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The Other Queen
The Other Queen
Author: Philippa Gregory
In her latest foray into the lives and minds of Elizabethan shakers and movers, Gregory (The Other Boleyn Girl) takes on Mary Queen of Scots during her 16-year house arrest. By the secret order of her cousin, Elizabeth I, Mary is held at the estate of George Talbot, earl of Shrewsbury, and his wife, Bess of Hardwick; the latter three share first...  more »
ISBN-13: 9781416549123
ISBN-10: 1416549129
Publication Date: 9/9/2008
Pages: 448
Rating:
  • Currently 3.3/5 Stars.
 159

3.3 stars, based on 159 ratings
Publisher: Touchstone
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

curvymommy avatar reviewed The Other Queen on + 59 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 10
I really wanted to love this book, as I so thoroughly enjoyed The Other Boleyn Girl. But this story was SO boring and repetitive.

I got really tired of hearing about how Mary was regal and untouchable, and George was honorable (but a fool), and Bess brought herself up from nothing and loved nothing more than her houses and land. Over and over, the same things. Yawn.

The plot was boring. Nothing ever really happened. A lot of planning, but no results. Back and forth from house to house. I didn't feel a need to keep reading - it was far from compelling. I realize this story is based on real events, so maybe this just wasn't the best subject for Ms. Gregory to write a novel about.

I forced myself to keep reading, but found my mind drifting off several times, because I wasn't engaged in the story.

A disappointing read.

I read the Advanced Reader's Edition for this review.
reviewed The Other Queen on + 270 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 10
I am a huge fan of Philippa Gregory and was very disappointed in this book. She did a lot of repeating words by characters and I found it hard to concentrate. Also she kept referring to Queen Mary as young but when she died Mary was 44 according to Wikipedia. But her style of writing is what kept me reading it to the very end and I will still anticipate her next novel.
alterlisa avatar reviewed The Other Queen on + 335 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
I have loved every book of Gregory's, other than the Wideacre trilogy, so much. This however, was dull, boring, and totally failed to capture my attention. Her other books flowed, and carried you along for the ride while showing you the castles, clothing, and the day to day activities that the royals indulged in. There was romance and the books were compelling. You absolutely could not put them down. Again, not a trait of this book.
MarciNYC avatar reviewed The Other Queen on
Helpful Score: 6
The story of Mary Queen of Scots while in the care of Bess of Hardwick and her husband, George. Told in three voices (Mary, Bess and George) the trio shuffles from house to house, b*tching and moaning about the same old stuff for 400+ pages. Recommended for diehard Gregory fans only.
nyteacher avatar reviewed The Other Queen on + 152 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
Gregory once again gives a new perspective on Tudor England. This time she focuses on the captivity of Mary, Queen of Scots. The story is told in a similar style to The Boleyn Inheritance, alternately from the perspective of Mary and the two people charged to house her George and Bess Talbot. The thing that makes this novel great is that although the three characters are vastly different in their upbringing, beliefs and actions, the reader is able to sympathize with all three as well as see their faults. The reader really understands how turbulent is must have been to live in England during this time period. You didn't know day to day where your loyalties were or even your own religion and nobody could be trusted. It makes corruption in politics today seem very tame!
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MX avatar reviewed The Other Queen on + 13 more book reviews
This book would have used half as many pages if not for the constant, repetitious lamentations of the characters. It really grew tiresome. I pushed myself to finish, simply because the subject interested me. I am a fan of Gregory's novels, but this ranks low on my list.
IlliniAlum83 avatar reviewed The Other Queen on + 181 more book reviews
Quite historically based, this "fictional biography" focuses on the captivity years in England as Mary, Queen of Scots awaits her return to the throne of Scotland. As a "guest" of the Earl and Countess of Shrewsbury, Mary 'holds court' while a prisoner of Queen Elizabeth.
Mary is the next true heir for the crown in England so the pressure is on for the aging Queen E to 'wed and bed' quickly so as to produce a male heir. But Mary hopes for Elizabeth's downfall so that she, followed by her son James, may take the throne.

Plus the religious underpinnings continue since Elizabeth has accepted the Protestant religion and destains the Catholics whom her father started booting out when the Pope wouldn't dissolve his marriage to Queen Catherine so that he could take Ann Boleyn as his legal wife. Mary quietly practices her Catholic faith in hand with much of the north of England whose churchs, abbeys and convents have been converted into the private property of favored members of the peerage.
Gregory addresses several controversies historians continue to discuss and backs her version with extensive research. She provides a lengthy bibliography at the end of the book.
The book is presented as some of Gregory's others.....each chapter rotates being "spoken" by one of the 3 main characters: Queen Mary, the Earl, and Bess who is the Countess of Shrewsbury though only married a year when Mary arrives and steals the Earl's heart.
reviewed The Other Queen on
Enjoyable historical read.
reviewed The Other Queen on
i was disappointed. there was lots of repetition, moved slowly. but, i read it all and rather liked it for about the last 4 chapters.

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