Legacy

by Susan Kay

Chronicles the story of England's Queen Elizabeth the First, a woman of intense passions and very human desires, and of the three men whose passionate love for her altered history

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, British Literature, Tudor Period, 16th Century, Royalty

647 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Susan Kay (b. 1953) is a writer.

She is most known for her book, Phantom, which expands upon the history of Erik, the character from Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera, in an episodic format of seven chapters from different characters' points of view.

Susan Kay did not travel to Iran to research the novel, although she did research in person at the Paris Opera House.

Her first novel was Legacy, about the life of Queen Elizabeth I and won a Georgette Heyer Historical Novel Prize and a Betty Trask Award in 1985.

She worked as a primary school teacher until leaving to bring up a family, and now lives with her husband and two children in Cheshire.

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the reason why I buy almost all of my books rather than borrowing from friends or the library.

I first read this book when I was in middle school. I borrowed it from the library, lost myself in the dangerous and glittering world of court intrigue and politics, and read it in a little over two sittings. It also happened to be that this was one of the last books I read before we moved to a different state. In that hectic time, I returned the book to the library almost as soon as I finished it, and promptly forgot the title and author name! But the story stayed with me for years, and for almost a decade I tried to find the book again by just what I remembered about the book--it was a very detailed and introspective book on Queen Elizabeth, one of history's greatest monarchs. It was superbly researched and endlessly captivating, all the while exceedingly personal at the same time. But alas, those are poor metrics with which to search for one diamond of a book amongst the rough of Amazon's and Google's bazillion, sometimes crappy search results. There are only so many Tudor-era books one can sift through in one sitting, and I gave up after some halfhearted searches that followed.

But now, I FOUND IT . AH. To say I was excited is an understatement--I was nearly bouncing in my chair with giddiness. And I found it on GoodReads! As soon as I clicked on the semi-familiar author name, I knew in that the-universe-has-just-worked kind of way that this was what I was looking for.

This book made history come alive for me. The clothes and food, the culture, the politics were all so richly detailed yet not so very heavy to read. The daily rituals of the era that were so everyday then invoked both wonder and a lingering sense of familiarity in me.

Most importantly, I got to know Elizabeth.

The woman is an authentic BAMF. Her charisma, charm, and ruthless political acumen should set her above any normal human being, but at the same time, she's so very, very human. She lies, cheats, flatters, loves, and throws tantrums. She has flaws, like the rest of us, but she's still so endlessly fascinating.

In my mind, this is THE standard to meet for any novel aspiring to be the next Great Novel of Elizabeth I. But until then, Ms. Susan Kay, you sit on that throne.

Now that I've accomplished one of the many things on my Bucket List, this book is most definitely due for a reread.

[Misfit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd give it 10 stars if I could!! AWESOME! An absolutely brilliant portrayal of Elizabeth I. The only thing I've ever seen come close to capturing Elizabeth so clearly and brilliantly is the old Masterpiece Theatre series on PBS done back in 70's or 80's with Glenda Jackson. All the charaterizations in the book are incredibly well drawn and detailed, particulary Elizabeth, Dudley and Cecil.

The author also has a wonderful way of describing the times, the scenes, the clothes, etc. The author's opinions on Elizabeth's virginity (or lack thereof) and as to who killed Amy Dudley are very intriguing. Anyone interested in reading about this very complex and powerful Queen should put this on their reading list. With the resurgence in popularity of historical fiction and all things English, I can't imagine how this incredible book can be out of print. As another reviewer wrote, go and and it now.

[Orsolya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn’t know about Elizabeth Tudor? Whether it is for her famous mother, her pirate conquests, or her many (supposed) lovers; the Virgin Queen has titillated for centuries. Susan Kay’s “Legacy” attempts to present Elizabeth from the eyes of men in her life, both romantic and political.

Susan Kay’s “Legacy” felt like two separate books (which could be argued as a lack of cohesive tact). The early chapters were much too disjointed with an overall look at events in Elizabeth’s early life (and those even before her birth). None of the events or characters was thoroughly explored and Kay lacked in presenting detail of any sort. However, don’t give up on Kay just yet (I was tempted, personally) because “Legacy” completes a 180 degree turn after several chapters.

“Legacy” begins to build tension once Elizabeth is nearing her adolescence, which keeps the story moving at a suitable pace. Even for those familiar with Tudor/Elizabethan history; an element of “what will happen next?” drives the story. Kay’s presentation is unique, as “Legacy” flip-flops between telling the story though the eyes of various characters and thus allowing for both Elizabeth’s views and of those who came into contact with her. This style captures Elizabeth with a fuller impression and less bias (allowing the entire viewing of Elizabeth’s pros and cons), and therefore encourages the reader to create his/her own opinion.

Many of the events/elements are not discussed in deep detail which can satisfy those readers familiar with the Tudors seeking a moving story line and less detail; or it can a negative to those newer readers who want a fuller view. Despite the personal preference, a major-related positive is that “Legacy” is largely historically accurate. Unlike many historical fiction novel authors which take drastic and sometimes “annoying” historical liberties, Kay sticks to the greater part of the facts. Although there are some fictional areas, some which may even cause groans from the reader (ahem: passionate kiss between Elizabeth and Philip of Spain); Kay is still less fantasy-based in her work which is a relief to HF readers whom enjoy largely accurate works.

Similarly, Kay smoothly and seamlessly incorporates well-known quotes into the dialogue of “Legacy”, which fit into the character conversations while adding depth but again: are historically accurate. On the negative side, some of the characters are highly stereotypical but surprisingly, Elizabeth is not overly glorified with an emphasis on showing her strengths and weaknesses. Basically, Elizabeth isn’t “thrown in the face” of the reader. Instead of pure Elizabeth focus, Kay incorporates a healthy cast of characters which perfectly add to the story (each has just the “right” amount of time within the plot) and do not become tiresome. Some unexpected (albeit, brief) cameo roles (such as Mildred Cecil) help provide the full Elizabeth view.

“Legacy” does contain some overly dramatic moments (Elizabeth’s first time supposedly having sex with Robert Dudley and Dudley’s rape/violent thoughts toward her) but luckily, these were fleeting and not explored with varying depth.

Although a minor point, some phrases/descriptions were overused, becoming annoying and predictable. Kay didn’t explore descriptive options, constantly describing Elizabeth as a “coveted bone” and her courtiers as dogs.

The last section of “Legacy” reverted back to the poor beginning in its sense of slow-moving, drawn out events. The book could have ended pages before it did but Kay dragged out the predictable ending in order to build suspense which was never realized. Furthermore, Elizabeth was overly described as losing her mind, which despite the depth of realism, was overly dramatized and completely contradicted the entire book creating a weak ending. Plus, the epilogue is completely ridiculous and downright, silly.

Overall, “Legacy” is a quick read (don’t let the page count scare you) and is enjoyable for the new or experienced reader for different reasons. Although Kay may not blow you away, the historical accuracy will at least keep you entwined even if for a light read.

[Marquise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel had, even before I finished reading it, the requirements for having a place in my favourite books. Now that I’ve finished, I’m glad to confirm that it is firmly placed in such a place.

I don’t know if I’ll ever read any other novel set in this time period, but in any case I have this feeling that Legacy has forever altered my expectation of Tudor historical novels—that is to say, has ruined me forever for any other such novel—because if I didn’t have great expectations about them before thanks mostly to the extant books, now I am going to have impossibly high standards for them. I am going to expect them to have the quality set up by Kay’s novel, which admittedly will be hard to equal.

I’ve never made a secret of my indifference towards this dynasty as a whole, and Elizabeth wasn’t an exception. Now, the indifference towards them remains, but now Elizabeth is spared. She’s come alive, she is felt near, she is interesting. That’s the reason why I read historical novels: they have the power that history books lack, of having the average reader develop a burning passion for a period, a dead person, an event, drive them to find out more, to investigate what’s true and what’s literary invention, and often, as is my case, to look at known facts through different eyes and realise with a start that what you’ve known by rote all your life can actually be exciting. And the secret is good storytelling. I don’t remember who told me this, but sometime in the past I heard that good storytelling could make the narration of your going to the grocery next block to buy veggies quite interesting if you knew how to tell the tale.

And, boy, does Susan Kay know how to tell the tale! As you read the fictional account of Elizabeth’s life, you may love her or find her irritating, you may want alternately to throttle her and hug her wounds away, you may laugh at the sheer brilliance of her political manoeuvring or slap yourself in frustration at her personal mistakes, you may pity the men she loves and the men she hates… whatever your reactions, you won’t be bored. This isn't a character willing to let your attention wander away as you read.

The woman the author present in this book is far from the mainstream characterisation, she isn’t a “good” woman selflessly sacrificing herself for her people and neither is she a “bad” woman turned despot once in power, she is both. She’s manipulative, impulsive, cruel, jealous, vain, mocking, bad-tempered, resentful, and egoistic; and she’s also hard-working, intelligent, empathetic, loving, forgiving, frightened, courageous, persistent and capable of selflessness. Even the account of her affair with Leicester is devoid of romanticising as is the common practice, for here it isn’t a grand love story with tinges of sappy tragedy; instead at times it’s poisonous, selfish and hurtful, and at other times it’s generous, caring and joyful.

In this skillful balancing of lights and shadows lies the strength of the writer’s narrative and characterisation of a deeply flawed woman you can come to love. With such an assortment of flaws and qualities, no wonder this Elizabeth Tudor is hard to classify into a tidy tiny box. Really hard. If pressed at swordpoint to find an adequate adjective to describe her, I admit my inability to find any other better than two overused words: “magnificent bastard.” And that’s a compliment.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual rating 4.5 stars.

Well-written historical novel about Elizabeth I (why did Susan Kay write only two novels?), with some paranormal undertones.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing masterpiece of historical fiction. The dust jacket on my copy says that Susan Kay worked on this novel for fifteen years. I can say it honestly felt like she did. The history is comprehensive, the characterizations of the historical figures are vivid and realistic, the insight and motivations Kay offers for them are interesting and each character is realistic, three dimensional and matures over time.

This is not a quick and breezy beach read by any stretch of the imagination, this is a novel for serious fans of historical fiction, but neither is it a dry as dust recounting of historical facts.

There are certain books that will stick in your mind as THE definitive authority on a particular historical figure, Sharon Kay Penman's novelization of Richard III's life, 'The Sunne In Splendour' is one example. I think this will be the quintessential 'Queen Elizabeth' book in my mind from now on.

I loved the stories about Elizabeth and Robert Dudley when they were children, those interactions were charming, and endeared the characters to me. Kay did an amazing job of showing what a complex personality Elizabeth was. She paints an interesting picture of a woman who survived a traumatic childhood and realistically depicts the way that trauma shaped her as a person.

I read 'The Virgin's Lover' by Philippa Gregory and I came away from it disliking Robert Dudley. But after reading this novel I really felt for him, Kay paints a heartbreaking story of an impossible relationship between Robin and Elizabeth. This aspect of the book was very moving and revealed the human side of Queen Elizabeth.

There are some novels about queens that make you think "Hey, being queen wouldn't be such a bad thing". Then there are the novels that paint a detailed portrait of the complicated life of a sovereign and make me glad I was born a peasant. This book falls into that category.

I highly recommend this for anyone interested in learning about Queen Elizabeth or Tutor England.

[Chrisl · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite of the Elizabeth era. Multiple reread. Highly recommend.
***
Some quotes from the prologue :
"He was only a small rat, but bolder than most, with a disproportionately long tail which curled behind him on the stone floor, losing itself in the half-gloom of a solitary candle's light.

"The crumbs of bread and stale marchpane, which had first tempted him out into danger, were long since finished. But still he sat there furtively, listening to the rain which teemed down the rough glass windows and drummed into the dirty moat outside the fortress. Black eyes, like polished buttons, gleaming yet opaque, nose quivering with the pungent tang of human scent, he sat and watched a shadowy prey. Young and female, it would be sweet between his teeth if only he dared to bite. But he did not dare, not yet; he was uncertain.

"Once, in a darker, deeper cell than this, he had eaten away the entire face of a young boy on death's helpless threshold. It had been enough to teach him that human flesh was better warm and void of decay; and now that dangerous craving inched him forward against the warning note of instinct. All his sharply defined senses told him that this victim was still dangerously alert. And yet there was an utter immobility which lulled him, drawing him ever closer in the faint, hungry hope that he might have been mistaken.

"She sat on a low stone window-seat, wrapped in a cloak against the creeping cold and, like the solitary stone pillar that supported the roof, she might have been carved in that pose out of stone. She sat staring out of the window into the courtyard below, straining her eyes to see the yawning cavern that was the Tower's main gateway.

"The gate was her lodestone. Night and day it drew her to the stone-hooded window, and there was a starkly simple reason for her obsession. She had not entered beneath that archway and had even less hope of leaving by it. Through Traitor's Gate she had come to this 'very narrow place', a grim fortress which had swallowed up so many lives--one of them, her mother's.

"Her long legs were drawn up beneath her chin, and a crumpled sheet of red-gold hair fell like a curtain over the arms which clasped them. She was just twenty, and had been waiting here to die for so many days that there had begun to be hours when she even forgot about it.

"Within the deeper shadows of the semi-circular room, there was a movement and a sudden shriek which sent the little piece of vermin fleeing through the stinking rushes for sanctuary."

...

"Markham straightened up and looked round with the poker suspended in her hand. 'Tame him?' she echoed, stupid with disbelief. 'You can't tame a Tower rat--they're flea-bitten and vicious.'

"'So are most men!' The girl smiled and stretched her cramped limbs. 'Shall I tame one of them instead? They too make diverting pets, you know.'

"Markham laughed nervously. 'Wouldn't you rather have a dog, madam?'"

"'Ah no--too loyal! They present no challenge.' Behind the girl's steady eyes a shadow stirred, darkening them to the hue of gleaming wet pitch. 'My mother had a dog once. She used to make it jump through a burning hoop to prove its devotion to her, until she found my father did it better. He jumped through that hoop for over six years. When he finally got tired of performing for her amusement he killed her. And that's what makes men such interesting pets, Markham--you never know when they're going to turn and bite.'"

***

[Moppet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Legacy, for me, was historical fiction gold: a book I loved as a teenager which was just as wonderful second time around. It's a cradle-to-grave retelling of the life of Elizabeth I, and it's 647 pages of class.

The prologue introduces Elizabeth as a troubled young princess, imprisoned in the Tower of London by her sister Mary and facing possible execution as a traitor:

She sat on a low stone window-seat, wrapped in a cloak against the creeping cold and, like the solitary stone pillar that supported the roof, she might have been carved in that pose out of stone. She sat staring out of the window into the courtyard below, straining her eyes to see the yawning cavern that was the Tower's main gateway.

The gate was her lodestone. Night and day it drew her to the stone-hooded window, and there was a starkly simple reason for her obsession. She had not entered beneath that archway and had even less hope of leaving by it. Through Traitor's Gate she had come to this 'very narrow place', a grim fortress which had swallowed up so many lives - one of them, her mother's.

The story then backtracks to the meeting of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, and follows Elizabeth through her turbulent childhood. If you know the story of these years, you know there's enough material here for several books, and as a result, a good deal of the first hundred pages is narrative. But we get more of Elizabeth's point of view (the book is multiple/omniscient third-person) as she gets old enough to start making her own decisions.

Constantly under pressure to declare her loyalties, frequently faced with the choice of sacrificing either her life or a future as Queen of England, Elizabeth develops the political skills of avoidance and prevarication which will serve her so well during her lengthy reign. Susan Kay weaves a compelling narrative out of a welter of political history while never losing sight of her theme. Anne Boleyn's legacy to Elizabeth is twofold: the charisma which wins her followers and the dark past Elizabeth never truly escapes. Kay's Elizabeth is flirtatious, wayward, feminine, intelligent, manipulative and imbued with the steeliest of determination. But we also see her more vulnerable side: her illnesses, doubts and fears, which get a stronger grip on her as her reign draws to its close. Her relationships with the men in her life (Thomas Seymour, Robert Dudley and the Earl of Essex) and her close political partnership with William Cecil are fully explored, and while Elizabeth is shown to be a deeply emotional woman, realism is blended with romanticism.

Legacy is the story of one of history's most fascinating women, told with passion and authority - a true classic.

[Iset · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming into this book, I’d yet to read a definitive novel of Elizabeth’s life, something which seemed a bit of a mystery, as Elizabeth is one of the most well known figures of history. Having read Margaret George’s Elizabeth last year, I was impressed with the quality of writing and the vivid detail in which Elizabeth and her times were rendered, but I couldn’t help feeling a tiny bit disappointed that the novel only covered the autumn and winter of Elizabeth’s life, from the 1588 armada onwards. George’s work could have been that definitive Elizabeth novel if only it had covered the entirety of Elizabeth’s life. Now, having read Susan Kay’s Legacy, I’m beginning to doubt whether it can ever be done. Unlike George’s Elizabeth, Kay’s Legacy is grander and more ambitious in scope, taking us from the cradle to the grave, and highlighting themes across Elizabeth’s life and seeking to explain how she evolves as a character and makes her later decisions as queen. However, the novel also felt like it dealt with stages of Elizabeth’s life in more brevity, and not nearly as much detail as I wanted. George’s novel fresh in my mind, I was particularly aware of what Kay left out from Elizabeth’s later years, and found myself missing what was omitted.

Legacy was well-written, the dialogue in particular was sharp and in character, although I always felt that her Elizabeth, whilst close, wasn’t exactly the real deal. Legacy probably is the novel that comes closest to being a definitive novel of Elizabeth’s life, but for me it just didn’t quite make it, missing it by a hair by virtue of the fact that by focusing on the wider scope Kay sacrificed the details and complexities of the era. Very enjoyable however, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Legacy to anyone.

9 out of 10

[Rio (Lynne) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 Stars. The author didn't make Elizabeth out to be the perfect heroine, like most HF authors do today, which was a positive. The story is seen through the eyes of the men in her life, letting you see all sides of Elizabeth. I simply didn't get attached to the characters or even Elizabeth (which I usually do) so I wasn't emotionally attached to this read. I am very familiar with Elizabeth's reign, so even though parts of this book didn't flow, I had no problem following. The writing style just didn't hold my attention. I didn't agree with some of the author's story telling, but, hey it's fiction, I know.
It started strong with the perspective of the rat, but after that it was just lightly written. I do recommend this for readers who want to know more about Elizabeth. This covers her whole life and due to that the author keeps it light and it isn't weighed down.

[Rebecca Huston · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that I was very happy to see come back into print last year. Smart, well-written account of Queen Elizabeth I from the cradle to the grave, and the various personalities, plots and achievements in her life. I think this one is my favourite of all the various fictional accounts of Elizabeth, both because of the dialog, which is very believable, the characters, whom the author does not short, and Elizabeth herself, depicted with her jealousy, temper tantrums and ability to connive intact. A must read for lovers of Tudor fiction.

For the longer review, please go here:
http://www.bubblews.com/news/8023322-...

[Xenia0201 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding. This is probably the most intelligently written novel I've read of Elizabeth I. Meticulously researched, Kay's character version of Elizabeth is nothing short of a psychological analysis. Kay adds her own fictional elements to further allow the reader a deep dive into Elizabeth's soul, giving an imagined makeup of her persona. The Elizabeth we see in this novel is a cunning survivor, forever depending on her fierce intellect to remain alive for three reigns before finally inheriting the crown. The result is a very believable portrayal showing us a woman who is determined not to let anyone get close to her heart after experiencing the pain of losing people she loved when a child. Not only are Kay's characters richly constructed, her prose is simply beautiful, clever and imaginative.

[Lynn Put · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a book! For me this book did a remarkable job of telling the story of Queen Elizabeth's life, it was well written, intriguing and the author kept the story moving. This book is broken down into five different areas of Elizabeth's life, The Girl, The Woman, The Queen, The Goddess and The Effigy. What I took away from reading this book was: how strong and intelligent Elizabeth was, she spoke six different languages and was more intelligent than most men of her time. How Elizabeth had a tradgic childhood after the beheading of not only her mother Anne Boleyn, but her step-mother and the man she loved. She trusted no one and the thought of giving her heart to a man was giving over control which would lead to total ruin and the risk of her crown "I trust no one, it is the sole reason I have lived this long". She was in a sense married to England, she lived off the love of her people, in a speech she gave to Parliament "And though you have had, and may have, many mightier and wiser princes sitting in this seat, yet you never had, nor shall have, any that will love you better". There were four men who played a major part in her life, Lord Admiral (her first love), Robin Dudley (Her Eyes), William Cecil (Her Soul) and the Earl of Essex, all of them worshiped her in their own way. Words that come to mind when I think of this book: Power, control, plotting, conniving, treason, out maneuvering her opponents as if in a game of chess. Queen Elizabeth reined for 44 years 1558-1603 which were the most glorious England had ever seen. I'm glad I've had the experience of reading this book and learning more about England's most passionate queen.

[Gaile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very early in life the axe hung over the head of this young girl. It was enough to give her nightmares, cause physical illnesses and forever associate being under a man's control with death.
Elizabeth wanted either war or executions. Once she secured the crown after surviving her sister's Mary's reign by the skin of her teeth, Elizabeth put the welfare of her subjects first. Like a mother, she was willing to lie, cheat and even execute (something she always hated to even think about) to secure the welfare of her country. She believed in religious freedom but unfortunately the politics of the time did not allow her to show the tolerance she wanted to.
At the same time, Elizabeth did fall in love. She was an incorrigible flirt and perfectly willing to use men like pieces on a chessboard to achieve her ends. Men who thought her hopelessly in love with them thought wrong. Only Robert Dudley enjoyed her favor most of his life.
Although this book is fiction, Elizabeth is portrayed as a complex and haunted woman.Men certainly found her very attractive and she had female friends who were very close to her, Nevertheless the Sun that ruled England for two score years and five left behind a peaceful, solvent country. Whatever sins may be assigned to her, whatever kept her awake at night throughout her life, she was and still is, England's greatest ruler.
Did God send her to prove a woman could rule? After all, her own father didn't think it was possible and her sister, Mary left the kingdom in chaos.
A page turner!

[Sherry H · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book explores the life of Elizabeth I, focusing, according to the summary, on her relationships with three key men in her life (Thomas Seymour, Robert Dudley, William Cecil). Or was it Dudley, Cecil and Essex? Or was it Phillip of Spain, Dudley and James of Scotland? Let's just say that there were more than "three men whose destinies belonged to her alone."

The first third of the book, about her childhood and ascension to the throne, were very interesting. I knew how it would turn out, but still found myself on the edge of my proverbial seat. Good stuff. Once she actually gained the crown, however, the book took a turn for the boring. And the omniscient narrator, with frequent changes in point of view, started to bug me. And Elizabeth herself became less likable, which may be historically accurate, but makes for less compelling reading material.

Perhaps the problem was that I've read too much about Elizabeth. There wasn't much news here. And what was news, I suspect was fiction. I like her less after reading this.

It took me three weeks to read this book. That's a big investment. It may have been worthwhile if this had been my first in-depth introduction to the great queen.

[Christy English · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading this novel when it came out in the 80's, and the book has stood the test of time. A beautiful novel, and a beautiful portrait of Elizabeth I. This novel is the definitive version of Elizabeth for me.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent novel by Susan Kay depicting the life of Elizabeth from early childhood, with a precarious struggle through adolescence, her sister Mary's suspicions of disloyalty, her imprisonment in the Tower through Traitor's Gate from which few, very few ever emerged from alive until finally, she reaches, against all odds, the throne of England. It's a story of survival and the emotional effects of dealing with three men that figure prominently in her life: Thomas Seymour, the Lord High Admiral, executed for treason for daring to seek her hand in marriage; Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leister--probably the only man who ever really did love her for herself; and, Robert Devereaux, Dudley's stepson who dared to presume she loved him beyond his willingness to betray her to achieve his own selfish ends. It's a very long historical novel; on my Kindle with the type set at #4 setting (Kindle's way of electronic pagination) the total number of locations is 15,629. So get prepared to really hunker down for a long read if you really like Elizabethan history as I do. Susan Kay won two prestigious awards for this novel and it is totally enjoyable and well worth your time.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-researched, very engaging look at Elizabeth I. The author took 10 years to write it and yet somehow resisted the urge to drown the reader in detailed descriptions of the era. Something I've no doubt I could not have resisted, & actually wished for more of. However, she does a remarkable job of creating a psychological portrait of Elizabeth, reconstructing pivotal events through the viewpoints of the 3 principals she focuses on: E., Robert Dudley (the Earl of L.), & William Cecil (later Lord Burghley). Several times you have the rather eerie feeling you're looking out from behind Elizabeth's eyes and feeling her rather frighteningly brilliant political brain maneuver.

The question we all want answered: Well, did they or didn't they....?! The answer is Yes....eventually. Very eventually.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 stars Review to follow.

Buddy read with Jemidar, Rio, Orsolya, Tom, Lynn and Jackleen :-)

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book on Elizabeth`s story, highly recommended to everyone.

[S.J. Kincaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

It happened in seventh grade. I picked this book up and started reading. The first sentence was, "He was a small rat, but bolder than most, with a disproportionately long tail which curled behind him on the stone floor, losing itself in the half-gloom of a solitary candle's light." The prologue of the book went onto to focus upon the girl, Elizabeth Tudor, who is sitting in the Tower of London, waiting for the moment her sister, the queen, signs her death warrant.

This book is a page-turner, impossible to put down, treats historical figures as psychologicaly complex characters rather than paper cutouts reenacting documented history, and makes history live and breathe. It's also enviably accurate compared to many, many other Tudor-era novels I've read. The marvel of this book is the portrayal of Elizabeth, though. It's one of the most fascinating psychological portraits of a character I've ever read. Elizabeth is perhaps the definition of a flawed protagonist. She's shockingly brilliant, but completely unforgiving. She has a keen understanding of the needs of her people, yet she's utterly selfish and vain-- and utterly unapologetic about it. See this snippet:

"Is there anything you cannot do?" he asked her at length, stung to a jealous awareness of inferiority.
[Elizabeth] smiled demurely.
"I can't swim, Your Highness."
"If you ever learn," he said softly, "I shall kill you for it."
His command of English was still uncertain. It was quite possible he had misused the word. But as she stared into his steady eyes she knew he meant exactly what he said and was amused by the knowledge. After that, she went out of her way to flaunt her talents and charms.
p221

I can't be the only one who finds that exchange and her subsequent face-rubbing of it so wonderful?

The Elizabeth of LEGACY is spiteful, she'll lie freely to preserve herself, and as much as she loves certain people, she would destroy them in a minute to preserve her power. This is a real portrayal of a Renaissance Queen. That ruthlessness is so unromanticized, I love Susan Kay for it.

Her thoughts at one point regarding her love interest:

"Men like Robin were never content, and men like Robin were all she would ever love, grasping, ambitious reflections of herself... He would begin to plot and scheme behind her back, building up a court faction... To emerge from that final conflict as the victor, it would be necessary to kill him. And she knew she was capable of doing it-- it was as simple as that." 296

And the greatest part about all these character flaws? The author is completely in control of them. They are not unintentional flaws she tries to disguise, as can be seen in many Mary Sue or wish-fulfillment type stories where the protagonist is too perfect. She writes Elizabeth as a dark, twisted person with a noble and compelling side, and the characters around her are aware of it:

"He saw the Queen and saw her for the first time with the mask of friendship removed, a figure suddenly as ruthless and terrible as ever her father had been... All their dazzling intimacy was an illusion, a mere straw in the wind, for in the last resort he was but a subject, as her mother had been." 305

I have so much love for this book even after all these years. It changed my life.

[Gail Amendt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I have read a lot about the Tudors, most of it has been about Henry VIII and his many wives, and I have never read a book about his daughter, Elizabeth I. I knew that I wanted to read a really good book about this great queen, not just any book about her, and with all the good reviews of this novel, I thought I had found that really good book. Unfortunately this book left me feeling somewhat disappointed. It's not that it was a poorly researched piece of fluff like so many books written about the Tudors. It presented Elizabeth as the brilliant and complicated woman she likely was, and did a good job of portraying the constant political maneuvering and backstabbing in her court, but it did so in a very dull, repetitive, and sometimes confusing way, and I suspect took a little too much artistic license at times. I really enjoyed the first part of this novel, which focused on Elizabeth's turbulent childhood, and the reigns of her siblings, Edward VI and Mary I, but once Elizabeth ascended to the throne, the book became dull and repetitive. It focused on her relationships with the men who surrounded her, and spent far too much time speculating on her reputation as "The Virgin Queen". It did give me a good appreciation for the difficulties she faced and the obstacles she overcame to become one of the greatest monarchs Britain ever had, and a fairly good grasp of the political situation in Europe at the time, but I would have much preferred the author to focus on Elizabeth's brilliant intellect than on whether or not she may have had a physical relationship with this man or that man. I don't care whether she was really a virgin queen, and we will never know the truth about this anyway, so I feel we should instead focus on the brilliant accomplishments of this woman at a time when women just didn't have opportunities to have brilliant accomplishments. I think another perspective on this great queen is in order.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Source: Self-purchase.
Rating: 5 stars for excellent.

Summary:
Legacy is a historical fiction account of the life of Elizabeth I. From the beginnings of her parents relationship and her mother's execution, to Elizabeth's dismal childhood, and to her coronation and reign as Elizabeth I.
Legacy's intention is to portray a dimensional Elizabeth. A strong-willed and defiant personality, a passionate person, a desire to love and be loved, shrewd and resilient, savvy and intelligent.
Elizabeth's relationships are a heavy element in Legacy. The work is historical fiction, and the fictional account of her love life is it's strongest point.

My Thoughts:
From the start, I was drawn into the first scene with Elizabeth and an enormous large rat. They are both housed in the Tower during Mary Tudor's reign. I believe the scene was symbolic for Elizabeth's life, a determination to not be afraid, no matter the enormity of a situation. Elizabeth's personality and the experiences she lived through carved a dominant person.
There are several points that led me to give Legacy 5 stars for excellent.

An engaging story.
Intense, vibrant, passionate personality traits and emotions from the characters.
A mystery revealed.
Revealed sacrifices Elizabeth made for the sake of the throne.
Internal struggles in the characters lives.
A realistic creation of Elizabeth. Before my eyes she lived and breathed from the first page.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommended life of Elizabeth, far better than most historical fiction. I've had my copy for years and have read it countless times. It's well-researched and weaves some intriguing ideas into the story of Elizabeth's life and reign. For example, it suggests that Elizabeth deliberately put the catastrophic Darnley onto Mary's path, confident she'd fall for him and that he would prove enough of a problem to prevent Mary having time to covet Elizabeth's throne. It also suggests a solution to the mystery of Amy Robsart's death which I think is highly convincing. On the negative side, it does not give an accurate portrayal of Thomas, 4th Duke of Norfolk, nor does it ever refer to the series of personal catastrophes that led to him suffering prolonged depression - of which Elizabeth must have been aware. As so often is done to Norfolk and others, they are assumed to exist solely as one-dimensional characters with no private life. On the whole though, a great novel and the best about Elizabeth I have ever read.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you know that this book was 15 years in the making, it comes as no surprise that author Susan Kay's meticulous research paid off.

Kay presents the mercurial Elizabeth I, starting with the day of her mother's execution and ending with her death. The queen was politically shrewd, as we know from history books, but Kay presents a woman terrified of marriage because of her mother's (and stepmothers') deaths at the hands of her father -- and yet one who craves love. Her relationship with Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, is seen by a different light here.

This is a weighty tome, length-wise, but it is so well-executed that the pages fly by. There are numerous history lessons found within the pages, disguised as brilliant entertainment.

Those who are interested in Tudor history will not be able to help enjoying this book.

[Mariele · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book helped me to understand some of the very complicated political, personal, and genealogical networks that Elizabeth I was caught up in. But I would have needed more year dates, and I still had to look up some facts that were not evident enough in the story.
This book was interesting enough, but one aspect that I strongly reject was that the degree of fictitious content was not made clear. And I don't mean dialogues or episodes concerning a certain toy. But we are dealing here with a significant historical character, and I find it alarming to claim, without any information for the reader about the ficticiousness of the matter, that Elizabeth I. had a history of love affairs for which there is no historical evidence, and which is a matter of academic debate. The book is more fiction than biography, and this should be made clear from the beginning.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read many books about Elizabeth I and her reign but this surpasses them all. I can't believe I hadn't found it until now. This follows Elizabeth from childhood to her death and shows us what shaped her formidable character. I love Kay's portrayal of Elizabeth-intelligent, cunning and shrewd but flawed and secretly vulnerable. I also prefer Kay's emphasis on events-unlike some books that put such a huge emphasis on her endless marriage negotiations, Legacy includes them as just part of her spectacular reign and not the focus. Cecil's devotion to Elizabeth was also well written. Fantastic book and should be required reading for any Tudor fan.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent--well, all in all probably the best novel of Elizabeth I've ever read, which is not precisely a ringing endorsement--but oh, man, it felt miles too long. And the dynamic between Bess and Leicester was a bit off. Splendid in bits and pieces, and Lord knows I teared up at the epilogue (shut up, they've always made me sentimental), but the rapeyness was foul and unnecessary and I have no idea what possessed Kay to go there. Still gets three stars for making me read six hundred pages plus in a single sitting. Even if my eyes are now burnt out of my skull.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this because it has been my best friend's favorite book for as long as I can recall. I am a fan of Susan Kay's. I read Phantom years and years ago and was in love with the detail and thought put into it. This book is no less detailed and thoughtful. I am impressed with her way of taking several points of view and weaving them seamlessly together into a single narrative that is so fully fleshed out, I am unable to think of a single thing left out our missing that would make it more complete. This book is whole, and wholly satisfying; much like finishing a good meal. Highly recommended.

[Allie_oco · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half is a definite 5 stars… the second half 4... and I wasn't very fond of the ending... more thoughts to come later. But its definitely. The best book I have read on Elizabeth.