The Queen’s Mary: In the Shadows of Power by Sarah Gristwood
Source: Netgalley
My Rating: 3½/5 stars

I’ve said it before and I’m saying it again, historical fiction isn’t an easy genre! Bringing history to life while staying true to the historical documents and evidence is a monumental task and not every author is up to the task.

The Queen’s Mary is my first Sarah Gristwood read and I found myself somewhat on the fence with this one. The opening is quite good with five Marys, the Queen of Scots and her four attendants, as children making their way toward France from their respective homes in Scotland. There is something quite endearing and sad about these opening scenes as Queen Mary, clearly bred to her position and destiny holds sway over the other girls. The four attendant Marys understand, even at this early age, their place, for the rest of their respective lives is with the Queen, making her life as comfortable as possible. At such an early age, each of the girls understands, at least on some level, her life is no longer her own and she will serve as it pleases Queen Mary.

Fast forward thirteen years . . . . .

With more than a decade of education behind them and a stint in the French court, the five Marys find themselves on their way back to Scotland. Queen Mary expects a warm welcome, but what she gets is a country sorely divided over religion, a half-brother more than willing to assume her role, a collection of noblemen looking to manage her, and a country of people who are wary of their French-educated, widowed Queen. Settling back into life in Scotland, a country none of the women have seen in 13 years, isn’t going to be easy and if the Queen expects to rule her country, she’s going to need all the support she can muster.

Gristwood’s account of the next six years is filled with court intrigue, personal dramas, and political and religious upheavals. While the Queen must be at the heart of every minute, it is her ladies who tell the story, who recount the moments and the drama. In particular, it is Mary Seton, the one among the Marys who stays with Queen through the bitter end whose accounting of events we read. While Mary Seton never expresses her opinions and/or fears publicly, she records for the reader, the doubts, the troubles, the moments of happiness, the uncertainty, the trials and tribulations of a troubled life, Queen, and reign. While Seton always remains loyal to Queen Mary, she admirably conveys to the reader the constant tension and uncertainty that most certainly fueled every moment of the six years in Scotland.

The Bottom Line: In all, I liked this read, but I wasn’t blown away. If you take the time to read the author’s notes following the conclusion of the read, you discover how little, historically speaking, the author had to work with where the four Marys are concerned. Most of the documentation and evidence deal exclusively with the Queen which means much had to be assumed on the part of the author where the other Marys are concerned. I believe the author worked hard to stay as historically accurate as possible which is why the parts she had to assume (educated guess!) aren’t terribly exciting. In fact, it is the not terribly exciting moments which have me on the fence with this book. The middle of the book has many, many moments which drag by rather than being enlivened by the artist’s imagination. I made it through the Queen’s Mary, liked it, and am willing to give the author another shot since I sincerely believe her creativity was hampered by so little historical information. Sarah Gristwood is absolutely up to the historical fiction challenge and I will absolutely be diving into another of her offerings in the very near future. ( )

Four Marys are brought together to be the personal companions of the young Queen of Scots. Mary Seton, in particular, must weave her way through the politics of her time and choose where her loyalty lies.

To be honest, I did not leave this novel feeling as though I knew this woman at all. Yes, we see things through her eyes, but most of the time I felt outside of the situation. I never felt any real emotion from her, even though at times we are told she is angry.

I did learn a lot about Mary, Queen of Scots, that I didn't know before, but I didn't approach this as a history lesson.

Overall, it was interesting but didn't pull me in. I would recommend this to readers who would enjoy learning more about the Queen of Scots.

I received a free copy from NetGalley for reviewing purposes. ( )

Aged just five, Mary Seton boards a ship bound for France and her life is never her own again. Mary is one of the four chosen ladies who accompany Mary Stuart to France to be raised in her maternal family and affianced to the Dauphin of France. Mary learns manners, etiquette and how to serve a great Queen until the day the Dauphin dies and, after a period of mourning, Mary Stuart returns to Scotland to claim her throne. Unfortunately things are not so straightforward and Mary Seton is a silent witness to scandal, murder and more as her mistress wins and loses her inheritance.

Gristwood is an excellent biographer, her book about Arbella Stuart is terrific, but this is the first fiction of hers that I have read. The premise is great, the four Marys are renowned as the ladies in waiting to Mary Queen of Scots, Mary Seton being with her throughout her captivity and at her execution. Unfortunately the book never really caught fire for me. ( )