is selling in WHSmiths for 99p with a copy of the Times.
If you're lucky you might still be able to get hold of one tomorrow (Friday 22nd)
It's a fab novel about Anne's Sister Mary, who had an affair with Henry before Anne. It's based on some really interesting historical documents which Philippa Gregory 'uncovered' herself, such as Mary Boleyn's letter to her family and it's a really lovely story. It also gives great insight into the life of the courtier in Tudor Britain. It does go a bit haywire in parts IMO, though, but I wont spoil it for anyone who hasn't read it.
[ 21.10.2004, 18:06: Message edited by: Petite ]
Posted by Raz (Member # 449) on :
O. I assume I've missed this now. Bugger. At the moment I'm getting quite into historical royalty and its astonishing inhuman excesses (what do you mean 'historical'!!! SATIRE!!!)
The last one I was shocked by was this chap, who I read about recently in Bizarre. You don't really 'get the skinny' on him on that page; apparently his parents were an 'aunt and uncle' (I assume they meant brother and sister) which is why he was so malformed; a tongue so big he couldn't eat, teeth so large he couldn't close his mouth. He couldn't feed himself until he was 6, and was unable to walk unaided. And due, apparently, to congenital syphilis, he suffered from such severe premature ejaculation that he couldn't even clarge on the inside of a mimsus. Though they couldn't have wanted an heir from him that badly, or surely they would have prodded it in with a stick or something.
Posted by Petite (Member # 539) on :
Hey Raz
I read the link and the Spanish Charles II looks fascinating.
The Other Boleyn Girl does go someway to illustrating just how powerful Spain was. It gives a great explanation of the international politics of Henry being married to Katherine of Arrogon, whose cousin is the most powerful man in Europe.
Posted by mart (Member # 32) on :
quote:Originally posted by Raz: his parents were an 'aunt and uncle' (I assume they meant brother and sister)
His father, Philip IV, married his (Philip IV's) sister's daughter, Mariana of Austria. So they were uncle and niece.
Posted by dervish (Member # 727) on :
A somewhat prurient post from Raz.
Why the hell do you care enough to deliver an embittered (and inaccurate) post about 'royal' incest?
Ah, yes....
I think I may have some idea. An embittered illegitimate scion and all that?
Or, in your own way, just as bad as Petite..
..if I mean 'bad.
After all, she at least seems to have no other motive than honestly having enjoyed the book. (And subsequent to your comments, displaying a more intellectually stringent knowledge of history than you.)
Posted by discodamage (Member # 66) on :
i think getting aereated about the historical accuracy of a post which includes the words 'couldnt even clarge inside of a mimsus' is pointless to say the very least.
the other boleyn girl was mildly enjoyable toot with gold embossed ink on the cover. i wish id paid a pound for it instead of £6.99. mind you, i think my main issue with it was that it made mention of a ruff in 1529, when as any tudor reenactor worth their salt could tell you that ruffs did not make their first putative appearance until the 1560s at the earliest.
[ 22.10.2004, 19:33: Message edited by: discodamage ]
Posted by Grianagh (Member # 583) on :
i bought it in hardback no shame in that it was a fun and interesting read now i wish i had only payed 99p cuz i could use the other 17 quid to buy more chiclit
Posted by damo (Member # 722) on :
quote:Originally posted by Grianagh: chiclit
chewing gum?
Posted by Grianagh (Member # 583) on :
[ 23.10.2004, 17:48: Message edited by: Grianagh ]
Posted by Petite (Member # 539) on :
Was Raz being 'satirical' then?
You weren't impressed by that impressed with the book then discodamage? I guess it does kind of read like a bodice ripper at times Didn't you think that Anne had some really cracking one-liners, though? I thought she was hilarious as well as annoying bitch. It does build up a really convincing portrait of her character I thought and you could well believe that Henry first would move heaven and earth to marry her.
And Mary's story itself is good isn't it? And her letter (no credit for Phiippa G for writing it, but she did uncover it during her research) is sweet, I think.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Confused]](confused.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Didn't you think that Anne had some really cracking one-liners, though? I thought she was hilarious as well as annoying bitch. It does build up a really convincing portrait of her character I thought and you could well believe that Henry first would move heaven and earth to marry her.