Book Review: The Virgin's Lover by Philippa Gregory

The Virgin’s Lover by Philippa Gregory

The Virgin’s Lover, a historical novel by the author of the best seller, The Other Boleyn Girl, explores the early days of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I with an emphasis on her relationship with Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. The most interesting thing is that Philippa Gregory includes the view point of Amy Robsart, Robert Dudley’s wife.

Historically, it is well known that Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley were friends from early childhood, that Elizabeth I attended Robert Dudley and Amy Robsart’s wedding and that Amy Robsart died from a broken neck, from a fall down stairs. The speculation that a talented author can have with these bare facts is whether the relationship between Elizabeth and Dudley was more than friendship and did that have a direct bearing on the death of Dudley “inconvenient” wife…the real fun is how Philippa Gregory weaves her web of court intrigue and romance-bringing alive the days of 16^th century England.

This is my ninth book review for the 2009 Support Your Local Library Challenge.