Being Elizabeth

This is the first book I've ever read by Barbara Taylor Bradford and I didn't expect to like it. I thought it would be silly, one-dimensional and kind of a like a Judith Krantz, with lots of name dropping of brand name items while people sipped champagne. Either that or I expected basically a lot of groping and people glancing at each other from across the room as the waves rolled on the beach. This book was neither too sexy, nor was it too simplistic. Instead, it's a really clever retelling of the story of the wives of Henry VIII with a modern corporate setting. I LOVED the ways in which history was intermingled throughout the book, with the occasional reference to Harry's remarrying so that he could produce a male heir (who subsequently died), Elizabeth's own reluctance to marry and produce an heir, "Marie Stewart", Elizabeth's rival, those dastardly Scots whom no one quite trusts; the family crests; the riding and the hounds. It was clever, not one dimensional and just a lot of fun. The plot kept moving along and had several twists and turns. Granted, this isn't "Literature" with a capitol L, just a great beach read -- but it's clever and fun and will keep you entertained.

Barbara Taylor Bradford outdid herself with this one. If you are a lover of history in the time of Elizabeth I you will see the parallels in this story and at times you will find yourself going back and checking facts from Elizabeth's life. Would recommend to anyone and as a sequel to the Heir it was satisfing - but is also excellent as a stand alone read. Gloria M

What if the original Queen Elizabeth were around today and running a major corporation instead of an empire? The question is fun to ponder, as is Barbara Taylor Bradford's latest novel, Being Elizabeth. This new book takes Elizabeth and all her character traits out of the past and puts her in the boardroom in 2004, along with the supporting cast of characters from history. It's a wonderful premise and an enjoyable read. Highly reccomended!

I really enjoyed reading what Elizabeth the First might have been like if she had lived in the 20th. century, and had been head of a corporation instead of the queen of England. The book was over 400 pages, but I finished it in two days, since it was very easy to read. And I was anxious to see how BTB handled certain situations, - the death of Amy, Robert's wife, for instance. I thought it was clever how she explained the death of Elizabeth's mother, Anne. Dying in a car crash in France with her brother and 4 men friends. That was genius. I can understand how people who might not be familiar with the Tudors and Plantagenets might miss the point of the story, but it is certainly their loss.

With the death of Mary Turner, her estranged daughter Elizabeth inherits Deravenel's due to her late father's will. However, the Board has issues with Elizabeth being in her twenties and with the poor stewardship of her mother. Mary has left the company in financial trouble having removed profits needed for capital reinvestments to assist her husband, Philip Alvarez instead. However, her influential childhood friend Robert Dunley throws his support to Elizabeth, who he believes is more than capable of turning the company around. As they work together to save Deravenel's, they initially try to ignore their attraction to one another. However, that proves more difficult than dealing with the Board of Directors as love is more complicated than business relationships. The latest Deravanel's family drama continues the saga (see THE RAVENSCAR DYNASTY and THE HEIR) with a fabulous cute twist taken from sixteenth century England and brought to contemporary times. The story line is character driven, as always is the case of a Barbara Taylor Bradford' sweeping epic. Fans of the author will fully appreciate this fine contemporary in the boardrooms and bedrooms as BEING ELIZABETH is a novel of substance. Harriet Klausner