The Marriage Game

Elizabeth I #2

by Alison Weir

The new novel from the New York Times bestselling historian Alison Weir tells the story of one of history's most scandalous love the romance between the new, young "Virgin Queen" Elizabeth I and her handsome married courtier, Lord Robert Dudley.
     He is her dashing Master of Horse. She is the 25-year-old newly crowned English Queen, a title she holds only because there is no male heir to inherit it. Yet in spite of her tenuous hold on the throne, young Queen Elizabeth begins a flagrant flirtation with the handsome but married Lord Robert, taking long unchaperoned horseback rides with him and constantly having him at her side. Many believe them to be lovers, and over time the rumors grow that Elizabeth is no virgin at all, and that she has secretly borne Lord Robert's child. When Robert's wife is found dead, lying at the bottom of a staircase with her neck broken, there is universal shock followed by accusations of murder.
     Picking up where Alison Weir's bestselling novel to date, The Lady Elizabeth , left off (but standing completely alone), The Marriage Game tells the dramatic story of the "Virgin Queen's" reign, framed by Elizabeth's long and tumultuous relationship with Lord Robert. Did they or didn't they? Rivers of ink have been spilled in determining the answer to this burning historical question, and you can be sure Alison Weir has strong opinions about Elizabeth's questionable virginity, based on a lifetime of research. But fiction gives her a free hand to explore this intriguing love affair in its every colourful detail, and the resulting novel is one of her best.

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

416 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Alison Weir is an English writer of history books for the general public, mostly in the form of biographies about British kings and queens, and of historical fiction. Before becoming an author, Weir worked as a teacher of children with special needs. She received her formal training in history at teacher training college. She currently lives in Surrey, England, with her two children.

Reviews

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

To start, I will admit that I have a lukewarm relationship with Weir's writing. I have rated her works between 2-4 stars, though I usually enjoy her novels more than her nonfiction. I found myself double-checking the name on this cover because it was so reminiscent of another author that I have sworn not to read again.

Specifically, this novel was boringly repetitive, shallow, and a very unappealing picture of Elizabeth I. Not being a fan of Elizabeth the way many are, I was prepared for the characterization of her as a manipulative, selfish monarch who left the country ripe for civil war with her refusal to plan for her succession. This is actually worse.

She is petty, cruel, and unreasonable. Elizabeth leads her suitors on for decades and then falls into torrents of tears when any man gives up on her and dares to marry another. I couldn't help but feel sorry for Robert Dudley, who gave up over 20 years of his life believing that she would eventually marry him. On the other hand, I could not fathom why he would want to marry her. Surely, even the crown of England could not be worth putting up with this vain shrew.

While I do believe that Elizabeth was probably as manipulative as Weir has painted her, I hope that she was at least a little more intelligent. The focus of this novel, as the title suggests, is the constant evasions of Elizabeth when it came to her marriage. She would encourage suitors then send them away, invite them to her bed but frustrate them before culmination, and promise her hand only to quickly change her mind.

Every other line spoken by Elizabeth in this novel was some version of "I will not be told what to do!" Pout, stomp, and preen. She even has irritating nicknames for the poor men lining up to kiss her feet: my Eyes, my Spirit, and my Frog. I really wish I was making that up. There is also an excessive use of exclamations!

On the other hand, some aspects of Elizabeth's rule could have been used to make her look even worse. The fate of the Grey sisters is only the subject of a few sentences, writing off some of the most hateful and baseless actions of the revered Virgin Queen.

Based on previous reviews, I had hoped that I may enjoy this negative portrayal of Elizabeth more than others who wish to believe that she is a wonderful example of womanhood. My lack of recommendation for this novel is more due to the dumbing down of Elizabeth and her life story than it is because I think her personality has been slandered.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for my copy of this novel. Opinions expressed are my own.

[Orsolya · Rating 2 out of 5]

“The Marriage Game” is immediately flooded with red flags and cringe-worthy moments starting the novel on a poor note. As soon as page 10, Weir strikes with historical inaccuracies. Whether this is due to Weir’s own beliefs on the matter or merely taking a historical liberties on the pretext of fiction; it is not of concern. The point is that the general reader will accept this as truth and run with it based on Weir’s fame for penning nonfiction history books.

Even aside from this blatant error, “The Marriage Game” is no better than a YA novel and a boring one, at that. Elizabeth is depicted as a one-dimensional, shallow character; not truly exploring her womanly strengths and weaknesses. Her romance with Robert, her refusal to marry, and the proposals from foreign princes are all portrayed by Weir as nothing more than high school drama. Plus, it is the same thing on each page. Nothing truly ‘happens’ and the plot doesn’t intensify or progress.

Weir over saturates the text of “The Marriage Game” with, “As you know, Bob”-style storytelling in order to set the stage and explain Tudor back stories. This is tedious and slackens the already slow pace of the novel. Also evident is a chunky narrative with clear up-and-down arcs which are too extreme: i.e. slow and exciting then repeat several times.

“The Marriage Game” does have some strong moments such as the scandalous death of Amy Robsart (Dudley’s wife). Although Weir doesn’t pursue this in depth, she explores some of the possible theories providing the reader with historical context. This is also true for other topics in “The Marriage Game” such as the situation with the imprisonment of Mary, Queen of Scots and other political forays. Weir would have done much better composing a novel focusing more on these historical events instead of an entire text on repetitive love and marriage.

The conclusion of “The Marriage Game” feels like a different novel entirely by taking a complete 180-degree turn off the marriage topic and instead focusing on the Spanish Armada. This is strikingly emotional (in comparison to the former portions of the novel) but is noticeably disjointed leaving the love subject unanswered and merely forgotten.

Weir utilized an ‘Author’s Note’ using it to explain some historical liberties, her opinions, and inspirations. Although, I would have preferred deeper explanations for the benefit of those general readers not as familiar with the topic; it is still quite useful.

Sadly, “The Marriage Game” can be summed up as a heavy disappointment: one-dimensional, fluffy, boring, and quite meaningless. It is not only light on the history but also doesn’t really encourage the general reader to engage in further research. “The Marriage Game” is nothing more than mindless entertainment (a fast read) and is only suggested for those unfamiliar with Elizabeth and Tudor England. Those well-read on the matters will gain absolutely nothing from “The Marriage Game” and are better off skipping it.

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow if a fiction writer wrote a story like this...I am sure it would be rejected. For being too implausible. Yet Queen Elizabeth did just this!
I realised, early on in my reading, that I did not know the life of Queen Elizabeth as well as I thought. I do realise the author focused on this part of her reign - to tell how she used the marriage game for diplomacy reasons. Realising that it was her position that was the prize. Rather her the person.
But I really enjoyed reading the events, loved her writing style and how I could see all the characters in my mind as 'real' people.
Unputdownable

[Jaylia3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spanning thirty years from Elizabeth I's coronation in 1558 to the historic events of 1588 and with an epilogue reflecting on the events of the rest of her life, Alison Weir's The Marriage Game is a mesmerizing book that kept me racing through its pages. Information presented in story form makes more of an impression and sticks with me better than dry facts, which is why I love books of this kind--well researched, vividly written historical fiction.

Basing this novel on historical fact, recorded verbal exchanges, and legend, Weir gives readers a glimpse into what may have been going on in Elizabeth's heart and mind during the years of her reign when she used marriage negotiations as a diplomatic tool to strengthen her position at home and abroad. Blending a love story (which was steamier than you might expect from the Virgin Queen) with the portrait of a strong ruler and fascinating woman The Marriage Game will hold the interest any reader who enjoys a good story, especially those already intrigued by Tudor history.

[Kara Babcock · Rating 3 out of 5]

During my time in England, I have consumed an extraordinary number of BBC documentaries (and the occasional drama) about Britain’s long, bloody, occasionally confused history. Some of these covered the Plantagenets, but the lion’s share tend to drift decidedly towards the Tudors. Even the brutal episodes of internecine family bloodshed of the Wars of the Roses have nothing on slow-motion car crash that is Henry VIII’s six wives, Reformation, and Elizabethan England. In The Marriage Game, Alison Weir focuses on the politics involved in Elizabeth I’s marriage (or lack thereof) and how this influenced her relationship with Robert Dudley, the man most historians have labelled her lover in all of the various ways.

Marriage now can still, occasionally, be the bond that cements alliances in the vast dynastic power struggles between great houses. But not so much as it was in Elizabeth’s time. And Weir gives us a very good idea of the significance that Elizabeth’s marriage would have for England and for the rest of Europe. In a time where a Protestant England was a new and threatening prospect for Europe, Elizabeth’s marriage was about more than controlling or ruling England. It had direct bearing on the issues of who wielded absolute power over religious matters in Europe in that age. The religion of Elizabeth’s suitors, as well as that of her rival Mary Queen of Scots, would play a large role in determining Elizabeth’s moves in this marriage game.

It’s Elizabeth who refers to the matter of her marriage as a game in an attempt to trivialize what is, for her, a terrifying prospect. Weir shows how Elizabeth has to walk a very careful line. Her Parliament and advisers are pressing her for a marriage, both because they doubt her ability, as a woman, to rule, and because it would strengthen England and provide allies against the enmity of France and Spain. Elizabeth, understandably, is worried about the effect of marriage on her sovereignty as a ruler—a fear compounded by what happens to Mary after her marriage to Darnley. But she recognizes the precarious position that England is in. Into this mix Weir adds the complicating factor of her own speculation about what befell Elizabeth when she was a teenager in the care of Thomas Seymour. The Marriage Game paints Elizabeth as every bit the complicated person she should be, even if it’s not quite the likeable character we’d like her to be.

Elizabeth kind of comes across as a horrible and manipulative person. Her vacillation with regards to marrying Dudley is very annoying. Whenever she decides to renege on what was a fervent pledge to marry him, she buys him off with a title or land or a castle. (And it works, because in the end he’s more concerned with his worldly advancement than with actually being married to Elizabeth—but he still wants to get in her pants at the earliest opportunity.) As Elizabeth gets older and her marriage prospects diminish, the harsh and vindictive parts of her personality only seem to heighten. I don’t agree with those reviewers who assert that these unlikeable aspects of Elizabeth’s personality necessarily make her unsympathetic as a character. I can sympathize with Elizabeth’s dilemma and the emotions that motivate her to act in these ways, even if I don’t particularly like what she does as a result.

Certainly what Weir emphasizes above all else is the sense of loneliness that Elizabeth must have felt. She was a woman without peer. Her closest friends are some of her ladies in waiting who had been companions since her tumultuous years as a young adult during Edward and Mary’s brief reigns. But they don’t really understand the pressure she experiences as a woman monarch. Her most intimate confidante is Robert himself, and he isn’t exactly an impartial party. So it’s not a surprise that Elizabeth projects her uneasiness onto Mary Queen of Scots. Though Mary is a deadly rival, she is, like Elizabeth, a woman struggling to rule a kingdom with deep religious divides. It galls Elizabeth that Mary has no problem taking a husband and producing “an heir of her body,” despite the fact that Elizabeth’s failure to do so is ultimately a decision she made. Yet despite Mary’s clear involvement in plots against Elizabeth, Elizabeth is still horrified by the prospect of executing another country’s (deposed) monarch.

As a character study, The Marriage Game is an insightful look into this interpretation of Elizabeth. Yet at times Weir leans too much on character to drive the story. Her expertise as a non-fiction author shines through here. A novel, by definition, really needs a plot. I don’t remember The Captive Queen being as dull as the events here. Told in yearly chapters, the story here feels episodic but repetitive, with the same scenes being repeated over the years as Elizabeth’s advisers tell her to marry and she throws a strop (thanks, England, for the vocabulary). It is definitely interesting, but only to a point.

The Marriage Game retells and reexamines Elizabeth I’s reign through the lens of her marriage negotiations. Weir does an excellent job demonstrating how important this single part of Elizabeth’s life was, both to her as a person and to her realm. She interrogates the motivations behind Elizabeth’s reluctance to marry and Robert Dudley’s desire for her hand. As a story, it feels very flat—there’s plenty of drama, but it’s of the one-note variety. As a history, however, it’s interesting and enlightening. I won’t call it the best or most memorable piece of historical fiction I’ve read, but I certainly enjoyed Weir’s perspective and speculation on England’s Virgin Queen.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a disappointing novel. Weir's 'Innocent Traitor' is one of my favourite books I've read, and her first novel about Elizabeth, 'The Lady Elizabeth'--prior to her Queen ship--was a good read too. This one however falls completely flat. I had to force my way through the pages as the repetition of will she/ won't she in regards to marriage went from bad to worse. Yes, I understand that Elizabeth was smart in playing her marriage card in astute political ways but seriously there was a lot more to her reign than just that. Even though this novel is entitled 'The Marriage Game' I had hoped that there would be more content than just boring talks between Elizabeth and her councilors about who to marry, why to marry, when to marry etc. There wasn't. The Spanish Armada? Limited to mere pages in comparison. Same for the trial of Mary Queen of Scots. As for the relationship between Elizabeth and Robert, it gave me a headache. The constant backwards and forewords did not make for an enjoyable read. In fact, Elizabeth's petty behavior towards him turned this legendary Queen into a bitter shrew and I cannot believe that this is the portrayal that Ms. Weir decided to take with her. I am so disappointed.
The main reason I give this novel two stars instead of one is because I appreciate the author's note in which Weir explains her reasoning behind certain aspects of the book. I feel as though the research is there, it's just the character development and the narrative style that I take issue with. I think I'll stick with Weir's non-fiction from now on.

[Debbi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was really disappointed in this book. Alison Weir is a respected novelist and writer of historical fiction. Her books are usually well researched and well done. This makes The Marriage Game that much more disappointing.

The Marriage Game is the story of Elizabeth I beginning with her assuming the throne. Unfortunately, Alison Weir chose to focus on the most salacious rumors rather than creating a compelling story of one of the most powerful women in history. Weir's Elizabeth is a spoiled, capricious brat more interested in making out with Robert Dudley than ruling England. The first third of the book is scene after scene of her pouting, flirting, and doing just about everything short of actually having sex.

I've read many books by Alison Weir, and this one is just terrible. I was so annoyed by it that I gave up on it before finishing it.

[Katarzyna Kuczynska · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes it is most of the time about the marriage. 3.7 stars. This story was told well but without really any changes in tempo, apart of few short pages given to queen of Scots and to a war with Spain. The relationship between queen and Robert was well told. I liked how the author shown Elizabeth I : first of all a women , then a queen.

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~* · Rating 2 out of 5]

Setting: Elizabethan England

2 1/2 Stars

The marriage games began when Elizabeth becomes the newly crowned Queen.
The story of her reign as Queen, tells how Elizabeth was clever enough to keep those negotiations going for almost 30 years in hope of making England stronger.
Queen Elizabeth uses her suitors as a diplomatic tool while still retaining her independence from any man...well any man except Robert Dudley, the handsome Master of the Horse and also rumored to be Elizabeth's lover.
But Elizabeth is wary of marriage and she is most determined to remain free.
Even in later years, as the negotiations dwindle, she still ends up ruling the most powerful country in the world with a strong hand.
While I did enjoy "the Innocent Traitor"and "The Lady Elizabeth" by this author, this was rather a big disappointment.
First off, the author claims it's based on historical events, letters, and conjecture. Hmmmm....
So my thoughts from this read:

Total lack of historical detail, and the place of time was totally missing here and I felt the story was just going around in circles...no beginning, middle or end.
While reading this I found the narrative style putting me off, yet I carried on.. and still it became predictable, very repetitive and lacked of passion and the character development became a no-go. Speaking of character development, the author's portrayal of Queen Elizabeth was not favorable in the least.
We have here in "The Marriage Game" a very unappealing picture of Elizabeth I as petty, cruel, and totally unreasonable.
She pouts, stamps her foot when she doesn't get her way and is also portrayed as a tease that leads her suitors around by the crook of her finger.
And then goes into a tantrum and crying fit when one of her suitors leaves and moves on.
There was enough drama and sleaziness of a soap opera let me tell you in this book.
If your a big "Elizabeth I" fan you might want to pass on this one, and pick up Susan Kay's or Margaret George's telling of her reigning years.
Or library loan like I did if you must..

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I was disappointed in this. It got very repetitive and sometimes the writing style became very peculiar, as if Alison Weir was forgetting herself and slipping back into her non-fiction style, and just listing what had happened chronologically rather than telling a story. Her Elizabeth was a little caricature at times too.

Basically, it was fine, but there are better Elizabeth I bio-novels out there.

[*TUDOR^QUEEN* · Rating 4 out of 5]

This veteran writer of British historical fiction with pinpoint accuracy focused on Queen Elizabeth I's dithering about marriage over 400 pages, and managed to keep it interesting. Tudor history is one of my passions, but I have never been lured in by the story of Queen Elizabeth I. However, for the first time in my decades old romance with Tudor history, I am inspired to watch movies and read more about "Queen Bess" after the excellent manner in which Alison Weir brought this iconic Queen to life. Elizabeth R's voice crackled with life off the pages with Weir's command and authenticity of dialogue.

This book spans the period of Elizabeth's ascension to Queen following her coronation up until her death. I am sufficiently moved by this tome to explore "The Lady Elizabeth: A Novel," the prequel to "The Marriage Game."

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ever since reading The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory, I have been borderline-obsessed with the Tudor dynasty. In fact, I read the aforementioned book at least a dozen times over the course of a couple years. Sadly, I will not be able to say the same for The Marriage Game. Overall, I found the book to be entirely too long, repetitive, and a rather shallow depiction of a Queen that has been purported to be intelligent, wise, and a good care-taker of her people and kingdom.

I understood by the title, The Marriage Game, that this book would mostly focus on how bull-headed Queen Elizabeth I was about marriage, and how she managed to avoid it at all costs, despite the many dangers of leaving England without an heir. I knew there would be drama and romance, especially where Lord Robert Dudley was involved, but I was also expecting more of an in-depth look into the Queen's frame of mind in the matters of the religious upheaval that occurred during her sister's reign, the politics of the era, and the advances made in education, the arts, and medicine. Instead, I became intimately familiar with Elizabeth's childish temperament, loose ways with countless men, cowardice in dealing with serious issues, and frustrating emotional outbursts on almost every. single. page.

Her love affair with Robert Dudley was intriguing at first, but Elizabeth's ceaseless cat-and-mouse game eventually wore my patience thin. She led this poor man on for 20+ years! Sure, Robert advanced very far and had all the comforts life could offer because of his devotion to and love for the Queen, but he never had a moment's rest or peace for all the emotional upheaval she brought into his life. Elizabeth's pettiness, jealousy, and impertinence was such that she refused to allow Robert the true happiness he could have found in his eventual marriage to Lettice Essex, nor did she allow him the freedom to experience the full joy of fatherhood. She was verbally, and sometimes physically, abusive to her counselors and courtiers, even when many of them had proved their loyalty ten times over. She was excessively vain and vindictive, and quite frankly, a poor leader. Any decision she (eventually) made came only after great effort on the part of her lords and counselors, and after a ridiculous amount of waffling, tears, and hysterics on her part.

Can you tell I'm annoyed? I am. I have a headache just writing this review.

There were some interesting bits, such as Elizabeth's infamous run-ins with Mary, Queen of Scotts and her skirmishes with the Spanish Armada, but overall, this book is glaringly lacking in one important aspect: plot. While I am more of a character-focused reader, all Alison Weir accomplished in her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I, is painting her in a very unfavorable light, which makes it hard for the reader to sympathize. This is unfortunate because when you think about Elizabeth's tumultuous early years, and how truly terrifying it must have been to be woman on the throne, there should have been a lot with which to sympathize, but Alison Weir simply did not make this a priority. And that's fine. As an author, she chose to focus, very decidedly, on Queen Elizabeth's staunch avoidance of marriage and subsequent flirtations, and left out most of the other historical aspects of her reign.

If you approach this book in the right frame of mind, you may very well enjoy it, as others did. It's too shallow for my tastes, thus the two-star rating.

[Marian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading this book is like being on a never-ending carousel ride – the scenery never changes and it becomes tiresome. The same scenario is played out repeatedly, regardless of the suitor, and all the characters (and the reader too) quickly become exasperated with Elizabeth’s antics. It isn’t a very complimentary picture of Elizabeth. She comes off as unstable, shallow, prone to histrionics, manipulative, and even occasionally, malicious. We will never know why This Queen never married,and there's probably a few reasons.Her Mothers death?To many executions?

Only twenty-five and newly crowned, Elizabeth vows to rule the country as both queen and king. 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.

Events take a dark turn when Robert’s wife is found dead. Universal shock is followed by 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.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

rounded up from 1.75. this had some fun parts but was on the whole kinda boring and un imaginatively written

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Queen Mary is dead! Long live Queen Elizabeth! So begins the latest Weir novel, in which the reader is carried through the life of the final Tudor monarch and her strong-willed beliefs. Labelled the "Virgin Queen", Elizabeth held firm to her beliefs that she need not marry, which all but kept her from producing an heir. Weir examines Elizabeth's sentiments on the matter, while juxtaposing the worst-kept secret in Elizabeth's life; her longtime, scandalous royal love affair with Lord Robert Dudley. While Elizabeth happily runs the country as both queen and king, her closest advisors attempt to find a suitor to create needed political alliances and bring forth a child. Elizabeth continues a sordid affair with Dudley, crossing all thresholds save that of intercourse, with a devastating fear of pregnancy and its associated pains. While Dudley pledges his heart to her, even while still married, their relationship never takes the step that he wants and Elizabeth fears most, marriage. Weir parallels the marriage search with the Elizabeth-Dudley strain, spanning decades, which eventually sours their long friendship. Dudley's patience wears thin and Elizabeth cannot stand criticism of her eventually consideration to wed in order to save England on the continent. What began as a game has turned into a war of emotions, where no one is safe from decimation.

Weir uses her fictional accounts of historical events to bring the reader deep into the goings-on of the Tudor family. While exploring the role Elizabeth feels she has in the larger Tudor/Henry VIII drama, vindication of Anne Boleyn is at the heart of her reign. Weir also addresses the struggles of the few short-lived monarchs after Henry VIII's death and the vicious treatment Mary took on her half-sister while re-Catholicising England for a short period. With Mary Queen of Scots raising issues in the north, Elizabeth's struggles were by no means solely her own, as she sought to cement her place in history, knowing she had no heir to take over once she left the throne. As the continent explodes and alliances may be the only way for England to save herself, Elizabeth must play the role of monarch and negotiate for the best of her people, putting her own preferences aside. Powerfully written and thoroughly researched, Weir amazes readers with such a smooth and easy to follow novel at the height of English monarchical rule.

Kudos, Madam Weir for another powerful novel. You have a great handle on the Tudors and the drama they created. I look forward to your future stories, as they always teach an entertain simultaneously.

Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

[Kiku · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for providing me with a copy for my unbiased review.

I have read Alison Weir's historical fiction in the past--namely, The Lady Elizabeth, that until the author's note told me I had no clue was intended as a prequel to this novel rather than a standalone book.

Basically, the title says almost all there is to say about the bulk of this book-Queen Elizabeth, playing her "Marriage Game" to keep all the men of the nations around her vying for her hand, while all the while stringing along several domestic suitors as well, none for longer and more cruelly than Robert Dudley.

Oddly, I started out rooting for the romance, like I think I was supposed to(?), but the longer Elizabeth strung him on the less I liked her--despite the attempts to drum up sympathy for her in this area by bringing in a sexual assault as a girl as one of the primary reasons for Elizabeth's fear of sex; but since it is not really touched upon any more, all it really did was serve to put me on the side of Robert Dudley, frustrated and waiting for Elizabeth to stop being so fickle in a variety of ways.
I do not think it was the author's intent to make Elizabeth a wholly frustrating, unsympathetic person--especially in her descriptions near the end of the novel, and regarding execution, we are supposed to see her as good-hearted, if not gripped by fear due to what happened to her own mother; but in the end Elizabeth comes off as manipulative, childish and vain--which was somewhat refreshing if thought about from the standpoint that every other book about her can't seem to stop singing her praises--but I found that I would have much rather Weir spent more time on the parallel she had sketched out in Elizabeth's mind between herself and the Queen of Scots.

I am no historian, so I am not sure if the real Elizabeth I was known for giving everyone in her court nicknames--but even if she was, I tired of that, too. I was almost glad when a few people were spared of nicknames, because they just came across as ridiculous once she started giving them to absolutely everyone and using them constantly.

While all in all a decent read, I did have some formatting gripes in that the chapters are far too long--and difficult to pick up mid-chapter. I read on commutes, generally, so I rarely had hours at a time to read through huge chunks of the book. So, commuters and 30-minute-a-day readers might find this one hard to get through for that reason alone, as it is extremely difficult to get 'into' this book in short stretches.

I didn't love it, didn't hate it...it was just okay. Not enough to keep me from reading Alison Weir again, but also not enough for me to immediately search to see if she has another book out.

[Miss Melly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is perhaps the most complex character-portrayal of Elizabeth that you will ever find. I have never found her more real than within these pages. She is everything you ever thought her to be, and then she is the opposite: petulant and patient, decisive and procrastinating, wise and stupid, cold and passionate.
She played the marriage game like a pro and cared little for the egos she bruised - including that of Robert Dudley.
The relationship between Elizabeth and Dudley is beautifully drawn - full of tension, broken loyalty and politics. Dudley is shown to be much more than the preening, shallow courtesan that we have grown to expect.
The one thing that has always puzzled me about Elizabeth is her failure to secure the succession with an heir of her body. This has always been a huge focus for every monarch preceding her, and never more so than with her father, Henry VIII. Why then, did Elizabeth fail in this monarchical duty?
Weir gives a more than satisfactory answer to this question. Elizabeth had no equal in England and therefore would have to marry a foreign prince, who most of England would hate. She would then be obliged to use English armies to fight foreign wars, further inciting the anger of her people. Added to this, she may well have died in childbirth, leaving her country in the hands of a foreign King. If she survived childbirth and had a son, any baron could rise and rebel in the son's name, ousting Elizabeth from her position.
Its a good answer, and although it's not the first time it has been suggested, it is the first time I have been able to swallow it. THIS is an Elizabeth who would preserve her own power at all costs. THIS is an Elizabeth who could fear being a wife, even though she is afraid of little else. This is a woman who could fail at securing the succession. She has cracks. We are shown the little fissures of weakness and anxiety.
Well done Ms Weir. It is no easy task to breath freshness into a much told tale. This is a superb effort.

[Annelies - In Another Era · Rating 2 out of 5]

Na de dood van haar zus Mary wordt Elizabeth tegen alle verwachtingen in koningin. Eens gekroond, verwacht iedereen meteen dat ze trouwt. Want ze moet een man aan haar zijde hebben en voor erfgenamen zorgen. Elizabeth ziet dat anders, bovendien zet ze Robert Dudley aan haar zijde met wie ze een intieme band ontwikkelt.

Dit boek was het niet en voor een keer niet omdat ik historische issues had met het boek (die zijn er in veelvoud). Zelfs niet omdat Robert Dudley all over the place was. Want onpopular opinion: de relatie tussen Elizabeth en Dudley boeit mij eigenlijk echt niet historisch gezien.

Ik las al eerder twee fictieboeken van Weir. Boeken die ze eerder heeft geschreven dan dit. Ik herinner mij verschillende interessante perspectieven in het boek over Jane Grey. Maar waar is Weir's schrijftalent naartoe in dit boek?

De gebeurtenissen worden gewoon beschreven vanuit een vertellersperspectief die af en toe in de gedachten probeert te duiken van de personages en rapporteert over wat er gezegd wordt. Het show don't tell principe negerend krijg je geen enkele kans om een band met iemand op te bouwen. Dit boek is slecht geschreven punt.

Daarnaast is Elizabeth hier neergezet als een rasechte bitch. En als een fragiel meisje. U merkt het: niet echt consistent. Ik ben de eerste om toe te geven dat Elizabeth geen sympathieke geweest zal zijn en ik vind het tof dat een auteur kiest om dit te tonen, maar jezuslief maak er dan ook een bitch van en niet nog eens een meisje met een trauma dat niet durft trouwen.

Historisch gezien is the marriage game een interessant uitgangspunt. Alleen wordt dat op de lange duur wat saai. Er gebeuren zoveel boeiende dingen tijdens haar regering, maar dat worden voetnoten. Het afhaspelen van de overwinning tegen de Spaanse Armada was om te wenen. Het was duidelijk dat de schrijfster nul politiek in het boek wou stoppen, maar wat blijft dan over?

Heel moeilijk, want the lady Elizabeth vond ik een oké boek. Innocent traitor vond ik zelfs goed. Dus ik weet niet wat ik met Weir moet...

[HalcyonDaze · Rating 1 out of 5]

Alison Weir wrote a marvellous non-fiction book The Six Wives of Henry VIII. In The Marriage Game, a fiction offering of Elizabeth I's marriage turmoil and relationship with Lord Robert Dudley, Alison Weir has fallen so short of the mark that I wonder how she felt when she finally put pen down or pressed 'save' on this work. I know that I felt some relief that on page 192 I decided enough was enough.
The lack of historical detail, that sense of place of time was completely missing which for a writer who has such an historical knowledge bank, was hugely disappointing. Key characters who we know to be larger than life, almost mythical, were reduced to clipped, rather hurried and undeveloped vignettes of repetitive dialogue about Elizabeth not making up her mind to wed. Dudley's constant glowering, or catching his breath or falling into love sick puppy swoon at Elizabeth's twists and turns did allow for a rather one sided, I bet I will win guessing game as to how he was going to react to her uncapricious, unrevealling statements and actions. I'm sorry but simply telling us that someone is troubled, or complicated or powerful or dazzling or a situation is dangerous or complex or that a night is balmy does not make it so.
Her courtiers and advisors we have been led to believed were beyond exasperation at her vasciliation. But I know I felt 10 times more exasperation than any Cecil or Norfolk or Dudley and would vascilate no more on whether to keep reading.
Round and around we went, going nowhere interesting or insightful, to such an extent that the characters became a blurry, dun colour, daubed on a canvas that should have been vibrant and sharp. I felt no empathy or curiousity, just a feeling that we all know what is going to happen, so lets just cut to the chase and get this over and done with. I fell about 200 pages short but I think Alison fell further short than even this.

[Fiona · Rating 2 out of 5]

Less "finished this book", more "finished with this book" after 77 tedious pages (and I love them together! I love this era of history! I wanted to enjoy this!).

As other reviews have mentioned, the writing is clunky and it's full of cringe-worthy moments. Lots of ridiculous "As you know, Bob" style awkward exposition.

The characterisation is shallow and (in my not overly experienced opinion) seems to show a fundamental lack of understanding of not only Elizabeth and Robert as individuals, but of their relationship and the nuances of it (of which it does not lack). Elizabeth's character is set in stone almost from the first page, leaving no room for growth and development, especially in regard to marriage and the politics that surrounded it. It leaves her, as a character, looking petty and immature when there was plenty of room to explore a young, intelligent, and forthright woman negotiating a balance between her personal desires and what was politically expedient.

Honestly, just read Sarah Gristwood's Elizabeth & Leicester - compelling and juicy all the while being a fantastic work of nonfiction.

[Samantha Leighanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel follows Elizabeth I after she becomes queen following the death of her sister, Mary. As we all know, one of the biggest things that Elizabeth was known for was being a virgin queen and never marrying. So basically this book goes through her life and fictionalizes why she never married and imagines what her relationship with Robert Dudley was possibly like.
I found parts of this interesting and entertaining, but I didn't love it as a whole. At times if felt like she was just taking us through the events and I wasn't really connecting with any of the characters, especially Elizabeth. Towards the end it started to get better, but I found myself pretty bored at multiple points. I really wanted to love this, but I really didn't which makes me sad, but it won't stop me from reading other work from Weir.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I so wish that Weir hadn’t gone with that age old myth that Mary Boleyn’s children (Catherine Knollys nee Carey and Henry Carey) were fathered by Henry VIII. Within the first 10 pages we had Elizabeth calling Catherine her sister *eye roll*. I’ll openly admit that I’ve found fault with Weir’s non fiction before, but I’ve always enjoyed her historical fiction novels. This is definitely my least favourite Weir novel. I just couldn’t get into the story at all. I found it dragged on, and I found myself losing interest. I also disliked the fact that Weir makes Elizabeth’s reign a boring story about marriage proposals and marriage avoidance. I’m not disputing that Elizabeth liked to make promises of marriage and then drag her heels, we know she did. But there’s far more to Elizabeth as a monarch than just her list of suitors.

[Lisa B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not able to speak to the historical accuracy of this novel, as the only exposure I have had to anything close to this time period is from the TV show The Tudors. It is that show that brought about my interest in British history, especially anything related to the Tudors.

From a fictional aspect, I found The Marriage Game to be very entertaining. I love the intrigue of the royal court - back stabbing, politics, power struggles. This story had it all! I thought Ms. Weir had a wonderful ability to weave a story that held my interest. All in all, this was a very enjoyable read.

My thanks to Random House Publishing - Ballantine Books, via Netgalley, for allowing me to reaf this in exchange for an unbiased review.

3.5/5.0

[Caitlyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I normally enjoy Alison Weir's books but this one was pretty bad. The story dragged and was incredibly repetitive, so much so that several times I was wondering if I was accidentally re-reading a section that I had already read. Elizabeth as she presented her was extremely vain, insecure and generally unlikable almost to the point of being caricature-like. Overall this was not a great read and I struggled to finish it.

[Émilie Weidl · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have read many books about Elizabeth I and this was far from my favourite. The plot sounded like it was going to be good, but it was extremely boring and even though it was only 397 pages it felt like 1000. 0/10 would recommend.

[Nazanin Mousavi · Rating 2 out of 5]

خیلی تک بعدی بود و غالبا فقط به همون مقوله ی ازدواج پرداخته بود که برای 580 صفحه خیلی ملال آور بود

[Juliet · Rating 1 out of 5]

An easy read indeed, verging on the monotonous and boring. The relentless portrayal of Elizabeth as shallow and exceedingly vain was not to this readers' preference. 1 star, I'm afraid!

[Thea Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, Elizabeth Tudor... how I love to read versions of your life story, you fascinating woman!

I think that one statement completely sums up what I really think about this book.

Over the years Queen Elizabeth I has been a very popular character for historical novel writers simply because of who she was, who are father was and the mysterious relationship she had with Lord Robert Dudley. While many may see this as another version of Elizabeth and Robert's love affair, which it is, it doesn't mean that it isn't a wonderful read and that is won't take a new view on the affair.

The book travels the course of Elizabeth I reign on England's throne and charts her undying love for Lord Robert Dudley until his untimely death. This is your normal soppy romance as their relationship was an extremely complicated one and this book takes the view that they were deeply in love with each other but kept apart ultimately by Elizabeth's absolute terror of marriage. We follow Elizabeth as she plays what she calls 'The Marriage Game' where she will focus on an eligible man with whom a marriage could be good for the realm and then plays and toys with him to keep him interested in a union with her, to keep him (and his family/country) an ally to both her and the country. It's a difficult game to play and one that she wasn't always good at either but then again you wouldn't expect that keeping a man interested in marrying you for 11 years (in one case) would be particularly fun or easy but what it is is very interesting and makes for a really fascinating book.

I do love Alison Weir's novels as much as I do her non-fiction books and this novel is definitely not a let down for me. It works as a sequel of sorts to her The Lady Elizabeth that focused on her younger years and events in the book do have impact on Elizabeth's reign as queen. Weir has used the affair between Elizabeth and Thomas Seymour (who was married to Elizabeth's surviving step-mother Catherine Parr at the time) and Elizabeth's subsequent pregnancy (of which there is no firm evidence) from the first book as one of Elizabeth's fears of marriage in the second. She is terrified of pregnancy after her own experiences and after watching two of her stepmother's die after child birth and it all makes her petrified of sex which isn't unexpected under the circumstances and makes the perfect excuse for her to keep Dudley at arms length a lot of the time during the book. It perfectly explains why Elizabeth found herself unable to take a husband and why she kept on putting it off.

The romance between Dudley and the Virgin Queen is so bittersweet, even though you know that no matter how much you want the happy ending for the pair it's never going to happen you find yourself rooting for the pair, hoping she'll marry Dudley but history is proof that their romance was destined to follow the pair until Dudey's death no matter how hard they both tried to move on, giving the whole thing a tragically sad vibe.

What is there to love about this book?

The crux of the book is the love between the queen and Dudley, they had a deep rooted love and respect for each other that no-one could break and that unfortunately no-one else could understand either. Dudley's closeness to the queen was never looked upon favourably by either the court or the country but they could have no clue what the relationship really was behind closed doors. Dudley was often seen as someone trying to grab power for himself and maybe to some degree that was true but Elizabeth always had to have Dudley to hand and rewarded him often with land and titles which caused a great deal of jealousy within others not so fortunate. For many years Dudley was Elizabeth 'husband' in all but name, he was her chief advisor and it was well know that he had her ear but don't be fooled if you think that would mean he had any kind of control over Elizabeth as she was her father's daughter in more ways than one, she wouldn't suffer fools lightly and was always determined to have her own way. Weir had dealt with the whole situation with a great deal of skill, she is completely believable in what she suggests. Weir keeps the romance grounded without going too far with the soppiness and as the relationship develops throughout the book into more of a companionship, a deeper love, Weir really gives you a defined sense of the pair and their true and private feelings for each other. It's this relationship that is the backbone for the whole book and it is showcased to the full.

Was there anything not so good?

I didn't really find anything not to like about the book at all, that doesn't mean there wasn't anything but that I just didn't see it.

Was it an interesting read?
Completely fascinating! I have read other novels about this romance (such as The Queen's Lover by Philippa Gregory) and this particular stand up well against it and I think I found it to have more of an insight into the couple. Maybe this is because of the reasons Weir has given Elizabeth for not wanting to get married as other others don't think the Seymour affair had as deep an impact as Weir has suggested, that there was no pregnancy for example but I found that this gave the book extra depth and I could completely see why Elizabeth would have the deep-seeded fears that she has in this book. I also found her nightmares regarding her mother were a nice touch too as the death of Anne Boleyn would have had a huge impact on Elizabeth as a child and would make her wary of marriage after watching the way her father turned on her mother. It all makes for a fascinating read in my opinion.

Was it enjoyable to read?

Very, for all the reasons given above.

Was it a well written book?

I thought so, Weir's novels are a completely different kettle of fish to her non-fiction books and her novels always have a free and easy style to them. She captures the time period brilliantly without getting caught up in too much detail, you get the feel for the time without it detracting from the story. Weir also really captures the relationships Elizabeth formed with various men during her reign in bright and vivid technicolour, of course the one with Dudley is the feature but you also get to see her relationship with other men in her life like Cecil, Walsingham, Anjou and the like, each complicated for varying reasons but each are wonderful to read about. I also think that Weir has sympathetically treated the intense relationships Elizabeth also had with other women, she was often jealous of other women particularly when it came to those involved or close to Dudley. We have the question of whether the queen was involved in the death of Dudley's first wife, the jealousy felt towards any women found to be having any kind relations with Dudley like the mother of his bastard child and the betrayal she felt when one of her ladies married him in secret and the jealousy toward her than ensued, said lady was never to be welcomed in her court again. Then you have the unique relationship between the queen and Mary, Queen Of Scots, with whom Elizabeth has a complete love/hate view of. She is torn between her feelings for Mary (as a relative, as a fellow queen, as a traitor to Elizabeth's throne and as a woman) and the good of the realm, she knows that she needs to deal the errant queen and knows how to do it but has a huge fight within herself about whether to do so, seeming unable and/or unwilling to sign the much needed death warrant that would secure her own throne. Elizabeth seems to felt all emotions deeply and incredibly intensely and it is something that Weir has been completely successful in getting onto the page. You can feel every inch of Elizabeth's love, pain and torment and that takes a great deal of skill to do so successfully.

Would you recommend it to others?

If you are a fan of the time and the subject then I think it is a must read, as it was for me. I do think that anyone with even a slight interest in the Tudor dynasty or just Elizabeth I herself would find this book a beautiful insight into one of our greatest queens. She was a fascinating and complicated woman who still holds a great deal of mystery to this day despite how much we know about her which is why she makes such a superb subject matter for authors. This is a truly intriguing novel about the one of the worlds most infamous virgins, the real question though, as ever, is if Elizabeth truly was what she claimed to be, a truth that will be forever questioned by the world.

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugh okay. I liked this but I was really let down. I read the first book in this series over the summer and loved it. It covered Queen Elizabeth I’s early life in an easy to digest and entertaining way. The covers Elizabeth’s reign and felt like it was written by a different author. The story was told in such a dry way and it was so repetitive. As the title suggests it’s focus is on if she will or won’t marry, which I assumed but I thought it would also have more detail on the political happenings of the time. It did not. Just a let down and hard to get through.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0 out of 5 stars -- Absolute and sovereign mistress of her people...

History tells us many facts about Elizabeth I so the reader is aware from the start that the Queen of England (1558 to1603) ascended the throne at age 25 and died at age 69 having never married. Throughout her reign, her Privy Council and closest advisers, varied relatives, and friends urged her to marry and she steadfastly prevaricated, ultimately refused their counsel and presented herself as "The Virgin Queen." Though long the subject of debate regarding Elizabeth I being an actual virgin, it would seem that she believed that of herself if only in the most technical sense of the definition with rumor and speculation from several sources indicating that she had engaged in intimate relations just short of actual intercourse with Robert Dudley. The entirety of this novel focuses on that relationship and Elizabeth I entertaining proposals of marriage from the crowned heads and royalty of other countries arranged through her Privy Council. Defying convention, she ultimately refuses to share her throne while trying to preserve alliances and foster good relationships with Spain and France while fighting off the claims of Mary, Queen of Scots and her supporters.

I suppose that although I've never been an Elizabeth I fan, I've always been fascinated by the Tudors. Unfortunately, this book does not present her in a favorable light. She is manipulative, capricious, and cruel, especially in her treatment of Robert Dudley (her Robin) who gives up everything for her and to whom she lies again and again rewarding his loyalty and love with money, titles, and properties while continually turning down his suit of marriage. When people refuse to do what she wants, she punishes them. Jealous, mercurial, and vain -- she is a controlling mistress and an imperious Queen though she insists she loves her people more than any monarch ever has. Just not her man. Not enough to release him from a life of bending to her will. Though I know she presided over a time of relative peace and growth in her country, stopped the religious persecution after the death of her sister Queen Mary, and forwarded the likes of William Shakespeare (they don't call it the Elizabethan Age for nothing), I am unsympathetic to her self-delusions because of the way she treated others who displeased her or did not meet her expectations or fulfill her emotional needs. There is also the question of exactly why Elizabeth I seemed to be almost fearful of marital relations and childbearing and a hint of past sexual abuse though not substantiated.

I had to force myself to finish this book as the focus on the marriage games wore thin quickly. I find I much prefer reading a biography to historical fiction about such a well known figure. None can know the truth about things that were said to another in total privacy and speculation is only that. Primary source material was included here and it's obvious the author has done meticulous research on Elizabeth I, but this novel did not provide me with any new insight or further understanding of the true motivations behind her choice to live as she did, I would guess this book would appeal to those who like romance and want MORE details about the life of this unusual Queen.

Amazon Vine ARC.