Book Review - Feb 07

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The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

I’m sure everyone knows about Henry VIIII. In a nutshell he was the fat King who married six times. Have you heard the rhyme to remember their fate? Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived.

Well, The Other Boleyn Girl centres around the first one to get beheaded - Anne Boleyn and her sister Mary.

When we meet Henry he’s married to his first wife Katherine of Aragon.

His head is turned by Mary - the younger Boleyn sister - she’s already married to Henry’s courtier William Carey and she’s a loyal servant to the Queen.

Unfortunately though, she is forced to betray her and sleep with the King. Whilst she is in favour things are good but his head is turned once again - this time by none other than Mary’s sister Anne. Mary is forced to step aside for the good of the “Howard” family. They plot to remove Katherine from the throne and have her replaced by Anne! Well, he wants a son and heir doesn’t he!

This novel, now a Hollywood film starring Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johnanssen, takes you on a journey through the eyes of Mary. It includes her romance with the King, her sister’s affair with the King, their marriage and Anne’s death at the scaffold - I’m not spoiling the ending, I’m sure you all know what happened to her!

I really, really enjoyed this book. Now, I do have to admit that I’m quite fascinated by this period of history and I have read a number of Philippa Gregory’s novels. For me, this is a definite must read.

It’s an historical novel so the main thread is based on fact but the rest is fiction.

It’s really colourful and I could just imagine Henry VIII and his band of followers walking through his various castles with the Queen following with skirts swishing. It’s a fascinating insight into the life at a Tudor Court.

A must read - 10/10.

If you wish to purchase the book CLICK HERE

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