Book description
Sumptuous historical novel set in the court of Elizabeth I, from Sunday
Times No. 1 bestseller Philippa Gregory, the author of The Other Boleyn Girl.
Elizabeth I has acceded to the throne of England, a position she has
waited and schemed for all her life. She is surrounded by advisers, all
convinced that a young woman cannot form political judgements. Elizabeth
feels that she can rely on just one man: her oldest friend, Robert
Dudley. It is soon plain that he is more than merely a friend.
In a house in the countryside waits a very different woman, Amy Robsart
- Robert's wife. She has no taste for life at court and longs for the
day when her husband will return home. She has loved him since she was a
girl, but now they are adults she hardly sees him.
Meanwhile, the pressure grows for Elizabeth to marry, for it is
unthinkable that a queen should rule on her own. Elizabeth's preference
is clear, but he is unavailable. But what if the unthinkable were to happen…
Philippa Gregory blends passion, personalities and politics in this
stunning novel of the Tudor court and a country divided. Praise for
The Virgin's Lover:
'A book to lose yourself in…a simmering mixture of intrigue, lust and
betrayal at the court of Elizabeth I, it breathes new life into the
suspected love affair between the young queen and Robert Dudley' Daily Mail
'Convincing and entertaining' Daily Telegraph
'An enjoyable read, and Gregory's energetic writing carries one along'
Sunday Telegraph
'Gregory's success lies in restoring humanity to her historical
figures' Daily Mail
'Gregory is one of the best chroniclers of the ups and downs of the
turbulent Tudors…This superbly plotted drama unfolds like an exquisitely
embroidered Tudor ruff' Sainsbury's Magazine Philippa Gregory is an
internationally renowned author of historical novels. She holds a PhD in
eighteenth-century literature from the University of Edinburgh. Works
that have been adapted for television include A Respectable Trade, The
Other Boleyn Girl and The Queen's Fool. The Other Boleyn Girl became a
major film, starring Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman and Eric Bana.
Philippa Gregory lives in the North of England with her family.
