| Mary Queen of Scotland and The Isles: A Novel | 
 enlarge | Author: Margaret George
Publisher: Griffin
Category: Book
List Price: CDN$ 18.95
Buy Used: CDN$ 0.35
You Save: CDN$ 18.60 (98%)
New (11) Used (11) from CDN$ 0.35
Avg. Customer Rating:  78 reviews
Sales Rank: 7573
Media: Paperback
Edition: 0
Pages: 880
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.7
Dimensions (in): 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.9
ISBN: 0312155859
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780312155858
ASIN: 0312155859
Publication Date: April 28, 1997
Availability: Usually ships within 1 - 2 business days
Condition: Save a tree, buy from Green Earth Books. Ships from USA; Allow 2 to 3 weeks for delivery. All books guaranteed. Read -> Recycle -> Reuse
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| Customer Reviews:
 Wasted potential... March 9, 2004
What a disappointment! The book starts out very good, and it's thoroughly engaging, but then George spoils herself (and the book, and the reader, and your appetite) with a series of sex scenes that are neither necessary nor remotely appropriate. Worst of all was the gay rape scene (yes, you read that right). The worst part was the utterly charming ending---why did she have to ruin it with such lewd descriptions? It felt as though you were suddenly reading some kind of sleazy novel. Very upsetting.
'Queen Without A Country' January 23, 2004
My title is taken from the title of children's book about Mary Queen of Scots. Margaret George's book is the only one I've read about this Queen Mary. My knowledge of european history is scant, however, it seems to me that the most important point about this story is that it took place mostly in Scotland during the Scottish reformation. Protestantism first came to England during the reign of Henry VIII. His daughter from his first marriage to Katherine of Aragon, the infamous, Bloody Mary, was Catholic and she earned her name from so many witch burnings and beheadings-EESH. Elizabeth I, was also a daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, his second wife. She was protestant. Mary, Queen of Scots, was Catholic, her mother Marie de Guise was French. Marie de Guise was regent of Scotland after her husband James V died in 1542, and James Hamilton, Earl of Arran (possibly one of my forebears), became regent after her.My copy of James Paterson's History of Ayrshire contains a brief, what he titles, historical sketch, at the beginning of each of the four volumes. In the first volume of this book, he devotes 55 pages out of 218, to Mary Queen of Scots' tale. From what I've gathered from that work, published in 1863, a good number of scots disliked the Guise, French connection, but, later in scottish history, disliked some Presbyterian doings, the church of Scotland splintering into several factions, one of which was particularly "rigid" whatever that means. Anyway, what I'm trying to convey, and why I've chosen to write a review for this book, is that I think the story itself is significant, and not just to Scots. Margaret George paints a loving portrait of Mary, yet does admit in her afterword, that there are some details in her story that are still debated today: did she love Bothwell, did she write the casket letters, who murdered Darnley, did Mary plan to kill Elizabeth; she writes "on the answer to those four questions hang one's verdict of her character". Troubled by the recent events in Iraq and Saudi Arabia, I felt convicted to rewrite this review; I gave the book only 4 stars, not because it's not well-written or well-researched, but because I don't wish to mislead anyone in any way, and, with history, as Gorbachev has remarked, it depends on who tells the story, for "history is a capricious creature". I need to read more myself. If anyone has a good, basic, unbiased recommendation for books on the scottish reformation and scottish history, let me know, I'd be most grateful. "How can I go to the bed of someone I believe wants me dead?" Mary asks her priest during her confessions; she is speaking of her husband Henry Lord Darnley. Poor Queen Mary. However, in all fairness, maybe Darnley could say the same thing?
 A Queen Without a Country December 8, 2003
This book tells of a fair,young Queen. Going to France to excape Henry IIV and her protestant country.Her Mother rules Scotland while Mary goes offto France for a different life.She soon Marrys the French Dauphin Francois. Only a year after they were married the became King and Queen of France.But sodenly He dies of a ear infection.She goes to scotland and soon Marrys Lord Henry Darnley. They have a Child named James. (he is going to rule Scotland And England). But than his Father dies in a horribal death. Her Lover Bothwell Is accusied of the murder. And runs away while she while she is put in prison .When she gets out she finds out that her brother was the cause of this. Her Husband Bothwell or James Hepburn is in jail in denmark. He is killed as he was trying to flee back to scotland. So she goes to London into the Mercy of Queen Elizabeth. But that is for you to find out. Well I loved this book as I love every book about Mary. Ms.George has made some of the greatest books and I Think this is the greatest.I have been to Scotland and to Striling And Edinburgh Castels.Ihave seen the very room she slept in and the very room Darnley slept in.I Have seen the Royal Chaple. But im not going to tell you any more you'll have to go there and find out your self.But this book if Highly Recommened for those who are in to Romance,sex,Adventure,or even for a different type of book
Good, but. . . October 28, 2003
Okay, I picked up this book at the library expecting the best. I had read all those good reviews here at Amazon and I was expecting some phenomonal novel. Well, I began it, and found it a little boring until she got to France. Then it was wonderful. I read and read and by the time I got to Part II I was totally enveloped in Mary's (a woman formally too boring to interest me) story. Then Lord Darnley came in and the book lost its interest to me. The book was mutilated and changed into this barfable romance novel. Now don't get me wrong, I really like romance in my novels, but all of a sudden it was Darnley this Darnley that, and it portrayed him as a guy that he wasn't. And then came this horribly inappropriate scene between Mary and Darnley. I shrugge it off, though, but within fifty more pages there was another scene, except this time it was John Knox and wife. If you're offended wiyth stuff like that, then I don't recomend it. This book was a real let down.
Yummy History July 14, 2003
I loved this book, as I have all of Margaret George's historical novels. She conveys the inner life of such characters as Mary and Henry VIII, as well as the historical context of their lives. This nice, thick read is full of romance, intrigue, religious strife, pagentry and more. Highly recommended!
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