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Innocent Traitor is her first published novel, which is based on the short life of Lady Jane Grey 1537-54, and the key people in it.
I found the way in which the story is told in turns by the relevant characters, a great way of appreciating the different viewpoints. As by the end I ... Read review
Advantages: Tudor fiction written by an historian. Disadvantages: The cruelty may make you cringe.
...of hers.
Innocent Traitor is her first published novel, which is based on the short life of Lady Jane Grey 1537-54, and the key people in it.
I found the way in which the story is told in turns by the relevant characters, a great way of appreciating the different viewpoints. As by the end I felt that I understood the sequence of events well, and I had strong feelings about all these personalities, the author obviously ... ...enjoyed both books, but found Innocent Traitor the more compelling.
Please note that Ciao listed this correctly under printed books, but strangely I had to fill in the specific criteria for an audio book before the computer allowed me to publish this. I am only reviewing the printed book.
*** Recommendation ***
The author enthralled me by her techniques of telling this story, though I was appalled ... more
*** Author ***
Alison Weir trained as a teacher, with history as her specialist subject. Then being disillusioned with teaching methods, she went into the Civil Service instead.
Now a full time writer, she is known as a "popular historian " and is reaching numbers of interested readers much larger than she would have done in a traditional classroom.
*** Plot ***
In October 1537 two Tudor cousins are born, and their mothers (The Marchioness of Dorset and Queen Jane Seymour) tell of the arrival of their offsprings into the world. Baby Jane Grey is the great niece of Henry VIII and baby Edward is his son. As her story unfolds, readers can make up their own mind whether Jane's royal connections are principally a curse or a blessing.
*** Writing Style ***
Alison Weir has previously written 10 factual history books in an entertaining style, to make them interesting to larger numbers of readers than those written in a more academic way. The Tudor period seems to be a particular passion of hers.
Innocent Traitor is her first published novel, which is based on the short life of Lady Jane Grey 1537-54, and the key people in it.
I found the way in which the story is told in turns by the relevant characters, a great way of appreciating the different viewpoints. As by the end I felt that I understood the sequence of events well, and I had strong feelings about all these personalities, the author obviously used this technique to good effect.
I especially admired the emotional strength and intellect of the physically small Lady Jane.
The kindness of her few true friends, starkly contrasts with the greed of the ruthlessly ambitious, as the detailed Tudor setting absorbed me into Jane's world.
While Jane and her mother tell much of the plot, Jane's father, Queen Katherine Parr, Lady Mary Tudor and the Duke of Northumberland also let us have their perspective.
The concise Tudor family tree and map at the beginning, plus the author's notes at the end, helped me appreciate the book even more.
The publisher also gives a tempting sample of the author's next novel, called the Lady Elizabeth, about Henry VIII's youngest daughter. I now look forward to reading Alison Weir's take on this other feisty Tudor Lady. It came out in hardcover on 3 April 2008.
*** Comparison ***
This book is excellent for those who like historically accurate fiction.
However, if you would like a happier ending, and don't mind the author using quite a lot of artistic licence, then you could try In the Shadow of Lady Jane by Edward Charles, which I have already fully reviewed. The main character is this book is a member of Lady Jane's household who still has hope for the future.
I enjoyed both books, but found Innocent Traitor the more compelling.
Please note that Ciao listed this correctly under printed books, but strangely I had to fill in the specific criteria for an audio book before the computer allowed me to publish this. I am only reviewing the printed book.
*** Recommendation ***
The author enthralled me by her techniques of telling this story, though I was appalled by both the psychological and physical suffering (mostly inflicted by close relatives) that Lady Jane had to put up with in her short life. Happily there were a few extremely loyal friends in the tale too.
Even though my knowledge of history meant that I knew how the story would end, I still found the details, leading to the inevitable, riveting.
This is an excellent work of historical fiction, which closely follows the known facts.
RRP: £6.99 Amazon Price: £5.49 Paperback: 432 pages Publisher: Arrow Books Ltd; New Ed edition (7 Jun 2007) ISBN-10: 0099493799
Advantages: Beautifully descriptive Disadvantages: Sometimes, the detail's a little too deep
I first saw this book on a trip to my local Waterstone's in town and later bought it as part of a three-for-two deal.
And I'm so glad that I did.
Among my many interests is one for Tudor history. This book, although primarily a work of fiction, is written by author Alison Weir who is better known for her historical books on such subjects as Henry VIII, The Princes in the Tower and Queen Isabella.
*The story in brief*
The story itself is about ... ...as the nine-day Queen. It is told from the perspective of the characters involved in this piece of English history, from Jane's parents, her nurse Mrs Ellen, Queen Mary, Lady Jane herself, and others.
It describes Jane's early childhood, the disappointment of her parents that she was not born a boy, the birth of her two sisters and the use of Jane, virtually from day one, as a political pawn in a game of power and advancement for her family, right ...
JeeanA 07.09.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Innocent Traitor - Alison Weir
...as I was. The Innocent Traitor follows the life of Jane Grey, from birth to her premature death. We get to see from her point of view as to how she felt she was unloved by her parents. Especially by her Mother Frances Brandon, neice of Henry VIII, who beat or whipped her eldest daughter for things which were not at all worth punishing her for. You can tell that right from the start that both Mother and Father are disappointed that they have been ... ...children born are girls. Frances and her husband Henry Grey are deeply ambitious and long for their daughter to be Queen. Henry VIII is dead, as is his 6th wife Katherine Parr during childbirth, leaving Edward VI to become the next in line. If the Greys cannot produce an heir to the throne the next best thing would be to have a child married to said crown. Jane has learnt the hardway that tantrums and fighting back is never going to get her anything ...
crezzie 03.05.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Innocent Traitor - Alison Weir
Advantages: Accurate. Deeply moving. Disadvantages: You'll be close to tears at the end.
Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir
Historical fiction
406 pages
After Henry VIII's son Edward died a young girl ruled for nine days, Jane Grey. This book focuses on Jane's life and how she became the Queen of England for a short time. All of it is written in first person through different characters eyes. Starting with Jane's mother as she gives birth to her. Each chapter has a different point of view that is original and believable.
Jane is a very ... ...both of her parents were more interested in bettering themselves which leads Jane to be married to Guilford, a brutal man who cares more about himself than any one else and who raped Jane on their marrige night.
I actually found myself close to tears near the end and while I am writing this review, it has all of the good qualities I want in a historical book, accurate, characters with different personalities that seem believable and a ending that ...
Mistybrook 14.12.2008
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Quick review of Innocent Traitor - Alison Weir
Great book written by a historian, indulges your mind with all the atmopshere of the "Tudor" age. This book brought me to tears, reading about a young girl caught up in the power struggles of the time. Alison captivates the loyalty of this young Lady Jane Grey to her faith, leading her to the ultimate sacrifice of what she believes in, her life.
Fantastic ...
barbs1 26.07.2008
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Innocent Traitor - Alison Weir
Advantages: Historically accurate Disadvantages: Can be dry in places
The key to Alison Weir's sucess for me was her ability to maintain historical acccuracy whilst still keeping the reader sufficiantly entertained with a little bit of drama. She brings to life this often forgotten character in history, Lady Jane Grey, Queen of England for only 9 days, through the intimate thoughts and opinions of the main character and those around her such as her mother, father, nurse and even her executioner! Expect to shed a tear ...
Jodpher123 28.08.2008
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Reviews which might be of interest for "Innocent Traitor - Alison Weir"
Advantages: Lady Jane and her family are brought to life. Disadvantages: Philosophical discussion slows the tale down.
would no doubt have preferred the book to be at least 100 pages shorter, by editing out much of this.
I found the parts of the story containing the most action gripping and can't see a reason why anyone would find fault with his style here, though.
While not all characters are betrayed as an historian would expect, I think the author captured Lady Jane well. Mixing Richard Stocker's first impressions of her with the Jane he is described as coming to know well, is one of the ways he illustrates the different strands of her personality.
*** Comparisons ***
I have read two historical novels about Lady Jane Grey recently.
I would give INNOCENTTRAITOR, by the seasoned historian AlisonWeir, the full five stars.
Read this if you want to learn about the whole of Lady Jane Grey's life in the form of historically accurate ...
Advantages: Set in a fascinating period of history, excellent main character Disadvantages: Not my favourite writing style, minor characters aren't so good
The purpose of historical fiction is not only to bring the past to life and explore historical issues, but to speculate on the past - to ask "what if...?" AlisonWeir is probably best-known as an historian, although her novel InnocentTraitor was very successful. She has written several non-fiction historical texts. The Lady Elizabeth focuses on the early life of Elizabeth I, prior to her becoming queen. If you're expecting completely dry, factual fiction then you will be disappointed - try reading text books instead - Weir revels in her role as a novelist and, although most of this book is based on fact, doesn't shy away from conjecture.
The book opens in 1536, which Tudor buffs will recognize as the year that Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth's mother, was beheaded. The three-year-old beloved princess Elizabeth becomes a bastard overnight ...
Product Information for "Innocent Traitor - Alison Weir" »
Product details
Type
Fiction
Genre
Historical Fiction
Title
Innocent Traitor
Author
Alison Weir
ISBN
0091796628; 0091796679; 0099493799
Manufacturer's product description
Alison Weir, our pre-eminent popular historian, has now fulfilled a life's ambition to write historical fiction. She has chosen as her subject the bravest, most sympathetic and wronged heroine of Tudor England, Lady Jane Grey. Lady Jane Grey was born into times of extreme danger. Child of a scheming father and a ruthless mother, for whom she was merely a pawn in a dynastic power game with the highest stakes, she lived a live in thrall to political machinations and lethal religious fervour. Jane's astonishing and essentially tragic story was played out during one of the most momentous periods of English history. As a great-niece of Henry VIII, and the cousin of Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I, she grew up realize that she could never throw off the chains of her destiny. Her honesty, intelligence and strength of character carry the reader through all the vicious twists of Tudor power politics, to her nine-day reign and its unbearably poignant conclusion. From the PublisherThe outstanding debut novel from one of Britain's most successful popular historians. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. See all Product Description
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