The Other Boleyn Girl

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What did you think of Gregory’s choice to tell Mary’s story? What did you think of the version of Anne’s story that readers see through Mary’s eyes?

2. What are your feelings about Gregory’s choices for historical accuracy on some points and fictional liberties on others? What do you think of the changes Gregory made to tell her own story about Anne Boleyn?

3. Compare Gregory’s depictions of the Boleyns to their characterization in other novels like Alison Weir’s The Lady in the Tower or Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies. What differences and similarities do you find across these works?

4. Have you seen the film version of The Other Boleyn Girl? If so, do you prefer the movie or the book? What changes did you notice between them? Do you think Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johannson embodied the characters as they appeared on the page?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Who was your favorite Boleyn girl: Mary or Anne? Explain who you were rooting for and why.