Extraordinary historical fiction

Highly recommended to historical fiction fans. A beautiful and heartbreaking story. Fantastic narration! All of Fremantle's books are excellent. However, I think this is one of her best.

4 people found this helpful

Arbella Stuart and Emilia Lanyer

Elizabeth Freemantle's novel focuses on two fascinating women who lived in Jacobean England: Lady Arbella Stuart, in line for the throne, and the poet Aemilia Lanyer. The only historical links between the two are that Lanyer dedicated a poem to Arbella, and the two women were at one time both at court and in Queen Anne's coterie. Here, Freemantle has tied their stories together in an engaging, imaginative story.

The real Arbella's life was quite a sad one. Descended from Henry VIII's sister Margaret (and therefore the granddaughter of Henry VII), she was considered a likely successor to Elizabeth I. In addition, her uncle was Lord Darnley, husband of Mary, Queen of Scots, which made Arbella cousin to the future King James. Arbella's father died when she was an infant and her mother when she was only seven; she was raised by her redoubtable grandmother, known as Bess of Hardwicke. In Freemantle's version, Elizabeth named James as her successor because she felt that England had had enough of a female monarch; the truth is that more likely that the queen's advisors, Lord Burghley and his son Robert Cecil, pressed her to favor James. Although extremely well educated, Arbella was infrequently at court, more often kept under her grandmother's thumb at Hardwicke Hall. She showed little interest in becoming queen, but James suspected her of ambitions to the throne. There were several plots in her lifetime to remove James and make her queen, but she was a loyal subject, even revealing one such plot to the king herself. Quite cruelly, both Elizabeth and James kept Arbella from marrying. They used her as bait in several marriage proposals but likely feared that if she produced an heir, that child, too, could become a threat. In 1610, at the age of 35, she secretly married the much younger William Seymour without the king's permission. Arbella was fourth in line to the throne, and Seymour, who also had Tudor ancestors, was sixth; James clearly saw the marriage, adn possible children, as a threat. When James discovered the marriage, he imprisoned them both, Seymour in the Tower of London and Arbella under house arrest. The two were able to exchange letters in secret and planned an ill-fated escape. Seymour succeeded, but the two never met up, and Arbella was captured and imprisoned in the Tower. In despair, she starved herself to death.

Freemantle sticks fairly close to the factual details of Arbella's life but takes a freer hand with Aemilia Lanyer. The facts: Her father, an Italian, was a musician in the court of Elizabeth I. As a child, she was sent to live in the household of the Countess of Kent, where she received an education. Already known as a poet, she frequently stayed at court where she was often called upon to read her work. At the age of 18, Aemilia became the mistress of the queen's cousin, the Earl of Hunsdon. When she became pregnant, she was banished from court, and her family married her off to a first cousin. It was not a happy union, and when her husband died, Lanyer opened a school to support her children. She published her first book of poetry, dedicated to Lady Arbella, at the age of 42 and was frequently called to court to read for Queen Anne. Although Lanyer and Arbella may have been acquainted, there is no evidence of a friendship between them.

Freemantle, however, imagines a sympathy between these two educated, literary-minded women that blossoms into friendship; that is her main invention and the hub of the novel, and Lanyer is inserted into several of the key episodes in Arbella's life. Lanyer is given a personal as well: we see her interactions with neighbors both kind and cruel, her relationship with her son Henry, her efforts to provide for herself as a widow, and more. As the author's creation, she comes alive on the page; as a woman granted a measure of freedom, she becomes a lively counterpoint to the confined and oppressed Arbella, but both serve as reminders of the limitations placed on women at the time.

Overall, the book was a fine combination of fact and fiction, well researched and engagingly written. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction set in Tudor and Stuart England. I listened to the book on audio, which was wonderfully read by Emily Watson and Rachael Stirling.

9 people found this helpful

Fremantle is a strong writer of historical women.

This particular book The Girl In The Glass Tower picks up during the second chapter. It kept me very interested in what happens to Arebella Stuart. I personally had never heard of Arebella, before so appreciated the lesson. Although a fictional account, Fremantle draws on real historical data and draws together a beautiful tale. I enjoyed it.

8 people found this helpful

Jayme

I enjoyed this very much! The readers bring the book to life in a very successful way.

3 people found this helpful

Amazing

Love Elizabeth Fremantle from her other books and this one was just as good. Also, the narrators really help bring this book to my top ten.

2 people found this helpful

Could not quit listening!

What did you love best about The Girl in the Glass Tower?

Written in a way that was as entertaining as a mystery novel yet with plenty of historical authenticity. The narrator was superb in capturing the spirit of the characters, without going "over the top". Extremely well written in every way, and narrated in perfect compliance to the story.

What did you like best about this story?

The combination of mystery, historical accuracy and the element of fiction which was not farfetched but possible.

What about Rachael Stirling and Emily Watson ’s performance did you like?

Everything. It seems they took time to understand the characters.

If you could take any character from The Girl in the Glass Tower out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Not sure, maybe Arbella because of her position in line of the throne, as a

1 person found this helpful

A Delight for Early Modern Historical Fiction Fans

What did you love best about The Girl in the Glass Tower?

Having read a ton of 17th century historical fiction, I love that I found a new figure, and one I can enjoy! Her life didn't get boring, despite being relatively mundane, and the interweaving of other characters' histories made it multi-layered. Moreover, the romance wasn't as cliche'd as it normally is, and the ending is not so predictable.

What other book might you compare The Girl in the Glass Tower to and why?

Phillippa Gregory's The Constant Princess gave me the same reactions. Looking forward to devouring Fremantle's other work like I've done Gregory's!

Which character – as performed by Emily Watson and Rachael Stirling – was your favorite?

Arbella Stuart, no competition, which is interesting because I can identify with Amy better.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

"Can one ever know one's destiny?"

1 person found this helpful

Worth it!

I have read many books by this author, I would probably read anything she wrote at this point. I love historical fiction and this book does such a good job capturing the Era and is such a good story!! couldn't put it down.

Awesome!!

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I loved how the author wrote the story from two different perspectives and I appreciate that it was realistic while not being too risqué. Excellent book!