next?", "what will Anne and Mary do about this?". It got to be very distracting! Philippa Gregory is a hard working author who knows exactly how to describe long-ago people and places so that you can feel as if you are present in the story as well. I get very excited about engrossing books and I will stay up to all hours of the night in order to read more, but then I ususally end up very sad when the book is over. I feel as if I have lost some new and dearly loved friends. This book is well written and extremely entertaining. Don't let the length of the book put you off, it is such a quick read that you will not want it to end. Read this book for an insider's view of one of the most infamous historical time periods ever known. Good job Ms. Gregory, I will be reading more of your books in the future!
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Summary: To be the queen...
Review: Sex and intrigue in 16th Century England. What could be better? I work the local Renaissance Faire and have been interested in the Renaissance and Elizabethan period for years. This book brought to life people I had only read about in dry school texts. Ms. Gregory was able to pull me in to the lives of those at court with their gossip, lies, and scandals. Henry VIII and Anne Bolyn seemed made for each other, both so full of ambition--blind ambition. It's amazing the pressure a country and those closest to you can produce when the throne is on the line. I wouldn't want to be them, but to hear their story in this work of fiction based on history was fascinating.
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Summary: A New View of Controversial Tudor England
Review: As an enthusiast of this period in English history and of Henry VIII, I found this book thoroughly enjoyable. It's very readable, accessible style allows the reader to easily dive into early 16th century England. But, what is truly special about this book which is obviously fiction, is that it encompasses a great amount of accurate historical fact, and that it offers a rare glimpse of what it was probably like for the Boleyn women in Kings Henry's life. It's rich in luscious detail that evokes the spirit, controversiality and excesses of life in the Court of Henry VIII. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction and is fascinated with Henry and his reign.
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