A Woman of Passion: A Novel

By Virginia Henley

Book Overview

Sweeping us into glittering, intrigue-riddled Elizabethan England, bringing to vivid life an actual heroine in the queen's court, New York Times bestselling author Virginia Henley blends rich... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0440222087
• Release Date: March 2000
• Publisher: Island Books
• Length: 544 Pages
• Weight: 0.62 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 1.3" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

An unexpected gem

I was just looking for something to read on a plane and found this gem of a book. Henley's portrayal of Bess of Hardwick is lively and engaging, the kind of book that you can read over and over again (which I do!). Bess' triumphs over multiple trials, her gradual rise in Tudor society to the rank of Countess of Shrewsbury -- not too bad for a farm gal -- is a fun read for anyone with any interest in Tudor England. Is this accurate? Who cares! Few books bring a smile to my face like this one.

A Passion for Virginia Henley

This was my second Virginia Henley book and I loved it. The story covers many years of Elizabeth Hardwick during which she experiences all things during the Tudor rule of England. Many historical facts are included in the reading. Elizabeth vows to overcome her poverty as a child, and to one day own her own household. From that vow on Elizabeth experiences the lavish, colorful, and privilege of the Tudor court. She experiences love and loss. This book made me laugh and cry, several times. A must read for any history fan or Virginia Henley fan.

a keeper--one of her best yet!

So good, that I am thinking of getting the hardcover edition too to add to my keeper shelf.I am new to Henley and so far, of the few books I've read, this is my favorite one of hers. She reminds me of another author I like--Bertrice Small. Both have the knack of writing vivid, lusty historicals with heroines I envy to be and heroes I'd envy to know. The fact that this is based on a real person's life is why I loved it so much. And her believable rendition of Elizabeth I and all the other notable people of the time made for a juicy read. The sex scenes sizzle but aren't kinky or gross 9compared to alot of the other stuff out there these days, it's nice to read a sensual erotic romance that has not degenereated into porn, but has remained romantic through and through. Sexy stuff, and despite what her critics say, Henley one of the few authors who's purple prose is fun to read, not annoying. And her sexual banter between the characters is as always great fun to read. Ribald and very much in keeping with the Elizabethan setting. The sexual tension between Bess and Shrew is well developed, and the ending (in the book at least) is a happy one.In real life, for those who care, the real Bess had 8 children and lost 2, her first marriage took place when she was 13 and may well have been consumated, her third husband was twice a widower and had kids of his own and was no virgin as implied, Shrew was a cheater who conducted an affair with a chambermaid that Bess was an eyewitness to, and she and he lived most of their lives in separate residences till his death, which left Bess the richest woman in England, second only to the queen. Mary Queen of Scots was kept prisoner in many of Shrewsbury's holdings, and it was alledged that Shrew and Mary had a fling. Angry and spiteful, Bess went on a jealous slandering campaign, upset the Queen many times, and even plotted to have her grand daughter Arabella marry Charles the Stuart heir to England's throne. She meddled in all her children's lives, rebuild her beloved Hardwick, and left behind a legacy of generations of peers to the realm, as well as some of the most beautiful and famous homes and lands in England. If you thought she was conniving, manipulative, ambitious, selfserving and greedy in the novel (especially toward the end with Shrew) it's nothing compared to how the real woman was. A genuine product of her tumoltuous times, Bess was no worse than the men of age, and was outstanding among the women. She had her good points which the author highlighted (or embellished for literary effect) and was one of the most exciting women of her day. A heroine well worthy of this fascinating novel.An Alexis carrington of the 16th Century--devilishly fun to read. this book's a guilty pleasure and in Henley's compitent hands, a true keeper!NOW GO READ IT!

A Compelling "Fictionalized" Biography

In a word -WOW!!! Ms. Henley really out did herself. I was hesitant to purchase a novel catagorized as a "Fictionalized Biography" particularly when the heroine, Bess Hardwick, marries no less than four men! But Viginia Henley really pulls it off. This story is not your typical romance because it breaks the stereotype that the heroine can only have one true love.The most compelling of all is the fact that Bess Hardwick was a real person who lived during Elizabeth I's reign. She became the wealthiest women in England second only to the queen herself. Buy it in hardcover because your going to want to read it over and over.

Ms. Henley's historical biography is her best work yet

Though still a young teenager, poverty-stricken Bess Hardwick attains a position in the household of Lady Margaret Zouche. Ultimately, she gets to go the King Henry's court and meets Princess Elizabeth. However, due to family pressure and English inheritance laws, she is forced to wed the ailing Robert Barlow before she is sixteen. Because of his health, they never consummate the marriage. A year later, he dies. When Rogue Cavendish's wife dies, he marries Bess. They have a passionate love affair. However, when Henry dies and Queen Mary attains the throne, unbearable pressure is placed on Rogue. He soon dies from a heart attack. Bess next accepts a proposal from the kind but elderly William St. Loe. Four and a half years later, he dies. Throughout all this time, Bess has been attracted to George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, but knows that there chance for a lifetime together is remote. With her newest novel, Virginia Henley proves that readers know a good thing as evident by her numerous best selling novels and awards. A WOMAN OF PASSION is more than just an Elizabethan romance. Instead it is biographical fiction that brings an era and a brave person to life. This well-written fictionalized account of the real life and events of Bess Hardwick, an influential figure during the Elizabethan era may be Ms. Henley's best work to date, which is saying a lot because her resume of erotic historical romances include some of the all time best works.Harriet Klausner