Mary Ann Rodman

Advantages: Great depth to the story, excellent characterisation, mixing fact and imagination
Disadvantages: None - loved it !

...This was the first Phillippa Gregory book I bought - and I picked it up based on the cover alone. I hadn't read any historical novels before this but having been at school in the castle Katherine of Aragon spent her final years in, I was intrigued to find out more than my old History Teacher had imparted ! I must admit I hadn't even realised there was another sister until I read the sleeve of this book ~~~~~The Plot Mary Boleyn was the younger sister of Anne, Henry VIII's second wife after he had his marriage to Katherine of Aragon annulled. Mary had been chosen by her family to become the Kings lover from an early age in order to gain them political power. Anne had been sent away to the French court with relatives and so Mary was placed in Henry's court and schooled to catch his eye. She married at the age of 11 to William Carey... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A cant put down book
Disadvantages: not all fact based

...Very rarely do I do an opinion on a book. Very rarely am I moved enough to write an opinion on a book. These days, very rarely I have time to read a book. This is a rare moment. The moment I picked up this book I was hooked. I was taken into the world of Henry VIII and whisked into the life of Mary Boleyn. Phillippa Gregory's novel tells a tale of deceit, lust, adultery, and secrets and above all love. So what am I talking about? Well it is whom I am talking about really. Mary Boleyn was the younger sister of the famous Queen of England, Anne Boleyn who married Henry VIII after he had his marriage to Katherine of Aragon annulled. This story uses facts from history but rather than just making a long list of events, Phillippa Gregory takes you into her world and asks you to imagine what life was life for Mary. Mary... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Absolutely unputdownable!
Disadvantages: Made me late for work every day until I finished it

...When I picked up "The Other Boleyn Girl", I had never read historical fiction before so I really didn't know what to expect. However, within 5 pages, I was absolutely hooked and couldn't put the book down. Everyone has heard of Anne Boleyn, how Henry VIII broke away from Rome so that he could leave his wife Katherine and marry her and how most famously, she lost her head. This book however introduces us to Mary, Anne's younger sister. The Other Boleyn Girl is a story of rivalry between two very different sister, intrigue at the court, love, lust and jealousy. The Boleyn family is an influential family at the King's court and they will do anything to climb the ranks and become favourites. Mary is used as a pawn to achieve this. Despite being married, she catches the King's eye and the family devise plans to push her into his bed... Read review

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