Weir, Allison. Innocent Traitor.
Random House, 2006. 399p $24.95 978-0-345--49485-6
Historical
This is, surprisingly, the first novel of noted historian Weir, and one hopes that it will not be the last. It is perhaps the most engrossing historical fiction of the year. Meticulously researched and compellingly written, it tells the story of Lady Jane Grey from many different voices - Queen Katherine Parr, Lady Jane’s machinistic parents, Jane Seymour, and John Dudley, among others.
Told in what appears to be journal entries, delineated by narrator, place and date, the thread may be difficult to follow at first, but soon the story will sweep the reader away. Lady Jane’s parents are abusive, disappointed that Jane is not a male heir. After the death of Henry, they connive to betroth Jane to the sickly Edward. Her place in Queen Katherine Parr’s court is a haven compared to her own home, and Queen Katherine and her nanny seem to be the only ones who have Jane’s own interests in mind. After Edward’s death, Lady Jane is installed on the throne, but only reigns for nine days until overthrown by Princess Mary’s armies.
We know the fate of Lady Jane Grey, so the ending will not be surprising, but the manner in which the story evolves is so satisfying that even the devastating end of Lady Jane’s story will leave the reader wishing for more. In the tradition of Philippa Gregory and Antonia Fraser, let us hope that this first novel is not Weir’s last. PN
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