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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

Philippa Gregory is one of only a handful of writers I will buy in hardback as I just can't wait for the paperback to come out but I was in for a disappointment with The Other Queen. I found it very slow and it didn't engage me at all. Dotting between the various characters was repetitive and unlike other Philippa Gregory novels where I haven't been able to put them down, I read this one over a period of several weeks on and off, for me it just didn't seem to get going. She is a brilliant writer but I was sadly disappointed with this book and only wish she would go back to writing stunning novels like The Queen's Fool and Virgin Earth.

The Other Queen is a very interesting book and gives another remarkable perspective on the life of Mary Queen of Scots. I've only recently become interested in the life of this iconic Tudor figure after reading the modern day thriller Full Story Inside followed by an excellent biography My Heart Is My Own: The Life of Mary Queen of Scots. There are actually an awful lot of books out there about Mary but as a fictional account The Other Queen is both very compelling and factual. The story is told from Mary's point of view as she is held against her will in England after she fled from Scotland. Her days in captivity as prisoner of the Earl of Shrewsbury are given a very interesting perspective, although sometimes overly romantic which was obviously not to the taste of some reviewers.

Synopsis:
[QUOTE]A dramatic novel of passion, politics and betrayal from the author of The Other Boleyn Girl, in which Mary, Queen of Scots, fights to regain her kingdom whilst under the guard of Queen Elizabeth's trusted accomplice, Bess of Hardwick Mary is Queen of Scotland but she has been forced to flee her land and take refuge in an England that is ruled by her cousin Elizabeth. But England, precarious in its Protestant state, set against the mighty powers of Spain, France and Rome, doesn't need a charismatic Catholic figurehead at large. So Elizabeth's chief advisor, Cecil, devises a plan in which Mary will live under guard with his trusted accomplice: Bess of Hardwick. Bess is a self-made woman, a shrewd survivor. She is newly married to her fourth and most distinguished husband, the Earl of Shrewsbury. But what marriage can withstand the charms of Mary? Or the threat of rebellion that she always carries? Mary must wait in her privileged imprisonment for the return to Scotland and her infant son; but waiting is not the same as doing nothing!With her characteristic combination of superb storytelling and authentic historical background, Philippa Gregory brings to life this period of great change in her final novel in the Tudor series.[/QUOTE]

I loved this book. I listened to it as an audiobook, and found as many chances as possible to lose myself in Tudor England.

I loved the characters. There was a usual mix of those I adored and admired, and those I disliked, but also admired. My favourite character was Queen Mary. Her pride and determination were admirable and she made me laugh with many of her antics. I also loved Anthony the little page boy, who at 8 acted like a man, I thought he was adorable.

The story was oozing with history and adventure. There was love, disputes between religions and the issue of family. Wealth played an important part in the story just as it would have done then; the more you had, the higher rank in society you held. And all the women grasped that and fought for that.

I don't think I have anything bad to say about this book. I was gripped from the start and was not let down, even though as a historical novel the ending is known. However, it saddened me as I had grown to love Mary and Shrewsbury.

This was a really good book.
10/10

This book will capture you, transport you and hold you in the Elizabethan world, just as much as any of Philippa Gregory's other books took you into the past.
The author's research is as evident as ever, and this story of Mary, Queen of Scots is one that is NOT familiar to us, after all, history is only ever written by the victors, the tale is weaved together with that of her 'jailor' , Bess of Hardwick, the 'First Lady' of Chatsworth. This in itself I found fascinating, a woman who had risen from nothing, very modern in outlook, in terms of rising through the class ranks, she was a queen in her own right - of her great house - her own little kingdom, she found herself in the impossible position of being asked by her Queen, Elizabeth, to play 'host' to Mary, something she cannot refuse, but something which costs her physically, fiancially, and emotionally. And Bess can do nothing but watch as her husband George is bewitched by the young queen. Mary is at the centre of plots, not just to restore her as Queen of Scotland, but to place her on the throne of England, she believes she is untouchable and we see her drag everyone around her into her dangerous world.
The story of Mary has been told before but not like this, read this book, you will not be disappointed!

I was over the moon when I discovered the latest book of Philippa Gregory... and I got very let down. Not that it is a really bad book it is just very empty and a month later I can not recall what it was about. The only thing I really liked about this book was the way Gregory rotate the characters and chapters.