Rating: 
Summary: Soap opera of the 1500's
Review: I really liked the book, it was easy to read, and had some interesting details of life in the English Court.
Rating: 
Summary: Suffers from lack of author's note
Review: Many other reviewers have mentioned the historical innacuracies found in _The Other Boleyn Girl_. I noticed them as well. The changes in the Boleyn girls' birth order did not trouble me as much as the disputed parentage of Mary Boleyn's children (why would Henry, whose first illegitimate son he made a Duke, ignore his son by Mary Boleyn?) I also found it odd that the author seemed to give creedence not only to the charges of witchcraft against Ann Boleyn, but to the charge of incest between Ann and her brother George. These charges, which were ostensibly the reasons why Ann was beheaded, have been generally dismissed by every historian since they occurred.
So why, then, did Phillipa Gregory treat them as, if not fact, then at least possibilities?
This would not have bothered me at all had she included an author's note that explained her reasoning. I understand that the hints of Dark Doings and intrasibling sex make for a much more intriguing read, and if that was Ms. Gregory's intention, good for her.
But why, then, would you not include something to tell your readers what liberties you've taken with the facts, and why?
The fact that she did not do so is why I gave this book such a low rating.
As a story, it's pretty good. A bit heavy on the purple prose, but that didn't bother me too much. The detail about life at Henry's court was quite good and the portrayal of Katherine of Aragon and Mary's guilty affection for her was touching.
Is the book a tad too long? I think so. I didn't need page after page to remind me that Mary Boleyn loved farming and her children very, very much. Got it the first time. But it was an enjoyable story, and the characters were well-crafted and for the most part believable (though they veered towards charicature near the end).
All in all, it wasn't bad, and I would read another book by this author. I'm merely disappointed that she took such liberties with the facts (Mary's daughter in the Tower with Ann? Huh?) and did not explain to her readers why she did so or what the truth was.
Rating: 
Summary: Riveting Historical Novel!
Review: I've been in the mood for a good historical novel lately and I found it in spades in The Other Boleyn Girl. This is the story of the swirl of plotting and romance around Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and the many others with an interest in unseating Katherine of Aragon and making Anne Henry's new queen. I love a historical novel that makes you truly feel the times and this book does so; moreover the rich writing and portrayal of historical detail is meshed in a plot that while familiar to any student of history, is still suspenseful because you come to care for all the players' fates. The master stroke was telling the story through the conflicted viewpoint of Anne's sister, Mary, who was Henry's lover before Anne. She can see what is both admirable and loathsome in those around her at court, especially Henry and Anne themselves, and since her side of the story is less well-known, the suspense comes in seeing how she will make it through the tragic turn of events when Anne is inevitably rejected. A truly excellent historical novel.
Rating:
Summary: Mary's Point of View
Review: I am not good as writing reviews. I just wanted to say I finished this book last night. I absloutley loved it. I know its not 100% historically accurate but she did a great job telling the story of the Boleyns. I came to love Mary and detest Anne(vile and conniving) and the rest of the Boleyn family. Sometimes though I did like George. King Henry VIII seemed to be a spoiled child who got whatever or whoever he wanted.
I was glad to see that Mary got what she wanted at the end. And Anne got what she deserved. Just MHO.....
Rating:
Summary: Wow...this book was pretty amazing.
Review: Sometimes historical fiction can be dry and difficult to read. This book does not fall into that category. It is well-written and very easy to follow. I like that this novel is based mostly on historical facts. Yes, it's definitely fiction, but the main events of the novel were true to life. This book will be a real eye-opener for anyone who doesn't realize how poorly women have been treated throughout history. They were cursed at birth and then used and abused throughout their entire lives. Their happiness was dependent solely on men. That must have been a horrible way to live. It's especially difficult for the modern American woman to fathom what that kind of life must have been like. It must have been incredibly tough. The relationship between Anne and Mary is bizarre. I know about sibling rivalry, but this went beyond that. This was a cut-throat, evil, primitive sort of relationship. With a sister like Anne, who needs enemies?! I never realized before reading this book how motivated and desperate Anne Boleyn was. She was a woman driven by ambition only. She is a perfect example of you reap what you sow. Of course, Henry VIII is portrayed as he was - a selfish, immature, sex-crazed man who thought he was God. He reinvented the Church so he could divorce Catherine of Aragon, beheaded and poisoned people at will, and sexually used and tossed aside countless women who loved him. He was truly a tyrant. I am glad that Mary escaped the life at court and married William Stafford for love. She might have felt like the lesser Boleyn girl, but I think she was the braver, happier Boleyn girl. I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL
Review: The story is set in the court of Henry VIII and deals with the time between his first marriage, and his third. The atmopshere created is devine, and we feel for each of the women in the novel, as each is manipulated and controlled throughout. As well as learning a lot about the history of England, the author also weaves a love story with many twists and turns. We follow the family relationships, the control over the family by the King, life at the royal court, the maturing the central character, Mary. It's an intense novel that you won't be able to put down. I almost cried when I finished it because I could've read on and on.
Rating:
Summary: Delightful! Gripping!
Review: This was a delightful and gripping read for a poor student of world history. Slowly I am putting together the pieces of the past and this book helped. It is vivid, compelling and hard to put down. As a mother of four, it was a wonderful escape. I would recommend it highly to anyone who enjoys the intrigue of human relationships and life's protocols during the Elizabethean era.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT HISTORICAL FICTION
Review: This book kept me riveted! Amazing how women were treated in the days of Henry VIII. Be glad you live now & not then.
It was wonderful to learn of Anne Boleyn & how Queen Katherine was ousted from the throne. Ms. Gregory does a good job of staying true to historical facts while weaving lots of love triangles in the story to keep you turning the page.
Rating:
Summary: A "Can't Put This Book Down" Read
Review: From beginning to end this book was spectacular. The way Philippa Gregory twists fact with fiction is amazing. She makes it so believable, you feel as if you were there. I could not put this book down and can not give it enough praise. I am now reading her next book The Queen's Fool and I am sure it will be excellent as well. This is a must read for anyone who loves this time period.
Rating:
Summary: AN ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC READ.
Review: This is such a fantastic book. Once you start reading it you just won't be able to put it down. It makes history come to life in a way that you would never have thought possible. I would recommend this without hesitation to anybody with a love of books.
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