Noting the author's shameless treatment of history, I found this book at times fascinating, and at others, ridiculous.  I thought it rather funny that she bastardized history in the book, and the movie bastardized the book. I sometimes read the book after watching a movie to see how closely it follows.  I found myself lost a lot.  Plot lines were merged, forgotten, or simply changed completely.  Gregory must really hate Anne Boleyn-she portrays her as a high riding [...]-selfish to the end in taking Mary's daughter Catherine to the Tower with her as a last knife twist.  I doubt Anne was as bad as she is portrayed in most books.  I think she was ambitious, yes, but only a helpless pawn of her family, as most women were at that time.  Mary seems the only one to escape the Howard fate-including her cousin, Katherine Howard later on.  I have to admit though, I found myself intrigued on how it would all turn out for Mary, and also found myself actually believing some of the story.  It seems that marrying Henry VIII was as bad as marrying a Kennedy today.  Two truly cursed families.  But, it is still my favorite period in history. Alas, Phillipa Gregory, you do but make me blush!!!
Noting the author's shameless treatment of history, I found this book at times fascinating, and at others, ridiculous. I thought it rather funny that she bastardized history in the book, and the movie bastardized the book. I sometimes read the book after watching a movie to see how closely it follows. I found myself lost a lot. Plot lines were merged, forgotten, or simply changed completely. Gregory must really hate Anne Boleyn-she portrays her as a high riding [... ]-selfish to the end in taking Mary's daughter Catherine to the Tower with her as a last knife twist. I doubt Anne was as bad as she is portrayed in most books. I think she was ambitious, yes, but only a helpless pawn of her family, as most women were at that time. Mary seems the only one to escape the Howard fate-including her cousin, Katherine Howard later on. I have to admit though, I found myself intrigued on how it would all turn out for Mary, and also found myself actually believing some of the story. It seems that marrying Henry VIII was as bad as marrying a Kennedy today. Two truly cursed families. But, it is still my favorite period in history. Alas, Phillipa Gregory, you do but make me blush!!!