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ellipsiscool's review against another edition
4.0
I admit that I have sort of a fascination with Jane Grey. She was born into a time where it was very difficult to be a woman and maintain a sense of self, while remaining respectable. Lady Jane was far ahead of her time and had she been allowed to rule, England would probably be in a different state than it is now.
This is my first novel by Alison Weir. Generally she writes non-fiction and she is very good at it. I expected her fiction to be closer to Hilary Mantel, richly detailed and still thoroughly enjoyable. I was slightly disappointed in that this novel was not quite as detailed an account of the life of Jane Grey and I was hoping for. I was also off put by how intelligent Jane sounds at the age of four. Jane was a very gifted child, but I highly doubt she had the reasoning capabilities Weir's Jane shows at the age of merely four.
Overall, this was an enjoyable novel. The perspective shifts between several characters and the effect is a pretty well rounded account.
This is my first novel by Alison Weir. Generally she writes non-fiction and she is very good at it. I expected her fiction to be closer to Hilary Mantel, richly detailed and still thoroughly enjoyable. I was slightly disappointed in that this novel was not quite as detailed an account of the life of Jane Grey and I was hoping for. I was also off put by how intelligent Jane sounds at the age of four. Jane was a very gifted child, but I highly doubt she had the reasoning capabilities Weir's Jane shows at the age of merely four.
Overall, this was an enjoyable novel. The perspective shifts between several characters and the effect is a pretty well rounded account.
tinky47's review against another edition
5.0
I keep reading about Tudor legacy and I love it. It was nice to read something not written by Phillipa Gregory, to get a different perspective.
Lady Jane Gray was one of two daughters, to her ambitious parents. Her mother was niece to King Henry and exceeding proud of her Tudor lineage. Jane was constantly reminded that she is only the substitute to the male heir her parents wished they had. Raised by her nurse, she is brought up to attend court and is taught her studies along side the princesses Elizabeth and Mary. She becomes one of the ladies to serve in Queen Katherine's court. This story tells Jane's tragic story, but also captures what a dangerous time it was. People were burned at street corners on Sundays for having the wrong beliefs. Religious faith was swapped out like fashion in order to keep alive.
After the death of King Henry and his sole male heir Prince Edward, England is prime for a civil war between, Catholics and Protestants. This book has many narrators to let the story of Lady Jane Gray, the young girl that conspirators put on the English throne to ensure the country would reclaim Protestant power, and to keep Princess Mary off the throne.
Lady Jane Gray was one of two daughters, to her ambitious parents. Her mother was niece to King Henry and exceeding proud of her Tudor lineage. Jane was constantly reminded that she is only the substitute to the male heir her parents wished they had. Raised by her nurse, she is brought up to attend court and is taught her studies along side the princesses Elizabeth and Mary. She becomes one of the ladies to serve in Queen Katherine's court. This story tells Jane's tragic story, but also captures what a dangerous time it was. People were burned at street corners on Sundays for having the wrong beliefs. Religious faith was swapped out like fashion in order to keep alive.
After the death of King Henry and his sole male heir Prince Edward, England is prime for a civil war between, Catholics and Protestants. This book has many narrators to let the story of Lady Jane Gray, the young girl that conspirators put on the English throne to ensure the country would reclaim Protestant power, and to keep Princess Mary off the throne.
noel_k's review against another edition
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Dead
jobustitch's review against another edition
3.0
Not bad, but it left me wanting to know more about the Lady Jane Grey.
bpsalinas's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A fascinating look into the life of a young noble, tormented by the selfish ambitions of all the adults who failed her and led her to ruin. Desperately tragic.
naomimg's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
eleaaa's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jodij's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Alison Weir writes very well and I was very invested in this story to the very end. But it was a tragic tale. I felt so angry at how Lady Jane was used by all the greedy adults in her life. This was truly a dark time in history.