In this compelling novel of Tudor drama and suspense, acclaimed biographer Alison Weir explores one of England’s most scandalous royal love affairs: the romance between the “Virgin Queen” Elizabeth I and her courtier Lord Robert Dudley. “Entrancing . . . Weir manages to weave actual history and the imagined kind together seamlessly.”—Huntington News
Only twenty-five and newly crowned, Elizabeth vows to rule the country as both queen andking. But her counselors continually press her to form an advantageous marriage and produce an heir. Though none of the suitors have yet worked their way to her throne, the dashing—though married—Lord Robert lays claim to Elizabeth’s heart. Their flagrant flirting, their unescorted outings, and the appointment of Lord Robert to Master of Horse inspire whispers through the court, and even rumors that Elizabeth has secretly given birth to Lord Robert’s child.
Then Robert’s wife is found dead, and universal shock soon gives way to accusations of murder. Despite the scandal, Elizabeth and Robert manage to navigate the choppy political, economic, and religious waters around them. But the greatest obstacle to marriage between the Queen and her true love may come not from outside forces, but from within.
With intricate period detail and captivating prose, Alison Weir examines one of history’s most provocative “Did they or didn’t they?” debates. The Marriage Game maneuvers through the alliances, duplicities, intrigue, and emotions of a woman intent on sovereignty—over her country and herself.
I won an ARC of this book via the GoodReads First Reads programme. This review in its entirety was originally posted at eclectictales.com: http://www.eclectictales.com/blog/2015/02/10/review-the-marriage-game/
This novel pretty much follows Elizabeth’s reign, facing all sorts of issues from foreign invasion to religious and lay uprisings, traitors at court, and the question of Elizabeth marrying. Of course her reign and many of the political issues she had to sort out tied in to the question of her marrying in some way, and Elizabeth juggles this as best as she could, considering her options to keep everyone at bay but at the same time staying true to what she wants. Her struggle to rule in a man’s world was interesting, and at times frustating because of the society of the time, to read.
I also appreciate the author bringing out other aspects to Elizabeth not necessarily related to her queenship, but that as a young woman who wants love at her own terms, but also a young woman who grew up not knowing her mother and mourned for her, but who greatly desired to see her rehabilitated in the eyes of the people and in the histories.
While the story kept me engaged, it felt like reading a textbook at times, clinical in going through the scenes and bringing up one political incident after another. The will-they-won’t-they pull with Lord Robert, while it was interesting to read their dynamic and how politics kept coming in between them, after a while grew rather tedious to read, evoking frustration from me towards both parties.
In the end though, The Marriage Game was an interesting read. Readers of historical fiction and of the Tudor dynasty may find this novel interesting to check out.
