If you love intrigue, romance, and 16th century court, this is a wonderful book to read. I read it using all of my free time for three days (until I was done) and I am planning to read the books that come after. The best thing about this book is that it is not a meaningless tale of romance or mystery - it is based on solid facts in history, and yet is so personal and detailed that it is hard not to become attached to the characters. The story highlights all of the most basic human drives and emotions - lust, love, hunger for power and fortune, hate, jealousy, fear, and loneliness. It is a tale of two women, two sisters, one who will do anything to obtain a place of power, and another who struggles but learns to stay true to her self. It is a tale of many men, some driven by desire for power, some by lust, some by love. It is a tale of one king - Henry VIII - and his development from a selfish child into a tyrant.

I'm always interested in the daily life of the medieval era, but it's so hard to find. This book has a colorful plot - some historical, some obviously not - and amazing imagery of the daily life of the royal court. Reality, power, boredom, ecstasy, all in a day. You're in charge or you're a pawn, sometimes both. Long read, but well worth it.

I have long been fascinated by English history and have read various books about monarchs by assorted authors. This was definitely the easiest, and most entertaining read. But be warned..if you're looking for accurate history, this is not the place to turn. Basically, The Other Boleyn Girl is a NOVEL based on a handful of facts on Mary Boleyn. It was written to entertain, not educate. No one knows a whole lot about Mary, but the story is a wonderful tale of finding oneself and true love. My main complaint is the sexual content. Of course, a story about the king's mistress is not going to be completely innocent, but there was a lot of dialogue and descriptions that could have been left out. It's a good story, but a dirty one so be careful who you give this to.

The Other Boleyn girl tells the story of Mary, King Henry the VIII's mistress before he met and married Mary's sister, the more well-known Ann.

This is a great story, beautifully written and completely interesting from beginning to end. Written from Mary's point of view, the story elaborates on the theme that both Mary and Ann were pawns in the Boleyn family's push for upward mobility.

This is the first book I have read by Philippa Gregory, and I am looking forward to receiving The Queen's Fool so that I may read that, as well. There are events in her novel, however, that some historians do not believe occurred. For instance, in this book, Henry fathers Mary's first two children while she was married to (but living separately from) her husband. Some historians dispute this allegation and believe that Mary was the king's mistress prior to her marriage and that her children were the offspring of both Mary and her husband--and concieved very much after the affair ended. Regardless, these are events that will most likely always be in dispute and have been, thus far, impossible to prove definitively either way. And, Philippa Gregory chooses the option that makes for a better story and more empathetic character. Good for her.

This novel transports the reader through time and is difficult to put down. I also recommend The Autobiography of Henry VIII, by Margaret George, for another fictionalized first-person account of this era in British history.

I thought that Phillippa Gregory did an outstanding job on this book. I actually felt like I went back in time and any author that can do that simply makes a fan out of me. This is a wonderful historic romance and I highly summons you to read it. Another favorite of mine was Whispers of the wicked saints. Very good as well.