Helpful Score: 29
This book is over 600 pages, but is a fascinating look at life in
King Henry VIII's court. The story is told from Anne Boleyn's sister, Mary's, viewpoint. Mary was also Henry's mistress. It is historical fiction, with the emphasis on fiction. There is no doubt some conjecture on the author's part, but it is still an interesting tale. My book club read it and everyone liked it except one person who knew history and felt it wasn't very accurate .
King Henry VIII's court. The story is told from Anne Boleyn's sister, Mary's, viewpoint. Mary was also Henry's mistress. It is historical fiction, with the emphasis on fiction. There is no doubt some conjecture on the author's part, but it is still an interesting tale. My book club read it and everyone liked it except one person who knew history and felt it wasn't very accurate .
Helpful Score: 27
This was my first Philippa Gregory book, but it definitely won't be my last. I'm not usually a historical fiction reader, but this book had me hooked. Fact and fiction were so thoroughily interwoven that it was often hard to tell the difference. After reading it, I was even prompted to learn a little more about Henry VIII and his reign.
Helpful Score: 20
Fascinating look at the court of King Henry VIII. It made me go back and re-read some of the history of the era. As a novel, it kept me captured. I like that the story is told from the point of view of a woman most of us have never heard of before - Mary Boleyn, the sister of Henry's 2nd wife.
Helpful Score: 14
This book was so much fun to read because it was...dare I say, I bit....trashy? Then again, it IS about the sordid love affairs and the power struggle between women in a male-dominant royal society. The two sisters Anne and Mary Boleyn are so over-the-top (one is a total b**ch, the other is just too sweet and kind) but you will still end up rooting for them (even though we know how poor Anne will end up). I don't know how historically accurate this was, but it was such a fun read that I didn't care!
Helpful Score: 13
I devoured this book in two days. It was wonderful--it kept me intrigued and constantly guessing, even though I was already familiar with the basic history of the Boleyn family. This book really made the facts come to life for me.
