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)

Loved this Book!

The narrators did an amazing job of taking on each character in this historical novel based on true events. I couldn't stop listening to it! Even though I already knew the historical account and how it would end for Lady Jane, the book held my interest right up to the end.

Strange

The book was ok in terms of plot, character development, etc., but I found it very odd that the author chose to present it as a number of first person narrations. What are we supposed to think these are? They are not letters or diary entries. If we are supposed to think the all-seeing author is putting us inside the heads of these people as they muse, it strains credulity to think that anyone muses so articulately, whether a child, a nurse maid, an executioner or a queen. I don't recall ever reading a book like this and I think it greatly distracts from the overall work.

Great reading

Weir has the ability to make you feel right in the middle of the story. Her accurate history details is amazing. Please add more of her books.

A new perspective on history

This is a great way to understand the history of our society better. The characters come to life and you realize how much things have changed but also, how much people haven' t changed. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it highly.

Amazing

If you could sum up Innocent Traitor in three words, what would they be?

Romantic and enticing I never wanted to stop listening to it.

What did you like best about this story?

It made me want to just keep listening to it.

History comes alive....again !

What did you love best about Innocent Traitor?

I love reading Alison Weir's books because she takes these real-life people from history and makes them so much more than just a page in a history book. Even though I knew how this story would end I couldn't stop listening.

Poor poor Jane

Such a sad life for her. Her parents were sadistic. This is a sad story of betrayal. Tudor England was a dangerous place.

Fantastic story, fantastic narration

I’m probably not the only one here who learned about Jane Grey from the 1986 movie, still a favorite of mine, but the story always entranced me. This was a very compelling creation of the world that Jane Grey lived in until her untimely death. It was hard not to hear the narrators’ voices and see the actors from the film in my mind, which I didn’t mind, it was like rewatching the film with backstory which was wonderful. This is one of those real life way more interesting than fiction stories, and everyone on this project did a beautiful job.

A New Appreciation

Spoilers if you don’t know the story.

I never have been a fan of Alison Weir because of her clear distaste for Anne Boleyn. But I gave this one a go because I like the narrators and I hadn’t read a good Jane book yet. It’s given me a fresh perspective on Queen Mary I. I had never seen a humanity portrayed in her like this book did. She has been brandished by history as a hateful woman, and who could blame her for how she grew up so poorly treated? But her hesitance to execute Jane down to the very day of her death is touching in this narration of the events that fold down. It breaks my heart to know that they tried all they could to save Jane while making the kingdom safe. Above all, I think one of the most beautiful heroes of this story is Mrs. Ellen, who is truly in heart if not in fact, Jane’s mother. From birth until death, she is loyal and devoted, and it’s a beautiful relationship to unfold in the pages of this book. The narration is beautiful, I enjoyed all of the readers. This will be one that I repeat a few times, most likely, despite how sad it is. I guess I’m a glutton for punishment!! Lol.

Highly recommend this one.

A Life Too Little Known

The pawn of vicious parents & politics, she now claims our admiration for her courage.