The Virgin's Lover

Philippa Gregory

Average Rating 7/10 (1 Review)

Sumptuous historical novel from bestselling author of The Other Boleyn Girl and The Queen's Fool.

Elizabeth I has acceded to the throne of England, a position she has waited and schemed for all her life. She is surrounded by advisers, all convinced that they know what would be best for the country and certain that a young woman cannot form political judgements. Elizabeth feels that she can rely on just one man: her oldest friend, Robert Dudley. It is soon plain that he is more than merely a friend.

In a house in the countryside waits a very different woman, Amy Robsart - Robert's wife. She has no taste for life at court and longs for the day when her husband will return home and attend to his family. She has loved him since she was a girl, but now they are adults she hardly sees him.

Meanwhile, the pressure grows for Elizabeth to marry, for it is unthinkable that a queen should rule on her own. Elizabeth's preference is clear, but he is unavailable. But what if the unthinkable were to happen... Philippa Gregory blends passion, personalities and politics in this stunning novel of the Tudor court and a country divided.

'An atmospheric read for anyone who loves to wallow in Tudor intrigue.'

'Potent historical romance... a thrilling plot.'

Review by Katie.B (050910) Rating (7/10)

Review by Katie.B
Rating 7/10
Imagine yourself as a young wife in 1558, whose husband is the new queen’s favourite. Now imagine yourself as a young queen, alone and afraid on the throne of England, in love with someone else’s husband. In this book Gregory intertwines the lives of Elizabeth I and Amy Robsart, two very different women both in love with the same man: Robert Dudley.
Set in the first two years of her reign, one watches as Elizabeth struggles to find the strength and courage needed to survive on the throne of England and how her indiscreet love affair with Sir Robert Dudley threatens to destroy her kingdom.

No one can capture life at the Tudor court quite like Gregory. Her language is simple yet descriptive and she writes as someone who clearly knows their subject. The first book I read by Philippa Gregory was The Other Boleyn Girl, which captivated me from start to finish. Since then I have been a huge fan of Gregory’s work and not to mention the Tudor era.
Her books have ignited within me a passion for history which my history lessons never quite managed. Gregory possesses a talent for transforming facts, dates and famous figures into spell-bounding stories and fascinating characters.

So don’t wait for the next rainy day, your week off work or that long holiday abroad. Start reading Gregory’s Tudor novels now and be prepared to get swept away into the colourful, glamorous and exciting life that only exists at the Tudor court.
Katie.B ( 2010)