The Lady Elizabeth

A Novel

By: Alison Weir

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Length: 20 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Following the tremendous success of her first novel, Innocent Traitor, acclaimed historian and New York Times best-selling author Alison Weir turns her masterly storytelling skills to the early life of young Elizabeth Tudor, who would grow up to become England's most intriguing and powerful queen.

Before she is three, Elizabeth learns of the tragic fate that has befallen her mother, the enigmatic and seductive Anne Boleyn, and that she herself has been declared illegitimate, an injustice that will haunt her all her life. What comes next is a succession of stepmothers, bringing with them glimpses of love, fleeting security, tempestuous conflict, and tragedy.

The death of her father puts the teenage Elizabeth in greater peril, leaving her at the mercy of ambitious and unscrupulous men. Like her mother two decades earlier, she is imprisoned in the Tower of London - and fears she will also meet her mother's grisly end.

Power-driven politics, private scandal, and public gossip, a disputed succession, and the grievous example of her sister, "Bloody" Queen Mary, all cement Elizabeth's resolve in matters of statecraft and love, and set the stage for her transformation into the iconic Virgin Queen.

Sweeping in scope, The Lady Elizabeth is a fascinating portrayal of a woman far ahead of her time - whose dangerous and dramatic path to the throne shapes her future greatness.

©2008 Allison Weir (P)2008 Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Splendid....In giving narrative voice to her subjects Alison Weir brings us into emotional contact with them in a way that an unadorned historical account does not." ( Boston Sunday Globe)
"A chilling epitaph on a period of history that continues to fascinate and bewitch us today." ( San Antonio Express-News)

The early life of Elizabeth.

Most books on Elizabeth deal with her period as queen. This book dealt with her life before becoming queen. An excellent audible. A must for fans of this period.

Excellent story but poor performance by narrator

This book is as accurate as historical fiction tends to be and as far as I know the story of Elizabeth I to be. Unfortunately, the narration needs more actors to portray the many characters. As it is, the narration is poor and distracting in its lack of substance.

Wonderful historical fiction

This was a fabulous book. The reader is energetic and engaging and manages to give each character their own voice without things being too cartoonish.

This is my first of this author’s fictional works and I enjoyed her epilogue where she had to at least touch on the historical inaccuracies used. She is a remarkable Tudor historian and her genuine passion for the subject is present in all of her works.

This book does end at her becoming queen so if you are looking for something about her early life this is fantastic.

The Lady Elizabeth

Mostly loved it, but struggled to stay engaged at times, but I would buy again.

great story

loved it. finally a story before Dudley refreshing and interesting. love the author and how she writes and her end notes are valuable.

Enjoyable and interesting read

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I like Elizabeth I as a character and was happy to learn from facts and compare wiht other renditions that contain more fiction or poetic license. The narrator is superb.

Could not put down

I absolutely loved listening to “The Lady Elizabeth” by Allison Weir. She is very factual which I found refreshing as I am a huge Elizabeth fan. I recommend this novel to anyone looking to be educated on the early life of Queen Elizabeth the 1st.

New insight into Elizabeth’s character.

Could not stop listening. Absolutely riveting. Historically accurate. Especially true for Elizabeth’s feelings about her mother Anne Boleyn.

Excellent Piece of Fiction

The narration is excellent and the material is an interesting take. Alison Weir does an excellent research job and uses fact to create an interesting story.

what if rumors were true

Great narration, and a fun listen. Even the most brilliant queens . . . sometimes learn the hard way how to adapt to the demands of their life.