Philippa Gregory Novels
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Historical Fiction Novels by Philippa Gregory
The first time I considered reading a Philippa Gregory novel, it was lying on a book exchange counter. With Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson on the cover, the book was a bit more intriguing than some of the others lying around.
I took The Other Boleyn Girl home with me that day and read it within 24 hours. Ever since, I've been hooked. I check the "Gre" section of the library each time I stop in, and it seems everyone else is hooked, too! There are hardly ever any of Gregory's books on the shelves.
A historical fiction author, Gregory focuses largely - but not exclusively - on the Tudor era and the18th century. She has written books about King Henry VIII and his daughters, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. She's written about the British slave trade, the Plantagenets, soothsayers, witches and lovers. Though sometimes criticized as being less-than-historically-accurate, Gregory's books always provide a glimpse into the past, allowing the reader to experience a different world for a day or two.
I took The Other Boleyn Girl home with me that day and read it within 24 hours. Ever since, I've been hooked. I check the "Gre" section of the library each time I stop in, and it seems everyone else is hooked, too! There are hardly ever any of Gregory's books on the shelves.
A historical fiction author, Gregory focuses largely - but not exclusively - on the Tudor era and the18th century. She has written books about King Henry VIII and his daughters, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. She's written about the British slave trade, the Plantagenets, soothsayers, witches and lovers. Though sometimes criticized as being less-than-historically-accurate, Gregory's books always provide a glimpse into the past, allowing the reader to experience a different world for a day or two.
About Philipa Gregory
Philippa Gregory is a British historian and author, best known for her breakout novel, The Other Boleyn Girl. Gregory's most famous novels allow the reader a glimpse into the court of King Henry VIII, though she has written outside of the Tudor Era, as well. To date, Gregory has written 22 novels.Gregory was born in Kenya in 1954 and moved to England when she was two years old. She later went on to graduate from Sussex University and the Edinburgh University, earning a doctorate in 18th century literature in 2009.
Gregory today lives on a farm in Yorkshire with her third husband, where she raises horses and ducks. Her personal motto, according to the Simon & Schuster website, is "Walk home." Gregory also is a journalist and is frequently featured on radio programs in the UK.
Table of Contents
- About Philipa Gregory
- The Other Boleyn Girl - Book
- The White Queen
- The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory
- Philippa Gregory on Writing and Herself
- The Boleyn Inheritance
- Philippa Gregory's Favorite Books
- Find Philippa Gregory's Favorite Books on Amazon
- The Queen's Fool
- The Virgin's Lover
- Gardens for The Gambia - Philippa Gregory's Charity
- The Other Queen
- A Respectable Trade
- Earthly Joys
- Find Other Philippa Gregory Books
- The Constant Princess
- Fallen Skies
- Tell me what you think about Gregory's work:
The Other Boleyn Girl - Book
The Other Boleyn Girl, perhaps the most famous of Gregory's books, is the one that hooked me on Gregory's work. The book includes drama, romance, ambition, backstabbing, witchcraft, and a hundred other intriguing elements. If you only ever read or purchase one of Gregory's books, make it this one!
The Other Boleyn Girl is the story of sisters Mary and Anne Boleyn, both pawns in their uncle's plan to make the Howard family the most powerful in all of the kingdom. To do so, according to his plan, he needs one of his nieces to have a male child with King Henry VIII.
Initially, the king is infatuated with Mary. Soon, however, King Henry's interest in the girl wanes, and uncle Howard is forced to find another way to keep the ear of the king. He thrusts Anne forward, hoping her intelligence and French sophistication will keep the king interested for longer.
Sibling rivalry, murder, suspicion, and guilt abound in this book. Skip the movie, though. It's not any good.
Read more about The Other Boleyn Girl.
The Other Boleyn Girl is the story of sisters Mary and Anne Boleyn, both pawns in their uncle's plan to make the Howard family the most powerful in all of the kingdom. To do so, according to his plan, he needs one of his nieces to have a male child with King Henry VIII.
Initially, the king is infatuated with Mary. Soon, however, King Henry's interest in the girl wanes, and uncle Howard is forced to find another way to keep the ear of the king. He thrusts Anne forward, hoping her intelligence and French sophistication will keep the king interested for longer.
Sibling rivalry, murder, suspicion, and guilt abound in this book. Skip the movie, though. It's not any good.
Read more about The Other Boleyn Girl.
The White Queen
The White Queen is the first of three in Gregory's Cousin's War series. With the story centering on Elizabeth Woodville, Gregory has relied more on her story-telling abilities than historical fact.
In The White Queen, Woodville, said to be a witch, uses magic to convince the king to marry her. When the Cousin's War begins, with the houses of York and Lancaster fighting for the throne, Woodville's children go missing from the tower. Woodville spends much of the novel cursing Margaret Beaufort and searching for her children, while trying to help her husband hold on to the throne of England.
Gregory started her War of the Roses series well before diving into The Red Queen. If you read the books in order, you likely will be delighted by The White Queen and disappointed by The Red Queen.
Continue reading to learn more about The White Queen
In The White Queen, Woodville, said to be a witch, uses magic to convince the king to marry her. When the Cousin's War begins, with the houses of York and Lancaster fighting for the throne, Woodville's children go missing from the tower. Woodville spends much of the novel cursing Margaret Beaufort and searching for her children, while trying to help her husband hold on to the throne of England.
Gregory started her War of the Roses series well before diving into The Red Queen. If you read the books in order, you likely will be delighted by The White Queen and disappointed by The Red Queen.
Continue reading to learn more about The White Queen
The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory
The Red Queen is the second of three in Gregory's Plantagenet-era Cousin's War series. The novel is told from the viewpoint of Margaret Beaufort, who believes herself to be a modern-day Joan of Arc. Beaufort's only goal is to see her son, Henry, on the throne of England.
The problem with that, however, is that Henry was taken from Beaufort for protection during the war between the houses of York and Lancaster. Beaufort has seen Henry only a few times since.
Though Gregory has done a good job dramatizing the actual historical events, the pacing seems to be off in this book. That is, for much of the novel, nothing actually happens. It's kind of boring at times. Read more about The Red Queen.
The problem with that, however, is that Henry was taken from Beaufort for protection during the war between the houses of York and Lancaster. Beaufort has seen Henry only a few times since.
Though Gregory has done a good job dramatizing the actual historical events, the pacing seems to be off in this book. That is, for much of the novel, nothing actually happens. It's kind of boring at times. Read more about The Red Queen.
Philippa Gregory on Writing and Herself
According to Philippa Gregory, she is "terribly bossy," she would like to retire like her horse, and she can't sing or cook. In fact, she doesn't even want to cook.Gregory answers questions like these and more in and interview with book published Simon and Schuster. Toward the end, she answers questions for new authors, too.
Check out Philippa Gregory's interview with her publisher.
The Boleyn Inheritance
The Boleyn Inheritance is almost as good as The Other Boleyn Girl. Told from the perspectives of three different narrators, The Boleyn Inheritance grabs the reader and immediately sucks her into a story of adultery, deception and malevolence.
The story of Anne of Cleves rise and Katherine Howard's eventual fall, The Boleyn Inheritance dramatizes the story of King Henry VIII's fourth and fifth wives - one of whom was beheaded, while the other was one of the only women who married King Henry VIII and lived beyond the man and the marriage.
Read more about The Boleyn Inheritance.
If you are a fan of Tudor-era historical fiction, this is definitely a must read.
The story of Anne of Cleves rise and Katherine Howard's eventual fall, The Boleyn Inheritance dramatizes the story of King Henry VIII's fourth and fifth wives - one of whom was beheaded, while the other was one of the only women who married King Henry VIII and lived beyond the man and the marriage.
Read more about The Boleyn Inheritance.
If you are a fan of Tudor-era historical fiction, this is definitely a must read.
Find Philippa Gregory's Favorite Books on Amazon
The Queen's Fool
The Queen's Fool features Hannah, a young girl gifted with "the sight" after she is begged for a fool in the courts of King Edward, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. In love with Robert Dudley and betrothed to another young Spanish Jew, loyal to Mary but pressured to spy by Dudley, Hannah's story is an intriguing coming-of-age tale.
The storyline for The Queen's Fool is unique and fresh, but the characters in the story are shallow and under-developed. Yet, despite the shortcomings of the characters, the mix of fiction and history carry the interesting plot, making the unrealistic novel fun and entertaining.
It's definitely worth a read if you are interested in Queen Mary's reign, often thought of as the forgotten years. Learn more about The Queen's Fool.
The storyline for The Queen's Fool is unique and fresh, but the characters in the story are shallow and under-developed. Yet, despite the shortcomings of the characters, the mix of fiction and history carry the interesting plot, making the unrealistic novel fun and entertaining.
It's definitely worth a read if you are interested in Queen Mary's reign, often thought of as the forgotten years. Learn more about The Queen's Fool.
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The Virgin's Lover
The Virgin's Lover tells the tale of two women, struggling to steal the heart of one man. One woman, the Queen Elizabeth, has all the advantages, while the man's wife, Amy Robsart, has very little to offer to her husband.
Queen Elizabeth is beautiful, seductive and powerful. Amy Robsart is pious, poor and self-pitying.
From the beginning, it is obvious which woman Robert Dudley will choose. In fact, throughout the novel, Dudley spends much of his time trying to ensure Elizabeth's continued interest and love.
And when Dudley isn't trying to woo Elizabeth, he's trying to outwit William Cecil and become Elizabeth's No. 1 advisor and confidant.
Despite shallow characters,The Virgin's Lover is an intriguing tale of love, ambition, power and struggles. The well-written and poetic novel is definitely worth the read.
Learn more about The Virgin's Lover.
Queen Elizabeth is beautiful, seductive and powerful. Amy Robsart is pious, poor and self-pitying.
From the beginning, it is obvious which woman Robert Dudley will choose. In fact, throughout the novel, Dudley spends much of his time trying to ensure Elizabeth's continued interest and love.
And when Dudley isn't trying to woo Elizabeth, he's trying to outwit William Cecil and become Elizabeth's No. 1 advisor and confidant.
Despite shallow characters,The Virgin's Lover is an intriguing tale of love, ambition, power and struggles. The well-written and poetic novel is definitely worth the read.
Learn more about The Virgin's Lover.
Gardens for The Gambia - Philippa Gregory's Charity
In 1993, Philippa Gregory founded Gardens for The Gambia, a charity dedicated to bringing food to poor Gambian children.
Through her charity, Gregory raises money to help schools in The Gambia build wells. These wells are used to water vegetable and fruit trees, helping to feed the poor children of the school who otherwise might not eat during the day. Excess food is sold to help raise money for the school.
In addition to feeding the children at the school, the wells help teach the students the importance and skills of sustainable agriculture.
Each well costs about 400 pounds to build.
If you are interested in donating to Gregory's charity, please visit her Gardens for The Gambia website.
Through her charity, Gregory raises money to help schools in The Gambia build wells. These wells are used to water vegetable and fruit trees, helping to feed the poor children of the school who otherwise might not eat during the day. Excess food is sold to help raise money for the school.
In addition to feeding the children at the school, the wells help teach the students the importance and skills of sustainable agriculture.
Each well costs about 400 pounds to build.
If you are interested in donating to Gregory's charity, please visit her Gardens for The Gambia website.
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The Other Queen
The Other Queen is one of Gregory's more banal books. Written about the struggle between Queen Elizabeth and Mary, Queen of Scots, the book features little action an a minimalistic storyline.
There really isn't much to say about the book, to be honest. Though well researched, Gregory writes the story from the viewpoints of Mary and Bess of Hardwick, both of whom do little other than crochet and live in captivity throughout the novel. The women don't really go anywhere; they don't really do anything. All of the action of this historical fiction novel takes place elsewhere and creates unchanging, one-dimensional narrators.
Read more about
There really isn't much to say about the book, to be honest. Though well researched, Gregory writes the story from the viewpoints of Mary and Bess of Hardwick, both of whom do little other than crochet and live in captivity throughout the novel. The women don't really go anywhere; they don't really do anything. All of the action of this historical fiction novel takes place elsewhere and creates unchanging, one-dimensional narrators.
Read more about
A Respectable Trade
Set in 18th-century Great Britain, A Respectable Trade is among Philippa Gregory's most intriguing work. Written almost as a romance novel, the book presents an interesting question: What would happen if a slave owner fell in love with one of her slaves?
That's exactly what happens to Frances, a spinster-turned-merchant's-wife. With her dowry, Frances' husband purchases several slaves and asks France to teach them to speak and read English.
Soon, Frances learns that one of the slaves is an important man in his own land, and she can't keep herself from becoming mesmerized by his intelligence and power.
Read more about A Respectable Trade.
That's exactly what happens to Frances, a spinster-turned-merchant's-wife. With her dowry, Frances' husband purchases several slaves and asks France to teach them to speak and read English.
Soon, Frances learns that one of the slaves is an important man in his own land, and she can't keep herself from becoming mesmerized by his intelligence and power.
Read more about A Respectable Trade.
Earthly Joys
The story of gardener John Tradescant, Earthly Joys takes the reader on a historical tour through 17th-century England, from the Gunpowder Plot to the reign of King Charles I.
Told from the perspective of Tradescant, who works with and loves the greatest men in the land, the story is interesting and fun, though it lacks a climax and fast-paced plot. Nevertheless, Gregory presents captivating characters, a unique storyline and an interesting perspective and commentary on the events of the time.
Earthly Joys is creative, and though a bit slow at times, definitely a good read. Find out more about Earthly Joys or pick it up on Amazon.
Told from the perspective of Tradescant, who works with and loves the greatest men in the land, the story is interesting and fun, though it lacks a climax and fast-paced plot. Nevertheless, Gregory presents captivating characters, a unique storyline and an interesting perspective and commentary on the events of the time.
Earthly Joys is creative, and though a bit slow at times, definitely a good read. Find out more about Earthly Joys or pick it up on Amazon.
Find Other Philippa Gregory Books
I have not yet had the opportunity to review each of Gregory's novels. Check below to find some of Gregory's novels that have not yet been featured on this lense.
The Constant Princess
Written about Katherine of Aragon, the first wife of King Henry VIII, The Constant Princess looks into the details of Katherine's early life. Initially married to King Henry's older brother, Arthur, Katherine lived in poverty for years, forgotten by her parents, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, while awaiting her next instructions. Katherine, who believed she was destined to be queen of England, stuck out her time and eventually prevailed.
That is, until Anne Boleyn showed up, taking her husband and her crown.
But The Constant Princess deals more with Katherine's younger years, and her happy early years with Henry.
It's definitely worth a read, though it should be read as fiction, as Gregory has taken great liberties in her historical interpretations.
Read more about The Constant Princess or purchase the book below.
That is, until Anne Boleyn showed up, taking her husband and her crown.
But The Constant Princess deals more with Katherine's younger years, and her happy early years with Henry.
It's definitely worth a read, though it should be read as fiction, as Gregory has taken great liberties in her historical interpretations.
Read more about The Constant Princess or purchase the book below.
Fallen Skies
Fallen Skies does not easily fit into the historical time periods for which Philippa Gregory has become well-known. Set in England just after World War I, Gregory has written a novel that is as much social commentary as it is historical fiction.
Through the marriage of a decorated war hero and a young concert singer, Gregory puts on display the horrors and tragedy faced by those who returned from the war. In a time when women were gaining additional independence and freedoms, those men came home to a world which was much different from the one which they left.
Main characters Lily and Stephen Winters are used to illustrate the clash between the old and the new, the elite and the lower class, the men who were killed and the men who survived. Though dark and at times depressing, Fallen Skies is superbly crafted and captivating until the unexpected shift at the end.
Originally published in England in 1993, Fallen Skies was reissued in 2008 due to Gregory's growing popularity. Read more about Fallen Skies.
Through the marriage of a decorated war hero and a young concert singer, Gregory puts on display the horrors and tragedy faced by those who returned from the war. In a time when women were gaining additional independence and freedoms, those men came home to a world which was much different from the one which they left.
Main characters Lily and Stephen Winters are used to illustrate the clash between the old and the new, the elite and the lower class, the men who were killed and the men who survived. Though dark and at times depressing, Fallen Skies is superbly crafted and captivating until the unexpected shift at the end.
Originally published in England in 1993, Fallen Skies was reissued in 2008 due to Gregory's growing popularity. Read more about Fallen Skies.
Tell me what you think about Gregory's work:
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melissiaoliver
May 9, 2012 @ 3:59 am | delete
- I have read most of Philippa Gregory's books and love them all. Have to admit I really liked 'The Other Queen', but maybe that's because I love stories about MQOS. The one Philippa Gregory novel I wasn't so sure about is Wideacre... found it slightly disturbing to say the least. I think once PG is writing outside the confines of historical context her imagination runs away with her a little too much. I haven't read the subsequent books in the Wideacre trilogy for that reason.
Thanks for making this lovely and interesting lens!
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franstan
Jul 29, 2011 @ 9:04 pm | delete
- I have read some, but not all of her books.
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karmicchristian
Jul 6, 2011 @ 9:42 pm | delete
- Thanks for introducing Philippa Gregory and her novels. Lovely review lens. Well done.
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Squidoolinepro
Mar 17, 2011 @ 4:36 pm | delete
- Happy St. Patrick's Day! Lucky Leprechaun Blessings from a Squidoo Angel;)
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Tipi
Mar 15, 2011 @ 10:12 pm | delete
- A very nice review of Philippa Gregory and her novels, I'd not heard of her befor.
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by KLGanny
Kristyn is history buff and romance novel nut, and finds that often Philipa Gregory combines history and romance in a captivating way.
But that's no...
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