The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

About the Book

A historical fiction novel written by Philippa Gregory, a British author, The Other Boleyn girl is based on the life of the 16th-century aristocrat Mary Boleyn. This immensely popular book was published in 2002 and since then Gregory has written four sequels – The Queen’s Fool, The Virgin’s Lover, The Constant Princess, and the Boleyn Inheritance.

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Synopsis of the Other Boleyn Girl

Two sisters competing for the greatest prize: the love of a king.

When Mary Boleyn comes to court as an innocent girl of fourteen, she catches the eye of Henry VIII. Dazzled by the king, Mary falls in love with both her golden prince and her growing role as unofficial queen. However, she soon realizes just how much she is a pawn in her family's ambitious plots as the king's interest begins to wane and she is forced to step aside for her best friend and rival: her sister, Anne. Then Mary knows that she must defy her family and her king, and take her fate into her own hands.

A rich and compelling tale of love, sex, ambition, and intrigue, The Other Boleyn Girl introduces a woman of extraordinary determination and desire who lived at the heart of the most exciting and glamorous court in Europe and survived by following her own heart.

Brief Historical Facts

Henry the VII was the King of England and reigned from 1509-1547. He was the second monarch of the House of Tudor and succeeded his father Henry VII. One reason why Henry VIII’s reign was significant is for the fact that he suppressed the Reformation of the Anglican Church during the first part of his reign.

Henry VIII is most noted in popular history for being married six times – Catherine of Aragon (annulled), Anne Boleyn (annulled and then beheaded), Jan Seymour (died in childbirth), Anne of Cleves (annulled), Catherine Howard (beheaded) and Catherine Parr (who outlived him).

Biography of Philippa Gregory

Philippa Gregory was born on January 9th 1954 in Kenya. A British novelist, she is associated with the historical fiction genre. Gregory’s academic background with a doctorate from the University of Edinburgh in 18th century literature has attributed to her knowledge for the Tudor period. She has taught at a variety of universities including the University of Durham, University of Teesside, and the Open University as well as being made a Fellow of the Kingston University.

The first series she wrote was the best-selling Lacey Triplogy – Wideacre, The Favoured Child, and Meridon. Her following books were similarly well-received and A Respectable Trade was adapted for a four part drama series for BBC television.

Gregory also runs a charity building wells in school gardens in The Gamiba.

Into the Movies

The Other Boleyn Girl was made in to a movie in 2008 starring Scarlett Johansen, Natalie Portman and Eric Bana.

Did you know?

The Other Boleyn Girl won the Parker Romantic Novel of the Year in 2002 and was adapted for BBC television in 2003.

Other Works

Reading Guide

  1. Why does Philippa Gregory choose Mary to narrate the story? Keeping in mind the relationship between the observer and those observed, is Mary a good, trustworthy, narrator? As Mary ages, how is her loss of innocence reflected in her telling of the story?
  2. Look at the exchange between Mary and her mother at the end of the first chapter. How does the author foreshadow what is to come? How do the events of the first chapter frame the entire story?
  3. Discuss the Boleyn family's scheming and jockeying for favor in the court. In light of these politics, discuss the significance of Mary's explanation that she had "a talent for loving [the king]" (page 119). Is this simply a girl's fantasy? Why does Mary call herself and George "a pair of pleasant snakes" (page 131)?
  4. On page 29, Mary professes her love and admiration for Queen Katherine and feels she can't betray her. In what ways are her honourable ideals compromised as she embarks on her adulterous affair with the king? Recount the whirlwind of events preceding Anne's becoming queen. Reading page 352, do you agree that "from start to finish" Mary "had no choice" but to betray Queen Katherine by taking the queen's letter to her uncle?
  5. In general, what are your impressions of the sisters? Keep in mind Anne and Mary's discussion on page 104: "So who would come after me?...I could make my own way." Also look at page 123, when Anne says, "Hear this, Mary...I will kill you." Why are these statements significant, particularly given their timing?
  6. Discuss Mary's evolution of thinking from when she realizes that after Queen Katherine's departure, "from this time onward no wife...would be safe" with her later thought (on page 468) that "the triumph of Anne, the mistress who had become a wife, was an inspiration to every loose girl in the country." What does this say about Mary's state of mind? Is she being a reliable narrator here?
  7. On page 303, George exclaims to Mary, "You cannot really want to be a nobody." Why is this such a revolutionary idea in Henry's court, and for the Boleyns in particular? What should the response have been to Mary's question to Anne (page 330) about the rewards of Anne's impending marriage to the king: "What is there for me?"
  8. After Anne is arrested, Mary pleads for her by saying, "We did nothing more than that was ordered. We only ever did as we were commanded. Is she to die for being an obedient daughter?" (page 650). What is your reaction to these arguments? Did Henry have no choice but to sentence her to death?

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