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The Other Boleyn Girl

Book 9 in the series:The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels

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'The Other Boleyn Girl' by Philippa Gregory is a historical fiction novel set in the Tudor period, focusing on the lives of the Boleyn sisters, Mary and Anne. The story is narrated through Mary's eyes, detailing their rise in King Henry VIII's court, filled with court intrigue, romance, betrayals, and political scheming. Gregory's writing style is described as engaging, with vibrant characters and a rich portrayal of the Tudor times, even though some opinions mention it may lack historical accuracy.

The novel delves into the lesser-known story of Mary Boleyn, offering a fresh perspective on the well-known tale of Anne Boleyn's rise and fall. It explores themes of ambition, manipulation, love, and betrayal within the royal court, providing a glimpse into the challenges faced by women during the 1500s. Gregory's storytelling weaves historical events seamlessly into the narrative, creating a captivating and immersive reading experience that keeps readers engrossed till the very end.

Characters:

The characters are vividly portrayed, with Mary as the naive yet loving sister, Anne as the ambitious antagonist, and their family as largely manipulative and power-hungry.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is engaging and accessible, blending modern language with rich historical detail, although some readers find it lacks period authenticity.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around the tumultuous relationship between Mary and Anne Boleyn, as they navigate the dangerous waters of Henry VIII's court, with ambition and rivalry leading to crashing consequences.

Setting:

Set in the opulent yet treacherous Tudor court of England, the story immerses readers in a world of political intrigue and familial ambition.

Pacing:

The pacing varies, starting slowly to build character and relationship depth, but picks up significantly as the plot progresses and stakes rise.
I COULD HEAR A ROLL OF MUFFLED DRUMS. BUT I COULD SEE nothing but the lacing on the bodice of the lady standing in front of me, blocking my view of the scaffold. I had been at this court for more than...

Notes:

The Other Boleyn Girl is narrated by Mary Boleyn, Anne Boleyn's sister.
The novel portrays the intense rivalry between Mary and Anne for King Henry VIII's affection.
Mary Boleyn's husband William Carey realizes he cannot refuse the King, reflecting the power imbalance of the time.
Henry VIII's desperation for a male heir drives much of the plot, showcasing the political motives behind personal relationships.
Anne Boleyn is depicted as both a victim of her ambition and a ruthless seductress, adding complexity to her character.
The book explores themes of women as pawns in political games, reflecting the societal norms of the Tudor period.
The story begins with Mary as the King's mistress before Anne takes center stage, highlighting Mary’s initial importance.
Mary Boleyn ultimately finds happiness by marrying for love after her tumultuous relationship with Henry VIII.
The novel combines historical events with fictionalized character emotions, making it engaging yet not strictly factual.
The execution of Anne Boleyn is a pivotal moment at the end of the book, illustrating the consequences of power and ambition.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of incest, betrayal, miscarriage, and violence associated with beheading.

Has Romance?

The novel contains a high level of romantic elements, primarily involving Mary Boleyn and her relationships with both King Henry VIII and later William Stafford.

From The Publisher:

The #1 New York Times bestseller from "the queen of royal fiction" (USA TODAY) Philippa Gregory is a rich, compelling novel of love, sex, ambition, and intrigue surrounding the Tudor court of Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, and the infamous Boleyn family.

When Mary Boleyn comes to court as an innocent girl of fourteen, she catches the eye of the handsome and charming Henry VIII. Dazzled by the king, Mary falls in love with both her golden prince and her growing role as unofficial queen. However, she soon realizes just how much she is a pawn in her family's ambitious plots as the king's interest begins to wane, and soon she is forced to step aside for her best friend and rival: her sister, Anne. With her own destiny suddenly unknown, Mary realizes that she must defy her family and take fate into her own hands.

With more than one million copies in print and adapted for the big screen, The Other Boleyn Girl is a riveting historical drama. It brings to light a woman of extraordinary determination and desire who lived at the heart of the most exciting and glamorous court in Europe, and survived a treacherous political landscape by following her heart.

Ratings (37)

Incredible (6)
Loved It (17)
Liked It (8)
It Was OK (2)
Did Not Like (1)
Hated It (3)

Reader Stats (59):

Read It (39)
Want To Read (14)
Not Interested (6)

4 comment(s)

Loved It
5 days

Brilliant and engrossing book from Mary Boleyns point of view. Set in the tudor court when Henry married Anne and everything that followed. Loved every minute of it and fascinates me everything to do with history and the monarchy.

 
Hated It
2 weeks

When I first read it in 2019 I gave it 4 stars but I don't know why I liked it so much more then. Maybe I haven't gotten quite in my tudor fascination just yet. Didn't like this portrail of Anne Boleyn and there is so many inaccurate things in it. I can understand that sometimes while writing a fiction book about famous people and times you take some creative liberty but it was to much and in the audio book they didn't state what Philipa Gregory had come up her self as facts. I just love historic novels that uses real facts about the time and people they are about and writes an compelling story from it. But this wasn't it

 
Hated It
1 month

Ugh. I honestly hated this book so much, I couldn't finish it... which might be the first time that has ever happened to me. I think that it was because by about halfway through, I felt that all the characters were such loathesome, hateful human beings that I couldn't stand to read about them anymore.

 
Loved It
9 months

Loved this book. And not just because it's Tudor and set at the court of Henry VIII. My favorite aspect was the sister relationship between Mary and Anne Boleyn--yes the women are rivals but there is more between them as well.

 

About the Author:

Philippa Gregory is the author of many New York Times bestselling novels, including The Other Boleyn Girl, and is a recognized authority on women's history. Many of her works have been adapted for the screen including The Other Boleyn Girl. She graduated from the University of Sussex and received a PhD from the University of Edinburgh, where she is a Regent. She holds honorary degrees from Teesside University and the University of Sussex. She is a fellow of the Universities of Sussex and Cardiff and was awarded the 2016 Harrogate Festival Award for Contribution to Historical Fiction. She is an honorary research fellow at Birkbeck, University of London. She founded Gardens for the Gambia, a charity to dig wells in poor rural schools in The Gambia, and has provided nearly 200 wells. She welcomes visitors to her website PhilippaGregory.com.

 
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