Saturday, March 1, 2008

Book club review #1: "The Other Boleyn Girl" by Philippa Gregory


Happy March! Well, It's the first of March and the first book club review! The movie came out last night, did anyone see it? I attempted to, but the movie times didn't work out so we saw "Vantage Point" instead. I intend to see it today, though! Anyway, on with the review. I enjoyed this book. I have often thought about it randomly since finishing it. I started feeling like it was really wishy-washy....going to court, leaving court...yada yada. But then, I started thinking of it as reading someones journal, and I became really interested in the whole idea of it! It was a real eye opener into those times...the way they lived, they way they dressed, and how everything revolved around the king to make him happy. I found myself shaking my head a lot. :-) Hats off to the Author, who I'm sure had to do major research to make this book believable. I didn't know who Anne Boleyn was when I started reading it. I didnt know she was a real person until someone at work asked me if it was about King Henry the 8th, and Anne Boleyn, and I said.."Why would you even know that?" She said, "Don't you remember her from History?" Apparently I was busy doing other things in that class....?! Mary Boleyn, the Other Boleyn sister, was the least know Boleyn, so Philippa Gregory took it upon herself to make her known by filling in the blanks with the actual facts about her. I bet Mary appreciates that! :-) So, I did like this book! I felt like it was well rounded. I liked that the author would elude to something without actually saying it. My rating.....B+!
Now it's your turn. Leave your comments and tell me everything you thought. Also, make sure you leave your rating! Now, for the Book Club book for the month of March....Drum roll please...."The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger. It can be found in the fiction section of any bookstore, or Library, or by clicking here you can order it. This one was on my list to be read, but when Megan Verno said she wanted to read it I thought, done! This one's for you Megan! Get reading!

4 comments:

Vernos said...

I was worried at first bc this book was almost 700 pages, but I actually couldn't put it down the last half. The beginning was slow going, and I absolutely hated the middle hundred pages or so, because it was so infuriating!Did anyone else think so? Perhaps that is why it turns out to be a good read, because it invokes so much emotion from the reader. This book is set during a time when men ruled society, and women were pretty much s.o.l. when it came to choosing a happy life, so there were elements that absolutely floored me. But, the story then takes a turn for the better, in my opinion, and gets really quite interesting. Considering that it is Historical fiction, it made me appreciate living in this day and age, because i am waaaay too independant and free spirited to be forced into a horrid lifestyle that is not of my choosing. It also was rather interesting to gain a little understanding of that era and of King Henry VIII.I cannot imagine living in a world that is just about pleasing one person, and keeping him living in his fantasy happiness! I would recommend this book. I give it a B. PS thanks Jamie, can't wait to get started on this next book. Did u know it, too, is gonna be a movie, and I think the king in this one is also in it?

Kim Marx said...

I ditto the above comment. I enjoyed the historical fiction aspects. Taking it from the sister Mary's point of view. I totally thought of myself in that situation and could I have lived as a woman under those conditions. And in some countries and societies, these same male-dominated views still go strong.

I did see the movie and was disappointed. As suspensful as the book was I thought the movie could have been produced with more suspense and action. If I hadn't read the book, I would have been totally confused what was going on in the movie. The costumes and scenery were great though.

Brittney said...

um... ok i didn't read the book... but i really want to go see the movie... and i still want to be in the book club...

Britney and Jaren Jensen said...

So I was wondering should I read the book first before I see the movie? I really want to be in your book club Jamilia but... everytime I get a chance to read, I just have to sleep. When that wears off I will read your books and leave real comments and ratings. LUv your idea! p.s. - Maybe you were writing me notes during history class :)