The Lady Elizabeth

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

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!!!

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!

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.

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!