THE VIRGIN'S LOVER

England proclaims Elizabeth I queen in 1558. Narrator Graeme Malcolm brilliantly captures the essence of England’s turbulence and fears. He also reveals unforgettable characters in Queen Elizabeth, her lover, commoner Robert Dudley, and his wife, Amy. Using voice, tone, and nuance, Malcolm portrays Elizabeth as giddy and thrilled with her newfound power, yet lacking in confidence to lead her bankrupt, demoralized country. With deft narration Malcolm characterizes Dudley’s Machiavellian schemes to marry the queen in hopes of being declared king, regardless of commoners’ fears. Malcolm seamlessly depicts genders and ages with skill and draws the listener into a spellbinding, bittersweet ending. G.D.W. 2005 Audie Award Finalist © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 05]