B.A. Dillon

As an introduction to “Gone Readin’s” Historical Fiction page, I bring you one of my favorite authors, Phillippa Gregory, and what I consider one of her best books.

Even non-history fans know who Anne Boleyn was – the beautiful temptress who turned Henry VIII away from his first wife and ended up having her head chopped off… But have you heard of her sister Mary? At thirteen, she caught the eye of the notoriously unfaithful Henry VIII, and with a solid push from her family, became his mistress. Despite her love for Henry, she grows to realize she is just a pawn in her family’s ambitious plots when she is forced to step aside for her sister Anne – her best friend and rival for the king’s attention.

In true Gregory form, the characters of  The Other Boleyn Girl come alive, giving the reader insight into what it would have been like to be a women in the 1500’s. My favorite historical fiction stories are written like this – from the perspective of someone who isn’t necessarily the “main” character history left behind. Mary is portrayed as an engaging and intelligent young woman who, despite her family’s ruthless attempts to use their daughters in order to achieve their goals, finds happiness and love outside the turmoil and intrigue of the Tudor court.

The Other Boleyn Girl is a compelling enough tale of love, sex, intrigue and ambition that even Betsy would enjoy it!