Elizabeth I cover art

Elizabeth I

A Novel

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About this listen

 The New York Times bestseller from Margaret George—a captivating novel about history's most enthralling queen, the legendary Elizabeth Tudor.

England’s greatest monarch has baffled and intrigued the world for centuries. But what was the Virgin Queen really like? Lettice Knollys—Elizabeth's flame-haired, look-alike coussin—thinks she knows all too well. Elizabeth’s rival for the love of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, and mother to the Earl of Essex, the mercurial nobleman who challenged Elizabeth’s throne, Lettice has been intertwined with Elizabeth since childhood.

This is a story of two women of fierce intellect and desire, one trying to protect her country, and throne, the other trying to regain power and position for her family. Their rivalry, and its ensuing drama, soon involves everyone close to Elizabeth, from the famed courtiers who enriched the crown to the legendary poets and playwrights who paid homage to it with their works.

Filled with intimate portraits of the personalities who made the Elizabethan age great—Shakespeare, Marlowe, Dudley, Raleigh, Drake—Elizabeth I provides an unforgettable glimpse of a woman who considered herself married to her people. A queen who ruled as much from the heart as from the head. Biographical Fiction Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Biography Royalty Heartfelt England War Tudor Middle Ages

Critic reviews

“Deeply engaging, it sets a new benchmark for the genre.”—New York Times bestselling author Alison Weir

“A rare unfusty take on the Virgin Queen.”—Vogue

MORE PRAISE FOR THE NOVELS OF MARGARET GEORGE

“An evocative portrait.”—The New York Times

“If only history lessons had been like this.”—Cosmopolitan

“Delicious.”—People

“A scintillating historical novel.”—The Chicago Tribune

“Engaging and intelligent fiction.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Readers looking to be transported to another place and time will find their magic carpet here.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“An impressive feat of research and imagination.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Diana Gabaldon
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Amazing novel based on historical events. Narrator was perfect. I could not stop listening and was sorry it came to the end. As a lover of Tudor history this had me totally engaged.

Binge worthy!

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Was surprisingly delighted by this book and would thoroughly recommend the author Margaret George and the narrator Kate Reading. Difficult to discern when fact goes in to fiction, or fiction to fact which makes it all the more enjoyable.

Well worth it. First class.

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At times I felt I was right there, flowed well always something going on kept me hooked

Fact and fiction in equal measures

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