The Wild Irish - Softcover

Robin Maxwell

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0755301447 ISBN 13: 9780755301447

Publisher: Review, 2003

Synopsis

It is London in 1593: The great Queen Elizabeth I is growing tired, worn out by England's bitter struggle for dominance over the Wild Irish. A ship sails into London bearing the colours of the legendary Irish pirate queen Grace O'Malley, who has come to plead for the life of her son. Although, they are on opposite sides of a bitter and bloody conflict, these two powerful women, meeting near the end of their long and extraordinary lives, recognise in each other an equal in intelligence, courage and leadership. Both have had the unique opportunity to take control of their own destinies in a man's world and both have placed their love for their countries before their own happiness. Through their eyes, the dramatic and turbulent events of the late sixteenth century are brought to life.

About this title

About the Author:

Robin Maxwell is the author of 'The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn' which was published in 1997 and is soon to be a major US TV miniseries. She lives in California and is married to Max Thomas, one of America's foremost yogis.

From Publishers Weekly:

Two powerful women of indomitable will-Elizabeth I and the sea-loving Irish pirate, Grace O'Malley-collide in this vivid but ungainly historical drama. Maxwell (The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn, etc.) introduces the fabulous queen at 60, her face white with alum and eggshell paint and her red wig ablaze. Twice the age of her confidant, the brilliant Robert Devereaux, earl of Essex, she is brittle and bitter, loath to show any weakness or mercy. Determined to stamp out the ongoing unrest in Ireland, she calls on the notorious O'Malley for counsel. O'Malley's son and brother are in the custody of the English, and it is for their sake that she agrees to appear before Elizabeth. In an extraordinary private conference late at night in the queen's rooms, the Irishwoman tells her own story, which is the history of an island nation at war with England and itself as well as of a woman who has lived a long and turbulent life. Moved by her tale, Elizabeth grants her wishes, but soon finds herself sending Essex to destroy the rebellion raging in Ireland. Ravaged by syphilis and outnumbered two to one, Essex is persuaded by O'Malley that there is no shame in asking for a truce, and he makes peace with the Irish. Though he rushes back to Elizabeth hoping for her blessing, he falls from favor and desperately engineers a hopeless uprising. Maxwell's double portrait of two aging women is warmly drawn ("Look at us," says Grace. "Two old birds fightin' for the same feckin' worm"), but the novel's pacing is erratic, its leaps from England court intrigue to Irish battle scenes jarring.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Review
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0755301447
• ISBN 13: 9780755301447
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 416