Book Review: The Boleyn Inheritance by Phillipa Gregory

The Boleyn Inheritance, Phillipa Gregory’s novel about Henry VIII’s fourth and fifth marriages lacks the brilliant touch which brought The Other Boleyn Girl its fame.

Anne of Cleves travels to England to marry the aging and ill King Henry VIII.  A short-lived marriage, Henry blames his impotence on Anne and seeks the attention of her pretty lady-in-waiting, Katherine Howard.  However, as a young girl she is unwary of the dangers of court, which might prove to be her undoing.

The constant repetition present in the narrative of The Boleyn Inheritance is belittling and condescending to its audience, whilst characterisation relies heavily common perceptions.  As a consequence is flat characters with whom it is hard to empathise.  In such a much praised author I expected more.

The redeeming qualities of this book were its tragic climax and the level of historical description.  Once again, Gregory has done her research and is presenting her readers with an accurate chain of events meaning that the history is well padded out with an artistic flare.

Overall, The Boleyn Inheritance receives 3 out of 5 for being well researched but producing unimaginative characters. 

Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult

After reading My Sister's Keeper I have been looking for the opportunty to read another one of her well-planned novels, and Vanishing Acts was certainly worth the wait!

A few weeks ago I reveiwed The Truth About Melody Brown and commented that the storyline were better off handed to a more talented author, with Jodi Picoult being that person:  Delia wakes up one morning as a different woman with the knowledge that she was kidnapped and her whole life has been a lie.  With her father in prison and her finance' struggling to cope she begins to unravel.  This book deals with the themes of love, family committments, trust and disappointment.  Picoult merges gang and Hopi culture seamlessly together whilst the key characters take on aspects of those around them to help them cope with the turmoil of their lives.

Picoult's technique of using multple narratives allows the reader to understand the motives and emotions of a variety of characters.  It becomes hard to sympathise with one character above others, challanging our perspectives and beliefs.  What we may condemn in one chapter can be easily condoned in the next.  This technique is often hard to master, but when done by Picoult it's hard to imgaine that a book can be written any other way. 

An engaging read which opened my eyes and mind.  Vanishing Acts proves that Jodi Picoult isn't a one-hit wonder, and deserves every bit of praise she recieves.  5 out out of 5.