Though new theatrical release The Other Boleyn Girl just opened on February 29, the novel on which it is based was actually released in 2001 by Philippa Gregory, the first of her critically acclaimed "Tudor Series". More than the beautiful costumes and talented actors of the motion picture, this lengthy novel perfectly captures the spirit, characters and life in the Tudor court of 1520s England.
Gregory, who holds a doctorate in 18th century literature and lives in the north of England, crafted this fictional account of Henry VIII's court based on historical evidence, extensive research, and her own supposition about the happenings in the Tudor court. The result is a richly detailed, imminently readable novel that transports the reader into a different era, and into one of England's most turbulent times – rife with political conflict, class division, clashing of religions, and ultimately, control for the country itself.
Mary Boleyn is the younger daughter of Thomas Boleyn, one of many lords in court jockeying for favor from the king, along with his co-conspirator, the Duke of Norfolk. Together, they conspire to put Mary "in the way" of the King, in the hopes he would take her as a lover, thus giving them more leverage in court – particularly if she were to bear him a son.
Mary, though already married, does in fact catch the eye of King Henry while visiting court, and quickly becomes a favorite companion, friend and lover to the king, who was languishing in his inability to sire a son with wife Queen Catherine. Their relationship is both passionate and tender, and Mary finds herself falling for the king as much as he for her. In great detail, Gregory weaves in the machinations of daily life in court, the political scheming behind the scenes, and the "horsetrading" of women by power-hungry men, all told through the eyes of rather innocent Mary.
While awaiting the birth of her child by the king, Mary's jealous sister Anne wheedles her way into the king affections, casting Mary aside and demanding not only his love but an equal share of his crown. Gregory details the turmoil of beloved Queen Catherine's trial set to discredit her marriage to Henry and her subsequent divorce and departure, the jealousy Anne feels for Mary and her relationship with Henry, the absolute need for a male heir in the royal court, and the lengths that Anne in particular went to to satisfy that necessity – lengths that ultimately found her guilty of adultery, incest and high treason. Before her execution, however, Henry's decision to break with the Catholic faith would change the face of England forever, and all for the lust of one beguiling young woman.
This historical novel is well written and engaging – even if the reader is unfamiliar with Tudor England, one quickly becomes absorbed in "life at court", and how quickly one can fall out of favor – and how little women were valued as human beings in the grand scheme of things. Though Anne's ultimate demise is widely known, this novel seeks to show the world how she went from beloved to beheaded, and to shed light on Mary, the king's original, and perhaps more sincere, lover.
While the movie is full of lush costumes and historical sets, much of the story is cut to be contained in a scant two hours, losing a good deal of the thread of political maneuvering, lust, passion, friendship, sibling rivalry and daily life in court. While the movie was executed satisfactorily, the pace feels rushed, the storyline flying along too quickly, whereas the novel unfolds page by page, pulling the reader along to the inevitable conclusion – and ultimately rooting for "the other Boleyn girl".
In Gregory's capable hands, Henry's wives are much more than "married, beheaded, died, married, beheaded, survived", and this gripping novel delves into just that – giving a human face to the women who helped shape history.
Gregory has further explored Tudor life with her subsequent novels, The Queen's Fool (a story in the court of Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth), The Virgin's Lover (featuring Elizabeth I), The Constant Princess (the story of Queen Catherine) and most recently The Boleyn Inheritance, which chronicles the courtly lives of the later wives of Henry VIII, particularly Anne of Cleves, Katherine Howard and lady in waiting Jane Parker Boleyn.
Gregory's newest novel, The Other Queen, is due to be released in fall of 2008, and will feature Mary, Queen of Scots as the title character.
If you enjoyed The Other Boleyn Girl or other Tudor novels by Gregory, you may also enjoy The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette or The Last Wife of Henry VIII by Carolly Erickson, or Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir.
