The Virgin's Lover (Boleyn) by Philippa Gregory
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Book Reviews of The Virgin's Lover (Boleyn)
Book Review: Great writer!
Summary: 5 Stars
I love books by Philipa Gregory. This good came brand new! What a great price!Book Review: The journey that began with a bang ends with a whimper.
Summary: 4 Stars
After tearing through The Other Boleyn Girl, I made up my mind to read all four of the other books in Gregory's Tudor series, sure that each one would be the equal of the fascinating, soapy and wonderfully rendered first novel. Unfortunately, none of the others succeeded in matching that one, either in the writing and storytelling, or in my own enjoyment factor. This one comes closest, but it is still a far cry.
My main problem with this novel is that it has to be judged more by what it ISN'T that what it IS. For instance, it ISN'T horribly repetitive like The Constant Princess and The Boleyn Inheritance. That's kind of like judging food by saying "Well, it didn't make me sick." Food isn't SUPPOSED to make you sick, and books aren't SUPPOSED to be horribly repetitive. Yet somehow that's a compliment to Gregory.
Readers of Gregory's other books will be alternately rewarded and disappointed by the inclusion of other characters and/or historical figures in this novel. For instance, Hannah the Fool, a fictional character Gregory employed as the star of The Queen's Fool: A Novel makes a brief appearance and is referenced a few times when it's relevant to the plot. Mary Boleyn & King Henry VIII's illegitimate daughter Catherine is brought back as a minor character, and while it's wonderful to see her come into such a good future, it's puzzling that her brother Henry was omitted -- especially since Gregory writes in the author's note of TOBG that he grew to be a minor player in his half-sister/cousin Elizabeth's court.
And then we come to my primary problem with this novel: Elizabeth herself. In every single history book, historical fiction novel, television special and movie I have ever seen on Queen Elizabeth I, she has always been portrayed as an intelligent, cunning and capable ruler with the strength and conviction needed to run a Kingdom alone for nearly fifty years, and position it to be one of the most powerful nations in the world for centuries to come. In short, she's always portrayed as nothing more or less than what she was: the greatest ruler in Great Britain's history. Gregory's interpretation of this character turns her into a sniveling, whining child who is incapable of making even the simplest of decisions without going to a man for guidance and spends more time moaning about the fate of her Kingdom than she does actually taking a hand in deciding that fate on her own. This may be seen by some as a novel approach by Gregory, but I was annoyed and dismayed by the Elizabeth she created. How could such a powerful female icon be reduced to this dependent, paralyzed, and frankly stupid woman? I've never considered myself a feminist, but even I was appalled by this.
However, it's easier to dwell on my problems with this novel than to itemize all the little things I did actually enjoy about it. In fact, if it weren't for the utterly abrupt, rushed and disappointing nature of the ending, I might have even been moved to give it five stars.
I didn't like any of Gregory's other books enough to make reading her non-Tudor efforts a high priority. I like historical fiction enough to know that I'll certainly read them one day, but that day is a long, long ways off. And hopefully that will give her plenty of time to come up with something else that matches the power of The Other Boleyn Girl.
Book Review: Was She, or Wasn't She?
Summary: 4 Stars
This historical novel focuses on the love triangle between Queen Elizabeth I, Robert Dudley, and Dudley's wife, Amy. While all the characters in this novel are taken from history, Gregory obviously takes some liberties with historical events. Despite the historical inaccuracies and uncertainties, the book is a highly enjoyable read. It was my first introduction to Gregory's work, and I have since read 3 more Gregory novels.
It is 1558, and Elizabeth has just ascended the throne. She finds that there are only a few people she can trust, since treachery lurks around every corner. She is, after all, a Protestant queen, in a country unwilling to fully embrace Protestantism. The legitimacy of her throne is questioned because of the circumstances surrounding her birth. Elizabeth finds herself without the funds to defend her throne and to protect England.
In steps Robert Dudley, the disgraced son of a previously prominent family. He and Elizabeth are old friends, and he takes advantage of Elizabeth's vulnerabilities to rise to a position of great power in her court. He becomes her Master of Horse, but also her confidante, and eventually, her lover. Gregory leaves some ambiguity as to whether Dudley is pretending in order to increase his position in the court, or whether he actually has such depth of feeling for Elizabeth. But one thing is clear, he brings out a passionate side in the queen, and it is because of this that she may end up in further danger.
Elizabeth is soon torn between her love for England and her love for Dudley. Her closest advisor, William Cecil, believes Dudley to be a threat. Elizabeth becomes confused - torn between wanting to follow Cecil's counsel, or follow that of Dudley's - advice that sometimes conflicts. To add further confusion, Elizabeth must marry someone of power and produce an heir in order to secure her position on the throne. Her devotion to Dudley and her unwillingness to betray him mars the prospect of marriage.
Dudley himself aspires to be Elizabeth's husband. But one thing stands in his way - his wife, Amy Robsart. Amy, who practices Catholicism in secret, despises the queen, but realizes that she is the only person who can restore dignity to the Dudley name. She waits faithfully at home while Dudley is off at court, and when rumors begin to circulate about Dudley's love affair with the queen, Amy can do nothing but sit and wait for infrequent contact from her husband. Whether she is willing to believe the rumors or not, she obviously still loves her husband, and she knows that she is no competition for the beautiful, glamorous queen.
As with any love triangle, it cannot end well. As it is brought to an anguished end, Dudley ends up shamed once again. Elizabeth sits a bit more securely on the throne, but Dudley is left pondering what happened, and whom is responsible. Gregory leaves a bit of a mystery at the end, just as there are some mysteries remaining about Elizabeth's court. It is only fitting that the novel leaves loose ends, and that the reader must draw their own conclusions. Mystery and intrigue are part of courtly life, after all.
Book Review: More like 4 1/2 stars....
Summary: 4 Stars
With the death of Queen Mary, Elizabeth is now the heir to the throne of England. She is not beloved by all, however. As a Protestant, Elizabeth is opposed by the Church and her people are split by their faith. Elizabeth needs a confidant, someone she can rely on when all seems chaotic around her. Robert Dudley seeks to be that man, despite his marriage to Amy Robsart Dudley. England is teetering on the brink of war, both internally and externally. Elizabeth's love for Robert could destroy England forever....
Philippa Gregory immerses the reader in a time long past. The rich pageantry of Elizabeth's reign springs to vivid life in this lush tale. The meticulous attention to detail can sometimes be a bit overwhelming, such as when the war is being described, but the sheer imagery of this tale is startling. THE VIRGIN'S LOVER is a tale to be savored as it provokes as many questions as it answers.
Elizabeth herself is a tortured character, sometimes controlled and focused and at other times a silly girl in love. She is sharply contrasted with Amy, a woman I wanted to like but yet couldn't. Amy's staunch faith both in her Church and her marriage is admirable to a degree, but her blindness to Robert's faults made me want to reach in the pages and slap some sense into her.
Robert is a total cad. Is he driven truly by love for Elizabeth or does he only want the power she can grant him? At times, I sensed that he still felt a smidgeon of the love he once shared with Amy. Regardless, his dismissal of her wants and needs is inexcusable. The power of the court was obviously a very heady thing and Philippa Gregory clearly shows this throughout THE VIRGIN'S LOVER.
What sheer genius by Philippa Gregory to evoke such strong reactions about her characters! Ms. Gregory provides her own twist to the history of Elizabeth's reign while keeping the reader completely enthralled. Having not read the prior books leading up to Elizabeth's ascension to power, I still felt the magic of the time period. After reading THE VIRGIN'S LOVER, it is a guarantee that I will read THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL and THE QUEEN'S FOOL to see how these books tie in.
COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES
Book Review: An interesting take on England's most famous monarch
Summary: 4 Stars
I loved Philippa Gregory's "The Other Boleyn Girl" and I was afraid that her other books wouldn't measure up to it, but "The Virgin's Lover" comes pretty close. The story is set during the early days of Queen Elizabeth I's reign. England is facing very difficult times: the treasury is empty, no bishop is willing to perform the young queen's coronation ceremony, and several countries are threatening to throw Elizabeth off her throne. The queen's advisors are all pressuring her to marry as quickly as possible to secure her own safety as well as the safety of the country. Unfortunately, Elizabeth has fallen head over heels in love with Sir Robert Dudley, her Master of Horse. Not only does Robert have a traitorous family history, but he also has a wife waiting for him at home, making him completely unsuitable and unavailable for marriage. As Elizabeth and Robert grow closer, rumors about their adulterous relationship circulate throughout the kingdom. Robert's wife, Amy, is forced to deal with vicious gossip about her husband while he and Elizabeth desperately try to figure out a way to be together.
Of course, Robert has ulterior motives of his own. Although he truly cares about Elizabeth, his primary concern is for his own well-being. Gregory's novel portrays Robert Dudley as a conniving, manipulating cad who has the queen wrapped around his little finger. Elizabeth is no angel, either: in addition to her lack of concern for Amy, she also has a wicked temper and is completely indecisive when it comes to making decisions that affect the entire kingdom. "The Virgin's Lover" definitely does not paint the early years of Elizabeth's reign in a positive light, which is something that will probably anger some readers: after all, Elizabeth is probably the most popular monarch that England has ever had. However, none of that really matters in this case because this is an EXCELLENT book! I really enjoy Gregory's writing style, which is part historical fact, part historical fiction, and part classic romance novel. "The Virgin's Lover" is enthralling from beginning to end. I still think "The Other Boleyn Girl" is better, but you should definitely read both of these fabulous books!