| Product: |
The Virgin's Lover - Philippa Gregory |
| Date: |
25/02/08 (176 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Compelling, well research historical fiction.
Disadvantages: A background knowledge of the Tudors is desirable before reading.
This book covers the first two years of Elizabeth I's reign, 1558-1560. The young queen is portrayed as being frightened, and in need of emotional as well as practical counselling.
While reading this account I began to wonder who was her most important advisor William Cecil (The First Minister) or Robert Dudley (The Master of Horse)? Although the Master of Horse was a prestigious position, his advice shouldn't have been the most significant on a wide range of subjects.
As well as the problems concerning her relationship with Robert Dudley, she struggles with decisions affecting her cousin Mary Queen of Scots, and the threat of invasion from Scotland, possibly aided by France.
While historical records suggest that Elizabeth and Robert loved each other, there are uncertainties about whether they were full physical lovers. This book suggests that a sheep's bladder may have stopped the woman known as the Virgin Queen from becoming pregnant. However the author argues that whatever the full truth of this relationship was, it doesn't alter the main facts.
I think the best of the plot lines is a suspicious death, which greatly affects the main characters. Possible causes of death considered are cancer causing bone thinning, suicide and murder. If it was murder, there are at least 3 suspects/accessories.
Unlike some other books featuring Elizabeth I's "special friend", I think that a background knowledge of the Tudors is highly desirable before reading this one, to fully appreciate this account.
Philippa Gregory, who has degrees in both history and literature, has taken some historical facts that are not disputed and put a different interpretation on them to that which I have heard before. I believe that to fully appreciate her skill in this, you have to know the more common conclusions.
As the most powerful have the greatest influence on the contents of historical records that are passed down, I think it is right to consider possible bias when interpreting them.
Reading Jean Plaidy's book, entitled Lord Robert, before reading The Virgin's Lover helped me value this latter book better. Jean Plaidy's book tells the traditional version of the whole of Robert Dudley's life, whereas the Virgin's Lover only covers two years of it in more detail.
There have been many books and films about Elizabeth I and her Tudor relatives. The only popular entertainment that I would recommend you to avoid, if wanting an historically accurate account, is the recent series entitled The Tudors shown on BBC. I was extremely surprised that the BBC showed a production with glaring inaccuracies, for those who have some knowledge of this time, but it seems that the primary aim of this series was to entertain. On investigation I found that an American channel originally commissioned the series. Search for The Tudors on www.radiotimes.com if you want the creator's reaction to criticism about inaccuracy.
*** Recommendation ***
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which incorporates a mysterious death with romance and the politics of the time. As with Philippa Gregory's other historical fiction books, the story is well researched, and has interesting, well-developed and credible characters.
For me it was a five star read, but readers with no previous knowledge of this period of history may not appreciate it as much as I did.
As explained above, I recommend this most to those who already have a love of Tudor history, rather than a starting point to acquiring knowledge.
RRP: £7.99
Amazon Price: £5.59
Paperback: 496 pages
Publisher: Harper (25 April 2005)
ISBN-10: 0007147317
ISBN-13: 978-0007147311
As with other Philippa Gregory paperbacks, the print is smaller than average. If this is a problem for you, look out for the hardback or large print versions.
Summary: A tale of Elizabethan political power struggles and a suspicious death.
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