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Mary Queen of Scotland & The Isles : A Novel

Mary Queen of Scotland & The Isles : A Novel

List Price: $16.95
Your Price: $11.53
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Wonderfully Written Masterpiece
Review: Its like I was there when she was born and there for her entire life, all the way up to her final hours. I found this truelly engrossing book and a beautifully woven peace of art which I will never forget.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Margaret George makes you feel like you were there!
Review: I happened upon this book at the library about a year ago and fell in love with history. Once I started the book, I didn't want to put it down. Margaret George brought Mary back to life! In addition to getting to know Mary, Queen of Scotland, I also learned a lot about Scottish history. Naturally, once I finished this book, The Memoirs of Cleopatra was my next read. It was also incredible! Now I yearn to return to Scotland and Rome and to visit Egypt for the first time.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A compelling version of Mary's life
Review: Despite the length, I could not put this down. I'm surprised to see other reviews putting down Mary as a character! I thought she behaved like most young women would in her circumstances, led by her heart instead of her head. It's her cousin Elizabeth who was exceptional. I read this just before a trip to Scotland. Having just read about events in Mary's life that took place in the castles added extra pleasure to the trip.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Engrossing
Review: As an Anglophile I was fascinated by the almost uncanny way Ms. George was able to breath new life into these long dead historical figures. The book WAS long, but it was an engrossing read. The plot was complex at times, however and I often found myself referring to the maps and diagrams at the beginning. In the end, I wanted to learn more, and I have a feeling this book may just be the beginning.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Good but long
Review: Like the Titanic you know how this ends. I enjoyed learning more about Scotland. For me this was the best part, but it was hard keeping up with all the characters.By the end of the book I was ready for them to execute Mary.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A magnificent achievement, but too long
Review: I read this book a few years ago, but it has stayed with me as few books do. Ms. George is an incredible writer -- she brings to life vividly the period, the events, and the characters. But this book seemed too long to me -- so much detail, so much back-and-forth. Perhaps the problem was out of Ms. George's hands, however, since Queen Mary was a foolish, exasperating person. But somehow the reader begs for some relief while Mary is lurching from one crisis (often self-made) to another. Unfortunately, that relief doesn't come.

A near-great novel, but flawed. For a truly great novel set in the same period, I cannot recommend too highly Ms. George's Autobiography of Henry VIII. Now THERE'S a fascinating character!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Historical fiction to get lost in.
Review: I am an ardent fan of historical fiction and was definitely not disappointed with this book! Don't be fooled by its length; it is engrossing and exciting, and you'll wish it was longer! Queen Mary's life starts out innocently enough...she is crowned Queen of Scotland at the age of 9 days and at the age of 5 years, after being threatened by the English, she is moved to France for sanctuary. There she is engaged to marry the Dauphin and she lives a lush, happy life until the age of 17, when her husband, the King of France dies and leaves her with no recourse but to reclaim her throne in Scotland. The plots, intrigue, and scandal that follow will capture your imagination. Also interesting is the struggle between Catholicism and Protestantism in her native country. You will not regret reading this novel!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A story about a brave woman that keeps you spellbound.
Review: This is an excellent book about a strong, passionate and religious woman, that keeps you under the covers with a flashlight. She is my ancestor and reading her story made me feel as though I sort of knew her. I have never read something that moved me so much as the account of her be-heading and of how she prayed and asked God to help her through her last moments on earth. This is a wonderful portrayal and I believe you'll find it riveting.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Margaret continues her smooth, easy reading style of writing
Review: Margaret George continues her smooth, easy reading style chucked full of surprises making her tome not only an interesting read but a capativating one. She brings history to life by giving her characters very human qualities. After reading Cleopatra, I ran out and bought this book and was not in the least bit disappointed. The only thing that was disturbing was that the life of Mary Queen of Scots was so sad and depressing.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The best of the three
Review: I felt that this was the most realistic of the three books. I have read it twice and was completely drawn into the intrigue and emotions of the drama. The book is an amazing piece of writing. All three of her books are wonderful, but I feel that this is the best.


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