As previously stated, I adore Philippa Gregory. I adore the whole genre, especially this series.
The very first page of this book picks up with the death of Queen Mary and the bells ringing announcing that Elizabeth shall now be the uncontested Queen. Throughout the previous books, you get to know Elizabeth as a fairly wild child/woman (14 years and you were a woman! Imagine that!) and has definitely inherited her father's ambition and recklessness as a Tudor.
Of course the Author herself states that a lot of the major points of this book (the intimacy of Robert Dudley and Elizabeth) are not founded in proof and very well may be the result of court gossip as well as some of the finer points of the story.
Throughout the novel you read from 4 different points of view. The Queens, Robert Dudley, his wife, Amy, and William Cecil, the queen's advisor. When Elizabeth comes to throne she has inherited a bankrupt and rebellious country and immediately is debating whether or not to marry, and if so, who.
*can I just point out that it is really distressing to read about how disregarded it is to have a single woman on the throne. I understand that it was far different in the 1500's and I GET that, its just, who needs a man when a woman can do the job on her own, just dandy. Of course you look at the politics nowadays and not only does it remain the same, but it down-right doesn't happen. I would say (for fuck's sake) let it happen and we shall see how it goes.*
Throughout the different points fo views you come to appreciate that Elizabeth does have nobility to her. It's not so much on the surface but is definitely in her blood. She (questionably) even frames her lover (Dudley) so that he would not come to throne for any reason, ever. Though she is raunchy and ill-tempered and, well, she acts her age. She is so perfectly portrayed as well. Philippa Gregory is one of those brilliant writers that can put you right there in the moment with the character and you feel like you are whispering encouragement in their ears, handing them advice. And when they fail, or succeed for that matter, you are besides yourself with glee/sorrow. Elizabeth for example, is a character that at moments you despise and just want to slap her, and others you just want to comfort and tell her, "Well, honey, you act a whore, you get treated like a whore." But you come to respect her.
Robert Dudley on the other hand.... He is the perfect example fo why men are so loathsome. One chapter you are reading about how his wife is just wanting a simple farm and her husband (who she ADORES) by her side and the next you are reading about how his ambition is all he cares about and how if it means he will have a spot in court he would even cast aside this woman who he has been married to for YEARS. Quite frankly, its disgusting. He is the definition of all the terrible things you read about of the men in court back then. And even though I loathe to admit it, he kind of still makes you want to bat your eyelashes at him. A natural charmer. Though still a total a**hole.
Meanwhile, you are reading from the point of view of William Cecil and by golly he should have been king. He does everything for his country. He can manipulate the queen, typically with her own ego, and have her do what is best for the country. For the upstanding of the morale of the country and teaches her how to be a queen without her idea of what is going on. You really get behind him and just want to crown him yourself and then see what a difference it would have made to the history of the country.
I want to (and eventually will) reread this entire series and just revel in all the brilliance of the life of court in the 1500's. Don't get me wrong, I would LOATHE it, but you have to admit... sounds fabulous.
Favorite Quote:
“The truth is the last thing that matters,' she said. 'And you can believe one thing of the truth and me: I keep it well hidden, inside my heart.”
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