Innocent Traitor

A Novel of Lady Jane Grey

By: Alison Weir

Narrated by: Stina Nielsen, Davina Porter, Bianca Amato

Length: 18 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling author Alison Weir has earned her reputation as the preeminent historian of British royalty. Now with Innocent Traitor, Weir utilizes her vast knowledge and captivating narrative style to craft her first historical novel, choosing Lady Jane Grey, the most sympathetic heroine of Tudor England, as her enthralling subject.

The child of a scheming father and ruthless mother, Jane is born during a time when ambition dictates action. Cousin to Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I, she is merely a pawn in a political and religious game in which one false step means a certain demise. But Lady Jane has remarkable qualities that help her to withstand the constant pressures of the royal machinery far better than most expect.

Weir's striking novel sweeps readers back through the centuries to witness firsthand one of the most poignant tales from a time of constant scheming and power brokering.

©2007 Alison Weir (P)2007 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"Weir proves herself deft as ever." (Publishers Weekly)
"Complex yet completely absorbing....A brilliantly vivid and psychologically astute novel." (Booklist)

Well Written - Excellent Narration

Classic Weir - 'nuf said ... And each of the multiple narrators were pitch perfect in their interpretations of both the story and the characters they portrayed.

story was well written

The storyline was well written but the reader kept swallowing that was very distracting. I could hear the abundance of saliva as she read.

An extraordinary lady-child

I am pleased to learn about this period of history although it never ends well. Lady Jane Grey had an amazing intellect and sense of purpose. Very well performed.

...and then I cried

No spoiler... I know how it ends and yet by the talents of writer and narrators Im sucked into a world of betrayal, innocence, plots and cruelty and then reduced to tears at the bitter end.

Truly moving

This audiobook kept my rapt attention and drew tears from my soul. Well done to the author, narrators, and all involved in this undertaking.

I loved the story...

I thought it was well written, the narraration was well performed. Enjoyed it very much.

Well done all around

Would you consider the audio edition of Innocent Traitor to be better than the print version?

I might as it was more entertaining to hear the different characters voices.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Innocent Traitor?

The ending.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Jane found out she was to be crowned

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Innocent Traitor

Any additional comments?

Very well done

Well written …

Absorbing tale of Jane Grey. Now I want to know more of her. Very good.

Historical accuracy

From the small bit I have heard about Jane Grey this story seems to be fairly accurate. I have loved all of Alison Weir's books and recommended them all. I find myself listening to them over and over. However, this particular one I always come back too. I think it's mainly because of all the different voice actors. They really bring the story to life. I hope that more of Weir's books are read in the future like this.

better than average historical soap

--but as a novel, it's far from the literary fiction category.

Weir makes so pretence of using literary devices other than modified epistolary format, and no literary devices are much better than the feeble ones usually found in historical fiction. The characters (even Lady Jane as a four year old and her moderately educated nurse) just speak by turns chronologically, journal style, in elegant modern prose.

Perhaps by avoiding awkward attempts to recreate period, Weir actually is more true to the period. She resolves the language divide from Tudor England better than most, opting for contemporary terminology rather than awkward dialogue, with archaic terms for medical and sexual words thrown in as a nod to the period (women awaiting their courses to see if a man's seed had quickened in her womb...). Dialogue is brisker than most historical fiction I've come across, with more historical info packed into it. It's mostly a standard view of history, even though it champions a woman's view through the heroine's eyes. The dialogue was pedantic at times as the historical information was related.

Thankfully, there is little graphic sex or violence or even bodice ripping. It's well narrated, too. The multiple-narrators style worked well here.

Overall, I found this an engrossing, easy listen, but not satisfying enough as a novel to rate more than 3 stars.