The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory was one of those books that you cannot put down! I thoroughly enjoyed the story of two sisters – Anne and Mary Boleyn – competing with each other and the world for the love of King Henry VIII. The story focused on Mary Boleyn who was taken as the King’s mistress when she was only fourteen, and put aside when her sister Anne caught the King’s fancy. Mary had two kids by King Henry out of wedlock, and watched as her sister had the King denounce Queen Katherine of Aragon and Anne’s rise to power.
Philippa Gregory is an amazing author and I can’t wait to read her other titles, as well as her other “Tudor Court” novels. She writes Mary and Anne with such passion and dedication. You can really see Anne as a dark, ruthless, self-managing and seductive young woman; and Mary as a innocent, naive yet loving sister, mistress, and wife. The dialogue is so well crafted, the romantic and courting speech while it is believable it is not mushy-perfect, it is perfectly written with its imperfections. You can hear them as they speak, Gregory carefully places tone and response within a dialogue that is historically based but fictionally created.
I’ve been wanting to read this book for a while – definitely before I see the movie. Then CW finally bought me the book as he wanted to take me to the movies for my birthday (this Friday!!). I finished it within a week and a half, I honestly didn’t want to put it down! It was the kind of books that when you’re not reading you feel like you’ve left something hanging, something is incomplete and you need to finish it.
March 19, 2008 at 12:07 am
That sounds like a good read. :-)
March 19, 2008 at 1:04 am
Wow, you have a very auspicious birthday this year. Friday is also Good Friday and Purim! Hope you have a wonderful celebration.
March 19, 2008 at 3:21 pm
I love that book!!!
Happy birthday, my friend!
March 19, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Ok, I’m sold. I need to go out and find that book now!
PS. Happy Birthday!
March 20, 2008 at 12:05 am
I read that book last February and went to see the movie last night. Even though the movie was entertaining, it wasn’t as good as the novel. Phillipa Gregory is such a great author! Happy birthday and have fun at the movies!
March 20, 2008 at 6:55 am
I read the book when it first came out and I agree Phillipa Gregpry is a great author. Was supposed to go and see the movie last night but instead ending up setting up my wii and trying to beat my niece at tennis!