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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
informative
sad
medium-paced
This is an incredibly sad story. I cannot imagine how a woman, at 17 years old, could have carried herself with such grace under such horrific circumstances. No wonder the Protestants held her up as a martyr.
I have to admit I’ve been avoiding the Tudors, even thought it’s the same time period as my obsession with the Italian Renaissance. The Tudors TV show was awful and in my view, the period has simply been done to death, but after reading Jane’s story I actually find myself interested to read about some more of the women of the Tudor period.
I have to admit I’ve been avoiding the Tudors, even thought it’s the same time period as my obsession with the Italian Renaissance. The Tudors TV show was awful and in my view, the period has simply been done to death, but after reading Jane’s story I actually find myself interested to read about some more of the women of the Tudor period.
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
informative
sad
medium-paced
informative
sad
slow-paced
informative
medium-paced
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
informative
sad
challenging
medium-paced
This is an incredibly well-researched deep dive into Jane Grey. I've always been fascinated by her as a historical figure, but it wasn't until reading this book that I felt I knew any of her dimension, and Tallis has done a tremendous job using primary sources to give color and substance to the paper cut out of a martyred, innocent girl. She's smarter, stronger, and as more agency than we give her credit for in popular culture, and it's a delight and a revelation to learn more about her. My star rating is driven by the fact that while the scholarship is on point, the writing itself isn't as strong, and even as someone who loves historical biography, I put this book down for a long time in the middle before returning to it. (That said, the last chapter did make me cry, so really I'm a clown.)
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence