Rating: 
Summary: Too long, too dull, too modern
Review: I had expected better from Margaret George. Her _Autobiography of Henry VIII_ is one of my favourite historical novels. So what happened here? Seems to me as if George is trying to turn Mary Queen of Scots into the Renaissance Diana Spencer. Heaven knows it isn't easy to write a historical novel where your main character is as controversial as Mary Queen of Scots. But George has turned her into a modern woman, leading with her heart first, putting personal matters before state ones. This Mary puts more faith in man -- and men -- than in her God, something the real Mary would never do. Not only does this Mary think like a modern woman, she thinks like a modern commoner. Certainly, it makes the character more sympathetic, but it isn't realistic. Mary Queen of Scots was just as imperious, just as unconcerned with the poor or the Protestants, just as pious, and just as stubborn as her cousin Elizabeth Tudor. She wasn't the overly sympathetic, concerned, pleasant, normal (in a modern sense) woman this novel portrays her as. It's too unrealistic. The novel is also too long. During some of the most intense action, around the time of Darnley's death, the work inexplicably bogs down. It becomes dull at the very time it should be unputdownable. The section dealing with Mary's incarceration by Elizabeth is also dull, but in that section the dullness is almost appropriate given the empty dullness of Mary's life at the time. Give this book a pass; George's other works are much better.
Rating: 
Summary: Dissapointing
Review: I have read Margaret George's work before and was expecting much from this novel, but I was very dissapointed. While the facts of Mary's life were true to fact, the characterization of Mary as a woman, I felt, was not. No noble person of this time period would act in the ways that she did in the novel -public displays of affection, utter disregard for rank and class, and the like. In addition, one of the biggest connecting themes of her life as George portrayed it was her need of a man to guide her and to rescue her. To have Mary act in extremely indpendant and courageous ways, while at the same time bemoaning her need of a man to save her was highly inconsistant and distracting of her true strength. Many of her acts of courage were done in the memory of a man, or for a man, or by the guidence of a man, making Mary not even responsible for what independance and action she showed!! Also, to read 300 pages plus of her life in prison was dreary at best. Her life at that point was little more than sorrow, tedium, and helplessness, and to experience that life for so many pages was tasking and unpleasant. I did find the book generally interesting as far as the history of it goes, but I feel that the fictionalized account of it left much to be desired.
Rating: 
Summary: a highly recommended historical novel
Review: I found this historical novel both fascinating and engrossing. George truly brings Mary to life; her character becomes human instead of a name in a history book. It also reads fast, and despite its length, I finished it in less than a week. The only caution I have is to make sure to read the author's historical note -- it's important to remember that this is not a factual account, that George had to research and make educated guesses about what happened in certain circumstances. Overall, though, I truly enjoyed this book while learning a great deal!
Rating: 
Summary: This is a MUST READ
Review: If you love history and you love the British Isles this is a MUST. Margaret George paints a picture of a woman who is a queen but is human. Mary makes many decisions that cost her and her kingdom and you can see her undoing, yet you are helpless to prevent it. It is easy to relate to her, love her, despise her, and pray for her. Yet you know the outcome. All of this does not diminish her in your eyes. Read it, enjoy it, and feel her pain. Margaret George is a superlative story teller. All of her books are tremendous!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful.
Review: This book is a heart-felt educational visual through the times of the dear girl-queen who never grew out of her naivity until it was much too late. It tells of earnest love for the betraying Elizabeth and it broke my heart.
Rating:
Summary: George Brings Life to History
Review: A wonderful account of the life of Mary. Margaret George fills the reader with historical facts without
the reader ever knowing it. By the end of the
book, I felt a certain political suave at the recognition
of Mary as a failure as a Queen due to her
undeniable humanity. Mary's continual poor choices
in life had far reaching consequences that George
allows the reader to deduct without stating the
obvious. At times the book did progress a little
slow, especially Mary's time held captive by Elizabeth, but overall a well written history
lesson.
Rating:
Summary: Mary lives, Long Live the Queen, thanks to M. George.
Review: Margaret George brings Mary, Queen of Scots to such life in this novel that it is hard to believe she ever died. It is colorful, brilliant, alive, and downright "un-put-downable." Do not let the 800-plus page length of this novel put you off - it was the quickest, most fascinating and brilliant read I have enjoyed in a long time! George's grasp of character, history, and mindset are amazing! Che Sherman Sun Valley, CA
Rating:
Summary: A great read for historical fiction lovers!
Review: I accidentally discovered Ms. George while working in the library, and instantly fell in love. Ms. George developes Mary to the point that I felt I was a close friend of hers
and I could hardly put the book down for worrying about her
and the inevitable that is coming. "Mary,..." is not a light read, but a fun one that's well worth your time.
Rating:
Summary: Good Historical Fiction
Review: I was quite engrossed in the story of Mary's tragic life, up to a point. After about 500 pages or so, it became incredibly tedious. I don't know if that is because of Ms. George's writing, or just that the last part of Mary's life where she was imprisoned was incredibly boring. Probably the latter. This was obviously very well-researched, and I find it far more palatable to learn history this way than from the traditional history book.
Rating:
Summary: the ultimate romantic tragedy
Review: Margaret George's novel on Mary Queen of Scots has everything one could hope for in a historical novel. The romance and tragedy of the famous queen's life make for a gripping story. It is all there: beauty, power,wealth, love, danger, intrigue. It is also a looong story. Just the heft of the book is enough to give one pause. One might ask oneself: Will I really read this whole thing?
Well, I read almost the whole thing. The book slows in the last third as Mary's confinement makes for less interesting reading than her wild rides in the Scottish highlands with her lover. Still, I finished the novel (well, almost finished it) with a better understanding of Scotland and England during the Elizabethan Age. And George fills out the story beautifully with factual information on European royalty, geograpical setting,architecture,food,clothing, music, pastimes, etc..
So, it's a great story,entertaining and educational, just a little overlong for my taste. It could be a four rating if one is a patient reader and interested in detail. It's definitely a feast best enjoyed in small bites and chewed slowly. Hit and run readers look elsewhere. History buffs brew a cup of tea and settle in!
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