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must read, could not put down!

Even though I knew how it ended, obviously, I was still on the edge of my seat rooting for the Boleyn sisters. I feel that is a sign of an excellent historical novel, it keeps you in suspense even though you know the ending!

Pretty good but very long and a little trashy but not enough trash to be fun. I think her Wideacre novel was much better.

I ADORE Phillipa Gregory. Her characterizations and attention to detail make her books so wonderful to read. She really puts you into the time frame and makes it very very enjoyable. Her characters are so easy to fall in love with and make you sad when the story ends that they're gone.

When I finished the book, I wanted to research more about the history/folklore of the actual characters. The author has a way of spinning her characters in the fictional setting that captured my interest to go out and learn more. When was the last time a book really compelled you to do that?!?

Finally saw the movie (on the plane going to London!)--now I definitely want to read the book!!

fantastic read ....gotta watch the movie now to see how it compares !

I didn't like this book and I certainly would not pin it down as a must read. All the characters annoyed me, they were self-obsessed, vain and manipulative. The only thing good about it was how Mary and what's-his-face had a cute love story and she became a good mother.Overall a disappointment.

Really enjoyed this novel. I found it to be a rather fast read. The film, not surprisingly, pales in comparison to the novel.

Adore this book. Can't wait to read it for a third time this summer!

Love that book! I read all of the Philippa Gregory books and have to say, she dose not disappoints.... If You like Boleyn Girl you can read others of hers books and you will be entertained.

I considered reading others by Gregory after I read this one. Any recommendations? Are they all different?

They are different stories but you can read few that are about 16th century Tudors.... Next, by chronological order, would be "The Boleyn Inheritance", in which you will see some familiar names.... Great reading, I do highly recommend it.

I saw The Boleyn Inheritance at a used bookstore today, too. I should've checked my messages before I left home today. Oh well. Next time. Thanks for the recommendation!

Yes, a must read, and the movie is also good. I am now addicted to books of similar era.

Jen wrote: "Finally saw the movie (on the plane going to London!)--now I definitely want to read the book!!"

Oh Jen!! Not sure if you've read it yet or not, but the book is 10 million times better!! In fact, I read it the book first, THEN watched the movie, and I HATED HATED H A T E D the movie. It goes too fast and leaves out the parts in the book that just make things so much better. Read it. You'll love it. It's what? 1200 pages long? I read it 3 days. It's that good.

Jen wrote: "Finally saw the movie (on the plane going to London!)--now I definitely want to read the book!!"

Oh Jen!! Not sure if you've read it yet or not, but the book is 10 million times better!! In fact, I read it the book first, THEN watched the movie, and I HATED HATED H A T E D the movie. It goes too fast and leaves out the parts in the book that just make things so much better. Read it. You'll love it. It's what? 1200 pages long? I read it 3 days. It's that good.

I watched the movie then read the book, then watched the movie again. Initially I really liked the movie but after reading the book the movie could not compare and defiantly dropped a notch in my book.

I agree, who would have thought history could be so interesting. I couldn't put this book down. Was so happy to see Mary Boleyn find happiness. After readin the book I watched the movie and it was such a disappointment. It doesn't do such a fantastic book justice. I have just started "The Boleyn Inheritance". I am hoping it is just as good.

If you are enjoying the Philippa Gregory books you may enjoy "The Tudors" TV series. It is heaps better than the movie!

Absolutely riveting, and I felt the movie did pretty good with the vibe of the book. But maybe it's just because Eric Bana is a particular favorite of mine... LOL

I knew that the movie in no way would compare with the book, but I saw it because I, too, love Eric Bana.

Bought The Boleyn Inheritance a couple of weeks ago. Looking forward to reading it.

I saw the movie first, then read the book. The movie was not very true to the book. I also watch "The Tudors" but i'm a little obsessed! Great TV show, although you can't trust the book or the TV show to tell a very truthful account.

I was also really sad to learn that in real life, Mary Boleyn died at age 42. All that time she wasted before the met the right man!

Lauren wrote: "Personally, I thought the movie was terrible. I read the book and LOVED it, but when I saw the movie it just didn't compare. If I hadn't read the book beforehand, I would've been totally turned off..."

Lauren,

I thought the movie was appalling. How can you have a movie about Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn without Cardinal Wolsey?

I too, after reading the book, found myself bitterly disappointed with the film.

I usually find the books better than the movies. I am glad parents are different nowdays. I felt like slapping their so called mother. I too was glad Mary found love. This was the second time I read this book and it wont be the last.

I adore this book. I've made it a habit to reread it every summer, and I'm still crying throughout the whole thing. Haven't read it yet this year, because I can't find it, but I still have some time...
I continued to research about the time period and the actual people, because it was one of the first times I was actually interested in history.

Love, love, love the book. Read it twice within a few months when I first got it. The movie was a disappointment, but seriously, there was no way to include everything into a two-hour movie. Would have been better as a mini-series; something different from "The Tudors."

Pam - That's what I was thinking. It would either have to be a 10 hour movie, or it would have to be a mini-series. Either way, I'm all for either option! But then, that's the beauty of reading books - they allow YOUR mind to create the image of the characters and to interpret them the way they come across to you. No actor can completely capture the characters and their thoughts and feelings so well as the ones we imagine in our own heads. I love this book more than anything. I'd love a signed copy from Philippa Greggory herself - wonder how possible that is...lol

Sandie - Totally agree! I loved how you put it: "allow your mind to create the image." Ahhhhh....books.

Watching the movie, no one would have known that it took six years for the King to divorce his wife, not to mention witnessing his animosity grow for Anne as time went on.

So true and have you seen pictures of Henry Vlll verses the movie? I always prefer the book to the movie.

Book always wins, hands down.

I didn't like the casting for the movie very much. I thought Scarlet Johannson was too sultry to play Mary. I really like the woman who plays Anne in The Tudors, though. She does an amazing job of being just calculating enough that you hate her, and just sad enough that you root for her. Mary's hardly in the show, though.

Kelly wrote: "must read, could not put down!"

Kelly wrote: "must read, could not put down!"

I felt exactly the same way about this book...wow.

Auralia wrote: "Even though I knew how it ended, obviously, I was still on the edge of my seat rooting for the Boleyn sisters. I feel that is a sign of an excellent historical novel, it keeps you in suspense even ..."

I totally agree! =) And I adore Philippa!

A great book, the begining was slightly confusing, but I usually start like that. I felt like I was really there watching it happen. The movie for this book was terrible. They left out everything important. Books are alwasy better!

Nicole :) wrote: "Auralia wrote: "Even though I knew how it ended, obviously, I was still on the edge of my seat rooting for the Boleyn sisters. I feel that is a sign of an excellent historical novel, it keeps you i..."

I agree about excellent historical novels keeping you on the edge of your seat... I find it true of excellent books of all kinds!! :)

Never understood why they don't have redhead actors playing Henry VIII in The Tudors and The Other Boleyn Girl. There are plenty of them. Damien Lewis would be good! As would Kevin McKidd!

Loved this book - wish I'd been able to read it when we were being bored stupid with Henry VIII history at school.

Lorna wrote: "Loved this book - wish I'd been able to read it when we were being bored stupid with Henry VIII history at school."

history in school was so incredibly boring, and taught by boring people:) If it were taught, like reading a story with all these amazing characters, students wouldn't be so put off by it! It's been many many years since I've been in school but remember the dullness of history class, memorizing dates as if our life depended on this act;)

Carol wrote: "Lorna wrote: "Loved this book - wish I'd been able to read it when we were being bored stupid with Henry VIII history at school."

history in school was so incredibly boring, and taught by boring p..."

I totally agree. I learned so much about this time period just from reading these types of books, and am able to remember all the pertinent facts.

someone had told me about Jean Plaidy who wrote historical novels about English history, primarily, although there were a few about French history as well. I remembered everything I read in these novels but nothing from the courses I was forced to take! When I went to University, the professors I had brought the history to life...though not all the professors at that institution were that way. I just got lucky:))