Mary Queen of Scots

by Nancy Brysson Morrison

For Miss Morrison, time not only spotlights the turbulent pest but also acts like a lens through which it is seen in perspective, and Mary's enchantment, that bewitched men while she was living, still reaches us, undimmed by the centuries. With its rich recreation of the scene end narration of events, this is a fine, fresh-minted biographical study of one of history's most poignant and controversial personalities.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Scotland

254 pages, Hardback

First published January 1, 1960

About the author

Agnes Morrison or Agnes Brysson Inglis Morrison; Nancy Morrison was a Scottish writer. She wrote biographies, novels and some romantic fiction. Known for writing about Scottish history and for focusing on those usually lost to history. She also wrote under the pseudonym Christine Strathern.

Reviews

[annalise🕰️🧸 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote this email to the friend that was kind enough to grant this book to me. Apart from my laziness to write another book review, I will attach this personal email as a formal review.
hello,
this is annalise. i want to once again thank you enormously for the books that you have been so gracious to give me. just a few minutes ago, i finished Mary Queen of Scots. i was blown away, quite literally. at first, i had to pause the book for several moments to fully grasp the magnitude and beauty that my eyes laid upon. N. Brysson Morrison is someone who can write so astonishingly, and it surprises me deeply that she is not popular. i feel so lucky as to be fortunate enough to discover her work by you. i wish to become a writer one day, and i hope that whatever endeavors i partake in, i hope to write as beautifully as she does. There are a couple of quotes throughout the book that I had to write down, but i will not bombard all of them in this already long email. But here is an instance. "Those nineteen years of captivity, she was like a bemused bird which, imprisoned in a room, destroys itself by throwing its body against the invisible windowpane in a maddened attempt to reach the outside it so clearly sees... and outside the world still marched, heedless of her, the world good with earth and sea and cloud." that was absolutely beautiful.
reading this book, i began to feel a spiritual connection with Mary. i realize that it is preposterous, but i do anyway. similar to her in some way, i was raised in a religion deepened in my family, as thick as blood. unlike her, i did not follow it, but the times in my youth i was at times a whimsical believer. i wrote in my journal: " i wonder Mary, do you blame your imprisonment on the unlawful protestant marriage? i used to blame my misfortunes on ungodliness as well."
once again i thank you for this book. i particularly loved the annotations that were written. i know that this book is very dear to you, so if i see you on campus i will hand it to you. if i do not, perhaps i can mail it to you? my next read from your library is Sense and Sensibility. scanning it, i have found even more annotations! i am excited to read them. i used to annotate my books religiously, however i took a break recently, solely focusing on reading simply for leisure.
you can email me here, however, i decided to use this email because my regular mail is on my phone. however, being a teenage girl who quarrels with her mother, i am grounded. i hope to see you soon and i will write you once i finished sense and sensibility.
your friend,
annalise soto

[Stine Diamond-owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

The “victors write history,” and thus all the Anglo-English history books glossed over a rather complex person and taught us the errant queen was killed for plotting against Queen Elizabeth (who never plotted against Mary?) & plotting the murder of her husband. We’ve always been told her husband was an invalid-weakling, and yet we learn he was a proficient horsemen and frequently partook in hunts. This book carefully biographs Mary’s life and character for better or worse. It raises questions were questions should be asked. We also learn some about her equally fascinating mother. It is a non-fiction biography, not a historical fiction. I give it a four as it was sometimes difficult reading.
*I own a “Book Club edition” of this works and wish I could upload a picture of the cover as it appears a picture is lacking. Is there a way to do that?

[Moriah Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being the first biography I've read, I went in with few expectations and came out thoroughly impressed. The book reads more like a novel because Morrison does an excellent job of personifying Mary and the many players featured throughout her story. She offers varying perspectives on these people and their motivations, and on the events that took place over the course of Mary's life. If you have an interest in Scotland during this time period or an interest in the Stewarts, I would highly recommend you give this a read.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s written in a really unusual narrative nonfiction/almost historical fiction style, and it is definitely old-fashioned, with lots of references to Mary’s feminine virtues and Elizabeth’s masculine energy (?). I had to look up a few facts and events on Wikipedia as I read, but I do have a general understanding of her biography now. And I really enjoyed the prose!

[William Guerrant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the author shows herself to be well-read and informed, this does not pretend to be a scholarly work of history. It is instead an old fashioned, colorfully written biography. If taken on its own terms, it is a pleasant read.

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read on Mary Queen of Scots’ life. Reads more like a novel in some ways which is a nice approach to history.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to accidentally lose this book on my living room bookshelf and never return it to the public library, but unfortunately I know better. Fantastic read!

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read quite a bit about the interesting life of Mary, Queen of Scots, but this book wasn't it. Very confusing in parts and very weird sentence constructions.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first biography I read on Mary Stuart, and I cherish it for many reasons. It is well written and interesting, well put together, and styled in a lovely, old fashion writing. Highly reccomended.

[Kristin Sinclair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book very fascinating. Kept my interest.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sometimes you can know too much and try to share it all. But I was reading this for informational purposes and it is more an educational book, for serious scholars. In my opinion