Tuesday, January 26, 2010

The Queen's Bastard


Title: The Queen's Bastard
Author: Robin Maxwell
Reading level: All
Paperback: 432
ISBN #: 1559708484
Received From: I bought it @ Thrift Books
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Group Genre: Historical Fiction
Cover: B-
Overall: B+





"Historians have long whispered that Elizabeth "the Virgin Queen's" passionate,
lifelong affair with Robin Dudley, Earl of Leicester, may have led to the birth
of a son, Arthur Dudley. In this exquisite sequel to The Secret Diary of Anne
Boleyn, Robin Maxwell fashions a stunning fictional account of the child
switched at birth by a lady-in-waiting who foresaw the deleterious political
consequences of a royal bastard.Set against the sweeping, meticulously rendered
backdrop of court intrigues, international scandals, and England's battle
against the Spanish Armada, The Queen's Bastard deftly juxtaposes Elizabeth and
Leicester's tumultuous relationship with the memoirs of the adventurous son lost
to them -- yet ultimately discovered."


What an imaginative novel. Once again Maxwell astounds me; so far I loved all her books I've read by her and can't wait to get to the next in my pile of "to be read". History comes alive in this woman's pen! However; I have to say the first two books I've reviewed by her were a little more interesting to me.


The Queen's Bastard is the story of runaway love. Queen Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley her Horse master have long been linked in history. (Her advisers even tried to assassinate him for his influence over the Queen.) But this story is the what if? What if the Queen and Dudley had an illegitimate son? And his story was told in this novel? See life through the eyes of Arthur Dudley. See how he grows unknowing of his true family and what happens when he discovers the truth!


A compelling piece of historical fiction. Although it is true that there was a man named Arthur Dudley there not much record of him throughout history. And this is the reason I rated this novel thus so. I love the what-if but at some points I thought it a little to far-fetched. I don't know how a Queen would react to the scandal as Elizabeth did in the novel. However; it is beautifully written and a delightful read none-the-less. If your a hit/fic fan check out Robin Maxwell's books she really has a knack for putting you into history.



LOL=Lots of Love


2 comments:

  1. Great review! This sounds like an awesome read.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sounds good. I love imaginative stories that are based on real stuff in history. Maybe I'll try her first two books first. Thanks for the review!

    ReplyDelete

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