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)

Lady Jane

This is one of the best historical fiction books I have read. The author did a wonderful job of making me feel as if these were true memoirs of the events that unfolded so many years ago. I find the story of Lady Jane a truly tragic and fasinating part of England's history. This book really draws you back in time and brings that story to life.

Great story..pulls you in.

This was a great read. I would highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys historical fiction. I liked how the author gives the perspective of several different characters. The author does a great job organizing this story from start to finish. I couldn't wait to turn my ipod on to listen to it every day!

Fascinating History of Lady Jane Grey

The brief nine day reign of Lady Jane Grey as Queen of England is often overlooked. This is an excellent historical fiction account of Jane's life, from birth until her death with all points in between. The story is well-written and engaging. It bogs down occasionally, but I expect that with a detailed historical fiction narrative because even the most interesting lives aren't always exciting. The book is perhaps a little more graphic than it had to be in terms of both sex and violence. I wish it was toned down just a little more. As it is, I wouldn't hand this book to anyone who isn't very mature. This is a disappointment because I like to encourage my kids to read historical fiction on the theory that it's one of the most entertaining and memorable ways to digest history. If not for a handful of scenes, I think my kids would really benefit from this book, but this one does not pass muster in that category. Still, this is a well-researched and overall enjoyable book.

File begins in the middle

The story and performances were excellent. However, there is a production issue with this audiobook, at least at the time of my download. It begins with several chapters from the middle. the beginning of the book, marked by "This is Audible" and a brief historical introduction, actually occurs at chapter 6, 11:06. The first several chapters should be inserted at the beginning of chapter 11 of the audiobook. At first I assumed that starting in the middle of things was a storytelling choice, but that was not the case. It is an excellent story of a moving episode in English history, but i was disappointed to find I essentially listened to the CDs out of order.

Fascinating but out of order

This recording had chapters misplaced. The beginning of the book appeared somewhere in the middle of chapter six. Confusing!

The story is fascinating, and motivated me to delve into the history of the period.

Great listen!!

Story flowed and the narrators were great!! Thou fictional, the story line blended well with splashes of history.

The Innocent Traitor

Powerful/ Historically enlightening and is well researched and holds the interest from beginning to end.

Sequel to the Tudors?

Good listen. I can't imagine a better cast of narrators. This was interesting to me - having more than one voice. Davina Porter is the best! Bianca Amato did a wonderful job in Diane Setterfield's The Thirteenth Tale and as well here. A bit long, but I have all the time in the world to listen. I find it is fun to listen to fiction that has roots in truth and you can follow along with what you know of history. If you don't want to concentrate on who is who and related to whom, this is not the book for you.

Wonderful telling of a tragic tale.

Enjoyed the narrative and the multiple presenters. My only negative is the heavy breathing and lip smacking in between sentences. I hate to admit that it did bother me somewhat; brought me back to reality and out of the story.

Superior listen!

This is one of the best audiobooks I have encountered. Not only is Alison Wiers writing wonderful, but the structure of the book, (narrative entries by various people in Jane's life), lends itself to the multiple narrator format perfectly.

This is a powerful, engaging retelling of Lady Jane Gray's life, and if you enjoy historical fiction, you will delight in this work.