Elizabeth: The Golden Age [Paperback]

Tasha Alexander (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 25, 2007

The reign of Queen Elizabeth I was a time of war, passion, and spectacular achievement. Elizabeth: The Golden Age finds Elizabeth facing bloodlust for her throne and familial betrayal. Growing keenly aware of the changing religious and political tides of late sixteenth-century Europe, Elizabeth faces an open challenge from the Spanish King Philip II, who is determined to restore England to Catholicism with his powerful army and dominating armada.

Preparing to go to war to defend her empire, Elizabeth struggles to balance ancient royal duties with an unexpected vulnerability: her love for the seafarer Sir Walter Raleigh. But he remains forbidden for a queen who has sworn body and soul to her country.

Yet as she charts her course abroad, treachery is the rot behind the glittering royal throne. Her most trusted adviser uncovers an assassination plot that could topple the throne, and the traitors may even include Elizabeth's own cousin Mary Stuart.

Based on the sequel to the Academy Award^®-winning Elizabeth, Elizabeth: The Golden Age tells the thrilling tale of an era—the story of one woman's crusade to control love, crush enemies, and secure her position as a beloved icon of the Western world.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Smart, funny and lovely, the stories Alexander crafts are almost as intriguing as the one she lives.” ("Best of Nashville" )

About the Author

When not reading, Tasha Alexander can be found hard at work on her next book featuring Emily Ashton.

Product Details

• Paperback: 297 pages
• Publisher: Harper Entertainment; First Edition edition (September 25, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061431230
• ISBN-13: 978-0061431234
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,356,105 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Should I read the book or see the movie? Read on..., October 14, 2007

By 

Tamber R. Buxton (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Elizabeth: The Golden Age (Paperback)

I had the pleasure of reading this adaptation of the screenplay before I saw the film. In comparison, this book was a far better experience than viewing the film. Although historically inaccurate which Alexander states at the end of the book, it was highly entertaining reading. This novel was a fast and fascinating read that keeps you hooked without loss of detail. Honestly, if the film had reflected the original screenplay (and Alexander's adaptation) more closely, it was have been a remarkable film. Instead, we at least have this adaptation to show us what 'might have been' in regard to the film. Through this adaptation, we are drawn into the characters and are able to connect with them in a fashion that the film doesn't allow.
Overall, if you are looking for a historically accurate portrait of Elizabeth I and events surrounding the defeat of the Spanish Armada, this would not be the book for you. If you are looking for a potential insight into Elizabeth and those she loved on a more human level, don't miss this!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An intelligent writer of intelligent fiction for intelligent readers, March 17, 2008

By 

Veronica M. Friel "Fiction Fan" (Rockville, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Elizabeth: The Golden Age (Paperback)

I thoroughly enjoy Ms. Alexander's writing. It is always a pleasure to read her fiction because I know I will personally feel the nuances of the time period that is the setting of her story. Ms. Alexander's sensitivity in character development is also to be appreciated, and I look forward to her future books with keen anticipation.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars terrific character driven biographical fiction, October 5, 2007

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Elizabeth: The Golden Age (Paperback)

King Philip of Spain believes he is doing God's work although he loathes cutting down trees to make the ships he needs to return Europe back to the true Catholic God; he considers his mission is to save the soul of England, his late wife's country. With the heretic Elizabeth on the throne, he plots to replace her with her guest prisoner of twenty years, Queen Mary Stuart.

Captain Walter Raleigh has docked his ship the Tyger in London for repairs. With him are two natives from the New World, whom he hopes to introduce to the Queen. Walter wants her backing to set up a settlement at Roanoke Island in what he calls Virginia in honor of Queen Elizabeth.

As she does every Sunday, Elizabeth walks from the Presence Chamber to the Chapel Royal so that her people can see her. However, this time Walter steps out of the crowd and puts his cloak down so she would not step in a puddle. Later after rejecting her advisors latest marital scheme to prevent a French-Spanish alliance, she has her favorite lady in waiting Bess Throckmorten brings Walter to her. The Spanish ambassador Guerau calls Walter a pirate, but he mentions a colony and introduces her to his friends and tobacco. Walter has begun his efforts to obtain her Highness' patronage even as he and Bess fall in love while Phillip launches the Armada.

This is a terrific character driven biographical fictional account of Queen Elizabeth, who comes across as a powerful queen with state and personal problems. Readers will obtain an incredible insight into the mind pf King Phillip of Spain who believes God is on his side as well as a deeper look at Raleigh than the usual romanticized popular version of a cloak dropper. The rest of the cast also is fully developed as Tasha Alexander provides a wonderful novelization of the upcoming sequel to the award winning film Elizabeth.

Harriet Klausner