THE TOWERLIGHT - Baltimore Student Media

elations, Anne’s prowess at manipulation
wins out, and the reader is
able to witness the courtship through
the eventual downfall of this pivotal
woman through Mary’s eyes.
“Boleyn Girl” is almost disturbing
in its exposition of the conspiracy
of interpersonal relationships and
how they affect politics and policy
that is significant all over the world.
Although this is not surprising,
because power always serves its best
interests, it is fascinating to read
about the real-life play that is performed
daily for the King by the selfinterested
actors and actresses of the
court. This grand collaboration ultimately
takes its toll on Anne, who is
written sympathetically as she nearly
works herself to death while trying to
emain perfect to the King.
The first scene in “Boleyn Girl”
s the execution of the Duke of
uckingham, who was put to death
when he suggested that Henry was
nfit to produce a son and heir to the
hrone of England. Choosing to start
with this scene was an inspiring move
n Gregory’s part, for the tone of the
ook depends on it. The Boleyn’s rise
o power depends on the birth of a
on, so Anne is made a villain when
he bears Elizabeth.
Gregory seems to mold characters
o modern ideals to gain sympathy
arts
READ: Continued
From page 28
for them. This also happens with
Mary when she makes triumphant
gestures to take charge of her own life
and stop being a pawn of the family.
Although there is much factuality in
this, since Mary did secretly marry
William Stafford, some of the scenes
can be a bit over the top and seem
as if they’d be more at home in a
staple romantic comedy. The factuality
behind “Boleyn Girl” seems to be
a hot topic for writers and historians
alike. At 661 pages, Gregory saturates
her novel rich with sub-plots, which
range from Mary’s guilty connection
with Catherine of Aragon to hints
of incest between her siblings to her
brother George’s homosexuality.
Flawed or not, “The Other Boleyn
Girl” was definitely a good read. I
went through it quickly, and the
juicy sexual politics and intense sibling
rivalry made me find time to
read (especially when my time would
have been better devoted to homework).
“Boleyn Girl” has four sequels
and the upcoming film stars Natalie
Portman as Anne Boleyn and Scarlett
Johansson as Mary. However, since
films will never be as detailed as the
novel, I highly recommend you give
this one a chance.
Next week I’ll be reviewing
“Hartsburg, USA” by David Mizner.
If you have any books recommendations,
e-mail me at bookjen.tu@gmail.
com.
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Towerlight Puzzles
Sudoku
1
2
Sudoku consists of a 9x9 grid that has been subdivided into 9 smaller grids of
3x3 squares. Each puzzle has a logical and unique solution. To solve the puzzle,
each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9.
Crossword
For the solutions to
today’s crossword and
Sudoku puzzles,
turn to page 28.
Distributed by Tribune Media Services.
Reprinted with permission.
The Towerlight February 18, 2008
27