The Other Boleyn Girl

I really wasn't sure what to expect from this book. I picked it up because I had heard a lot about it as well as had seen previews for the movie version of the book. I didn't know there was another Boleyn girl, so I was definitely interested.

I have always been very interested in Henry VIII and his 6 wives and have been willing to read just about anything about them, whether it was fiction or non-fiction. As far as historical fiction, I thought this book was well written and the author, Phillippa Gregory, did her research. I was a bit surprised by a few things in the novel, like the way she portrayed Anne Boleyn as a power hungry, controlling, manipulative and corruptive woman who would stop at nothing to get Henry VIII and become queen. I did not know there was a Mary Boleyn, but she's a very compelling woman.

I found this book to be a fast read, there was not a moment when it dragged for me. I was able to read it and not get bored or distracted. I found myself thinking about the book and the relationships of Mary, George and Anne Boleyn, as well as how the three of them worked throughout Henry VIII's court. I don't want to spoil it too much for those who haven't read the book, but there were a few surprises I wasn't expecting as far as the relationship between George and Anne. George is the older brother of both Mary and Anne, and all three siblings are very close, but there was a different level of closeness between George and Anne. Some of the “hints” definitely have left me wondering what was going on in Henry's court, either with or without his knowledge.