underline;">The Other Boleyn Girl, The Boleyn Inheritance is so far my favorite of the Philippa Gregory Tudor installments.
Gregory has a unique writing style that varies in each novel she writes, but is constant in its ability to engage. The third novel, chronologically, of the historical fictions about Henry VIII's reign, is written from the perspectives of three young women, intimately involved in the King's court.
Anne of Cleves, to be Henry's fourth wife, is chosen for Henry for the possibility of an alliance between England and Germany to protect against Spain and France. Her voice is reminiscent of Katherine of Aragon for her strength of character and adherence to her upbringing, yet she is naive and innocent to the provocative ways of the English court.
Jane Boleyn we've been introduced to in Gregory's previous books; we know her to be a treacherous character who will condemn her own brother and sister-in-law to death to assuage her hurt feelings. This novel, however, brings her voice to the forefront and we see her perspective rather than the opinions of others. She remains an ambitious and conniving woman, ready to betray her "friends" at the first sign of difficulty, but she also exudes a quality of ignorance that almost, though not quite, makes her behavior understandable.
Finally, we hear from Katherine Howard, to be Henry's 5th and youngest wife. Personally, she is my favorite of Gregory's characters thus far. The girl is young, only 15 when she marries the King, and incredibly naive. Her musings are so typical of a young teenager that you cannot help but laugh. She is completely wrapped up in herself and cannot think beyond her next new dress or new piece of jewelery or new suitor. Obviously, we will not be surprised to hear this behavior gets another queen in trouble with the fickle King Henry, but it is an ordeal which is heartbreakingly innocent.
This novel was thoroughly enjoyable, as are all Gregory's novels, and is highly recommendable for fictional content, though I would take the historical accuracy with a grain of salt.