Philippa Gregory’s book of historical fiction was first published five years ago, but it is enjoying renewed interest due to the recent release of the movie starring Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johannson. It is quite lengthy (over 660 pages in paperback) and is full of historically accurate details about life in sixteenth century England and the court of King Henry VIII.
The Other Boleyn Girl tells the story of the friendship and rivalry between Henry’s well known second wife, Anne Boleyn, and her sister Mary. Both girls were used to advance the interests of their family. They were raised to be courtiers, and considered family property. They were pampered and sheltered in many ways, and treated poorly in others. It was not an easy time to be born female!
This book is definitely a page turner. As long as you don’t accept any of this as serious history and enjoy it as a time novel, I’d definitely recommend it. This was a selection by my book club; we generally have a 350 page limit on our books. No one knew it was this long, but I think we’re all managing to finish it in time. Anyway-enjoy!
Published in USA:
Hardcover edition-Touchstone-2004
Softcover edition-Scribner-2003
La Bibliofille 