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Mary Queen of Scotland and The Isles: A Novel Paperback – April 15, 1997

by Margaret George (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 887 ratings
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Margaret George's exhaustively researched novel skillfully weaves both historical fact and plausible fiction in bringing the story of Mary Queen of Scots to life.

She was a child crowned a queen....
A sinner hailed as a saint....
A lover denounced as a whore...
A woman murdered for her dreams...

Margaret George's Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles brings to life the fascinating story of Mary, who became the Queen of Scots when she was only six days old. Raised in the glittering French court, returning to Scotland to rule as a Catholic monarch over a newly Protestant country, and executed like a criminal in Queen Elizabeth's England, Queen Mary lived a life like no other, and Margaret George weaves the facts into a stunning work of historical fiction.

"With a seamless use of original letters, diaries, and poems: a popular, readable, inordinately moving tribute to a remarkable queen." -- Kirkus Reviews

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    870 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    St. Martin's Griffin
  4. Publication date
    April 15, 1997
  5. Dimensions
    6.33 x 1.74 x 9.33 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0312155859
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0312155858
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“The best kind of historical novel, one the reader can't wait to get lost in.” ―San Francisco Chronicle

“A massive, erudite, and entertaining novel that skillfully weaves historical fact and plausible fiction.” ―New York Newsday

“George has creative a lively, gallant Mary of intelligence, charm and terrible judgment...A popular, readable, inordinately moving tribute to a remarkable queen.” ―Kirkus Reviews (starred)

“A painstakingly researched novel that makes history live. The author's deep sympathy for her subject renders Mary an entirely real and unforgettable heroine.” ―Publishers Weekly (starred)

“An evocative portrait.” ―The New York Times Book Review

“Dramatic...Romantic...George makes Mary a heroine to identify with because of her spirit, wit and charm...A triumph.” ―Houston Chronicle

About the Author

Margaret George is the author of The Autobiography of Henry VIII, Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles, The Memoirs of Cleopatra, and Elizabeth I, among other novels. Margaret first got the idea to write historical fiction when, after reading numerous books that viewed Henry VIII through the eyes of his enemies and victims, she found herself wondering if there might be another side to the story. She became determined to let Henry speak for himself, and it took fifteen years, about three hundred books of background reading, three visits to England to see every extant building associated with Henry, and five handwritten drafts for her to answer the question: What was Henry really like? Margaret was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and has traveled extensively. She and her husband live in Madison, Wisconsin.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin's Griffin; Reprint edition (April 15, 1997)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 870 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0312155859
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0312155858
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.76 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.33 x 1.74 x 9.33 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 887 ratings

About the author

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Margaret George

Margaret George

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Margaret George specializes in epic fictional biographies of historical figures, taking pains to make them as factually accurate as possible without compromising the drama. Her THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF HENRY VIII had its 30th anniversary this past September, and continues to be popular. ABC-TV based its 1999 Emmy-nominated “Cleopatra” miniseries on her THE MEMOIRS OF CLEOPATRA. All of her books have been bestsellers, with twenty-one foreign translations.

Margaret’s father was in the Foreign Service and so she lived overseas for her early life, in such different places as tropical Taiwan, desert Israel, and cold war Berlin, all of which were great training for a novelist to be. She started writing ‘books’ about the same time as she could write at all, mainly for her own entertainment. It was a diversion she never outgrew. Her published works are: THE AUTOBIOGAPHY OF HENRY VIII, MARY QUEEN OF SCOTLAND AND THE ISLES, THE MEMOIRS OF CLEOPATRA, MARY CALLED MAGDALENE, HELEN OF TROY, ELIZABETH I, and an illustrated children’s book, LUCILLE LOST. Her newest one, THE CONFESSIONS OF YOUNG NERO, is coming out in March 2017.

Margaret lives in Madison, Wisconsin, and Washington DC, and has a sextagenarian tortoise as a pet.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
887 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Cat Lady
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!
Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2024
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This is so beautifully written and amazingly detailed. I feel I know Mary now, I was able to see her heart and feelings. There were times it was so hurtful to read about what she endured, for example when Bothwell died, I had tears in my eyes, knowing what she went through. When her nobles tore her rooms apart and pillaged her possessions, that was heart stirring, revealing how despicable they were, and how much they hated her. This author reaches deep and makes the people in the narrative so real. I never really understood Mary. What I had read of her didn't relate to why she was as she was, why she did what she did, nor what her heart was like. Why was her reign so tragic? Why was her reign condemned before it really began. This book reveals the whole woman. Someone I came to care about. Yes, it's a long, long read but worth it. A beautiful rendition.
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R. Gilbert
4.0 out of 5 stars A fun, albeit not totally "correct," read that drags a bit in the end
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2014
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Mary Stuart is an historical figure about whom I've done a lot of reading/research, so I apologize in advance if I come across as a pedant in any way... I know with historical fiction, the ultimate goal is to read an engaging and interesting portrait of someone that may not always be right on the nose with what actually happened. George does a good job with Mary, I think, and mostly does her justice. This ultimately becomes more of a love story, and that aspect is fun to read.

I have two problems with the book:
1) It definitely gets a little dull towards the end. It's simply not really possible to make the later part of Mary's life interesting. Some of the intrigue in which she was involved before her execution is interesting, sure, but it's a little repetitive otherwise.

2) Her relationship with Bothwell, while definitely a steamy read, just doesn't seem right. Don't get me wrong: I'm not saying I wanted it to be a novel where they hated one another and she was duped into marrying him, because I certainly think the truth is a complicated matter. But the idea that they were swept up in a romance with one another seems to be a bit fanciful, and even George admits that she may have fudged things just to give Mary a few more moments of happiness.

So, as with any work of historical fiction, just go in knowing that it may not be spot on with what happened, but try it enjoy it otherwise! This book is certainly miles above everything else in the genre written about Mary, so it's worth picking up.
27 people found this helpful
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Mrs.Brown
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect & Fast!
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2024
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This book arrived very quickly and in perfect condition! Very Happy with my purchase!
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Richard Sawyer
5.0 out of 5 stars Mesmerizing Portrait of a Tragic Queen
Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2007
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The life and reign of Mary Queen of Scots is vividly brought to life in this outstanding work of historical fiction. Mary was first Queen of France before becoming Queen of Scotland, and spent the last years of her life in exile and, in essence, imprisonment in England. Her reign in Scotland was complicated and made tragic by the strident discord between the Protestant and Catholic faiths, the political rivalries among England, Scotland, and France, poor judgment on her part, and historical events beyond her control. This fictionalized account of her life is mesmerizing, very readable and believable. The time and place of the 16th century, with its castles; nobility, religious zealots, peasants; political intrigue; battles, etc. are wonderfully portrayed. The personaliaties, psychological makeup, and relationships of Mary and many of the other main characters are portrayed with depth. Solid research was used in developing this fictionalized account. The result is a captivating historical story. Very highly recommended.
6 people found this helpful
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mluna
3.0 out of 5 stars Hard to get into, but interesting
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2010
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It really took me about 200 pages to get into the story line. Mary Queen of Scots is somewhat interesting. Margaret George is really great about covering all details of life, I didn't think that Mary's life was all that exciting in the beginning. I still haven't finished the book, I am about 3/4 of the way through and I am having a hard time finishing it. George's writing is great as always, maybe its this specific novel that I am having a hard time finding a character that I really care about. Mary herself seems to fall victim to so many circumstances, and she is really alone in her life so it is sad she really has no one to lean on. Everyone else just wants to take advantage of her and anyone that she really cares about dies. So its pretty depressing. And since I know her life does not end well, it does not want make want jump into the book. I am finishing it because there are great moments and I like Margaret George, but I prefer Cleopatra's memoirs way better.
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent product
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 5, 2024
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Excellent product
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Book
Reviewed in Germany on March 17, 2022
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Exellent.
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not happy
5.0 out of 5 stars British History is very interesting to me...in all aspects.
Reviewed in Canada on September 4, 2020
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I like the product. I read it and have it in my library.
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Claudia
5.0 out of 5 stars ¡Emocionante!
Reviewed in Mexico on November 7, 2019
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Es com ver una película.
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Settle man
5.0 out of 5 stars A very strong and determined lady.
Reviewed in Spain on August 4, 2017
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What a fascinating and highly-readable novel this is. Yes it is a novel of some 870 pages (on my Kindle anyway). It is the story of Mary Stuart born of James V of Scotland who died suddenly after the Scots' defeat at Solway Moss. She was months old at the time and her mother Mary of Guise (frenchwoman) was the Regent. It takes us through Mary's three marriages, to the French Dauphin, Darnley and Earl Bothwell. It is a riveting story and feel so sorry for a life wasted and being kept captive in England for 20 years by Elizabeth. Eventually, she is beheaded at Fotheringay Castle for her involvement (or not) in various plots against Elizabeth at the age of 41. I find her more worthy of a story than Elizabeth and feel that she had more claim to the English throne than Elizabeth but Walsingham and Cecil thought differently. Not an Antonia Fraser type book but really interesting and very very informative. Well done Margaret George!!
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