Just finished this book which is a fantastic read! Phillipa Gregory really captures the essence of the times. The court atmosphere is so well described and the story of Mary Boelyn is a wonderful read, it shows Anne Boelyn in not too fair a light, but as a story between sisters it is a real page turner. You will be disappointed however, if you read this then watch the film. The film cuts out so much and reduces it to just the two sisters and the king, that it becomes a different story entirely. Increasing the role of their Mother surprisingly and decreasing the role of George blunts the way women were treated in that age. Perhaps they thought film audiences would not be happy with the way women were traded as if they were beasts, and in the film the mother speaks out about this. The role George plays in the film is virtually non-existent only emerging to father a child for desperate Ann. Yet in the book he is a constant ompanion, and the relationship with Anne slowly grows closer and more insestious. All I can suggest is that you read the book then watch the film, but realise they are two completely different slants! Yet another reason why reading a book is so much better than watching films!
