This being my favorite period of historical fiction (that of the lives of Mary and Elizabeth) I was quite pleased that her portrayal of Mary was more humanistic than bloody and Elizabeth was conniving and shrewd if not quite the player. *grin* A few interesting notes about this novel other than it's 500 page length: 1) the back cover snippet suggests a slight fantastical note the main character has "the Sight", but in reality Gregory rarely ever gives us a good glimpse at Hannah's abilities, and when she does it's for plot's sake only (slightly disappointing), 2) Gregory occassionally uses meta-plot writing when explaining things in the novel for example the love Elizabeth has for attracting other women's husbands, something that's more a historical explanation than a notice the main character would pick up on, and 3) Hannah, the main character while pity-able and interesting enough, has the bad luck to be prescribed as Gregory as a Spanish Jew; and while an interesting concept, it's hard to picture (for me at least) and after awhile becomes repetitive in Hannah's story.



Shauna (USA: OR) (2007/12/03):
I read this book cover to cover and liked it a lot. Okay, not as elequant as the other reviews, but I did like it. I was turned off by the 14 year old flirtation in the first chapter, but it made sense in the end.



cisforcarol (USA: TX) (2008/04/05):
Product Description
A young woman caught in the rivalry between Queen Mary and her half sister, Elizabeth, must find her true destiny amid treason, poisonous rivalries, loss of faith, and unrequited love.
It is winter, 1553. Pursued by the Inquisition, Hannah Green, a fourteen-year-old Jewish girl, is forced to flee Spain with her father. But Hannah is no ordinary refugee. Her gift of "Sight," the ability to foresee the future, is priceless in the troubled times of the Tudor court. Hannah is adopted by the glamorous Robert Dudley, the charismatic son of King Edward's protector, who brings her to court as a "holy fool" for Queen Mary and, ultimately, Queen Elizabeth. Hired as a fool but working as a spy; promised in wedlock but in love with her master; endangered by the laws against heresy, treason, and witchcraft, Hannah must choose between the safe life of a commoner and the dangerous intrigues of the royal family that are inextricably bound up in her own yearnings and desires.

Teeming with vibrant period detail and peopled by characters seamlessly woven into the sweeping tapestry of history, The Queen's Fool is another rich and emotionally resonant gem from this wonderful storyteller.



Joby (Canada) (2009/07/23):
mooched this book ages ago and it sat on my bookshelf. While in London, I picked up The Other Boleyn Girl by the same author. Having seen the movie, I figured the book would be an easy read. It was, not to mention a fun one. I didn't want to put the book down. Same with The Queen's Fool. It probably helps that I'm fascinated by the Tudor time period, but I feel that Gregory buts a great deal of research into her novels and weaves a creative historical fiction that is hard to put down.

Another reviewer mentioned that they were put off by the 14 year old flirtation in the beginning of the story. One must remember the time period they are reading about and that most girls were married by this age.



DonnaLLytle (USA: FL) (2010/02/18):
This is fascinating historical fiction.. I couldn't put it down! The main character had so many exemplary qualities..loved her and the story!!



Denise C Clemens (USA: NC) (2011/01/15):
I loved this book! Wasn't sure when I started it, but quickly became entranced. It is written so well and so convincingly, I gave no thought to it not being an authentic, real person's story. It is set against the historical backdrop, the period after Henry the VIII's death, and I learned even more than I thought I already knew about the time period.