The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

Moderator---Kathy

Kathy remembered there was a rhyme about Henry VIII and his wives.  English school children know this ditty:

 “King Henry VIII, to six wives he was wedded. One died, one survived, two divorced, two beheaded."

This historic novel, filled with romance, covers two of those wives.  There is plenty of history and a true feel for the times. 

Though it is Anne Boleyn that becomes Queen, this is the story about her sister, Mary.  She is the other Boleyn girl. 

This is the second book in our 'girl in the title' reads. The story opens in the year of 1521 and a very young Mary Boleyn is married to William Carey.  Her father brings home her sister, Anne, who has been living in France.  The two girls and their brother George go to court.  King Henry VIII flirts with Mary and the Boleyn parents and Howard uncle decide she should be his mistress.  Mary follows their wishes and has children by the King.  

But Anne has other ideas.  She wants to be the center of the King's world and works at replacing Mary in his eyes.  Both sisters are helped by their brother George who remains a constant and confidant in their lives.  Henry VIII becomes smitten with Anne and moves heaven and earth to have her which includes setting out to divorce his wife, Queen Katherine of Aragon.  England is under the Catholic Church and the Pope refuses to grant the King a divorce from his Queen so Henry breaks away from the church and does what he wants--and he wants Anne Boleyn as his Queen.

A Queen is under pressure to give the King a male heir.  Katherine of Aragon failed.  Henry VIII is obsessed with Anne giving him one.  With her siblings by her side, Anne faces the fact she hasn't provided a male heir and the King's attentions has turned to Jane Seymour.  It is the beginning of the end.  The book's timeline has it ending in 1536.

Philippa Gregory has written other books about Henry VIII and his wives and daughters who became Queens including The Boleyn Inheritance, The Queen's Fool and The Other Queen.

Fare Fit for a King

Sandwiches of turkey/cheese,

ham/cheese and peanut butter,

fresh fruit platter, macaroni salad,

and cookies.

"Historical fiction at it's best."---Kathy

"Great look at England in the 1500's--from

the excesses to the executions."---Dee Dee