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A review by jaironside
The Girl in the Glass Tower by Elizabeth Fremantle
5.0
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This turned out to be a huge book although I hardly noticed it at the time because I was so absorbed in the tale of this little known royal. Lady Arbella Stuart very nearly succeeded Elizabeth I in 1603. She was raised at Hardwicke house - an Eluzabethan building known for the vast amounts of then expensive glass it boasted in it's windows. This all sets the scene nicely for a claustrophobic and melancholy tale with a real 'princess' imprisoned in a way wven more poignant because she can see in glaring detail everything she is not permitted. As metaphors go it fits neatly. Intersecting with the main thrust of the story is that of Abi, the poetess sent in disgrace from James' court. This is a beautiful, richly layered and engaging historical novel that has managed to touch on an aspect of the Tudor-Stuart reign that few today are aware of. A beautiful book.
This turned out to be a huge book although I hardly noticed it at the time because I was so absorbed in the tale of this little known royal. Lady Arbella Stuart very nearly succeeded Elizabeth I in 1603. She was raised at Hardwicke house - an Eluzabethan building known for the vast amounts of then expensive glass it boasted in it's windows. This all sets the scene nicely for a claustrophobic and melancholy tale with a real 'princess' imprisoned in a way wven more poignant because she can see in glaring detail everything she is not permitted. As metaphors go it fits neatly. Intersecting with the main thrust of the story is that of Abi, the poetess sent in disgrace from James' court. This is a beautiful, richly layered and engaging historical novel that has managed to touch on an aspect of the Tudor-Stuart reign that few today are aware of. A beautiful book.