(3.5 stars) Weir's improved since her last novel but I have questions about what was left out and why

books:

	• The Lady Elizabeth (Historical Fiction) Alison Weir Thorndike Press, 2008 - 835 pages average customer review:based on 39 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

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.

(3.5 stars) Weir's improved since her last novel but I have questions about what was left out and why

It seems every year a new crop of novels about Elizabeth Tudor pop up. It's not surprising why-she's one of the most fascinating, powerful women in history. The first woman to rule a nation without a male consort, despite carrying on a lifetime (consummated or not) romance with a man considered highly inappropriate by her counselors and people. She played a highly skilled waiting game with the most powerful men in the world, stringing out marriage negotiations to ensure peace between the nations when she never intended to marry. I could go on and on and on...

But every novelist seems to have a different view of Elizabeth, the real, person Elizabeth that you can't learn about from reading her writings or researching her history. Sometimes Elizabeth is seen as a dark, brooding, sexual, regal, commanding and yet still unsure creature, frightened when it came to trusting any man. Others portray her as strong and unwilling to be dominated be anyone and if more naïve and willing to trust when she was young, she changed as she aged. And some (unfortunately) have her being sometimes strong, bet most often naïve and needing to be lead by men.

But the truth is, this is one of the only areas an author can be original in writing a biographical novel. There is only one story of Elizabeth's life, only so many historical documents and accounts left behind and no one will ever no know the whole truth and nothing but the truth unless Elizabeth herself shows up and decides to be very candid. So that leaves us with novelists, who take room for speculation and dramatic addition in the rumors of the time, or in adding a fictional character or event that may have influenced Elizabeth's life or character in some way, but in the end, the bare bones of the story are always the same.

But the story is a far different thing than the book. I must have read 10 different accounts of different parts of Elizabeth's life and no two are exactly alike. Writing style, importance of side characters, attention to historical detail, these things all change how the book is read.

"The Lady Elizabeth" Alison Weir's second novel is about Elizabeth's life from age 3 (1536) (when she was declared a bastard) to her ascension to the throne in 1558 and includes all that happened to her within this time period. Her version of Elizabeth is almost unveiled from the mythos that has come to surround the Virgin Queen. Here Elizabeth starts as a privileged child, somewhat imperious, enjoying her own importance, and quickly learns that the world is a dangerous place for her. She resolves not to love but can't help having a crush, and finally realizes the immense importance of deciding who you place your trust in. In short, she is a child who becomes a politician.

In my review of Weir's first novel I said that there could be no doubting of the accuracy of her research since her first route to fame was through biography. Well, now she's found her novelist's legs (keep this in mind as you read.) There is little or no mention in this book of events I've found in every other novel spanning the same time frame. Examples would be: The way no funds were given to Elizabeth's household after her mother's execution, Mary Tudor's often cruel and taunting treatment, Henry VIII's fickle nature regarding affection for his daughter and most strangely, an almost complete lack of Robert Dudley in Elizabeth's childhood.

I had always assumed that Robert and Elizabeth were schooled together and in a way grew up together but through a small amount of research have found that while they did share tutors, there is no evidence that they were taught by these men at the same time. If anyone knows more factual info about their childhood histories please leave a comment below. I just have a hard time believing they barely new each other and then all of a sudden on her coronation day he rode beside her as master of the horse. Seems like a big leap up, no?

There's also the matter of one of the more interesting and scandalous rumors that surrounded Elizabeth's life when she was young which Weir has taken fictional license to make true for her version of Elizabeth's life. This really bothered me at first but since reading the author's note I have no complaint. It is a novel after all and this does increase the drama factor by ten-and explain some major things about Elizabeth (if it happened to have been true.) But that doesn't mean I believe the incident was possible. (Sorry to be cryptic, major spoiler.)

In the end I think historical figures, especially ones who didn't leave behind especially clear impressions of their private selves such as Anne Frank are open to so much interpretation that you can almost pick and choose which version you like best. While Weir's Elizabeth will never be my favorite, ("Legacy" by Susan Kay has set the standard for me and I'm afraid there's no going back) I can't fault the style the book was executed in, only puzzle over parts of it. But there's no doubt that third person suits her much than first as she used for "Innocent Traitor." I Hope she continues to write this way (or maybe even experiment with second!)

It's always a pleasure to watch an author improve. I assume there will be a sequel to this. Perhaps, "Elizabeth the Queen?" I'll be on the look out for it and I look forward to Alison Weir's views on the development of the Queen's true personality.

Maybe in the end my ranking is tainted by the ghosts of other author's Elizabeth's floating around my head (and by my confusion about the absence of what I always viewed as some of the building blocks of Elizabeth's character) but I have to say in the end, for me, this is a three point five star book. I did enjoy it, went through it fast and would recommend it for the slightly different story of Elizabeth's early years and because it is only by gathering as much information as we can (even if it fictionalized) that we gain a true portrait of who a person really is. And with someone like Weir who knows Elizabeth probably was well as anyone alive today does, this does help fill in some blank spots on a canvas of a historical figure I revere immensely.

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Liz comes alive

Ms. Weir not only knows her history but equally important knows how to
bring it to life. She has the Tudor era of English history down pat and
shows us not only the political and dynastic forces that shapeed the early life of the Queen, but also probes the possibilities about her stubborn resistance to marry. This has .long been disputed by scholars. But in Ms. Weir's hands, she molds a perfectly plausible construct; i.e., having been raped and abused by Thomas Seymour as a teenager and the deciet she witnessed among the aristocratic class greeedily jockying of power.
Overall this was a terrific listen. I also had Weir's book on Lady Jane Grey which was likewise a superb conjdecture based on solid history. Both were
entertaining and educational. Mostly, I was initially wary about these books because it seemed to me they were
basically historical chick lit and not for the likes of a middle-aged
man. But I am a history buff. I have read tons of stuff on Henry VIII and
the other Tudors and this was a good experience.

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An entertaining read

I am always wary about historical fiction novels as they often are more fiction than history. However, Alison Weir, being first most a historian and then an author, allows the reader to enjoy this book while knowing that it is on the whole based on historical fact. The few things that are not are detailed at the end of the book and they too are not wholly made up by the author, but based on historical rumors at the time.

This was an enjoyable read and I hope that Ms. Weir continues the story into Elizabeth's reign.

Royally Good

The Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir begins with a not quite three year old Elizabeth being told by her older sister Mary that Elizabeth's mother is dead at the hands of their father, the King. This shattering event becomes a shadow that will hang over Elizabeth throughout her life and shape the wily young woman and future queen that she will become.

Ms. Weir takes us through Elizabeth's life from the time of the death of her mother, Anne Boleyn, until the day she ascends the throne of England upon the death of her older sister Mary. Elizabeth's life is always tense and she often finds herself caught up in intrigues that are none of her making. Anyone familiar with Elizabeth will know how these events eventually turn out yet Ms. Weir is able to weave the tales with a sense of urgency and an edge of fear of the unknown. While the author's take on some of the details of Elizabeth's life are pure fabrication (as she mentions in her author's notes), so seamlessly does she create the atmosphere that I found myself able to believe things just might have happened that way. As one who is a stickler for historical accuracy, I must applaud Ms. Weir for being able to give a new spin to an old, old tale and make it convincing.

The novel started off a bit slow; the details of Elizabeth's very early years, while essential to show how her character was shaped, did tend to err on the side of overkill at times. However, by the time Elizabeth's father dies and she arrives on her step-mother's doorstep, I was so hooked that I literally could not put the book down. My biggest complaint is Weir's incessant need to throw in her dislike of Richard III in some way in every one of her books when his presence or mention is unncessary and a distraction. However, excellent writing and research more than make up for any minor qualms I had. Historical fiction that actually should rate 4.5 stars for quality. Recommended!

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reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, page 6, 7, 8

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