One of today’s premier historical novelists, Margaret George dazzles here as she tackles her most difficult subject yet: the legendary Elizabeth Tudor, queen of enigma—the Virgin Queen who had many suitors, the victor of the Armada who hated war; the gorgeously attired, jewel-bedecked woman who pinched pennies. England’s greatest monarch has baffled and intrigued the world for centuries. But what was she really like?
In this novel, her flame-haired, look-alike cousin, Lettice Knollys, thinks she knows all too well. Elizabeth’s rival for the love of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, and mother to the Earl of Essex, the mercurial nobleman who challenged Elizabeth’s throne, Lettice has been intertwined with Elizabeth since childhood. This is a story of two women of fierce intellect and desire, one trying to protect her country, and throne, the other trying to regain power and position for her family. Their rivalry, and its ensuing drama, soon involves everyone close to Elizabeth, from the famed courtiers who enriched the crown to the legendary poets and playwrights who paid homage to it with their works. Intimate portraits of the personalities who made the Elizabethan age great—Shakespeare, Marlowe, Dudley, Raleigh, Drake—fill these pages, giving us an unforgettable glimpse of a queen who ruled as much from the heart as from the head, and considered herself married to her people.
This magnificent, stay-up-all-night page-turner is George’s finest and one that is sure to delight readers of Alison Weir, Philippa Gregory, and Hilary Mantel.
Ten Surprises About Elizabeth Tudor
Margaret George is the author of six epic biographical novels, all New York Times bestsellers, featuring larger than life characters like Henry VIII and Cleopatra. Although painstakingly accurate historically, their real focus is the psychology of the characters. We know what they did, we want to know why. Her latest release is Elizabeth I.
Margaret’s research has taken her from the islands of Scotland to the temples of Upper Egypt, with experiences that include snake-keeping and gladiatorial training.
She lives in Wisconsin and Washington DC. Interests include reptile conservation efforts, Middle Eastern dance (aka bellydancing), and archeology.
You can visit Margaret George’s website at www.margaretgeorge.com.
My Impressions:
Margaret George has chosen the last years of Elizabeth Tudor’s reign for her book Elizabeth I. Beginning with the days leading up to the defeat of the Armada, this first person account from the viewpoints of Elizabeth and Lettice Knollys, shows a side of Elizabeth that I have not seen before. Elizabeth is a seasoned ruler, comfortable in her role. She does not regret the choices she has made, yet wonders what her life could have been like if she had chosen a different path. Lettice, banished from court following her marriage to court favorite, Robert Dudley, is the look-alike cousin of Elizabeth. A very different woman from Elizabeth, her character provides a wonderful contrast — the powerful, successful Virgin Queen vs. the promiscuous and many times married Lettice, a woman who unsuccessfully struggles to find her place and power at court.
Elizabeth I is richly detailed. The many characters are fleshed out with their strengths and weaknesses, including Elizabeth’s. I have to say, I did have a difficult time keeping the various Elizabeths, Catherines, Roberts, Careys, Knollys, etc apart. I wish there had been a family tree or list of characters included. The book is also very big — 650+ pages. The length was a bit daunting, and I am afraid the narrative did not keep me turning the pages at fast as promised.
However, Elizabeth I is a great peek into the real life of this most famous of English queens. The story of Lettice Knollys is an added treat. Those interested in history, especially of the Tudor era will enjoy the novel.
Recommended.
(I received Elizabeth I from Pump Up Your Book in return for an honest review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)
Elizabeth I Virtual Book Tour Schedule
Monday, May 2
Book reviewed at Book Drunkard
Interviewed at Pump Up Your Book
Tuesday, May 3
Book reviewed at The Book Connection
Book reviewed at One Day At A Time
Wednesday, May 4
Book reviewed at Slice of Life
Thursday, May 5
Book reviewed at Life in Review
Friday, May 6
Book spotlighted at Books, Products and More!
Book reviewed at Confessions and Ramblings of a Muse in the Fog
Monday, May 9
Book reviewed and guest blogging at Always With a Book
Tuesday, May 10
Book reviewed at Bippity, Boppity Book
Wednesday, May 11
Book reviewed at CelticLady’s Reviews
Thursday, May 12
Book reviewed at Tanzanite’s Castle Full of Books
Friday, May 13
Guest blogging at Tanzanite’s Castle Full of Books
Book reviewed at One Book Shy of a Full Shelf
Monday, May 16
Book reviewed at Bags, Books and Bon Jovi
Tuesday, May 17
Book reviewed at Lynn’s Corner
Wednesday, May 18
Book reviewed at By the Book
Thursday, May 19
Book reviewed at Rundpinne
Friday, May 20
Book reviewed at History and Women
Interviewed at The Hot Author Report
Monday, May 23
Interviewed at Paperback Writer
Book reviewed at Broken Teepee
Tuesday, May 24
Guest blogging and giveaway at Acting Balanced
Wednesday, May 25
Book reviewed at Acting Balanced
Thursday, May 26
Guest blogging at Thoughts in Progress
Friday, May 27
Guest blogging at Lori’s Reading Corner
Book reviewed at Peeking Between the Pages
Thanks for the wonderful review of Margaret’s latest. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Now that you mention it, I family tree would have been a nice addition. I didn’t have an issue keeping everyone straight, but it would have been an extra that would have made the book even better.
Thanks again.
Thanks so much for reviewing ELIZABETH I on your site. I’m glad you liked the fact that I concentrated on the last years of her life. Most books that cover her entire life run out of steam by the time they get to that period (no wonder) and so they don’t spend much time on it. Yet it is very revealing of her character.
Your suggestion that a family tree should be available is a good one, and I’ll suggest that for later editions.