THE LADY ELIZABETH

Rosalyn Landor's brisk narration zooms in on Elizabeth I's life from age 3 to her early twenties, when she comes to rule. Landor demonstrates the many fine details of Weir's research and highlights relationships and characters with well-interpreted voices. We warm with Elizabeth when her father, Henry VIII, praises his "chip off the old block" and then shrink when he roars with displeasure. Landor highlights the tenderness and constancy of Elizabeth's governess, Kat Ashley; the tenacious pursuit of her stepfather, Thomas Seymour; the bitterness and jealousy of her sister, Queen Mary. Together the portraits give listeners an understanding of a precociously wise young woman caught in precarious situations. An author's afterword describes how differently Weir approaches novels and nonfiction writing. S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2008]