Customer Reviews:
 what a read! November 24, 2008
This is the first of philippa gregory's books that i have read and thought it was wonderful. Towards the end i could not put this book down and found it a very interesting read.
 Dangerous stuff November 11, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
"The other Boleyn girl" as a franchise has been terrifically successful, spawning two films and some heated debate along the way. But for numerous reasons, it should be approached with caution by the reader.
Personally, I agree with other reviews in that I don't mind some historical innaccuracies in my fiction, despite having a history degree, as long as it's made clear that fiction is all it is. And I did enjoy some parts of the book. I like the claustrophobic description of court life in the tudor period, and the intensity of the relationship between the sisters. And yes, some bits are quite sexy. None of it would pass as a plausible description of human relationships, but never mind- the point of romantic fiction is, after all, idealisation and escapism.
Unfortunately, Gregory over-reaches herself, and seems to claim in the "Q&A" section in the back of the book that her flights of imagination have some substance in historical truth. Anyone who reads the book should know before hand that they don't. I'm not going into specifics, since others have before me, but pretty much all that stands up to even cursory investigation in the book are the names. What I and a lot of other people would worry about is that many people won't even bother with cursory investigation, and will accept the sexed-up, wildly sensationalist version of events in the book as truth. Some people will say it doesn't matter, but our history explains our society. It is important we have a realistic idea of it.
Interestingly, I also find that the writing ability of Gregory varies inversely with her ambition. So when writing about something she knows about, she as female rivalries and insecurities, she is really quite entertaining. But as the book progresses, her perspective widens and she looses her grip. I've found this with other Gregory books as well; they start off intensely personal and emotive, but somewhere toward the end they disintegrate into hysteria and witchcraft. Really, for better historical and romantic fiction with a female perspective, read Joanne Harris.
I also have to say that I find Gregory's grasp of sexual politics quite insulting. Mary, the "heroine" of the book, is niaeve, passive and guliable. Gregory attempts to compensate for this later by depicting Mary as socially and sexually liberated, and ends up giving us as soppy, misty-eyed a depiction of domestic life as has ever existed. Meanwhile, Anne is lambasted as cold, calculating and, most unforgiveably in Gregory's eyes, ambitious. Her execution is portrayed as a just reward for daring to have her own opinions and agenda and interfearing in men's business.
Apparently the author claims elsewhere to be a "radical, feminist historian." Well, she's wrong on all counts. Her outlook is retrogressive, she's a hack journalist playing with history because she knows it will sell books, and she has all the feminist integrity of a pussycat doll (remeber that video where they dance around in underwear claiming "I don't need a man"?).
As I said before, I did enjoy some parts of the book. It makes perfect holiday reading, as it doesn't make too many demands on you. I just don't think anyone should fool themselves that what they're reading is at all historical or intellectual. It's the literary equivalent of a rom-com, with just as many gaffs and plot holes, but with rather better costumes. It will entertain, but it won't improve you any.
brilliant October 26, 2008
this is the first book by this author that I have ever read, and it is absolutely brilliant. It is historically accurate, and brings to life the sordid life of the tudor court,under Henry Englands most nortorious ruler. I have since watched the film, based on the book, which cannot hold a candle to this book. Do yourself a favour forget the film and just read the book, you will not be able to put it down. This book is a real page turner.
Anne's story through Mary's eyes October 23, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a novel to be devoured as children devour books! History has gifted Philippa Gregory with a compelling story and she certainly does it justice.
The story is told from Mary's perspective, differentiating it from other fictional accounts of the period; however it is still Anne's story, beginning when she returns to the English court from France, ending with her head on the block. Mary remains 'the other Boleyn girl'.
Criticisms from other reviewers include 'historical inaccuracy' but this is FICTION, based on various historical accounts and the subjective interpretations of historians. Ms Gregory fleshes out character, guessing, imagining and bringing the story to life so that we are transported into the heart of the Tudor court and surely this is what fiction writers are supposed to do?
Another complaint was that the novel is 'repetitive' but I feel this echoes the repetitive nature of the court and of Henry's many courtships; the novel's circular journey (from block to block) concludes it tidily.
My only criticism is the use of first person narration which means that we live in the head and heart of Mary Boleyn and are unable to delve into the complex psyches of her siblings.
Use of the third person would still have enabled the author to tell the story through Mary's eyes; however it would have given us a chance to find out, in a little more detail, what motivates Anne and and George and their differing perceptions of the same events and situations. Had this been done, I think both would have seemed more human and rounded in their characterisation.
Of course, this would have involved Ms Gregory taking further liberties with the 'truth' but fiction is fiction and I, for one, would be happy for her to have done so!
Brilliant! October 18, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Please read this book if you haven't already. It does not profess to be a factual history book, it is a novel and a really really good one too! It is an absorbing read and a great tale. I found myself really wanting to know what happened next and that is such a rarity with books that I have read lately. It also made me want to find out more about the Tudor period. Hghly recommended.
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