Customer Reviews

Queen of This Realm

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Queen of This Realm is one of Plaidy's best novels; a complete fictional look at the youth and reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Written as a memoir by Queen Elizabeth, you will learn about her first scandalous love affair with her step-mother, Katherine Parr's, husband and the following life-long, unconsummated love of her life, Robert Dudley. Love and betrayal were all a part of the Queen's life and it often reads like a soap opera!

Queen Elizabeth was bold, highly intelligent, supremely vain, and one of the greatest monarchs of England. You will be taken in and enthralled by the story of her close calls with execution at the hand of her sister, Queen Mary, and her fascination with and eventual execution of her cousin, Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland, who plotted to claim the English throne as her own for most of her life (her story is told in Royal Road To Fotheringay to be reissued Fall 2004).

This is a stellar novel; you won't believe how fascinating history can be to read until you've read Plaidy! She has written over 50 books, most of which are out of print, but can be found in libraries and online. Once you start reading her, you can't stop!

Written in the first person, the novel makes us feel as though we know what Elizabeth Tudor felt & thought. Her historical fame is not glorified; her substantial faults are not understated; but we see possible reasons for both. Above all, we are shown how her incredible scholarship and insecure youth combined, enabling her (and in a man's world) to bring England from bankruptcy & religious strife to its first age great enough to be named for one person: "Elizabethan."

From the opening lines, "When I look over the first twenty-five years of my life and consider the number of times I was in danger of losing it," the reader is swept up into the majestic mind and spirit of the iconic Elizabeth I. Jean Plaidy began writing historical fiction in the fifties, and to the modern-day reader she may seem a tad dated and naive; yet her consummate command of history and ability to effortlessly transition from scene to scene are commanding and refreshing in an era of overheated fiction and an emphasis on the lurid.

A friend loaned me this book; I found it captivating and immensely easy to read, even as I learned about Elizabeth and her times. This is a vastly different Elizabeth from the devious narcissist of Philippa Gregory's works or the volatile spirited girl of C.W.Gortner's book, but she is worth exploring all the same.

This is the second volume in Jean Plaidy's well-written "Queens of England" series of books. As in all the books in this series, it is written as a first person narrative, creating an intimacy of style that makes the book all the more compelling and immensely readable. Replete with fascinating period detail, political machinations, public personages, and historical events that were a part of the life of Queen Elizabeth I, the author builds a fascinating, three dimensional portrait of a woman and queen.

The author recounts the early years of Elizabeth, a troubled child, unsure of her place in the affections of her father, King Henry VIII. Knowing that he had had her mother, Anne Boleyn, beheaded, an impressionable Elizabeth observed the succession of women who took her mother's place and assessed how they fared at her father's hands.

Elizabeth lived through the reign of her younger half-brother, Edward VI, as well as that of her half-sister, Mary, during whose reign Elizabeth would come perilously close to losing her life under allegations of treason. Having survived the reign of her sister, whose legacy would forever enshrine her in history as "Bloody Mary" for her fanatical persecution of Catholics, Elizabeth would come to the throne as a Protestant with a penchant for religious tolerance towards her Catholic subjects.

The author takes the reader through the ascension of Elizabeth to the throne and her glorious reign, making the reader understand why Elizabeth I is revered as one of the greatest monarchs the world has ever known. From the early halcyon days of her reign to the more troubled ones that were to follow, the author fully engages the reader. The author also recounts the story of Elizabeth's close relationship with Robert Dudley, her Master of Horse, whom she would make the Earl of Leicester.

Through her, Dudley became one of the most powerful men in her kingdom, as Elizabeth I granted him all but his most fervent wish, which was to have her hand in marriage. This wily and scholarly Queen would not share her power with any man, not even Dudley, a man she professed to love. Nonetheless, she would have a life long relationship with Robert Dudley, and his death, while in his fifties, would mark Elizabeth I for the remainder of her long life.

The fractious relationships Elizabeth I would have with some of her courtiers are recounted, as are the ones that were more harmonious. Familial relationships, scandals, and intrigues would also have their impact, not just on Elizabeth I, but on the monarchy and the world, as well. Such is the lot of monarchs, and the reign of Elizabeth I was no different. World events and their effect on England also pepper this book, and at the center of it all was the indomitable Elizabeth I, a queen regnant who made England into a world power with which to be reckoned. Her reign would go down in history as the glorious Elizabethan era.

This is a wonderful book that those with a penchant for historical fiction will, no doubt, enjoy. Ms. Plaidy is a master storyteller, seamlessly weaving a tapestry of events and personalities that make this book one to be savored.

The most fascinating of the Tudor Queens. Bright, witty, vain, sensitive, ruthless, kind and haughty all in one. This is the book that sparked my interest in Henry VIII's world and my interest soared. History at it's finest

This is the seventh Jean Plaidy novel that I have read. I enjoyed it and read the book within 4 days. I got a good overview of the life of Elizabeth and I think the best part was getting her life in chronological order. Some movies that I have seen recently (such as Elizabeth: The Golden Age) decide to completely disregard her age and the mood of the English people.
I gave it four stars because it is very repetitive (which is my main complaint with almost all of Plaidy's novels). She repeats the characterizations of Elizabeth's men numerous times and it is a bit irritating.
However, I would recommend it as a good novel for Elizabeth fans. But my 2 favorite Plaidy novels remain The Thistle and the Rose and Mary: Queen of France (about Henry VIII's 2 sisters).

This is the second volume in Jean Plaidy's well-written "Queens of England" series of books. As in all the books in this series, it is written as a first person narrative, creating an intimacy of style that makes the book all the more compelling and immensely readable. Replete with fascinating period detail, political machinations, public personages, and historical events that were a part of the life of Queen Elizabeth I, the author builds a fascinating, three dimensional portrait of a woman and queen.

The author recounts the early years of Elizabeth, a troubled child, unsure of her place in the affections of her father, King Henry VIII. Knowing that he had had her mother, Anne Boleyn, beheaded, an impressionable Elizabeth observed the succession of women who took her mother's place and assessed how they fared at her father's hands.

Elizabeth lived through the reign of her younger half-brother, Edward VI, as well as that of her half-sister, Mary, during whose reign Elizabeth would come perilously close to losing her life under allegations of treason. Having survived the reign of her sister, whose legacy would forever enshrine her in history as "Bloody Mary" for her fanatical persecution of Catholics, Elizabeth would come to the throne as a Protestant with a penchant for religious tolerance towards her Catholic subjects.

The author takes the reader through the ascension of Elizabeth to the throne and her glorious reign, making the reader understand why Elizabeth I is revered as one of the greatest monarchs the world has ever known. From the early halcyon days of her reign to the more troubled ones that were to follow, the author fully engages the reader. The author also recounts the story of Elizabeth's close relationship with Robert Dudley, her Master of Horse, whom she would make the Earl of Leicester.

Through her, Dudley became one of the most powerful men in her kingdom, as Elizabeth I granted him all but his most fervent wish, which was to have her hand in marriage. This wily and scholarly Queen would not share her power with any man, not even Dudley, a man she professed to love. Nonetheless, she would have a life long relationship with Robert Dudley, and his death, while in his fifties, would mark Elizabeth I for the remainder of her long life.

The fractious relationships Elizabeth I would have with some of her courtiers are recounted, as are the ones that were more harmonious. Familial relationships, scandals, and intrigues would also have their impact, not just on Elizabeth I, but on the monarchy and the world, as well. Such is the lot of monarchs, and the reign of Elizabeth I was no different. World events and their effect on England also pepper this book, and at the center of it all was the indomitable Elizabeth I, a queen regnant who made England into a world power with which to be reckoned. Her reign would go down in history as the glorious Elizabethan era.

This is a wonderful book that those with a penchant for historical fiction will, no doubt, enjoy. Ms. Plaidy is a master storyteller, seamlessly weaving a tapestry of events and personalities that make this book one to be savored.

For those looking for a detailed and surface historical account of Queen Elizabeth's reign, then look to this novel by Jean Plaidy. However, for those looking for drama, intrigue and a thrilling read, look elsewhere.

The book begins on an interesting note as it traces Queen Elizabeth's childhood, which often is not included in movies and other accounts. Her childhood, I might add, was the most entertaining part of the book.

As Plaidy takes her readers further into the life of the Queen the yawns from boredom increased. Her novel becomes too technical and spends way too much time talking about who each and every subject related to the Queen is...often at times, even delving into characters that the reader need not know at all.

Lastly, I found it most disappointing that Plaidy wrote as if the Queen truly had remained a total and utter virgin (even down to abstaining from any romantic kiss). Yes, Queen Elizabeth was a supreme ruler and an admirable woman, there is no doubt to this fact, but maybe it's just me...I find it hard to believe that a Queen, who had her pick of all the men in Europe, would not once in her 70 years indulge herself romantically. Was she not completely in love with Robert (it is stated as such over and over again in the novel)? I am sure that at least once there was some passion between them. Just don't expect to find any of it in this strictly G rated novel.

I have read a dozen historical novels about Queen Elizabeth I, and this one is by far the best.
Comprehensively researched, richly detailed and written in an exciting and vibrant manner, there is not an aspect of Elizabeth's life that the author does not touch on.
From her childhood trauma at the execution of her mother when she was three and Elizabeth being branded as a 'bastard' through to her precarious hold onto her life while she came under danger during the reigns of her father, brother and sister.
Wonderful examination of her sexual exploitation by her stepfather Sir Thomas Seymour, how she escaped death under the reign of her elder half-sister Bloody Mary, as illustrated by her carving of the words "Much suspected by me, Nothing proved can be, Quoth Elizabeth prisoner" into a window at Woodstock Manor.

The book well illustrates what shaped Elizabeth into the cunning and wily, and vain but not unmerciful ruler.
It explores her deep love for Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, her life soul mate,of whom even he, she would not marry, determined to share her throne with no one. also her fascination and adoration of the vain and foolish young Earl of Leicester who she was forced to have executed after his attempts to depose her.
Her religious convictions are shown to be of expedience. she would choose the faith her subjects wanted England to be governed by, which was why she was a Protestant in a fervently Protestant England, reeling from the horrors of Mary I's attempt to transfer the Spanish Inquisition to England.
The book is sympathetic to Elizabeth, nothing like Philippa Gregory's vilification of her, but at the same time does not gloss over her faults.
It portrays her great guilt at the execution of Mary queen of Scots and her finest hour in rallying England to defend her shores and win the great victory against the Spanish Armada that threatened her realm and the freedom of her people-the Spanish ships carried devices of torture designed to bring all of the horrors of the Inquisition to England.Great characterization, realistic and yet fascinating and gripping . True to form of one of Jean Plaidy- who with 50 intriguing title to her name, remains one of the greatest historical novelists of English history
Well worth the time and effort.

This is the second volume in Jean Plaidy's well-written "Queens of England" series of books. As in all the books in this series, it is written as a first person narrative, creating an intimacy of style that makes the book all the more compelling and immensely readable. Replete with fascinating period detail, political machinations, public personages, and historical events that were a part of the life of Queen Elizabeth I, the author builds a fascinating, three dimensional portrait of a woman and queen.

The author recounts the early years of Elizabeth, a troubled child, unsure of her place in the affections of her father, King Henry VIII. Knowing that he had had her mother, Anne Boleyn, beheaded, an impressionable Elizabeth observed the succession of women who took her mother's place and assessed how they fared at her father's hands.

Elizabeth lived through the reign of her younger half-brother, Edward VI, as well as that of her half-sister, Mary, during whose reign Elizabeth would come perilously close to losing her life under allegations of treason. Having survived the reign of her sister, whose legacy would forever enshrine her in history as "Bloody Mary" for her fanatical persecution of Catholics, Elizabeth would come to the throne as a Protestant with a penchant for religious tolerance towards her Catholic subjects.

The author takes the reader through the ascension of Elizabeth to the throne and her glorious reign, making the reader understand why Elizabeth I is revered as one of the greatest monarchs the world has ever known. From the early halcyon days of her reign to the more troubled ones that were to follow, the author fully engages the reader. The author also recounts the story of Elizabeth's close relationship with Robert Dudley, her Master of Horse, whom she would make the Earl of Leicester.

Through her, Dudley became one of the most powerful men in her kingdom, as Elizabeth I granted him all but his most fervent wish, which was to have her hand in marriage. This wily and scholarly Queen would not share her power with any man, not even Dudley, a man she professed to love. Nonetheless, she would have a life long relationship with Robert Dudley, and his death, while in his fifties, would mark Elizabeth I for the remainder of her long life.

The fractious relationships Elizabeth I would have with some of her courtiers are recounted, as are the ones that were more harmonious. Familial relationships, scandals, and intrigues would also have their impact, not just on Elizabeth I, but on the monarchy and the world, as well. Such is the lot of monarchs, and the reign of Elizabeth I was no different. World events and their effect on England also pepper this book, and at the center of it all was the indomitable Elizabeth I, a queen regnant who made England into a world power with which to be reckoned. Her reign would go down in history as the glorious Elizabethan era.

This is a wonderful book that those with a penchant for historical fiction will, no doubt, enjoy. Ms. Plaidy is a master storyteller, seamlessly weaving a tapestry of events and personalities that make this book one to be savored.