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Must recommend Philippa Gregory - The Other Boleyn Girl!!!

29 replies

Rach35 · 25/07/2007 10:14

Read this book and completely fell in love with it and promptly bought the rest in this line. I have learnt so much about history and loved how it was written - what do others think? WOuld anyone recommend her other books?

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Wheelybug · 25/07/2007 10:33

I have read this one and have recently read 'The Boleyn Inheritance' which I also loved although it was fairly similar.

I do wonder about the historical accuracy though - so have recently bought the David Starkey book on the wives of Henry VIII. However, it is like a doorstop so summoning the courage to read it.

I have all the others in the tudor series but bought them ages ago and are still boxed up since our move.

TinyGang · 25/07/2007 10:36

I enjoyed it too.

Agree with Wheelybug about being a bit doubtful about the accuracy of it historically but it's a good read.

I like that period of history and love all the behind the scenes stuff about how they lived and how often they washed etc

bagsundereyes · 25/07/2007 10:47

i enjoyed the queen's fool by philippa gregory. there's a film coming out of the other boleyn girl - not sure when, but they were filming it at my church over the winter!

Rach35 · 25/07/2007 11:21

I think some of the story is pretty accurate - I actually took time out to check some stuff on the internet (I'm not working at the moment at 34wks so having a ball on the internet!). I imagine a lot is made up though. Have heard about the film - feel quite educated for a change!

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Wheelybug · 25/07/2007 14:41

There was a bit of artistic license in the boleyn inheritance with one of her relationships (don't want to spoil it for you !) but I guess it made a better story.

BTW - at the book people they have a PG trilogy (not the tudor series but the other one) in their sale - 3 for £6.

MrsMcJnr · 25/07/2007 14:58

Rach - loved all her books on Tudor times and I have read a few others too. I've always been really into the Tudors (weirdo I know ) and have read a lot of historical stuff too. I think PG's books are a nice balance between fact and fiction!

pollywollydoodle · 25/07/2007 20:38

the tudor ones are a great romp, really enjoyed them all but the others are a bit samey and dry (can't remember titles, but something like the wise woman and the virgin earth)

TwoIfBySea · 25/07/2007 21:26

Agreed with Wheelybug, 'The Boleyn Inheritance' is also another good read, I particularly liked the way Ann of Cleves was portrayed. I was disappointed with 'The Constant Princess' though the storyline was a tad plodding along rather than involving.

Wheelybug · 25/07/2007 21:39

I have the constant princess waiting for me along with the virgin lover and the queens fool - any recommendations on which one next ? I started the queens fool just before going into hospital to have dd and never finished it as a result (dd is 2.5 !) so maybe I should give this a go next ??

CristinaTheAstonishing · 25/07/2007 21:42

Good read, I enjoyed it too. I read the other, more traditionally historical one too, also excellent. (I can't remember if it was David Starkey, though, or another writer.)

liath · 25/07/2007 22:30

The books by CJ Sansom are also set in Henry the Eighth's reign and are a great read, really bring the period alive.

Wheelybug · 25/07/2007 22:53

Hi Liath . Did you get back home ok ?

I keep meaning to get one of the CJ Sansom books - is it called 'dissolution', its set where I went to school.

Perigrine · 25/07/2007 22:56

I love most of her books, take no history from them, but enjoy. If you like her try Sharron Penman. esp "Here be dragons"

UCM · 25/07/2007 22:56

I llllllove that book.

It was fab.

Have you read anything by Elizabeth Chadwick. All of her books are written between 1066 - 1300. She really brings it all to life, you can imagine how the 1066 stuff starts. I truly believe that if they read this in school for history, it would be a winner.

UCM · 25/07/2007 22:58

I offered to send them to someone on here recently but she never replied so they are now at the Charity shop. Someone else is thoroughly enjoying them I hope.

Dior · 25/07/2007 23:00

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Perigrine · 25/07/2007 23:00

The Wise Women - I read on holiday, and I found it very disconcerting, I am not sure I enjoyed it, but it got into my physicue somehow. I dreamed about it for days - and 3 years later still think about it, a really good book!

Dior · 25/07/2007 23:01

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Dior · 25/07/2007 23:01

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PeachesMcLean · 25/07/2007 23:09

Haven't started the Other Boleyn Girl yet but was completely glued to the Boleyn Inheritance. I'm currently reading the Constant Princess, which is good but not as gripping as Boleyn Inheritance. I like working out which are the bits based on historical fact. I love the political stuff in there too - and there are so many letters and documents from the time that it would be interesting to know what is based on fact. But the Constant Princess is a bit too lovey dovey in places, tbh, and the story not as quick as Boleyn Inheritance.

sammac · 25/07/2007 23:12

Really enjoyed it too. She's a highly respected historian apparently so stories are based on the truth. There's also a series(trilogy?0 set around this time too as well as ones- can't remember title but about a man who travelled to America and collected new plants- don't I make it sound good- but it was!

Jessicatmagnificat · 26/07/2007 09:03

I am a huge fan of Phillipa Gregory. Like lots of other posters, I would recommend the Tudor books. She also wrote a modern love story called "Perfectly Correct"; witty and moving - check it out. Her website - easily googled, sorry I can't do links - lists all her writing.

MrsMcJnr · 26/07/2007 12:16

Anya Seaton has also written some books set in that period which I've enjoyed.

twinsetandpearls · 26/07/2007 12:22

I enjoyed it as well, I don't think it is supposed to be acccurate history but still enjoyable.

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 26/07/2007 15:20

Her Wideacre trilogy are some of my favourite books ever.