Alex V. (Allypally) reviewed Mary Queen of Scots and the Murder of Lord Darnley on + 15 more book reviews
I came to this on the back of another biography of Mary Queen of Scots and wanted to know more about her earlier life. The book is meticulously researched - Alison Weir researched hundred and hundreds of sources and it shows. This goes into a level of detail that is quite incredible in places.
The only real issue I had with it is that Alison Weir struggles to be objective in a few places. She pins her colours to the mast quite early on and spends much of the book proving her theory that Mary is innocent. In doing this she takes everything Mary says or is reported to have said at face value, instead of considering that perhaps Mary was telling people what they wanted to hear. There are a few things about Mary's behaviour that are totally inconsistent - she claimed to have been kidnapped and raped by Bothwell and didn't actually want to marry him - yet when it all goes down and Mary is captured by the Lords she refuses every chance that is given her to denounce Bothwell. Alison Weir doesn't address these inconsistencies - or even see them as inconsistencies which I found a little jarring.
On the whole though, this can be overlooked if purely for the fact that this is so supremely well researched, which makes it a much more interesting read.
The only real issue I had with it is that Alison Weir struggles to be objective in a few places. She pins her colours to the mast quite early on and spends much of the book proving her theory that Mary is innocent. In doing this she takes everything Mary says or is reported to have said at face value, instead of considering that perhaps Mary was telling people what they wanted to hear. There are a few things about Mary's behaviour that are totally inconsistent - she claimed to have been kidnapped and raped by Bothwell and didn't actually want to marry him - yet when it all goes down and Mary is captured by the Lords she refuses every chance that is given her to denounce Bothwell. Alison Weir doesn't address these inconsistencies - or even see them as inconsistencies which I found a little jarring.
On the whole though, this can be overlooked if purely for the fact that this is so supremely well researched, which makes it a much more interesting read.
Bobbie P. (sunbeamfairie) reviewed Mary Queen of Scots and the Murder of Lord Darnley on + 23 more book reviews
If you are a history buff you will find this book quite interesting. Mary, Queen of Scots has been much maligned throughout history but she was a tragic Queen and does not deserve some of her bad press.
Jenny (Jenny) -
This book is "true crime" circa 1567: It brings plenty of political intrigue, treason, sex, and murder-- all before Mary, Queen of Scots reaches age 25! But just how involved was she in the murder of her husband?
