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Summary: Order in the Court!
Review: I had some reservations about reading this novel, as I am not a history buff, and I could not see myself wading through over 600 pages of middle English dialogue and melodramatic prose. I am so glad I took the chance.Told in the first-person narrative of Mary Boleyn, Anne's younger sister, this is a fictional aacount of a family of courtiers in Tudor England. The novel begins a little over a year after Mary (aged 13) has been married to a British nobelman. All sorts of things are happening for her. Her family is gaining power within the monarchy, she is reasonably happily married, and her older sister Anne is returning from the French court. Mary has caught the eye of Henry VIII, much to the Queen Katherine's chagrin. Pressed by her family, and in particular her sister, Mary begins an illicit affair with the king. Two children later, Henry has moved on from Mary to her sister Anne. The story then shifts to Mary's first-hand account of her sister's reign and eventual execution. Make no mistake; this is definitely Mary's story. While a great deal of the novel is spent on Mary's version of what happened to Anne, there is no loss of who Mary is as a person and of what happens to her life. I highly recommend this novel as it paints a rich characterization of one of the most fascinating and tumultous periods of English history, with a plausible plot and witty dialogue. Gregory has deftly captured the ruthlessness and greed of the noble class, and paints a particularly ambitious portrait of Anne Boleyn. As we read how Mary matures, we suffer with her, especially during her adolescent phase. It's difficult to discern if Mary is a worthy heroine, or a complacent whiner. Good! Just like a teenager. We see her through her first love, the births of her children, and finding true love. There's not a false notion here. For fiction, this is unparalleled. Great fun!
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Summary: Excellent fictitious glimpse into the Boleyn family
Review: I hadn't read any historical ficiton in a while, having exhausted all the Queen Elizabeth stuff I could get my hands on. Most people know Elizabeth's mother, Anne Boleyn, wheedled her way into King Henry VIII's affections, and eventually booted Katherine of Aragon off the throne and replaced her as Queen. What you may not know is that Anne's younger sister Mary was Henry's lover first, and even bore him 2 illegitimate children, all of which put her in no better position (you think Anne would have wised up and learned from her sister's experience).
"The Other Boleyn Girl" is our glimpse into Mary's life- from a bride to a much older man at the tender age of 14. After her husband, one of King Henry's courtiers, brags to him "I'll only ever bed 14 year old virgins again", Henry is intrigued and begins an indecent pursuit of Mary. He tries to woo her with flowery words, but more often with raunchy double entandres. Mary is overwhelmed- with loyalty to Queen Katherine, whom she respects and loves deeply, and to her husband. But even Mary cannot resist Harry's charms (such as they were) and capitulates. This is only the beginning of her miseries... As the story continues, we see Mary become Henry's lover and get pregnant, as Anne carefully stands by plotting her moves to get herself into Henry's confidence, and eventually, his bed. Mary is forced to watch her sister not only take her place, but exceed Mary's efforts, by becoming Henry's new Queen (much to the delight of the Bolyen family, who have allowed all this nonsense to go on- their only "happiness" is to constantly be advanced in court). What makes this story so wonderful is that it is told in the first person from Mary's perspective, which is rare. Pick up this book and be awed by what some people will do for love and greed.
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Summary: Loved this book
Review: I loved this book. Easy to get into the characters and stay involved -- the heroine is wonderful and I believe true to the period but modern enough for modern women to sympathize with.
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Summary: A wonderful work of historical fiction
Review: I have always loved Tuder England and this book was a wonderful surprise. It has always been obvious that there was more to Anne Boleyn than met the eye and this fictional account seen through the eyes of her younger sister, Mary, was imaginative and provacative. Ms. Gregory has a splendid way of taking the rumors of Henry VIII's court and breathing life into them. However, it is obvious that the Boleyn siblings were pawns in their families' desire for power. It was a fast, easy and enjoyable book to read and I was sorry to have it end.
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Summary: Very Enjoyable Read
Review: This was a great read, excellent historical fiction. Rich images, very evocative of the time and place it portrays. If you enjoy historical fiction, English historical fiction in particular, you will really enjoy this book.
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Summary: It Gave me Back my Love of Reading
Review: When I was younger I loved reading fantasy, as I grew older I lost interest in it. My friend recommended me this book, and I instantly fell in love with it. It's so easy not to want to put the book down. Gregory brings you into a world and into the lives of the characters she creates. She seems to know what a good novel is about; telling a story, and an engrossing one at that. It is not a boring story about re-evaluating one self or coming of age. It is a wonderful tale that Gregory weaves superbly. I finished the book today, and now I don't know what to do with myself. Actually, I think I'll read it again.
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Summary: I'm waiting for the movie!!!!!!
Review: This review is short and sweet.I couldn't wait each day for my coffee and lunch breaks to escape to 16th century England.My coworkers accused me of being anti-social!I have been a Tudormaniac for more years than I care to admit to and this book just enthralled me. It was so fresh,telling the same old story from a new perspective.I think it would make a great movie.
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Summary: A Brilliant, Wonderful Pager-Turner
Review: As a fan of Tudor England and of Anne Boleyn in particular, I was very interested and excited to read this book. I was not disappointed. It was a wonderful and seamless blend of fact and fiction. Although, I don't necessary agree with the thesis that Anne was guilty of the crimes she was executed for, the book was so well written and intriguing that that made no difference. I was sucked in. I stayed up two nights in a row until 3 am reading (and I had to get up around 7 the next day) because it was so engrossing. Everyone I made read the book loved it as much as I did.
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Summary: WOW! A MUST READ!
Review: I can't imagine anyone not liking this book. I finished this book in a day and a half, despite the fact that I was stuck in bed with a terrible case of the flu. From the start, the story grabbed your attention and never relented. Gregory is a terrific storyteller with an incredible ability to give you more details when you want more, and to stop and transition when you want her to go on to the next event. It felt like I was watching a good movie. It's historical fiction at its best.
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Summary: Fun, light beach reading
Review: This is a great book to pick up if you have a free afternoon, or more likely, a weekend to burn. Definetly a novel to keep you intrigued, the perspective of that of Mary Boleyn is a unique and thought provoking view of the retold to death story of Queen Anne Boleyn's rise and fall. Overall a worthy buy
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