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)

Captivating

The narrative is captivating! Roslyn brings the characters to life! Loved all the small details noted by the author.

Fantastic!!!!

I loved every single moment of this story and in fact tried to slow my reading down so I could savor it a bit more. I actually hit this book by accident thinking it was a different author and learned a few chapters in that it was Alison Weir. Couldn't have been happier. I loved the fact that she stayed pretty spot on to actual facts, while giving us a plausible scenario of how things may have played out. My only fear is that I loved this so much, I hope her other books can live up to my, now high, expectations.

Superb!

Once again, Weir has captured our attention with exceptional historical facts woven with fiction! As in The Lady in the Tower & A Dangerous Inheritance, The Marriage Game, etc., this is a gripping novel, taking us back in time with facts and her uncanny ability to make the reader get lost in the lives of these people, as though we are a fly on the wall! I've listened to this book 3 times! (I tend to do that with great books).

Very interesting with great narration.

I really enjoyed this book. It is always fun to listen to a story that has really well researched historical facts turned into fiction. Alison Weir is one of the best at this. Rosalyn Landor, as usual, did an excellent job with the narration. She is one of my favorites.

A Very entertaining piece of nonfiction

I really loved listening to this book. My greatest criticism is that I really wish they could have males really read the male parts. The reader made Henry VIII and William Cecil sound exactly alike. I feel it's a slap in the face to Cecil.

Superb Narrator!!

The narrator brought this already intriguing and detailed story to vivid life! highly recommended for anyone interested in Elizabethan history (with some fictional liberties).

Fast Paced Intrigue

This was simply a pleasure to listen to. Honestly the one criticism I have was the time spent describing Elizabeth’s love of luxurious dresses. But maybe it was true to the times.

Absolutely loved this

A fascinating listen from the first minute. Excellently researched and well written. Impressed by how this book reads as a fictional story.

hard to stop listening

With so much already written about Elizabeth I, it would be hard to find anything new about her. Which is why the fresh approach of "The Lady Elizabeth" is so captivating. The meticulous research and fluid writing style make the book very easy to listen to and remain focused the whole time. Even knowing what was going to happen only made the account more fascinating. The narrator's skillful delivery and amazing voice range added to the enjoyment of this book.

Excellent historical novel!

I have enjoyed several Alison Weir novels about the wives and daughters of King Henry VIII but this was one of my favorites. Love the narration by Rosalyn Landor, as well!