The Virgin's Lover - Philippa Gregory

I bought this book, The Virgin's Lover, from Waterstones in Inverness because I read The Other Boleyn Girl by the same author and really enjoyed it. It retails at £6.99 but I purchased it as part of their 3 for 2 deals. Has anyone else noticed that the price of a standard paperback has now crept up to £7.99? Written by Philippa Gregory, I expected much from this book. I won't give away too much but the story centres on the much-gossiped-about relationship between Queen Elizabeth I and her Master of Horse, Lord Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester while the sub-plot involves the small inconvenience ... more

I expected a lot from this book, after reading several of Gergory's other novels. However, I found it to be quite disappointing and not up to her usual standard. That doesn't mean it was a bad book, just that I think she could have done better. It tells the story of the first few years of Elizabeth I's reign, and of her affair with Robert Dudley. Also going on are her battles with the church and war with various other countries, but these are all pushed into the background, behind the romance. This is therefore not a book for anyone who wants to read about how she deals with the political ... more

This was the third Philippa Gregory historical book I bought, having eagerly awaited the paperback. I'd greatly enjoyed The Other Boleyn Girl and The Queen's Fool and couldn't wait for this to hit the shops. ~~~~~Plot The story centres on the apparent relationship between Queen Elizabeth I and Lord Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, who was married Lady Amy Dudley. The book is based on historical documents and texts (listed at the back if you want some further, non fictional reading). Elizabeth and Robert were childhood friends and fell in love. However, Robert married Amy for political gain ... more