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The Boleyn Inheritance by Phillipa Gregory (2006, Touchstone, Simon & Schuster, Inc.)

If you haven’t read any books by Phillipa Gregory, you’ve missed out.  The movie, The Other Boleyn Girl, about the sisters King Henry VIII had affairs with is based on Gregory’s book.  Phillipa Gregory’s ability to meld history and fiction renders remarkably great chick flick.  I’ve read almost all of her books, and as you can tell, I am a huge fan.  

In The Boleyn Inheritance, Gregory recreates the setting of King Henry VIII’s fourth and fifth wives. She focuses on the lady of waiting, Jane Boleyn, who sent her own husband and sister-in-law Anne, to their deaths, and on Katherine Howard, Anne Boleyn’s cousin.  Katherine, as you know, suffered the same fate as her cousin. 

You don’t have to be an English history buff to enjoy these novels, but once you read them, I’m sure you’ll enjoy British history more. 

I’d pick up one of Gregory’s books if you’ve got a long flight or a lot time on the beach.  That’s especially true if it’s your first one as you might lose track of the characters if you try reading it over a few months. 

But try it! You’ll like it!