The Other Boleyn Girl: A Novel

The Other Boleyn Girl: A Novel Reviews


by Philippa Gregory



Overall 5 star rating4.75 of 5 (by 24 users)



79% of people rated The Other Boleyn Girl: A Novel as 5 stars
79% of people rated The Other Boleyn Girl: A Novel as 5 stars%
79%
17% of people rated The Other Boleyn Girl: A Novel as 4 stars
17% of people rated The Other Boleyn Girl: A Novel as 4 stars%
17%
4% of people rated The Other Boleyn Girl: A Novel as 3 stars
4% of people rated The Other Boleyn Girl: A Novel as 3 stars%
4%
No one rated The Other Boleyn Girl: A Novel as 2 stars
No one rated The Other Boleyn Girl: A Novel as 2 stars%
0%
No one rated The Other Boleyn Girl: A Novel as 1 star
No one rated The Other Boleyn Girl: A Novel as 1 star%
0%
96% 96% of people recommend The Other Boleyn Girl: A Novel 4% of people don't recommend The Other Boleyn Girl: A Novel 4%
 

The Other Boleyn Girl: A Novel Comparison

5 star rating Most Helpful
Favorable Review
MAR
16
2007

I started a book club many years back and I was thrilled to learn that most of the women, like myself, really enjoyed autobiographies. We read everything from Katherine Graham to Stolen Lives to Wild Swans (all of which are worth a read). Finally, someone suggested that we try out a book in the historical...

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 Community Manager
book club organizer, a library-goer

Jolie
Chicago, IL
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3 star rating Most Helpful
Critical Review
MAY
5
2008
I think that I have been spoiled by Showtime's miniseries, The Tudors, because I found this book to be a bit dull in comparison.  The Other Boleyn Girl, by author Philippa Gregory is a take on the reign of King Henry VIII as told from the perspective of Mary Boleyn.  I did appreciate seeing the events... read full review »
2009 VIP
analytical, an avid reader

LoveisJoy
Chicagoland, IL
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The Other Boleyn Girl: A Novel Ratings and Reviews

items/page: 15 | 30 | 50 displaying 1 to 13 of 24 sort by: most helpful | date | rating


4
helpful
votes
a fan of clever plots, chronic book buyer, loving historical fiction, avid reader, a woman, read for fun, married, character lover

JAN
24
2009
The Other Boleyn Girl takes place in King Henrty the Eigth's England, a lush landscape of gowns and cold drafty castles, mystery and intrigue, gossip and plotting.  My mother bought this book for me as a Christmas gift when it was new in paperback, and I'm so glad she did.  This started me down the path of tracking down all of Phillipa Gregory's books, well, as many as I could find.

First of all, Philippa Gregory takes words and winds them around her little finger.  I'm not sure just how she does it, but she takes complete control of the English language, in my opinion.

I believe that she has...
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5 star rating
2009 Advisor
eatingcookies
Bellevue, WA



3
helpful
votes
an avid reader

SEP
6
2008

I chose to read this novel after seeing trailers for the movie of the same name.  I also enjoyed the first season of The Tudors and knew the book would appeal to me. 

We all know the tale of Anne Boleyn, but by telling it again through the eyes of her sister and rival, Mary, the  story takes on a whole new level of drama.  Anne is ten times the temptress and all the more power-driven in this light, which makes for an unforgettable read. 

In the author's notes, Philippa Gregory does explain how little is actually known about Mary Boleyn except for the rough details of her relationship...

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5 star rating
2008 Writer
kalexias
Cumming, GA



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2
helpful
votes
Historical Drama, on the go

SEP
1
2009

I've read "The Other Boleyn Girl" a couple of months ago. Author Philippa Gregory has obviously put a lot of time into researching the details of this book. This book is over 700 pages long and covers several years. 

Ms. Gregory no doubt has taken some liberties with certain details of what may have actually happened during this time when King Henry VIII ruled England, no doubt about that. But she has done so in such a smooth way, that many of the details of this story "could" have been as she has said. Ms. Gregory did not change large events Rather she "improvised" on smaller events and made them...

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5 star rating
2009 Writer
gaelkm
Goleta, CA



2
helpful
votes
avid reader

APR
21
2008
I did like it (besides the fact that I can never seem to spell “Boleyn” right). For those who have no idea what it’s about, it’s written from the perspective of Mary Boleyn, Ann Boleyn’s sister. It takes place during the reign of Henry VIII, so it’s based on truth but with a fictionalized story interwoven. It is a story of one family’s rise to power, and what they will do to get there.

There were times when I had to push myself to keep reading, so it wasn’t always engaging, but that is normal for any book that is over 600 pages. Most of it was very good, and if not good at least...

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4 star rating
reviewer
angelhair45
Kannapolis, NC



2
helpful
votes
a fiction reader, an avid reader, a nature lover, sleep deprived, music lover, graphic designer

JUN
25
2008
I am only about half way through the book but I would definately recommend it! It has a great balance of love, hate, betrayal, and insight into how people lived long ago.
Although there is history contained in the novel, I am not sure how much of it there actually is.??? It might seem intimidating to some because of its 600+ pages but don't be scared off by that.
The only thing I have questions about is the language used throughout the book......the majority of it is more of a "contemporary" dialogue....not something that you would encounter back in those days.

4 star rating
renodsgnr
Fort Dodge, IA



1
helpful
vote
a fan of clever plots, reading non-fiction, library lover, a fiction reader, an avid reader, re-reading the classics, chronic book buyer, into romance novels

MAR
4
2008

This book was great. The author has written many many historical "faction" books and this is one of the best.

"Queen's Fool" was the first book that I read from Philipa Gregory, and I was hooked. History, romance and flawed lead characters, what's not to love. Ms. Gregory focuses a lot on the Tudors, and their ups and downs. "The Other Bolyn Girl" gives its readers a peek into the political hornets nest that was King Henry the VIII's court. Love did not matter, rather it was power (both personal and familial) that really rulled the lives of the peerage.

Leaning about the split from the Catholic...

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5 star rating
2009 Advisor
TaraLee
Portage, MI



1
helpful
vote
a fiction reader, a fan of clever plots, avid reader, read for fun, character lover

MAY
20
2009

This historical novel is a fictionalized account of Anne Boleyn, the 2nd wife of Henry VIII, told from the point of view of her younger sister Mary. It is based on real people and real events. Even though I know it's not a completely accurate history of the time, it's a very fascinating read of what might have been going through the minds of these people, and what may have happened to lead up to these major events in history.

Mary, the younger and lesser known of the Boleyn sisters, is married by the age of 13 to a man chosen by her ambitious family, and also has no say in the matter when her family...

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5 star rating
2009 Writer
mom2acat
Big Rapids, MI



1
helpful
vote
a fiction reader, into romance novels

MAY
2
2008

I loved this book...could not put it down. Although it may not be historically correct, it still met its goal by being entertaining. I read this book in 6 days, I dedicated time just to read it because it was interesting. ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

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5 star rating
reviewer
jessibelle2216
Villas, NJ



1
helpful
vote
re-reading the classics, character lover, reading non-fiction, a fiction reader, a fan of clever plots, avid reader, read for fun, an avid reader

FEB
16
2009
Such an incredible book. You really get into the characters and begin to feel for all of them, even when you don't want to. It's also such an interesting point of view because it is seen through the eyes of an outsider; one who wasnt in the spotlight, but helped to make everything happen. To read about such a fascinating part of history and have it come alive is amazing, but to see it from a different point of view makes it all the better.  The romance involved is obviously the center of the story, and includes portrayals of unrequited love (which we are all too familiar with), the lack of... read full review »
5 star rating
reviewer
applesos87
Atlanta, GA



1
helpful
vote
fiction reader, avid reader, chronic reader, a woman, not rich, history buff, love to travel, a bargain hunter

DEC
10
2007
My friend introduced me to the world of Phillipa Gregory and ever since then I have been hooked! She is a wonderful writer.  What I enjoy most about her novels are they include historical data.  So even though she is creating the words and lives of the characters, you can actually picture what the time period is like.  I found this book to be wondefully written and very enjoyable! I actually just finished my third Gregory book, the Constant Princess and found it to be just like this one...a page turner!
5 star rating
reviewer
tblackburn
Roswell, GA



1
helpful
vote
a fiction reader, an avid reader

MAR
8
2008

This was the first Philippa Gregory book I read and I am now hooked.  I have now read all her books about the Tudors but this is probably still my favorite.  I kept going to the internet and looking up facts about the history that she mentions and what she writes is all true.  Fascinating!  I felt like I learned my history while enjoying an exciting book full of romance, drama and intrigue!


5 star rating
braleycakes
Alpharetta, GA



1
helpful
vote
reading non-fiction, a fiction reader, an avid reader, re-reading the classics, into romance novels

AUG
12
2008
What I love about this book :
- I adore Mary Boleyn point of view in this book. And I can really connect with the sisterly jealousy and competition.
- I can't get enough of Mary and her second husband William. They are so meant for each other.
- The plot is flowing and I really can't put down the book until I finished it. Recorded time, I finished it in about 3 hours :-)

5 star rating
reviewer
alkhansa
Riverside, CA



D
a fiction reader, an avid reader

DEC
18
2008
I was a bit skeptical about reading this book as it isn't the typical book I pick off the shelves, but as usualy the movie trailer intrigued me and I wanted to make sure i read the book before the movie came out. I am very glad i picked this up. Though some of the love triangles can be disturbing it was facinating to see what court life was like during Henry the 8th's rule. It was also an interesting look at the role of women during this time period. Though thier political impact was in ways great it was limited to thier ability to seduce and persuade men using thier womanly wiles. The way that... read full review »
4 star rating
2008 Contributor
cchil007
Virginia Beach, VA



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