The Queen's Fool: A Novel

It is winter, 1553. Pursued by the Inquisition, Hannah Green, a fourteen-year-old Jewish girl, is forced to flee Spain with her father. But Hannah is no ordinary refugee. Her gift of "Sight," the ability to foresee the future, is priceless in the troubled times of the Tudor court. Hannah is adopted by the glamorous Robert Dudley, the charismatic son of King Edward's protector, who brings her to court as a "holy fool" for Queen Mary and, ultimately, Queen Elizabeth. Hired as a fool but working as a spy; promised in wedlock but in love with her master; endangered by the laws against heresy, treason, and witchcraft, Hannah must choose between the safe life of a commoner and the dangerous intrigues of the royal family that are inextricably bound up in her own yearnings and desires.

he story is told from Hannah Green's perspective, a young Jewish girl who flees Spain with her father to escape persecution. Hannah is a seer, a sought after talent during the troubled times for the Tudor court, so she is brought to court has a fool, first to King Edward, then to Queen Mary and then Princess Elizabeth. The story is full of drama, passion and disloyalty, Everyone waiting for King Edward to die, while Mary fought for her throne, and Elizabeth battles to be the next Queen. And through all this Hannah the Fool was torn between her loyalty to both Mary and Elizabeth, and her love for two men, her Master Sir Robert Dudley and her betrothed Daniel Carpenter. The Queen's Fool is a beautifully written, memorable characters that make the story come alive. Philippa Gregory's best book, I would recommend this book not just to historical fiction lover's, this book would captivate anyone

I've read The Other Boleyn Girl, The Constant Princess, The Boleyn Inheritance and now, The Queen's Fool. I must say, although I loved all, this one is one of my favorites.

The story is told through the eyes of Hannah Green, a jewish girl being pursued by the Inquisition and pushed to flee Spain with her father. She's no ordinary girl though, she has a special gift; the gift of "sight", the gift to see the future.

Once in England, where the throne is in the hands of the dying King Edward, the only male heir of Henry VIII, Hannah meets the charming Sir Robert Dudley, who takes her under his protection. Sir Robert Dudley is the son of King Edward's protector.

The story essentially develops after King Edward's death. It unfolds the rivalry between MARY, devout Catholic, daughter of Catherine of Aragon and Henry VIII, and ELIZABETH, fervent Protestant, daughter of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII. It is Mary who gains the throne and Hannah is begged as a fool in her court. Hannah's also a spy for Sir Robert Dudley, who she's fallen passionately in love with, and who's often disloyal to Mary while he's plotting for Elizabeth's accession to the throne.

The story is rich in drama, love, passion and disgrace in an England where Mary struggles to keep her throne and offer an heir to England; Elizabeth battles to be the next Queen; Hannah is torn apart between her loyalty to both and torn apart between a life at a risky court, near her flame Sir Robert Dudley and a "normal" safe life, far from court, with her betrothed Daniel.

It is beautifully written, rich in emotion and a page turner. It grips you taking you into the English Royal Court of 1553.

I have always been skeptical about picking up a book that focuses on the Tudor period as I was afraid that the storyline would bore me. However, I was very glad that I took the chance to read The Queen's Fool. This novel is the first I have read from Philippa Gregory and it certainly won't be the last. I was immediately drawn into the story from the very first page of the novel, and by the time I reached the final page, I found myself wanting more! The Queen's Fool is filled with memorable characters and vivid descriptions that brought the story to life. The story is fast-paced, and it will never cease to amaze readers. The Queen's Fool will captivate any reader, whether a fan of historical fiction or not. I highly recommend this novel!

Another gem from Phillipa Gregory, and a worthy continuation of the Tudor saga which has absolutely captivated me. Weonderfully written with characters that come alive right off the pages, this book will not let down anyone who decides to pick it up.