I, Elizabeth: A Novel by Rosalind Miles Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of I, Elizabeth: A Novel
Book Review: Miles takes a chance and succeeds; Good Queen Bess would approve
Summary: 5 Stars
Miles is one of the giants of historical fiction. Her research is superb, and from that she spins tales with rich, multi-faceted characters, plot twists, and works in the English language as the same way that Michaelangelo worked in marbel. Bold, innovative, challenging without being pedantic or snobbish. And Miles' books aren't "chick lit" by any means. While they promote strong female characters (and why not?), her books can be enjoyed by men and women alike. Her brilliance shines through in all her books without dominating them. Miles left the comfort zone of her Guenevere and Isolde novels and was equal to the task. I, Elizabeth is for anyone--Elizabethan scholars will enjoy the conjecture, and "newbies" to Tudor England will learn much AND relish a great story. Highly recommended.Book Review: Mixed feelings...
Summary: 3 Stars
The book is broken up into sections "Parts of my History" as described.
-Bastard
-Virgin
-Queen
-Bellona
-Gloriana
Perhaps its just the subject matter, but after about a month, I gave up on finishing it. I could not get past "Bellona." The first two parts were excellent, but I had to force myself to get through Queen. Miles shows Elizabeth as determined to gain the throne all through the first two parts, and then when she finally recieves her much awaited position, is it JUST me or does the author portray her as some ninny that went and hid behind her advisors while she day-dreamed of "Sweet Robin." Yea, whatever.
I haven't even read Philppa Gregory's soon to be released "The Virgins Lover" from what I can understand it is about Elizabeth's first few years of Queen. I can already guarntee you that will be better, also, grab Jean Plaidy's "Queen of this Realm" much, much better.
Book Review: More Fiction than History - AND IT'S BORING!
Summary: 1 Stars
ugh. I am a lover of historical fiction and I completely understand that LIBERTIES are taken in these books. BUT, Elizabeth was "the Virgin Queen." Virgin. That was her thing - she was married to England and never succumbed to the pleasures of the flesh. I don't understand how a historian such as the author could completely disregard a major aspect of this woman's life and present her having sex with Robin.
On top of everything, the writing is stale, uninteresting and it bored me to death. I rarely put down a book before finishing it, but this clunker is going straight to Goodwill tomorrow.
If you want TO-DIE-FOR historical fiction, check out Sandra Gulland's three book series about Josephine Bonaparte. Those are a historical portrait worth spending time on.
Book Review: One of My All Time Favorites
Summary: 5 Stars
I do not generally like historical fiction but I just loved this book (as did my husband). I had a hard time putting it down.Book Review: One of the finest imaginative novels ever
Summary: 5 Stars
So much has been written about Elizabeth I that unless you're an academic, you would not have time to read every book about her life. But you don't have to. Rosalind Miles' I, ELIZABETH is that rare thing--a historical novel that transcends the genre to become a classic of contemporary fiction. Rosalind Miles is perhaps best known for her Arthurian novels, the Guenevere trilogy and the Isolde trilogy. But I, ELIZABETH is perhaps her finest work. It is meticulously researched (in addition to her impressive work as a novelist, the author is also a credentialed scholar and historian) and beautifully written in the voice of the great queen herself. Few other "memoirs" have equaled this one in capturing the essence of a legendary historical figure. Margaret George's classic THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF HENRY VIII is the only other one that comes to mind, and perhaps it's no coincidence that Elizabeth, his daughter is just as intriguing as he was, if not more. For a woman who outshone the great kings of her day and whose reign is still acknowleged 400 years later as a golden era in Europe's history, Elizabeth was also a humane, cunning, humorous and vulnerable person, as evidenced by her writings and contemporary accounts. Rosalind Miles brings to life both sides of the woman in a novel that is by turns touching, funny, poignant, tragic and triumphant. It speaks to readers today in a way that few historical novels do.
This is truly a masterpiece, and one for the ages. You are not likely to find another such book anytime soon.