Book Review - 'Nothing Proved'
By Janet Wertman
Thanks to the author for sending me a copy of this novel for review.
This is a really interesting novel, focused on Elizabeth I’s early years from the death of her father, Henry VIII, in 1547 to her own accession in 1558, through the reigns of her brother Edward VI and sister Mary I. Wertman makes Elizabeth seem human in the 21st century even though she lived nearly 500 years ago. It makes both the characters, and the setting, really come to life and you want to keep reading, even when you know how events unfold.
It is well-written, focused on events that we know happened on particular days. It is masterful in portraying Elizabeth I’s development from a young and innocent child to a woman ready to take her place on the English throne. The contemporary sources are well-used to substantiate the story, but it is placed in a cohesive and engaging narrative, with imagination used to fill the gaps, but keeps it real, to conversations that could really have happened.
Unlike some other historical fiction, you don’t need to know much, or any, of the actual history to understand and enjoy this novel. Some historical fiction comes across very name and title-heavy but not so this one. There are quite a few characters, but they often recur throughout so you get the chance to know who they are and how they relate to Elizabeth herself and the wider context of the period within the story.
I particularly enjoyed seeing the relationship between Elizabeth and William Cecil develop, as well as her early relationship with Blanche Parry, as the focus is so often on her relationship with Kat Ashley. Blanche was the woman who probably spent the longest with Elizabeth over her lifetime and we see the foundation of this relationship in Wertman’s nuanced portrayal. Cecil is often seen as a great statesman, as he became during Elizabeth’s reign, so it was nice to see a different and more vulnerable side to him.
I’ve read Wertman’s ‘The Boy King’ before and I remember really enjoying it. This is a very solid start to a new trilogy and really look forward to the next book in the series!