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Mandy's Reviews > The Other Boleyn Girl
The Other Boleyn Girl (The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels, #9)
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Disclaimer: Don't confuse this book with a biography of Mary Boleyn. It's fiction all the way. It's a good read when you remember that this is fiction and not a blow-by-blow account of historical events. And because it is fiction, Gregory is able to play a little fast and loose with historical fact. Mary was most likely the oldest Boleyn child, not the youngest as presented here. She had also served the French kings court, just as Anne did, but was sent home in disgrace after tales of her promiscuity got out, including the fact that she was probably also that king's mistress. She was probably not the young, inexperienced girl Gregory chooses to portray her as. Gregory also depends heavily on Retha Warnicke's thesis that a homosexual ring surrounded Anne and included her brother George. This has been widely discredited by historians, since both Anne and George were very religious, and George was also a renowned womanizer.
Otherwise, it was a decent book. There were parts I thought went a little far, especially with Mary and George teaching Anne "whore's tricks" to woo the king without actually having sex with him. Granted, activity like this may have happened, but I don't necessarily want to read about it. I loved the love story between Mary and William Stafford, and would have liked to seen more of the relationship between Anne and Henry, when they were younger, seemingly in love, and she was as much a partner and advisor in his affairs as king (especially in religious thinking and such) as any man at court.
Somehow though, this book has tarnished my romanticized concept of courtly behavior. It's horrifying to consider that some of the political wrangling and the use of women as temptations, mistresses, and pawns to rise in society, titles, and the court probably happened, at least to some extent. If this was the way life was in those days, I would hope that I was a commoner. Because being in the court and used as someone's chattel to get what they wanted with no regard for my desires or who I loved would have been awful.
Otherwise, it was a decent book. There were parts I thought went a little far, especially with Mary and George teaching Anne "whore's tricks" to woo the king without actually having sex with him. Granted, activity like this may have happened, but I don't necessarily want to read about it. I loved the love story between Mary and William Stafford, and would have liked to seen more of the relationship between Anne and Henry, when they were younger, seemingly in love, and she was as much a partner and advisor in his affairs as king (especially in religious thinking and such) as any man at court.
Somehow though, this book has tarnished my romanticized concept of courtly behavior. It's horrifying to consider that some of the political wrangling and the use of women as temptations, mistresses, and pawns to rise in society, titles, and the court probably happened, at least to some extent. If this was the way life was in those days, I would hope that I was a commoner. Because being in the court and used as someone's chattel to get what they wanted with no regard for my desires or who I loved would have been awful.
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Reading Progress
May 18, 2007
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July 1, 2007
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Mindy
(last edited Aug 25, 2016 11:32AM)
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Jul 11, 2007 08:37AM
You bring up a very interesting point of women being used for political gain or any gain the man was pursuing. So often we romancize the "olden days". Although there was a level of respect and courtesy from men to women in times past, there was just as much low-life bargaining of women so a man could advance in society or money. Makes me glad to have been born in 1977, not 1777.
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Mandy, I was planning to read this book for an experience of historical fiction which is my passion (like the The Frontiersmen). Can you suggest a more historical book about the Boleyn sisters? Sounds like you know your history. Based on your review I'm going to skip the book if you know of a more accurate one.Thanks! Toni
I'm reading this book and enjoying it regardless of the historical looseness. That is why this book was in the fiction section of the bookstore because it is fiction. We can never know the true stories of times already past. I'm thoroughly enjoying Gregory's interpretation of this time in King Hnery's life.
Mandy, I'd recommend "The Last Boleyn" by Karen Harper. I know it's been a few years since you posted this, but I just came by it. I know alot of historical fiction is just that fiction, but I try to find books where at the facts are correct. Enjoy.
HISTORICAL FICTION. If the reader cannot understand that this is not a work of facts (other than timelines, names and major events) then so be it. We don't need a play-by-play of what is and isn't true. It sounds to me as if someone did not realize that prior to picking up this book. Once again...Historical FICTION
No need to be mean, Audrey. I know many people who read this book and thought it was true, which colored my review.
I like the novel but as such but dislike the way Anne is portraited.Its also very inaccurate since history is rewritten to make Anne n Mary kids while in France,which they were not,nor were Mary 14 when Henrys mistress.I liked THE MOST HAPPY-a novel about Anne Boleyns life by CSt GEorgemuch better as Anne is more like a real person here
Mandy wrote: "No need to be mean, Audrey. I know many people who read this book and thought it was true, which colored my review."Im with you Mandy. Sadly most people believe it. It doesnt help the author portrays herself as an expert. My issue is the truth is much more interesting than this very fictional version. There was no need to rewrite history for entertainments sake.
When I want to read Historical Fiction, I want my history pretty accurate. The other way around is called fictitious History. Not as accurate, but can still be good reading when you understand the difference. The author or book reviewer should let the reader know.
I agree with you! I had such a romanticised concept about kings and queens... Maybe it's because every child grows up hearing fairy tales and all they want to be are little princesses. However the awfully low position that women held in court in the Tudor age is appalling!
First of all it is partly based on history and is not all fiction!
Merrybeth wrote: "When I want to read Historical Fiction, I want my history pretty accurate. The other way around is called fictitious History. Not as accurate, but can still be good reading when you understand the ...""Fictitious History" makes a great book shelf title! I might have to use that Merrybeth, for those authors who rewrite the facts.
Rio (Lynne) wrote: "Merrybeth wrote: "When I want to read Historical Fiction, I want my history pretty accurate. The other way around is called fictitious History. Not as accurate, but can still be good reading when y..."I agree with you,Lynne. Merrybeth put it very nicely!
i think the fact that it is not accurate, is what makes it so enjoyable. if you are to look for a historically accurate account of Mary Boleyn or Anne Boleyn, it would be difficult to find. There are to many theories and conspiracies that surround the Royal family, let a lone the Boleyns. Gregory's book allows you to think outside of the box and your mind wanders towards all of the possibilities and "what-ifs." Clearly, I enjoyed every bit of it even knowing that IT IS fictional
Actually, according to the Boleyn Files, it is dubious that Mary was a mistress of Francis I:
All your criticisms concerning what the book is not are accurate, and I happen to agree with you concerning Ms Warnecke, one of whose books I read--she was a hack. Perhaps because I'm a little older, I didn't find that my views of court life were tarnished: life in olden days was exposed for what it was--life was hard, dirty, nasty, brutish, and frequently short, even among the aristocracy, and women were chattel valued mostly as brood mares, and disposable. Even the most "famous" of them, like Anne of Brittany, Eleanor of Aquitaine in France, had no real freedom until and unless they outlived their husbands. The only people who think those days were romantic, or better, are some men (unquestioned power) and the uninformed.
By comparison, this review is just as inaccurate as you say the book is, Mandy.
