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Philippa Gregory has long been one of the most assured practitioners of historical fiction, but her profile was raised even higher by the film of her novel The Other Boleyn Girl. Gregory admirers, however, were heard to remark of that movie: ‘Not as good as the book!’ And if her new novel, the highly accomplished The Other Queen is ever afforded the Hollywood treatment, there will no doubt be a similar chorus. The reason for this dedication by her readers is not hard to fathom: assiduously researched historical facts are married to consummate storytelling skills – and the effortless ability to rescue historical figures from the dusty pages of the past. At the centre of this novel is Mary Queen of Scotland, forced to flee into England. Mary, a devout Catholic, is, of course, a living threat to the rule of her cousin Elisabeth, whose Protestant reign is uncertain. We’ve been here before, of course, in various books and films. But Philippa Gregory’s story this time has a different emphasis: Elizabeth’s chief advisor, Cecil, formulates a plan in which the destabilising Mary will live under guard with his faithful friend, Bess of Hardwick. Bess is a remarkable woman herself; someone who has forged her own destiny, and is now in her fourth marriage, to the distinguished Earl of Shrewsbury. But soon Bess and Mary find themselves plunged into very different personal crises – with Bess’s marriage under considerable strain. The Other Queen is wonderfully accomplished stuff, evoking a much-pored-over era with a totally fresh eye. --Barry Forshaw
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
Praise for The Other Queen'No-one writes historical fiction with quite the élan of Philippa Gregory' Easy Living‘Utterly enthralling’ Tatler‘A fascinating portrayal of a woman who was as strong and deserving of the throne as Queen Elizabeth’ In Style‘A real delight’ Woman and Home‘Philippa Gregory's novel looks at Mary Stuart and her times from a fresh and engaging angle… Above all, the book is an examination of the nature of loyalty, as well: to a spouse, to a monarch, to a family or a family name, to a religion, to political ideals and especially to one's sense of self’ Washington Post Book WorldPraise for ‘The Constant Princess’: 'One of Gregory's great strengths as a novelist is her ability to take familiar historical figures and flesh them into living breathing human beings. “The Constant Princess” is a worthy successor to her previous novels about the Tudors and deserves to be a bestseller.' Daily Express'Gregory's research is impeccable which makes her imaginative fiction all the more convincing.' Daily Mail'Gregory is great at conjuring a Tudor film-set of gorgeous gowns and golden-plattered dining.' Telegraph'The contemporary mistress of historical crime. Her novels are filled with strong, determined women who take their fate into their own hands…Gregory brings to life the sights, smells and textures of 16th-century England.' Kate Mosse, Financial Times‘The Virgin’s Lover’: ‘A book to lose yourself in…a simmering mixture of intrigue, lust and betrayal at the court of Elizabeth I, it breathes new life into the suspected love affair between the young queen and Robert Dudley.’ Daily Mail‘Convincing and entertaining’. Daily Telegraph‘A fascinating new take on a story we thought we knew.’ Eve‘History has a sexy makeover in an erotic account of Elizabeth l’s relationship with the married and tantalisingly unavailable Robert Dudley.’ Glamour, Books of the Year‘Gregory’s success lies in restoring humanity to her historical figures.’ Daily Mail‘Gregory vivdly portrays court life – all the political intrigue, divided loyalties, love and betrayal.’ Woman and Home‘Queen of the historical novel.’ Mail on Sunday‘The Other Boleyn Girl’: ‘It is a credit to Gregory that she is able to sustain interest in an epic-length tale when the ending is one of the most well-known moments in English history. The very believable dialogue and detail take you all the way into the claustrophobic privy chambers of the royal palaces…Gregory has launched herself into a popular period and produced something with that most underrated of virtues: readability.’ The Times‘This is an intelligent variation on a familiar tale [with] witty use of metaphor.’ Time Literary Supplement‘This compulsively readable novel is a wonderful account of the tudor court…This is the finest historical novel of this year.’ Daily Mail‘The Queen’s Fool’: ‘Totally absorbing…this is a triumphant piece of storytelling, not least because Gregory manages to make familiar events fresh and unloved people fascinating.’ Gay Times‘Gregory offers a subtle examination of the tension between profound personal faith and the dangers of imposing that faith on others.’ Jewish Quarterly‘It combines history and invention in gripping and memorable style.’ Red‘Historical fiction at its most masterly. Meticulously researched and realised and with an engaging and totally convincing heroine, “The Queen’s Fool” invites readers to rethink their opinions of both ‘Bloody’ Mary and the ‘Virgin’ Queen. Superbly plotted, exquisitely written with the enviable capacity to simultaneously thrill and provoke thought, this novel is even more ‘unputdownable’ than “The Other Boleyn Girl.”’ Historical Novels Review‘Gregory serves up some more deliciously sombre moments from a factious Tudor court.’ Independent‘Gregory’s dramatic, plot-driven novel is thoroughly readable.’ Sunday Herald
