The Lady Elizabeth

By Alison Weir

Book Overview

NATIONAL BESTSELLER - A masterful novel exploring the early life of young Elizabeth Tudor, who would become England's most intriguing and powerful queen, from acclaimed historian Alison Weir

"Engrossing . . . Weir marries conjecture with what is known about the life of Elizabeth I from childhood to coronation, and it makes for ripping good reading."--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Even at age two, Elizabeth is keenly aware that people in the court of her father, King Henry VIII, have stopped referring to her as "Lady Princess" and now call her "the Lady Elizabeth." Before she is three, she learns of the tragic fate that has befallen her mother, the enigmatic and seductive Anne Boleyn, and that she herself has been declared illegitimate, an injustice that will haunt her.

What comes next is a succession of stepmothers, bringing with them glimpses of love, fleeting security, tempestuous conflict, and tragedy. The death of her father puts the teenage Elizabeth in greater peril, leaving her at the mercy of ambitious and unscrupulous men. Like her mother two decades earlier she is imprisoned in the Tower of London--and fears she will also meet her mother's grisly end. Power-driven politics, private scandal and public gossip, a disputed succession, and the grievous example of her sister, "Bloody" Queen Mary, all cement Elizabeth's resolve in matters of statecraft and love, and set the stage for her transformation into the iconic Virgin Queen.

Alison Weir uses her deft talents as historian and novelist to exquisitely and suspensefully play out the conflicts between family, politics, religion, and conscience that came to define an age. Sweeping in scope, The Lady Elizabeth is a fascinating portrayal of a woman far ahead of her time--an orphaned girl haunted by the shadow of the axe, an independent spirit who must use her cunning and wits for her very survival, and a future queen whose dangerous and dramatic path to the throne shapes her future greatness.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345495365
• ISBN13: 9780345495365
• Release Date: November 2008
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Length: 512 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.2" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Weir does it again!

"Beautifully written and very engaging. Hard to put it down or read it just once."

A Delightful and Moving Work Of Historical Fiction That You Don't Want To Let Go Of!!!

A truly, wonderful and well written book that you would like to never end! The author, one of top Tudor Historians of time, brings to the venue of historical fiction her impressive knowledge of specific incidents of Elizabeth's life, and the acts of people involved in it. Make sure you read the Author's Note at the end of the book- a surprising dessert to a well prepared meal. In it, she explains how in composing her narrative she has endeavored to keep as far as possible to the known facts, basing it on the historical record and dialogue of the time. She also lists the very few times that she took license to add things to the story that are based upon theories concerning historical evidence and rumor of the time. Most enjoyable is that this book is written by a talented female author about perhaps history's most famous female ruler, relating in luscious detail how Elizabeth the woman most likely perceived and felt what was occurring. This book was absolutely delightful, and is one of the best I have ever read!!!

Very enjoyable

This was a very good book about Elizabeth and her life's journey up until she becomes Queen. I know that most events were factual, so it must have been an exhausting experience (to say the least) living her life through all the difficult trials she continually faced. I tried to put myself in her place and I cannot imagine a life so filled with suspicious and paranoid people all about me. She was obviously a very strong woman to overcome all the sinister accusations she faced daily. Can you imagine never knowing when you would be executed for something because of the ambition of others wanting to rise to the top or because you did not worship the Lord they way they saw fit!?!?!?! I know I romanticize this time period, but it in actuality, it was anything but! A great read!

Very interesting!!!

I enjoy Alison Weir's work and love that she has begun writing novels. I am a historian, but not one of those historians that has a fit over works of historical fiction. I like how Weir took the grey areas of Elizabeth's life and creates a plausible possibility for what is impossible to know. Queen Elizabeth I is a fascinating subject (one of my favorites) and I look for any reason to read a book on her life - academic or fiction.

Fantastic!

I had been waiting on this one for a while and as expected, Mrs. Weir does not disappoint. I was compltely engrossed from page one. As usual, the book paints a beautiful picture rich with texture and colors with each new character it introduces. Like any Tudorfile, We have read them all right? This one fed me like it was my first Elizabeth reading. Kudos to Mrs. Weir for taking a topic she has already written on and giving it a fresh new look for rabid fans like me!