4/26/22

L

Review

Elizabeth’s age in book one is somewhere between twelve and fifteen. In Young Bess, the story surrounds the court of Edward, and his relationship with his two uncles, Edward Seymour, The Protector and Tom Seymour, The Admiral. Without causing spoilers, Edward is portrayed as annoying and greedy, Tom is a shameless flirt and clueless about his brother’s ambition. Edward, the young king is a pawn on a chess board, easily manipulated by black and white to suit their own position. I truly loved Elizabeth in this novel, but I am biased as my adoration for her is high. Comparisons are often made to her mother, the infamous Nan Bullen (Anne Boleyn). Irwin shows her naivete as a young girl and then her shocking revelation as she envisions her own destiny. Does she love Tom Seymour? Is she a tempting vixen, or an innocent young girl infatuated by the attention paid to her by an attractive man? A significant moment occurs for Elizabeth when she is told by Katherine that her fate may someday be Queen of England. That she never expected or imagined herself as Queen of England until her teens is surprising to me and an interesting twist in this story. I naturally felt sorry for Elizabeth as I always do because she was brought up by four different stepmothers, and didn’t know her own mother. The fact that she was compared to her mother so often, couldn’t have been good for her self esteem, yet she is determined to triumph.

The story is excellent, the characters are fully realized and who wouldn’t like reading about Young Bess. My only complaint is there was not enough attention given to Elizabeth. The story was somewhat wordy and too much time and detail was given to the Seymour brothers. The book didn’t really turn around for me until almost half way through. The fact that I love reading about Queen Elizabeth and I plan on reading the entire trilogy, saved me from abandoning this one early.

What were they thinking.....

Elizabeth on marriage, speaking to Tom Seymour

“I won’t marry you, or anyone. I’ll not be tied and bound. A wedding ring is a yoke ring.”
(271)

“...I have not the slightest intention of being married, and if ever I should think of it (which I do not believe is possible) you would be the first to whom I should make known my resolution.” (275)

“I’ve learnt about marriage from my stepmothers,’ she said, sliding a look at him.”

“Seriously, my Lord, my first stepmother, Jane, died in childbed, and so was the only past wife he spoke of with respect; my second, big Anne Cleves, he shoved out of the way for my pretty cousin Cat Howard, whom he beheaded-and my last one gave me a step-stepfather,’ she finished, and this time she did not look at him.”(275)

King Henry VIII about Elizabeth:

“He blinked down the table at the girl, as lithe and whippy as a greyhound puppy, and the light glinting on her red-gold hair. ‘Nan Bullen’s brat!’ he muttered to himself, ‘a wheyfaced scrap of a thing like her mother, a green apple, a codling,’ he drooled on, regarding her with a fixed and menacing eye.” (50)


© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2008-2011]. ( )

Historical fiction based on Queen Elizabeth is available in great abundance. It is one of my favorite periods of time so I thought that I would enjoy another series. This book was a slow start and I finished the book but I don't have plans to read the rest of the series. In general I would not recommend this series unless you want an view of the young Elizabeth. ( )

Young Bess was wonderful story, centering around a time in Elizabeth's life when things still aren't certain for her. Danger, doubt and treachery are at every turn. The research that the author did for this book shines through in the writing. Ms. Irwin has given us a powerful tale of what life is like before the reign of the Golden Age. This was an enjoyable read, a must read for any Tudor fan. ( )