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Dark Lady: A Novel of Emilia Bassano Lanyer
Emilia Bassano has four strikes against she is poor, beautiful, female, and intelligent in Elizabethan England. To make matters worse, she comes from a family of secret Jews. When she is raped as a teenager, she knows she probably will not be able to make a good marriage, so she becomes the mistress of a much older nobleman. During this time she falls in love with poet/player William Shakespeare, and they have a brief, passionate relationship―but when the plague comes to England, the nobleman abandons her, leaving her pregnant and without financial security.
In the years that follow, Emilia is forced to make a number of difficult decisions in her efforts to survive, and not all of them turn out well for her. But ultimately, despite the disadvantaged position she was born to, she succeeds in pursuing her dreams of becoming a writer―and even publishes a book of poetry in 1611 that makes a surprisingly modern argument for women’s equality.
In the years that follow, Emilia is forced to make a number of difficult decisions in her efforts to survive, and not all of them turn out well for her. But ultimately, despite the disadvantaged position she was born to, she succeeds in pursuing her dreams of becoming a writer―and even publishes a book of poetry in 1611 that makes a surprisingly modern argument for women’s equality.
300 pages, Paperback
Published June 27, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 8, 2017
Dark Lady: A Novel of Emilia Bassano Lanyer is an extraordinarily intriguing book about a young woman who lived during the Elizabethan era. Emilia Bassano was a poor young girl whose life was colorful and varied; mistress to a nobleman, lover of Will Shakespeare, and a poet in her own right. This captivating story is a sweeping tale of court life, plague, intrigue, and deception. The portrayal of Emilia shows a passionate, talented, loyal woman who remains strong and steadfast, despite being treated unfairly and facing the dangers of that time. Tudor England is also a star of this book; the sights, the food, the language, the fashions...all of it comes to life on the pages! This book is sure to please readers of historical fiction especially those with an interest in the times of Queen Elizabeth I, Shakespeare, and this fascinating time in history. I was happy to receive a copy of this book in exchange for writing an honest review on behalf of A Novel Bee.
May 18, 2017
Charlene Ball weaves a majestic Renaissance tapestry in Dark Lady: A Novel of Emilia Bassano Lanyer.
Ball's strict adherence to chronology provides the warp of her creation. The novel opens in 1576, as seven-year-old Emilia Bassano must leave her recently widowed mother to live at Queen Elizabeth's court. It ends in 1611, when Emilia finally completes her book of feminist/religious poetry for publication. Frequent time markers help orient the reader as Emilia lives through such familiar events as the defeat of the Spanish Armada, the death of Queen Elizabeth I, and the Guy Fawkes plot to destroy the English Parliament. The novel chronicles actual and fictionalized events: Emilia's early education at Court, her sexual relationships, marriage, and children; her Jewish heritage; her friendships with various women; and her love of writing.
Memorable characters and well-wrought language provide the weft of this lush tapestry. The men in Emilia's life are a mixed lot. Lord Hunsdon, Queen Elizabeth's cousin, initially escorts Emilia from her mother to Court and later becomes her lover. Married and thirty-five years her senior, he treats her with respect, though his family despises her. Emilia comes to love Will Shakespeare, who encourages her to explore London disguised as a young man and nourishes her passion for literature. But he too is married and, pregnant by either Hunsdon or Will, she marries her lackluster younger cousin. However, the most destructive man in her life, a doctor, addicts her to drugs.
Most of the women Emilia knows have a positive impact: her mother, her beloved teacher Lady Suzan, her faithful maid Jenny, and Lady Cumberland, who helps Emilia break free from her addiction and encourages her to write. Mary (Moll) Frith, a cross-dressing lesbian, helps her remove the malignant doctor permanently from her life, and Queen Elizabeth serves as a positive role model.
Ball's vivid descriptions and figures of speech make this story come to life. Queen Elizabeth has chalk-white skin with bright-red cheeks, bare breasts, and loves for her partner to "swing her high" when she dances the volta. Before Emilia leaves her mother, she feels her mother's corset, "hard under the thick wools of her dress." Her mother's shoulder is "warm and soft, curving and encircling." She hears her "mother's pulse beat in her neck" and smells her hair: "lavender, rosemary," and something uniquely her mother. Hunsdon is "A royal bear," his eyes dark "under bushy brows," with "a gentle, rumbling voice." In contrast, Hunsdon's disapproving son later turns "like a figure on a clock" after he rebukes her.
Some of Ball's most memorable symbols occur at the end of a scene or a chapter, such as after Emilia begins to realize she is falling for Will Shakespeare. She goes to the window, raises the curtain, and in "the ice-encrusted garden," an icicle falls, shattering. In contrast, when their relationship ends, she dreams of "dead rosebushes lying uprooted, leaves and petals scattered."
Ball's elaborate verbal tapestry consists of muted colors, silk and even gold threads shining from its woolen base. She makes the Elizabethan age seem alive, its people's fears of war, plague, and strangers as familiar to us as their modes of attire and food are foreign. Dark Lady, an inspiring story of one woman's arduous journey to self-fulfillment, is well worth the read.
by Shelley Thrasher
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women
Ball's strict adherence to chronology provides the warp of her creation. The novel opens in 1576, as seven-year-old Emilia Bassano must leave her recently widowed mother to live at Queen Elizabeth's court. It ends in 1611, when Emilia finally completes her book of feminist/religious poetry for publication. Frequent time markers help orient the reader as Emilia lives through such familiar events as the defeat of the Spanish Armada, the death of Queen Elizabeth I, and the Guy Fawkes plot to destroy the English Parliament. The novel chronicles actual and fictionalized events: Emilia's early education at Court, her sexual relationships, marriage, and children; her Jewish heritage; her friendships with various women; and her love of writing.
Memorable characters and well-wrought language provide the weft of this lush tapestry. The men in Emilia's life are a mixed lot. Lord Hunsdon, Queen Elizabeth's cousin, initially escorts Emilia from her mother to Court and later becomes her lover. Married and thirty-five years her senior, he treats her with respect, though his family despises her. Emilia comes to love Will Shakespeare, who encourages her to explore London disguised as a young man and nourishes her passion for literature. But he too is married and, pregnant by either Hunsdon or Will, she marries her lackluster younger cousin. However, the most destructive man in her life, a doctor, addicts her to drugs.
Most of the women Emilia knows have a positive impact: her mother, her beloved teacher Lady Suzan, her faithful maid Jenny, and Lady Cumberland, who helps Emilia break free from her addiction and encourages her to write. Mary (Moll) Frith, a cross-dressing lesbian, helps her remove the malignant doctor permanently from her life, and Queen Elizabeth serves as a positive role model.
Ball's vivid descriptions and figures of speech make this story come to life. Queen Elizabeth has chalk-white skin with bright-red cheeks, bare breasts, and loves for her partner to "swing her high" when she dances the volta. Before Emilia leaves her mother, she feels her mother's corset, "hard under the thick wools of her dress." Her mother's shoulder is "warm and soft, curving and encircling." She hears her "mother's pulse beat in her neck" and smells her hair: "lavender, rosemary," and something uniquely her mother. Hunsdon is "A royal bear," his eyes dark "under bushy brows," with "a gentle, rumbling voice." In contrast, Hunsdon's disapproving son later turns "like a figure on a clock" after he rebukes her.
Some of Ball's most memorable symbols occur at the end of a scene or a chapter, such as after Emilia begins to realize she is falling for Will Shakespeare. She goes to the window, raises the curtain, and in "the ice-encrusted garden," an icicle falls, shattering. In contrast, when their relationship ends, she dreams of "dead rosebushes lying uprooted, leaves and petals scattered."
Ball's elaborate verbal tapestry consists of muted colors, silk and even gold threads shining from its woolen base. She makes the Elizabethan age seem alive, its people's fears of war, plague, and strangers as familiar to us as their modes of attire and food are foreign. Dark Lady, an inspiring story of one woman's arduous journey to self-fulfillment, is well worth the read.
by Shelley Thrasher
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women
August 10, 2017
Who was Shakespeare's Dark Lady? Was it Emilia Bassano Lanyer?
This well-written and well-researched novel is based on Lanyer's life. A contemporary of Shakespeare's, she was part Jewish, a dangerous liability in Elizabethan London. Lanyer was a poet, but her talent was mostly suppressed. The book clearly shows the difficulties in women's position at the time, especially the position of women who didn't belong to the aristocracy.
In this book, she is entangled with Shakespeare. The portrait of Shakespeare is well done in many ways, but in one respect I found it darker than my vision of Shakespeare.
I found this book to be compelling reading.
This well-written and well-researched novel is based on Lanyer's life. A contemporary of Shakespeare's, she was part Jewish, a dangerous liability in Elizabethan London. Lanyer was a poet, but her talent was mostly suppressed. The book clearly shows the difficulties in women's position at the time, especially the position of women who didn't belong to the aristocracy.
In this book, she is entangled with Shakespeare. The portrait of Shakespeare is well done in many ways, but in one respect I found it darker than my vision of Shakespeare.
I found this book to be compelling reading.
April 30, 2017
After reading The Girl in the Glass Tower, I was keen to learn more about the poetess and musician Aemilia Lanyer, and so was thrilled when I was offered this book to review. It takes a much broader view of Aemilia's life (or Emilia's, as she's called here), following her from childhood to middle age, and exploring the challenges faced by well-educated, independent women even in the age of Elizabeth I: surely the paragon of such virtues. Unlike The Girl in the Glass Tower, there is little mention of Arbella Stuart here: this isn't a book about court intrigue so much as the simpler human desire for self-expression, and the limits placed upon that. Accompanied by an engaging cast of secondary character, Emilia is brought into appealingly vivid life and the book teems with the sights, sounds and scents of Tudor England...
For the full review, due to be published on 1 May 2017, please see my blog:
https://theidlewoman.net/2017/05/01/d...
For the full review, due to be published on 1 May 2017, please see my blog:
https://theidlewoman.net/2017/05/01/d...
November 16, 2017
I just read the best novel, Dark Lady by Charlene Ball. Her descriptions are so vivid you forget that you are not walking on cobble stones outside or on rushes inside, feeling the richness of the velvets or entering the theater. Set in late sixteenth century England, once introduced to Emilia, I thought about her every day until I could get to read the next pages. The last chapter left me wanting to read it again.
I hardly ever read fiction but I was convinced by the time period, I am presently researching my Mayflower ancestry; Emilia being a historical person and the recommendation of a friend. The main reason I wanted to read it is because the author and I are friends. I am delighted with this book and highly recommend it.
I hardly ever read fiction but I was convinced by the time period, I am presently researching my Mayflower ancestry; Emilia being a historical person and the recommendation of a friend. The main reason I wanted to read it is because the author and I are friends. I am delighted with this book and highly recommend it.
June 21, 2017
First of all, big thanks to Caitlin Hamilton Marketing for sending me an Advanced Readers Copy of this new novel. I'd never heard of Emilia Bassano before, but I'm always intrigued by a story having anything to do with William Shakespeare (and any of his alleged lovers), so I was excited to dive in to this one.
Overall, I liked this. The writing was good, and I liked the author's style. At the beginning, we're introduced to a young Emilia, leaving her ill mother for the first time as she goes off to court to receive a formal education. She comes from a family of court musicians, which is an interesting perspective from which to view Tudor royal life. The story moves in chunks of time within chapters - separated by months and years, so it goes quickly. Very early on we get a disturbing view of what will prove to be one of the sadder themes in Emilia's life - unluckiness and ill-treatment when it comes to men.
There is not much plot to this story (a commonality in historical fiction, since the author is telling the OVERALL story of a historic figure's entire life, as opposed to focusing on a narrower, more dramatic aspect - i.e. conflict and resolution). The story spans decades, and the conflict/resolution comes in waves. Similar themes are found throughout Emilia's life - sexual assault, strained relationships, internal religious turmoil (she comes from a Jewish background, but finds herself pulled towards the Christian faith).
One of the most interesting parts of the story, for me, was Emilia's thoughts on Christianity and her own relationship with God. Her conversations towards the end of the book, as she's preparing to write and publish her own work, were fascinating insights into her own tormented mind. She is a woman too intelligent to be pushed back and silenced, and (in real life) her book of poetry, "Salve Deus Rex Judaeorum," has been thought of as one of British literature's earliest feminine works. That she was an early feminist in Elizabethan times makes her a very intriguing - and especially unique - figure.
This isn't a feel-good read, as Emilia had a difficult life. Her relationships were not easy, she was judged for being the mistress of, not one, but at least two, men, and she knew quite a lot of sorrow. But, despite the darkness of the whole story, it's good. As Emilia is considered to be a likely candidate for Shakespeare's muse as the 'dark lady' mentioned in his romantic sonnets, her story is certainly one to get to know, if you're a Shakespeare fan (though, be warned: this book may not give you the warm and fuzzies when it comes to him). For anyone who doesn't know anything about this interesting woman (as I didn't), and who wants an interesting and very different view of the late 16th/early 17th centuries, it's definitely worth the read.
Overall, I liked this. The writing was good, and I liked the author's style. At the beginning, we're introduced to a young Emilia, leaving her ill mother for the first time as she goes off to court to receive a formal education. She comes from a family of court musicians, which is an interesting perspective from which to view Tudor royal life. The story moves in chunks of time within chapters - separated by months and years, so it goes quickly. Very early on we get a disturbing view of what will prove to be one of the sadder themes in Emilia's life - unluckiness and ill-treatment when it comes to men.
There is not much plot to this story (a commonality in historical fiction, since the author is telling the OVERALL story of a historic figure's entire life, as opposed to focusing on a narrower, more dramatic aspect - i.e. conflict and resolution). The story spans decades, and the conflict/resolution comes in waves. Similar themes are found throughout Emilia's life - sexual assault, strained relationships, internal religious turmoil (she comes from a Jewish background, but finds herself pulled towards the Christian faith).
One of the most interesting parts of the story, for me, was Emilia's thoughts on Christianity and her own relationship with God. Her conversations towards the end of the book, as she's preparing to write and publish her own work, were fascinating insights into her own tormented mind. She is a woman too intelligent to be pushed back and silenced, and (in real life) her book of poetry, "Salve Deus Rex Judaeorum," has been thought of as one of British literature's earliest feminine works. That she was an early feminist in Elizabethan times makes her a very intriguing - and especially unique - figure.
This isn't a feel-good read, as Emilia had a difficult life. Her relationships were not easy, she was judged for being the mistress of, not one, but at least two, men, and she knew quite a lot of sorrow. But, despite the darkness of the whole story, it's good. As Emilia is considered to be a likely candidate for Shakespeare's muse as the 'dark lady' mentioned in his romantic sonnets, her story is certainly one to get to know, if you're a Shakespeare fan (though, be warned: this book may not give you the warm and fuzzies when it comes to him). For anyone who doesn't know anything about this interesting woman (as I didn't), and who wants an interesting and very different view of the late 16th/early 17th centuries, it's definitely worth the read.
July 3, 2017
This is the second book in a year I have read on this woman about whom I knew absolutely nothing. Her main reasons for being remembered are for being the first woman to be known as a professional poet. Perhaps not in her day but she did publish a book of her poems and at the time that was extraordinary. She was also rumored to be the “Dark Lady” in Shakespeare’s sonnets.
Her family were the court musicians for Queen Elizabeth and that gave them access to Court but the family was not wealthy. Emilia’s father died young and left her to care for her ailing mother. There were issues as to whether her dowry was still there for her or not but that became moot when she was purported raped and her value as a wife was all but destroyed (’cause you know it must have been her fault and all.) She then became the mistress of the Queen’s cousin and this allowed her to support herself and her mother – until she become pregnant. This created a whole new level of problems that forced her into a marriage with her cousin.
Emelia was always a curious woman, looking to read as much as she could. She was also a talented musician in her own right. It was supposedly through her family connections that she encountered Shakespeare. As to the true nature of their relationship – that is the basis of this fictional tale. I will note that Master Shakespeare does not come off smelling like a rose by any name. He rather comes off like a rat fink.
I will admit that at times the tale wore on me for the stupidity of some of the actions of a “woman in love.” Emilia seemed at times too much a leaf in the wind, unable to do a thing to help herself. Perhaps that was the way of the times, perhaps it was too many shifts in the wind without the slightest twist from the leaf. I don’t know. Overall though it was an interesting – and far different – look at the life of a woman who did do something no other woman had done before her. It was a feat that should be honored and remembered for too many of these bits of women’s history are lost to time.
Her family were the court musicians for Queen Elizabeth and that gave them access to Court but the family was not wealthy. Emilia’s father died young and left her to care for her ailing mother. There were issues as to whether her dowry was still there for her or not but that became moot when she was purported raped and her value as a wife was all but destroyed (’cause you know it must have been her fault and all.) She then became the mistress of the Queen’s cousin and this allowed her to support herself and her mother – until she become pregnant. This created a whole new level of problems that forced her into a marriage with her cousin.
Emelia was always a curious woman, looking to read as much as she could. She was also a talented musician in her own right. It was supposedly through her family connections that she encountered Shakespeare. As to the true nature of their relationship – that is the basis of this fictional tale. I will note that Master Shakespeare does not come off smelling like a rose by any name. He rather comes off like a rat fink.
I will admit that at times the tale wore on me for the stupidity of some of the actions of a “woman in love.” Emilia seemed at times too much a leaf in the wind, unable to do a thing to help herself. Perhaps that was the way of the times, perhaps it was too many shifts in the wind without the slightest twist from the leaf. I don’t know. Overall though it was an interesting – and far different – look at the life of a woman who did do something no other woman had done before her. It was a feat that should be honored and remembered for too many of these bits of women’s history are lost to time.
November 24, 2018
I enjoyed this, the story of a fascinating and accomplished Renaissance woman, Emilia Bassano Lanyer. It’s very thoroughly researched, with a wealth of detail in every scene, so we get a clear sensual impression of how Emilia lived.
Emilia was born into a large family of famous musicians, and if she had been a boy, she would have been included in the group of players, traveling and putting on concerts in court. But even though she was an expert with four instruments and could sing beautifully, this path wasn’t open to her.
Emilia could only survive by aligning herself with a man, and she did this first by becoming the mistress of Lord Hunsdon, much older but with a gentle disposition. Later she marries her younger cousin Alfonso Lanyer. And in between, she has an affair with William Shakespeare, inspiring some of his sonnets.
Shakespeare is depicted in a very complex way, and I was a bit shocked by it. He’s charming, mercurial, but a bit ruthless at times. However, his behavior in this book is certainly within the bounds of possibility. Christopher Marlowe also shows up in this novel, in a few short but telling scenes. Then there’s Moll Cutpurse, my favorite bit character, although she doesn’t appear until close to the end.
This is a turbulent historical period in England, and there’s a lot of religious persecution. Emilia’s family were secret Jews. Publicly, they had converted, but privately, they still practiced their faith, and this added constant danger to their lives. And, of course, as a woman, Emilia was always courting danger in the form of unscrupulous men. Her life wasn’t an easy one, but she navigated it with courage and intelligence.
Emilia was born into a large family of famous musicians, and if she had been a boy, she would have been included in the group of players, traveling and putting on concerts in court. But even though she was an expert with four instruments and could sing beautifully, this path wasn’t open to her.
Emilia could only survive by aligning herself with a man, and she did this first by becoming the mistress of Lord Hunsdon, much older but with a gentle disposition. Later she marries her younger cousin Alfonso Lanyer. And in between, she has an affair with William Shakespeare, inspiring some of his sonnets.
Shakespeare is depicted in a very complex way, and I was a bit shocked by it. He’s charming, mercurial, but a bit ruthless at times. However, his behavior in this book is certainly within the bounds of possibility. Christopher Marlowe also shows up in this novel, in a few short but telling scenes. Then there’s Moll Cutpurse, my favorite bit character, although she doesn’t appear until close to the end.
This is a turbulent historical period in England, and there’s a lot of religious persecution. Emilia’s family were secret Jews. Publicly, they had converted, but privately, they still practiced their faith, and this added constant danger to their lives. And, of course, as a woman, Emilia was always courting danger in the form of unscrupulous men. Her life wasn’t an easy one, but she navigated it with courage and intelligence.
September 16, 2017
I loved this book! Charlene Ball has written a captivating novel which imagines the life and loves of Emilia Bassano Lanyer, Shakespeare’s Dark Lady. It is rich with historical detail and vivid characters including Emilia, Shakespeare, and Christopher Marlowe. Dark Lady shows us how a strong early feminist might have navigated a life of many challenges in the 1600s. I was very impressed with the book. It was engaging and enjoyable.
April 23, 2017
Thanks She Writes Press and netgalley for this ARC.
A glimpse of Shakespeare's world thru those that knew him best and before his fame. Charlene Ball brings Emilia to life and our attention. This novel will hopefully inspire other female poets and young girls also.
A glimpse of Shakespeare's world thru those that knew him best and before his fame. Charlene Ball brings Emilia to life and our attention. This novel will hopefully inspire other female poets and young girls also.
October 2, 2017
See my review at Reading World.
July 27, 2018
Dark Lady: A Novel of Emilia Bassano Lanyer is a delicious treat for anyone who loves the Elizabethans and Shakespeare in particular. Perhaps the “dark lady” of the Sonnets, Emilia is a smart, savvy, sexy heroine who doesn’t suffer fools gladly – and it’s easy to see why Will was attracted to her and vice versa. This convincing re-creation of another place and time reflects deep research into everything from what people are eating and wearing, to their intimate interactions. Only someone who has really studied this period could weave such a detailed web for the reader. Highly recommended for diversion that you’ll also learn something from.
July 13, 2020
Charlene Ball offers a fascinating look at Emilia Bassano Lanyer, a woman some have hypothesized might be the Dark Lady of Shakespeare's sonnet. Ball imagines the life of Emilia in vivid detail. She evokes the period, what expectations women could have, and how women coped with their limited choices. Emilia is a complex character, and one whom any reader is happy to follow throughout her story. While there are quite a few scenes with Shakespeare, it is Emilia who is the center of the story, and we see Shakespeare through her eyes and troubled relationship with him. A great read for anyone interested in Elizabethan England.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews