oh the drama.

Okay, I haven't read this book but it's on my list and I am very excited for the movie as well. . .

I was fascinated by the Tudors series over the summer (or was it spring?) but I had to take a break and my viewing was sporadic, using my mom's HBO and all. I recently read The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn and also have been reading about the Tudors over at Grammie's (she kept all her college texts—dang that woman underlined a lot.) and can't get enough.

Sounds like, from the description of the The Other Boleyn Girl novel here, this portrait of Anne is not so flattering. But, in The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn, she is portrayed very sympathetically. There are so many differences in the historical facts—they seem like completely different stories. Hmmm. At any rate, I love this stuff, so tragic and horrible and interesting—all in great clothes. And, what I want to know is, does Natalie Portman have a 6th finger!? Come on!! Cause Anne did, I'm just saying.

Speaking of highbrow entertainment, we finally watched Superbad last night after having the DVD from netflix for probably 2 months. I don't know what was funnier, watching it or watching Pete laugh at it. I think at one point he almost fell off the sofa.

 

Comments

[miss chris]

Oh, these books! I loved them all. I really really really hope the movie is as satisfying and I can get past those girls putting on accents!

[jennie]

Am I the only one who noticed that Gregory used the term, "meal ticket" in this book which is set in the FIFTEEN HUNDREDS?

Also, no mention of the 6th finger, so I really doubt the movie will include it. :(

[hayley]

Oh my gosh...Superbad...when the dude is trying on the jeans...so funny. And you're right-- I laughed harder at my husband who was laughing at the movie. Good times. I read the Other Boleyn Girl and am almost afraid to see the movie because I enjoyed the book so much.

[Sarah Jackson]

I so loved that book and am also a little afraid that the movie won't live up to the book. I wouldn't say that Anne is portrayed so negatively in the book. I came away feeling that they all did what they had to do and were forced to do by their situation and times. And I marveled again at the capabilities of conniving teenagers (since I have one at home).

And Superbad is one of the funniest movies ever made.

[Katie]

I want to see that movie just to drool over the costumes and production design!

[Misty]

The books were wonderful. I can't wait to see the movie, though I share jennie's and hayley's reservations about it. I'm a little surprised at the casting - I would have thought Portman's and Johansson's roles would have been reversed.

Gregory is coming out with a series of three books on the War of the Roses starting this year too, which I'm very excited about.

I haven't seen Superbad yet, but plan to soon. I hears its hilarious.

[kristena]

You pique my interest... I hadn't thought much about that movie until now.

I gotta tell ya that I watched Superbad by myself one afternoon and nearly died at the whole 4th grade-drawing sequence. *immature giggles*

[kat]

ha! we recently watched "superbad" via netflix as well and hilarious it was indeed. if you haven't seen it yet, "knocked up" is pretty funny too (also an apatow/rogen production). and as long as i'm pluggin' apatow and rogen here, the short lived but brilliant series, "freaks and geeks" is definitely worth a look-see. i was so sad when it went off the air. . .

[kat]

ha! we recently watched "superbad" via netflix as well and hilarious it was indeed. if you haven't seen it yet, "knocked up" is pretty funny too (also an apatow/rogen production). and as long as i'm pluggin' apatow and rogen here, the short lived but brilliant series, "freaks and geeks" is definitely worth a look-see. i was so sad when it went off the air. . .

[Kate]

I know... my husband almost rolled off the bed watching SuperBad... It was really fun to watch him watch it!

[Pam]

I just heard that book reviewed on Weekend Edition Sunday...

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=19215086

[Sarah]

I LOVE the green dress. It is wickedly beautiful. :)

[Angela]

You have to read the book. I heard about it from a friend when it first came out but didn't read it until this winter. It was great. Anne is not the most sympathetic character but I never thought she was. It is an excellent look into the role of women and how much they were merely commodities. But very entertaining.

I had no idea that the Superbad guys were the same creative force behind Freaks and Geeks. My husband and I absolutely loved that show.

[tifanie]

Sixth finger? Wait. What?!??? I certainly don't remember that in the book. Is that historically correct? Oh my. That book will suck you right in (as do all of Philippa Gregory's books). Enjoy! I'm also worried about the film not living up to the book. And I'm dying to see the Tudors (no HBO here). I'm hoping for the dvd's for my birthday. Cheers!

[wendi]

I've read all those books...they are good, but also a bit naughty!! I'm hoping for the movie to be really really good, too!

[Evie]

Angela has it right. The book is very entertaining. I loved it and had a lot of trouble putting it down! Although I would just say if you are reading The Other Boleyn Girl after watching The Tudors, be prepared for some major differences!

[Melissa]

What a terrific book! I couldnt put it down. I am so excited about a movie!

[Steph VW]

The first time I saw the preview for this movie, I practically jumped for joy in the theatre. I've read the books and I adore Philippa Gregory.

If historical fiction interests you, and if you haven't already, I highly recommend reading Sandra Gulland's trilogy on the life of Josephine Bonaparte. The first book is "The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows Of Josephine B."

[forcryeye]

I have this sitting on my shelf, waiting to be read. Looks like I may see the movie first!

[Diana]

I heard she had 6 fingers AND 3 breasts. Can anyone confirm if that's true?

[erinn Johnson]

read the books. they are very good (i might have liked queen's fool better) and i doubt that the movie will do it justice.

[hillary]

I cannot believe you let superbad sit for 2 months. what's become of you?

[Nevis]

I definatly want to read this, too. I may try to get the audiobook for my commute. Right now I'm listening to "WICKED". That is so awesome. Have you ever read it?

[Michele C]

Ooooh! I read the book last spring and was hooked from the start! A few things added in to make history filled out, but great! I kind of read the history of the sisters and life afterward while reading the book to keep facts in mind. Now, I thought reading the book had some risky scenes, and those were often left to the imagination! I wonder how often I'll be covering my eyes during the movie -- might be a bit steamy!
-- Michele
calicodaisy.blogspot.com

[EmmyLizzy]

All I have to do is mention the name "McLovin" to send my husband into hysterics!

[Swistle]

I read all those Boleyn books and really enjoyed them. I almost can't stand to watch the movie, in case it's not as riveting.

[Connie Van De Weerd]

ya know ...maybe this is bad but I secretly wish Natalie Portman had a sixth finger!

[nan]

I am an anglophile - so it is really hard for me to read these books! I am going to try though - everyone assures me that it is GOOD. I am definately seeing the movie too. Even though it is hard for me to imagine Eric Bana as Henry. Why doesn't he have the red hair?! ACK! WHY?

[Previously Cool]

I became obsessed with the Tudors after reading The Other Boleyn Girl. I recently finished Mademoiselle Boleyn which I equally enjoyed. It takes a completely different spin on Anne Boleyn. The author, who I think also wrote the Secret Diary, cites historical evidence in the reader's guide that disputes some of Gregory's accounts. But all of it is fiction after all and I like reading both perspectives. I am sure the truth is somewhere in between.

Glad to know I am not the only historical fiction geek out there. My husband makes fun of me and calls it an acceptable form of the romance novel. (not that there is anything wrong with the romance novel genre)

[The List Writer]

You know, you would also love The Queen Of Subtleties by Susannah Dunn, which I am reading at the moment. The story of Ann Boleyn as told by Henry VII's confectioner. Baking sweet things PLUS historical romance all in one book - genius!

[Marissa]

I think I'll have to check out historical fiction now. Speaking of superbad...if you haven't checked out Jimmy Kimmel's tribute to his girlfriend on YouTube yet, you should. In the group singing spectacular McLovin' makes an appearance. I don't even watch late night tv, but this youtube video was mass hysteria.

[popsicles & lollipops]

I don't know if I will be ever to look at two eggs and a wooden spoon the same way every again after Superbad.

[Sara]

I'm dying here reading about your husband laughing during SUPERBAD! My husband was the same - hysterical. I finally asked him "is that how teenage boys really are" and he said "oh yeah"... too funny.

[popsicles & lollipops]

Oh! And don't forget to make Pete his own McLovin ID. http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/make_your_own_superbad_mclovin_id

[Mary]

I read the Queens Fool,too and liked it. I can't remember if I finished The Other Boleyn Girl or not...I didn't even know a movie was coming out!

[Kelly]

Ah yes, Suerbad. I haven't heard Scott laugh that loud at a movie in a very long time, maybe ever!

[Chris Howard]

Love The Tudors, love The Other Boleyn Girl. Quote from wikipedia on the 6th finger thing:

"It was later rumoured that Anne suffered from polydactyly (six fingers on her left hand, at the time considered a sign of the devil) and a birthmark or mole on her neck that was at all times hidden by a jewel. Although this legend is popular, there is no contemporary evidence to support it. None of the many eyewitness accounts of Anne Boleyn’s appearance—some of them meticulously detailed—mention any deformities, let alone a sixth finger. Moreover, as physical deformities were generally interpreted as a sign of evil, it is difficult to believe that Anne Boleyn would have gained Henry's romantic attention had she had any deformities."

Wow, the shelf life of vicious rumors is just amazing at times. I'm so glad to find that I'm not the only historical fiction junky. Give me a costume drama and I am one happy girl!

[AmyH]

I read The Other Boleyn Girl a few years ago which started a major thirst for anything Tudor. I've read a few histories and biographies on the subject, and I've found that Gregory's series tends to focus on a lot of juicy yet unsubstantiated gossip. That being said, the books are tremendously addictive. Beware--once you start, you won't be able to stop!

[Shannon]

I cant wait for this movie to come out. Your blog entry reminded me that I wanted to look up some information before I saw it; thanks:) Did you see the movie Marie Antoinette? Beautiful comstumes!

[t]

"Superbad" and "Freaks and Geeks" fans: don't miss the short-lived tv series "Undeclared", which is pretty much F&G set in college.

[Amy Evans]

Don't start this book unless you want to finish it...it is so addicting. You will let everything else go while you read it! Laundry, children, cooking, creating...nothing else will matter!

[amykatherine]

Just saw it tonight in a sneak preview. Your hunch is right, it's not so flattering a portrayal of Anne, but definitely worth a viewing. The costumes alone and all the textiles were worth the price of admission!

[skinimini]

Oh my gosh, Superbad was RIGHT up my husband's alley. He is still an immature adolescent, at heart! I thought we were the only ones who did that with our Netflix movies, by the way. It's embarrassing, the number of times I've kept a movie for 2 months.

[sarah]

We let our netflix languish around the house too long sometimes too...to fix that we've just upped our netflix to the 2 at a time membership- just so if we let our "grown-up" movie sit around for 2 weeks, the kids will still have a fresh movie for Friday night...does my "fix" even make sense??

I read the Other Boleyn Girl years ago and will have to re-read it soon. I recall it being very good and I was surprised I liked it because I'm not much of a historical fiction fan. Although after I read it I had to rent the Cate Blanchett version of Elizabeth (the first one she did) because I was on such a Tudor kick. I too was surprised by the casting of the Other Boleyn Girl- and thinking that Portman/Johannsen should have been cast in the opposite roles.

[blair]

When I read The Other Boleyn Girl, it fueled a full-on obsession for me of the tudor dynasty, I was renting PBS documentaries, stalking the library for all sorts of historical fiction and non-fiction describing that time period. I really cannot wait for the movie, I hope it doesn't disappoint me. I'm just glad Henry looks hot in the movie, that will help. He wasn't in the book. Right now I'm set to read The Secret Diary of Marie Antoinette, ready to become obsessed in another character.

Superbad made me blush it was so funny. I kept thinking "do kids really talk this way? God am I out of it in a big way." xo

[Andrea]

I read this November on the beach in Mexico. Great book. I also really, really enjoyed The Constant Princess by the same author and the same story but told from the perspective of Catherine of Aragon.

[lewlew]

Funny you should mention Superbad...because just today I was driving out of the grocery store parking lot and there was this young guy who looked SO much like the chubby character I could barely keep myself from yelling out "HEY, SUPERBAAAAD".
I actually think he was checkin' me out, so I didn't want to wreck it for him by being the dork I am.
Although the dirty, dented minivan probably did a fine job of it...

[Lisa]

I read all the books and loved them all...can not wait to see the movie! Hope it is as good as the book....

[jodie]

I just want that smashing green frock!

[crouching tigerlilly]

Everyone is obsessed with these books now and I really need to get myself in gear and pick them up.