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Elizabeth - A Idade do Ouro
Escrito a partir do guião de William Nicholson e Michael Hirst para o filme que estreará agora nas salas portuguesas – e que contará com Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush e Clive Owen nos papéis principais e virá dar sequência ao filme Elizabeth, nomeado para 7 Óscares –, este é um romance sobre uma mulher capaz de fazer frente a tudo para assegurar o rumo do seu país e que influenciou para sempre os destinos do mundo como o conhecemos.
224 pages, Paperback
First published September 25, 2007
61 people are currently reading
750 people want to read
About the author
Tasha Alexander
32 books2,590 followersThe daughter of two philosophy professors, I grew up surrounded by books. I was convinced from an early age that I was born in the wrong century and spent much of my childhood under the dining room table pretending it was a covered wagon. Even there, I was never without a book in hand and loved reading and history more than anything. I studied English Literature and Medieval History at the University of Notre Dame. Writing is a natural offshoot of reading, and my first novel, And Only to Deceive, was published in 2005. I'm the author of the long-running Lady Emily Series as well as the novel Elizabeth: The Golden Age. One of the best parts of being an author is seeing your books translated, and I'm currently in love with the Japanese editions of the Emily books.
I played nomad for a long time, living in Indiana, Amsterdam, London, Wyoming, Vermont, Connecticut, and Tennessee before settling down. My husband, the brilliant British novelist Andrew Grant (I may be biased but that doesn't mean I'm wrong) and I live in southeastern Wyoming. I still don't have a covered wagon, but a log house goes a long way toward fulfilling my pioneer fantasies. Andrew makes sure I get my English characters right, and I make sure his American ones sound American.
I played nomad for a long time, living in Indiana, Amsterdam, London, Wyoming, Vermont, Connecticut, and Tennessee before settling down. My husband, the brilliant British novelist Andrew Grant (I may be biased but that doesn't mean I'm wrong) and I live in southeastern Wyoming. I still don't have a covered wagon, but a log house goes a long way toward fulfilling my pioneer fantasies. Andrew makes sure I get my English characters right, and I make sure his American ones sound American.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 14, 2014
There's nothing too special about this book. I thought it was the novel that the movie was based on. however, it is the novel based on the movie. It reads like a script and moves like a movie. Most of the scenes fall flat without Cate Blanchett performing them. Also, it's almost entirely fictional...as the author herself states. There's just so many better books about Queen Elizabeth.
August 30, 2025
Elizabeth by Michael Hirst
10 out of 10
It is interesting, if somewhat confusing to see this phenomenal motion picture – one of the best 100 for this cinephile – again after the recent release of Mary Queen of Scots and try to make sense of the contrasting views of the two perspectives and perhaps also think of another sensational success of 2018, The Favorite, where the queen is something else and the monarch could not be further apart from Elizabeth I.
This was a glorious queen, ruling over one of the best periods in British history, with accomplishments that should have made those who doubt the qualities of women stop then and there and give them equal rights and make their access to power and easy journey, albeit there would surely be many more films and books to come that will emphasize the dark side of the colonial power and depict the Virgin Sovereign as a symbol of despotism.
In this film however, the public is astounded by this Wonder Woman, her courage, extraordinary self-control, wisdom, spirit of self-sacrifice when she gives up her own wellbeing, suppresses her passion for Lord Robert Dudley aka Joseph Fiennes – this is where it seems historians will never know the details, although they will keep speculating – and give her life to her spouse – England.
Elizabeth I is portrayed by the outstanding Cate Blanchett – winner of two Oscars and nominated for one for this role, which has brought her a Golden Globe and other distinctions – and the rest of the cast is perfect, it could not have been any better considering names like Geoffrey Rush as Walsingham, Richard Attenborough as Sir William Cecil, Vincent Cassel in the role of the Duc d’Anjou, John Gielgud as the Pope, Fanny Ardant as Mary of Guise, Daniel Craig a treacherous priest – depending on the side you take – and so many other fabulous artists.
For some time, indeed, we could argue that for most of her rule, the Virgin Queen has been under tremendous pressure and it looks as if she might be the one who dies and not Mary Queen of Scots, given that she is in at the start of her reign more than vulnerable and many attempts on her life are made – in one, Isabel Knollys aka the wonderful Kelly Macdonald, one of the ladies in waiting, dies while wearing a dress destined for the queen that had been poisoned with the intent to dispatch the formidable monarch.
While Sir William Cecil is the adviser, the young queen seems to have few opportunities for ascent, transformation, the glory that she will achieve when Sir Francis Walsingham becomes perhaps the most important element in this game of power – there are documentaries we can see that depict him as one of the first, together with Richelieu, to have thought of and created a proto spy agency that gave him vital information about the enemies of the state and thus enabled him to win over and eventually kill them.
The duke of Norfolk wanted to eliminate Walsingham and that could have made for a different history, but once the cunning man kills his would be assassin, he is able to maneuver in such a way as to ensure the success of his sovereign, once in a crucial vote during which he maintains opponents in a temporary confinement, then through his network of informers he is able to counteract and catch, destroy the enemies of the queen.
For a long time, the idea that Elizabeth needs to marry is maintained, the Duc d’Anjou comes over with Monsieur de Foix – for the part we have an impressive former footballer turned actor, Eric Cantona – and he is dashing, rude and impetuous in his courtship of the monarch, although we can soon see that all he wants from her is a position as a possible despot, for he seems to have a different sexual orientation, or anyway he prefers other partners to the sovereign.
Spain used to be the world leader while Elizabeth is gaining strength and senior Alvaro de la Quadra is the envoy that tries to scheme and plot the overthrow of the legitimate – again, depending on one’s perspective – leader, trying to work to work with the duke of Norfolk, press him to act when time appears to be running out, then approaching Lord Robert Dudley when this one looks like losing the favor of the sovereign and proposing that he acts in the interests of Spain.
The Earl of Leicester appears to overplay his hand and try to push and benefit from the feeling of Elizabeth, forgetting that this is a strong, marvelous, determined, wondrous, bold, passionate, self-controlled woman that rejects him when, during a dance at the court, following the exposure of the French suitor as a transvestite, in an age when tolerance was not the order of the day, Robert Dudley pushes and demands from his monarch the impossible.
Meanwhile, the Pope aka the iconic, cinematic legend John Gielgud talks to a catholic priest, John Ballard aka James Bond Daniel Craig, about the destruction of the sovereign that they see as anathema, a representative of the devil, given that she is the enemy of the Catholic church and the head of the Anglican Church and Ballard appears to be the one who poisons the dress and he is about to kill her majesty when her courtiers arrive to save her at the last moment.
Walsingham is infiltrating the enemy camp, but when Ballard lands on the English shore, on his way back from the Vatican, he kills with bestiality one of the most important spies, an invaluable source of information placed in the entourage of the Duke of Norfolk, albeit very soon, the duke and the rebel priest are caught, tortured, beheaded and their heads are put on spikes for all to see.
Elizabeth is a classic film, with all that a masterpiece needs to have, illustrious performances, a fantastic subject, a heroine that is a role model, bigger than life and most importantly real – even if there would be many that detract, criticize and demolish her accomplishments as the sovereign of an aggressive, imperial state – with sumptuous costumes, incredible makeup – winner of the Academy Award – and a story that brings the audience to another level, makes one feel mesmerized, enchanted and in awe with a Wonder Woman and spectacular characters.
This is one of the best motion pictures ever.
10 out of 10
It is interesting, if somewhat confusing to see this phenomenal motion picture – one of the best 100 for this cinephile – again after the recent release of Mary Queen of Scots and try to make sense of the contrasting views of the two perspectives and perhaps also think of another sensational success of 2018, The Favorite, where the queen is something else and the monarch could not be further apart from Elizabeth I.
This was a glorious queen, ruling over one of the best periods in British history, with accomplishments that should have made those who doubt the qualities of women stop then and there and give them equal rights and make their access to power and easy journey, albeit there would surely be many more films and books to come that will emphasize the dark side of the colonial power and depict the Virgin Sovereign as a symbol of despotism.
In this film however, the public is astounded by this Wonder Woman, her courage, extraordinary self-control, wisdom, spirit of self-sacrifice when she gives up her own wellbeing, suppresses her passion for Lord Robert Dudley aka Joseph Fiennes – this is where it seems historians will never know the details, although they will keep speculating – and give her life to her spouse – England.
Elizabeth I is portrayed by the outstanding Cate Blanchett – winner of two Oscars and nominated for one for this role, which has brought her a Golden Globe and other distinctions – and the rest of the cast is perfect, it could not have been any better considering names like Geoffrey Rush as Walsingham, Richard Attenborough as Sir William Cecil, Vincent Cassel in the role of the Duc d’Anjou, John Gielgud as the Pope, Fanny Ardant as Mary of Guise, Daniel Craig a treacherous priest – depending on the side you take – and so many other fabulous artists.
For some time, indeed, we could argue that for most of her rule, the Virgin Queen has been under tremendous pressure and it looks as if she might be the one who dies and not Mary Queen of Scots, given that she is in at the start of her reign more than vulnerable and many attempts on her life are made – in one, Isabel Knollys aka the wonderful Kelly Macdonald, one of the ladies in waiting, dies while wearing a dress destined for the queen that had been poisoned with the intent to dispatch the formidable monarch.
While Sir William Cecil is the adviser, the young queen seems to have few opportunities for ascent, transformation, the glory that she will achieve when Sir Francis Walsingham becomes perhaps the most important element in this game of power – there are documentaries we can see that depict him as one of the first, together with Richelieu, to have thought of and created a proto spy agency that gave him vital information about the enemies of the state and thus enabled him to win over and eventually kill them.
The duke of Norfolk wanted to eliminate Walsingham and that could have made for a different history, but once the cunning man kills his would be assassin, he is able to maneuver in such a way as to ensure the success of his sovereign, once in a crucial vote during which he maintains opponents in a temporary confinement, then through his network of informers he is able to counteract and catch, destroy the enemies of the queen.
For a long time, the idea that Elizabeth needs to marry is maintained, the Duc d’Anjou comes over with Monsieur de Foix – for the part we have an impressive former footballer turned actor, Eric Cantona – and he is dashing, rude and impetuous in his courtship of the monarch, although we can soon see that all he wants from her is a position as a possible despot, for he seems to have a different sexual orientation, or anyway he prefers other partners to the sovereign.
Spain used to be the world leader while Elizabeth is gaining strength and senior Alvaro de la Quadra is the envoy that tries to scheme and plot the overthrow of the legitimate – again, depending on one’s perspective – leader, trying to work to work with the duke of Norfolk, press him to act when time appears to be running out, then approaching Lord Robert Dudley when this one looks like losing the favor of the sovereign and proposing that he acts in the interests of Spain.
The Earl of Leicester appears to overplay his hand and try to push and benefit from the feeling of Elizabeth, forgetting that this is a strong, marvelous, determined, wondrous, bold, passionate, self-controlled woman that rejects him when, during a dance at the court, following the exposure of the French suitor as a transvestite, in an age when tolerance was not the order of the day, Robert Dudley pushes and demands from his monarch the impossible.
Meanwhile, the Pope aka the iconic, cinematic legend John Gielgud talks to a catholic priest, John Ballard aka James Bond Daniel Craig, about the destruction of the sovereign that they see as anathema, a representative of the devil, given that she is the enemy of the Catholic church and the head of the Anglican Church and Ballard appears to be the one who poisons the dress and he is about to kill her majesty when her courtiers arrive to save her at the last moment.
Walsingham is infiltrating the enemy camp, but when Ballard lands on the English shore, on his way back from the Vatican, he kills with bestiality one of the most important spies, an invaluable source of information placed in the entourage of the Duke of Norfolk, albeit very soon, the duke and the rebel priest are caught, tortured, beheaded and their heads are put on spikes for all to see.
Elizabeth is a classic film, with all that a masterpiece needs to have, illustrious performances, a fantastic subject, a heroine that is a role model, bigger than life and most importantly real – even if there would be many that detract, criticize and demolish her accomplishments as the sovereign of an aggressive, imperial state – with sumptuous costumes, incredible makeup – winner of the Academy Award – and a story that brings the audience to another level, makes one feel mesmerized, enchanted and in awe with a Wonder Woman and spectacular characters.
This is one of the best motion pictures ever.
February 4, 2010
Although I enjoy reading stories about queen Elizabeth, it seems that I'm not a fan of books based on a film, because they are more like following a script than an original story. Nevertheless, the main character is created in an interesting and... accurate way.
October 27, 2018
Tilburg speech;
My loving people
We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit our selves to armed multitudes, for fear of treachery; but I assure you I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people. Let tyrants fear. I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects; and therefore I am come amongst you, as you see, at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live and die amongst you all; to lay down for my God, and for my kingdom, and my people, my honour and my blood, even in the dust.
My loving people
We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit our selves to armed multitudes, for fear of treachery; but I assure you I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people. Let tyrants fear. I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects; and therefore I am come amongst you, as you see, at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live and die amongst you all; to lay down for my God, and for my kingdom, and my people, my honour and my blood, even in the dust.
June 22, 2023
I love all the historical novels and mysteries written by Tasha Alexander. She makes her characters come alive; you can imagine being them influenced by their time and place in history. This was true of Elizabeth, the queen; torn between personal desires for relationships and being a good queen. A woman alone in a man's world she has to defend her own decisions as a monarch, especially to not marry which meant ceding some of her royal power.
And yet despite the serious nature of Elizabeth's life the book flows and is an easy read. A glimpse into the 16th century without having to live in that time.
And yet despite the serious nature of Elizabeth's life the book flows and is an easy read. A glimpse into the 16th century without having to live in that time.
July 18, 2018
I love reading about The Tudors and historical fiction. However, I wish this had been the book upon which the movie was based and not the other way around. It was very light in substance. But enjoyable in several parts. I wish the romance had been more developed, but that goes back to the fact that the movie possibly didn’t allow for that (I haven’t seen it and I don’t think I’d be missing anything except Cate Blanchett’s always excellent performance). Thank God for Goodreads/Amazon’s nice discounts, of which this book was one. I’d be upset if I’d paid more than $5 for this book.
September 29, 2019
A pleasant book. It presented Elizabeth as more emotional and with feelings that we don't normally associate with her. The author does state that it's a very fictional story and not historically accurate. I enjoyed reading it although it's not on my "favourites" list.
August 20, 2025
Great!
The history of Queen Elizabeth's life and reign could not have been told in a better way than what this author accomplished. Factual without being boresome. Great love story.
The history of Queen Elizabeth's life and reign could not have been told in a better way than what this author accomplished. Factual without being boresome. Great love story.
May 1, 2020
Popsugar 2020: A book with gold, silver or bronze in the title.
July 22, 2023
Well, not a Philippa Gregory book but still ok. I enjoyed the movie more and that doesn't happen too often.
February 7, 2025
Did not like it at all...very slow read
June 12, 2014
A word of warning: you need to be careful when representing historic figures – and also when you’re reading them. It is easy to mistake a fictional account of real events for what really happened. But this is only how the author wanted Elizabeth and other figures to appear. While I’m sure she has done her research (I assume so anyway), there is no one alive today who really knows what Elizabeth was thinking or feeling. Just something to keep in the back of your mind when you’re reading this.
Elizabeth: The Golden Age is part of the story of Queen Elizabeth and focuses on the threats of assassination she faced from her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots, and her conspirators, from the Spanish king Philip and also on Elizabeth’s love affair with captain and explorer of the new world, Walter Raleigh. I really enjoyed Matthew Reilly’s The Tournament, a fictional imagining of an event from Elizabeth’s childhood, and my aunt, who bought me the book, thought I would enjoy this too.
What I didn’t mention (if you haven’t worked it out already), is that it is a film novelization. Not only do we have Cate Blanchett on the cover, but we also encounter the clumsiness of structure, plot and dialogue that is so often found in other film novelizations. I haven’t read one film novelization done well. You can translate books to movies, but it just doesn’t work the other way. That is true for Elizabeth: The Golden Age.
I would love to read an actual historical novel, based on more than just a movie, about this time in Elizabeth’s life. I have always been fascinated by her, the strong, determined queen of England in the 1600s. She has always seemed so interesting to me. This novelization was just not well done, I felt characterization was poor and the setting inadequately described. You are not describing a time by simply describing what the characters wore in every scene. It takes more than that. There was a little too much ‘show and tell’ in this book for my liking. Such an important figure in history and I felt she was not done justice. There must be other works better written and better representations of the queen as a monarch and as a woman, I would suggest readers interested in this time find those instead! That’s what I’ll be doing.
2.5 stars.
Elizabeth: The Golden Age is part of the story of Queen Elizabeth and focuses on the threats of assassination she faced from her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots, and her conspirators, from the Spanish king Philip and also on Elizabeth’s love affair with captain and explorer of the new world, Walter Raleigh. I really enjoyed Matthew Reilly’s The Tournament, a fictional imagining of an event from Elizabeth’s childhood, and my aunt, who bought me the book, thought I would enjoy this too.
What I didn’t mention (if you haven’t worked it out already), is that it is a film novelization. Not only do we have Cate Blanchett on the cover, but we also encounter the clumsiness of structure, plot and dialogue that is so often found in other film novelizations. I haven’t read one film novelization done well. You can translate books to movies, but it just doesn’t work the other way. That is true for Elizabeth: The Golden Age.
I would love to read an actual historical novel, based on more than just a movie, about this time in Elizabeth’s life. I have always been fascinated by her, the strong, determined queen of England in the 1600s. She has always seemed so interesting to me. This novelization was just not well done, I felt characterization was poor and the setting inadequately described. You are not describing a time by simply describing what the characters wore in every scene. It takes more than that. There was a little too much ‘show and tell’ in this book for my liking. Such an important figure in history and I felt she was not done justice. There must be other works better written and better representations of the queen as a monarch and as a woman, I would suggest readers interested in this time find those instead! That’s what I’ll be doing.
2.5 stars.
October 15, 2014
I am an English teacher, and it is my professional opinion that this book is terrible. The shifting, non-objective POV is confusing, and the way it constantly tells the reader what to think makes this a poor choice for... anyone. It overly explains things that do not need explanations at all, but does not even give hints on some very confusing pieces of information.
I find the overall tone to be quite insulting for teenagers, the intended audience. For those who would actually be reading a book like this, it is not at all suitable. It presents many unfamiliar vocabulary terms and culturally specific jargon examples without explanation, yet it tries to walk the reader through a simple narrative as if one can't figure out the most basic and obvious things. Something sad happens to someone, then it specifically points out that the person is sad because the thing happened, as if you had no idea that sad things were sad. It's insulting, teens are smarter than this.
I find the overall tone to be quite insulting for teenagers, the intended audience. For those who would actually be reading a book like this, it is not at all suitable. It presents many unfamiliar vocabulary terms and culturally specific jargon examples without explanation, yet it tries to walk the reader through a simple narrative as if one can't figure out the most basic and obvious things. Something sad happens to someone, then it specifically points out that the person is sad because the thing happened, as if you had no idea that sad things were sad. It's insulting, teens are smarter than this.
March 28, 2015
Tasha Alexander is the ONLY reason I read this "novelization" based on the film of the same name. Well, that and I had just finished watching The Tudors on Netflix. So my background in fictionalized Henry VIII and his virgin queen daughter is now complete! This reads like a romance novel rather than anything resembling historical fiction--Alexander even states in her note to readers at the end that Sir Walter Raleigh, who saves the day in the British naval battle against the Spanish Armada, didn't even see action in the battle! But there's always something positive, even in a book I'm not crazy about--this made me appreciate Alexander's delightfully creative and unique protagonist, Lady Emily, so much more!!
July 15, 2016
Live History
While fictional, the characters and time period are real, as are some events. What puts this novel a notch above others is the emotions imbued into the historical figures. This lends a very believable cause to the events of the Times. Excellently edited, this was an interesting enjoyable book of a subject covered by many others.
While fictional, the characters and time period are real, as are some events. What puts this novel a notch above others is the emotions imbued into the historical figures. This lends a very believable cause to the events of the Times. Excellently edited, this was an interesting enjoyable book of a subject covered by many others.
November 2, 2016
Really enjoyed this book because historical fiction is my favorite genre, and a reason is that I like to search further to find out, what is fictional and what is factual. The story is about a powerful queen Elizabeth and the problems she faces, as state ruler, as well as a person. The latter helped to earn the nickname of the virgin queen.
August 17, 2008
I had the privilege of meeting Tasha Alexander at a writer's conference in July. She is an incredible writer! She is known for her ability to write dialogue(sp and she incorporates the British dialect so well, which is not easy to do. I enjoyed Tasha's novelization of the movie!
December 10, 2013
Wonderful story that make ERI a real person! Loved reading about the people she interacted with - her ministers, her courtiers, her ladies-in-waiting. She is a sad figure in history, something I never thought of before.
July 15, 2008
I enjoyed the book but wished it would have continued until the end of her life.
April 18, 2010
Seems like this was written really quickly...and not with too great attention to detail/accuracy.
November 30, 2012
This was the novel screenplay of the film and it was ok to read but not exactly a great work of literature. It is pretty much the same as most of these novels are but not one of the best I've read.
August 9, 2012
This was fabulous. Loved how the character were real people and not just people in history. You were absorbed in the story from the first page.
August 15, 2013
One book that I thought the movie came close to doing justice to.....
May 26, 2017
I am fond of Queen Elizabeth.
January 17, 2014
Didn't love this book. While moments in it were really good, it was too much like the screenplay in that it jumped from scene to scene quite frequently.
August 20, 2014
Entertaining, but not historically accurate.
March 24, 2016
Wow that was a fast one
Actual reading time 3-4 days
It was nice and not very deep. Some interesting plots and niceley between fiction and fact.
Actual reading time 3-4 days
It was nice and not very deep. Some interesting plots and niceley between fiction and fact.
December 17, 2016
Another insight into Queen E 1
enjoy Tasha Alexander's style... I then rented the movie - also enjoyable
enjoy Tasha Alexander's style... I then rented the movie - also enjoyable
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews