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It was quite natural for me, after reading the books by Margared George and Carolly Erickson, to turn back to Carolyn Meyer. Her book about Mary Stuart “The Wild Queen: The Days and Nights of Mary, Queen of Scots” is a part of “Young Royals” series, but it covers more of Mary’s life than other books by the same author (which usually show how the person grew adult and gained power). This book is longer than those I read about the Tudor women, and does not describe last Mary’s years only (her imprisonment in England), but covers her reign in Scotland as well as the early years.
As this was my second reading of this novel, I was able to notice some subtle details which passed my attention before. The story of Mary Stuart is her confession. But is not devoid of emotions, and even on the point of execution, she wants to prove her right. As a pious woman, Mary complains of “wildness” in her which led her to disaster (her passion to Henry Stuart and trust in James Hepburn, earl of Bothwell). At the same time, she wants to show she was nothing but a toy in men’s games.
Reading such series as “Young Royals”, one must be aware they are intended for kids and teenagers as well as for grown-up people so there should be less “spicy” details than in the historical novels we are used to. However, we should note as well, that Carolyn Meyer is studying the history thoroughly before writing her books, not to mislead young readers and make them believe into myths. I could but regret that there was not much romance in Mary’s love stories, especially with Bothwell. But Carolyn Meyer raised one more important issue the other authors failed to manage – how it feels to be a queen since the early days to the death. It should be definitely quite another feel than being the daughter of the lord, or even the king (like Elizabeth the First) with no quaranteed right to the crown. She also showed it brilliantly how power spoiled people and how both Henry Stuart and James Hepburn changed when they married the queen. One is also sure to make the conclusion that emotions have nothing to do with the way of power, which was so difficult for poor Mary Stuart! Though she is far from being an innocent lamb, Mary Stuart drawn by Carolyn Meyer is still likable and any woman can understand her.