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Summary: Incredible!!!
Review: I couldn't put this book down! What a wonderful way to learn history...what a wonderful story. A enthrawling story of the Boleyn family (queen Elizabeth was born to Anne Boleyn) and their struggles and triumphs in the King's court. A must for anyone that likes a good love story, or an excellent historical (fact and fiction) account of King Henry.
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Summary: Do not let the amount of pages discourage you!
Review: "The Other Boleyn Girl" is a truly fascinating historical fiction. If you think you know everything there is to know about the Boleyn's - think again. In this novel, George was right: Mary and George Boleyn were "nobody's" because their sister Anne over-shined the both. I did not know that Mary or George even existed, not to mention that Mary was King Henry's mistress or that he fathered two children with her, or how Anne caught the King's eye. My, how the history books leave out details. To sum this novel up: it wasn't about love, but power, and how much power was attainable, and how people would stop at nothing to get the power, castle, or title. Mary, George, and Anne were treated like human chess pieces. Anne checked-mate Queen Katherine and England went down hill from there. I was given the impression that if the Boleyn's hadn't shoved their way into the King's life, he wouldn't have considered divorcing Queen Katherine, and therefore divorce wouldn't be where it is today. The question and answer section with the author is a nice touch and the questions for the reader is a real thinker. I recommend.
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Summary: worth every page
Review: This book is worth every one of it's 661 pages! I couldn't put it down or stop thinking about it. It was even in my dreams! Constant suspence and very well-rounded characters, plus plot, plot, plot! It will be hard to find another book that is such a wonderful read.
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Summary: Fascinating!
Review: This is one of the best books I've read in a long time!
I put my life on hold so that I could finish it. I've discovered a great author and plan to read all the other books she's written. I was never interested in reading English historical novels, but now I'm hooked! Do not pass this book up!
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Summary: GREAT!!
Review: This is one of the best books I have ever read; I could not put it down. It has opened a whole new area of interest for me. It always had me wondering what would happen next and I never for a moment lost interest.
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Summary: THE GREATEST OF SISTERLY RIVALARIES
Review: "THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL " IS A PAGE TURNER IF I EVER MET ONE. THROWING YOU RIGHT INTO THE COURT OF HENRY THE VIII, THE STORY IS TOLD FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF MARY BOLEYN, ANNE'S YOUNGER SISTER AND USUALLY A FOOTNOTE IN HISTORY BOOKS. FROM THE BEGINING WE LEARN WHAT LIFE IS LIKE FOR A GIRL COMING INTO HER OWN BUT HAVING A FAMILY THAT MAKES ALL HER DECISIONS FOR HER.ALTHOUGH IT IS HISTORICAL FICTION AND CANNOT BE TAKEN FOR STRAIGHT FACT WE LEARN THAT IN HISTORY THIS BOLEYN GIRL PLAYED MANY ROLES INCLUDING DAUGHTER,SISTER,WIFE,MOTHER,MISTRESS TO THE KING AND RIVAL TO HER SISTER. MS. GREGORY GOES THE EXTRA LENGTH GIVING US INSIGHT INTO EVERY ONE OF THESE PARTS AND THE THOUGHTS OF THE GIRL WHO WAS FORCED TO PLAY THEM. ONE EXTREMELY WELL WRITTEN POINT IS THE RIVALRY BETWEEN THE TWO SISTERS FOR A MAN NEITHER CHOSE OF HER OWN MIND. IN A FAMILY WHERE BOTH WERE PAWNS THE PICTURE MS. GREGORY PAINTS OF HOW THEY FORCED TO ENDURE AND CAUSE EACH OTHERS PAINS AND JOYS WAS BOTH BREATHTAKING AND HEARTBREAKING. SIMPLY PUT IT IS A MUST READ.
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Summary: Entertaining and fun to read...
Review: That much said, you have to remember that this IS a fictional account. There are some inaccuracies, as far as my own research goes (I don't profess to be an authority on the subject), but for the most part I did enjoy the book. It was well written, and had very vivid imagery. Even if the book isn't completely historically accurate, it was well worth the read.
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Summary: Tudor Court Intrigue
Review: Mary Boleyn's story is often told as a postscript to her more illustrious sister's biography. In The Other Boleyn Girl, she is the narrator who offers insight into the often cruel intrigues of the court of Henry VIII. This historical novel takes us from the days Mary is a teenaged bride of William Carey to the time of the execution of her sister, Anne Boleyn in 1536. It is fiction and historians may differ with some of the allegations presented. For instance, some historians say that William Carey rather than Henry VIII was the father of Mary's two children Catherine and Henry. The reasoning: Henry VIII would have openly recognized his children, particulary Mary's son, had he been the father. Bessie Blount's son by Henry VIII, was named Duke of Richmond If Henry had thought Henry Carey was his son titles would have been given to him. Anyway, the parentage of Mary's children has been in dispute for centuries. Most, if not all historians, believe that Henry's charges against Anne were fabricated so he could remarry and have a male heir, which Anne did not give him. Plus he had tired of Anne by this time. It is extremely doubtful that Anne Boleyn cheated on Henry VIII and the thought of an incestuous relationship with her brother (even though this was a charge) was very, very far-fetched. The Other Boleyn Girl introduces protagonists Henry VIII, his wife Katharine of Aragon, Cardinal Wolsey, Henry Percy (Anne Boleyn's early suitor), and Jane Seymour. Mary Boleyn often had to play the role of pawn in her families' ambitions, even though she had a conscience about what was going on. For instance, Mary sympathized with the rejected Queen Katharine, but still had to work against her. I enjoyed this book immensely even though I disagree with some of the allegations (after all it is fiction) and Mary Boleyn seemed like a very real person. Those who enjoy this book might want to read the fiction: The Diary of Anne Boleyn and My Enemy the Queen (about Mary's granddaughter Lettice, who was mother of the infamous Earl of Essex).
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Summary: THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL
Review: Marvelous, fresh version of the Anne Boleyn episode of history, narrated by her younger sister, Mary. I found myself totally caught up in the story, even though I've read and seen many versions of the tale of Mary's sister Anne, Henry the VIII's second wife. I had a difficult time putting the book down and could not wait to get back to it. The times and lifestyles are so clearly dileneated that I felt part of them.
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Summary: Cannot put it down!
Review: I never thought that I would get through a book with this subject matter. However, a friend convinced me to give it a try...lo and behold, I could NOT put the book down, started reading it Wednesday and finished Saturday early am (661 pages). I was entranced and you will be as well...a refreshing perspective on sixteenth century goings-on! You won't be disappointed. A compelling read.
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