R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed on 6/24/2011 + 1453 more book reviews

Lettice Devereaux tells the tragic story of Elizabeth I and her love for two men - the Earl of Leicester and the Earl of Essex. One must move past the persona Lettice projects to see the essence of this tale. A vain woman who prides herself in her beauty, she falls in love with the queen's favorite, the Earl of Leicester, a womanizing, handsome and most ambitious man. The queen loves him madly but she loves England more and cannot bear to share her crown with anyone. Elizabeth adores her people and is, in turn, adored by them. Whenever she goes on progress she stops to talk with them. In contrast, she expects those at court to dance to her smallest whim. Lettice plots to ensnare the Earl and marries him in spite of his colorful reputation, and incurrs the queen's displeasure. The furious queen abolishes her from court while keeping the Earl by her side. As the Earl ages, he brings Lettice's son, the Earl of Essex, to court. When Leicester dies, Essex becomes the queen's favorite but he lacks the maturity and political acumen of Leicester which lead to his eventual downfall. I truly enjoyed this book. If you like historical fiction I believe that you will enjoy My Enemy the Queen.

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