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)

Excellent

I think this showed a slice of life that was new to me. What a time in history.

Allison Weir tells an engrossing story!

If you like historical fiction this is a book for you. Very captivating.

I do concur with other reviewers that transitions in reading are not great. I believe this to be a producer issue - not narrators. The narrators a very good

Marvelous!

Fantastic recount of the life of Lady Jane Gray and those around her. It is told in the first person by Jane Gray and several others in a loose sort of diary-entry format. The charcters are wonderfully developed and offer a unique perspective of many well known historical figures of the Tudor Dynasty. I learned a great deal and enjoyed the story immensely.
Icing on the cake: Narration is excellent as well!! Top notch. I will definately add the narrators and author of this book to my list of favorites.

An Engaging Gem

"Innocent Traitor" was a beautiful story performed by skilled and desirable voice actors. Particularly engaging was the voice actress who portrayed Lady Jane Grey. For someone who has listened to hundreds of voice over demos, she was exquisite with regard to her interpretation, demeanor, vocal tonality and transitions in voice ages from that of a child to a teenager to a newly established queen. The ensemble cast of "Innocent Traitor" was complementary, captivating and deserving of highest admiration.

Tudor intrigue

I love novels about this period and have persued them all from authors Plaidy to Gregory. This story of Jane Gray was well researched and written and filled in some blanks on the history and personalities of the era. Follow it with "The Virgin Queen's Daughter" for continuity

Excellent historical fiction

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to anybody who enjoys historical fiction. Alison Weir does an excellent job with the research (as usual) and through her mastery of the facts of life during this period manages to bring the characters to life.

What did you like best about this story?

The author manages to give us the fact while adding the slightest bit of the "bodice ripping factor" for good measure.

Have you listened to any of the narrators’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I enjoy Bianca Amato's performances and she does not disappoint here.

Who was the most memorable character of Innocent Traitor and why?

Lady Jane remains a memorable character in fact as well as in fiction.

Any additional comments?

This is historical fiction at its highest caliber.

Just like Philippa Gregory's books

Another book about the Tudor era. I wouldn't have even guessed it was a different author. If you enjoyed Gregory's books you'll like this one.

It's Still With Me

I listened to this book about 4 years ago, and it still remains with me. It is historical fiction at it's best. Yes, the story needed some time to warm up- but almost every good book does- and the begining made me curious enough to hear more. The carichtors are not perfect, and that is what makes this book even better. The author remains loyal to historical facts, and succeeds in creating a great novel with a subcontext. I highly recommend it.

Excellent Read!

I was mesmerized by this wonderful audio book. The narrators are excellent. I learned a great deal about this dramatic time in English history. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Great historical fiction

Incredibly well researched, this tragic story gives insights into a time in history that I always found particularly confusing....starting with Henry VII in his later years, and the time after his death. The story gives insight into the real motivations and rhetoric during this time of political and religious upheaval. The readers are wonderful, and the use of different readers for different characters is very effective.