“This novel was absolute rubbish. I have read Erickson’s work before, and I have always enjoyed it, especially her light biography of Queen Victoria. This, however, was just egregious in its flaws. Apparently Erickson thought Mary’s story was not exciting enough for a novel, so she simply invented a life for her that did not occur. The first half of the novel was factual enough, with Mary’s upbringing in France and then her removal to Scotland; the latter half, however, was all invention. Mary flees to England, is imprisoned by Elizabeth, then escapes to Rome for three years. She then flees to Normandy, to a farm with her French grandmother and (fictional) daughter by Bothwell, her third husband. The simple fact is that Mary never escaped Elizabeth’s imprisonment. She lived for 19 years and finally was executed; her husband Bothwell died in a Danish prison, going mad and never knowing the fate of his wife. Erickson had no justification to do as she did. ”
Alethea wrote this review Thursday, February 9, 2012.
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