Elizabeth: The Golden Age

I thoroughly enjoy Ms. Alexander's writing. It is always a pleasure to read her fiction because I know I will personally feel the nuances of the time period that is the setting of her story. Ms. Alexander's sensitivity in character development is also to be appreciated, and I look forward to her future books with keen anticipation.

I bought this because I loved Ms Alexander's other novels. She's one of the few authors whose books I just can't put down. This book's characterizations are complex and intriguing; the writing vivid and engaging. An outstanding read!

I had the pleasure of reading this adaptation of the screenplay before I saw the film. In comparison, this book was a far better experience than viewing the film. Although historically inaccurate which Alexander states at the end of the book, it was highly entertaining reading. This novel was a fast and fascinating read that keeps you hooked without loss of detail. Honestly, if the film had reflected the original screenplay (and Alexander's adaptation) more closely, it was have been a remarkable film. Instead, we at least have this adaptation to show us what 'might have been' in regard to the film. Through this adaptation, we are drawn into the characters and are able to connect with them in a fashion that the film doesn't allow. Overall, if you are looking for a historically accurate portrait of Elizabeth I and events surrounding the defeat of the Spanish Armada, this would not be the book for you. If you are looking for a potential insight into Elizabeth and those she loved on a more human level, don't miss this!

King Philip of Spain believes he is doing God's work although he loathes cutting down trees to make the ships he needs to return Europe back to the true Catholic God; he considers his mission is to save the soul of England, his late wife's country. With the heretic Elizabeth on the throne, he plots to replace her with her guest prisoner of twenty years, Queen Mary Stuart. Captain Walter Raleigh has docked his ship the Tyger in London for repairs. With him are two natives from the New World, whom he hopes to introduce to the Queen. Walter wants her backing to set up a settlement at Roanoke Island in what he calls Virginia in honor of Queen Elizabeth. As she does every Sunday, Elizabeth walks from the Presence Chamber to the Chapel Royal so that her people can see her. However, this time Walter steps out of the crowd and puts his cloak down so she would not step in a puddle. Later after rejecting her advisors latest marital scheme to prevent a French-Spanish alliance, she has her favorite lady in waiting Bess Throckmorten brings Walter to her. The Spanish ambassador Guerau calls Walter a pirate, but he mentions a colony and introduces her to his friends and tobacco. Walter has begun his efforts to obtain her Highness' patronage even as he and Bess fall in love while Phillip launches the Armada. This is a terrific character driven biographical fictional account of Queen Elizabeth, who comes across as a powerful queen with state and personal problems. Readers will obtain an incredible insight into the mind pf King Phillip of Spain who believes God is on his side as well as a deeper look at Raleigh than the usual romanticized popular version of a cloak dropper. The rest of the cast also is fully developed as Tasha Alexander provides a wonderful novelization of the upcoming sequel to the award winning film Elizabeth. Harriet Klausner

Before Margaret Thatcher, before the Spice Girls, there was Elizabeth the First who gave birth to the British Empire and was the ultimate preying manthis in a Virgin Queen. Elizabeth was the son her father Henry the 8th never had. Her affair with Sir Walter Raleigh ended in his death by her decree and under her scheming England defeated Spain to rule the seas. A riveting book into the reign of Elizabeth the First who took a small nation and made it into one where the sun never set.