The year is 1597. For nearly a decade, the island of Britain has been under the rule of King Philip in the name of Spain. With Queen Elizabeth impr...
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reviews
May 11, 2011
Sue
rated it: 
I've read and re-read this one and I'm re-reading yet again. To be honest, many of Harry Turtledove's alternative universe books confuse me, with the multiple viewpoints; this is one of a number that only have two viewpoints. In this case, the viewpoints are those of William Shakespeare, living in an England occupied by the Spanish when the Armada succeeded, and Lope de Vega, a playwright who was Spain's answer to Shakespeare, who, in this novel, is one of the occupying soldiers. Shakespeare has
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Feb 03, 2011
Cass
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The premise of Harry Turtledove's alternate history tale, Ruled Britannia, is that the Spanish Armada did manage to take over England in 1588. Philip II installs his daughter Isabella and her consort Albert on the throne of England, imprisons Elizabeth in the Tower, and returns England to Catholicism. Ten years later, Philip is dying, Elizabeth is yet imprisoned, and while most of the populace complies with the will of their Spanish overlords, a current of discontent still runs beneath the surfa
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Mar 19, 2011
Schmacko
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This is a fun, long reimagining of history, giving Shakespeare a questionably central role. In Turtledove’s book, the Spanish Armada conquered the English (and the Dutch) to take over England, interrupting Elizabeth I’s reign (and locking her in the Tower of London). So, the English are under Spanish, Catholic and Crusader rule. Yuck, right? It’s especially difficult for Shakespeare as his plays still need to entertain and sell, but now he has to also worry about not raising the ire of the I
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Feb 17, 2011
Zeruhur
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Appena ho letto la quarta copertina il mio senso "storico" si è riacceso incuriosito. Turtledove mi era noto da anni come scrittore di libri ucronici (ossia di storia alternativa), soprattutto per il suo ciclo dell'Invasione.
Tuttavia non avevo mai avuto l'occasione di approfondire la conoscenza leggendone almeno un libro.
Quando ho visto la proposta di ucronia sulla vittoria Spagnola contro gli inglesi e con uno Shakespeare protagonista, potevo non leggere questo libro?
Il romanzo è curi More...
Tuttavia non avevo mai avuto l'occasione di approfondire la conoscenza leggendone almeno un libro.
Quando ho visto la proposta di ucronia sulla vittoria Spagnola contro gli inglesi e con uno Shakespeare protagonista, potevo non leggere questo libro?
Il romanzo è curi More...
Mar 21, 2010
John
rated it:
This is an alternate history novel in which Spain's Armada was successful. After ten years of Spanish rule, the English are ready to revolt, and William Shakespeare is enlisted to write a play to stir the masses. Turtledove writes an entertaining story full of humor and quotes from Elizabethan plays. In addition to Shakespeare, the novel features his fellow players, Christopher Marlowe, Nicholas Skeres and Ingram Frizer, William and Robert Cecil, and most interestingly, the Spanish playwright an
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Aug 12, 2011
Colin
rated it:
I guess "alternate-historical fiction" falls under "sci-fi/fantasy." I just re-read this masterpiece after a lapse of 6 years or so, and find it is even better than I remembered! An alternate history in which England languishes under Spanish rule after the victory of the Spanish Armada, and William Shakespeare as a main character - with his voice convincingly represented - makes this a wonderful bit of fiction. I got it from my local library in paperback - I wish I had n
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Nov 22, 2011
Elliott
rated it:
This is a wonderful alternative history in the milieu of Elizabethan England, except that Elizabeth is confined to the Tower, King Phillip II of Spain has installed Queen Isabelle on England's Throne, and Master William Shakespeare is embroiled in a plot to unseat her. Top marks for unique and imaginative writing, top marks for nailing the flavor of olde english in the descriptions and dialogues. The plot is a mite ponderous to develop, so one star marked off, but stick with it. It does satisfy
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Oct 04, 2010
Gunner1956
rated it: 
Guns of the South by Harry Turtledove.
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I’m a great fan of Turtledove’s works of alternative history but I’m usually sceptical about his fantasy and sci-fi outpourings. Nonetheless, the man is the recognized king of alternate history and this is where his acknowledged strength lies. Therefore, I was a little confused and more than a little apprehensive as Guns of the South is part alternate history, part sci-fi and part fantasy – I normally distrust cross-genre books bec More...
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I’m a great fan of Turtledove’s works of alternative history but I’m usually sceptical about his fantasy and sci-fi outpourings. Nonetheless, the man is the recognized king of alternate history and this is where his acknowledged strength lies. Therefore, I was a little confused and more than a little apprehensive as Guns of the South is part alternate history, part sci-fi and part fantasy – I normally distrust cross-genre books bec More...
Sep 25, 2010
Libby
rated it:
When it comes to creating alternate history, Harry Turtledove is THE MAN! Nobody does it better, as he proves once again in this tale of England conquered by the Armada and lying uneasily under Spanish rule. Will Shakespeare, like his fellow Londoners, is just trying to make a living when he is asked by William Cecil to write a play. Writing plays is what Will does, but Cecil wants a particular play, a cunning piece of sedition, intended to incite rebellion against the Spanish, in favor of Eliza
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Nov 28, 2009
Bill
rated it:
This is a great story of Elizabethan England, in an alternate universe where the Armada was a success and the Spanish invaded and held England. In the book, England has suffered under Spanish rule for ten years, and the main character, William Shakespeare, gets wrapped up in plots and schemes on both sides of the issue. Another main character, Spanish Lieutenant Lope de Vega, gives us insight into the Spanish side of the story.
I've been a big fan of Harry Turtledove's alternative h More...
I've been a big fan of Harry Turtledove's alternative h More...
Nov 09, 2008
Jessica
rated it:
A facsinating read. I truly enjoy Mr. Turtledove's alternate histories, and this one did not disappoint.
The language got a little too intense sometimes (I found towards the end that I was actually replacing "thou" and "thee" with their modern-day counterparts), but the story itself was strong.
I'll admit, picking up this novel, I didn't have a whole lot of information on Shakespeare (beyond what I retained from school). That didn't much matter, though, More...
The language got a little too intense sometimes (I found towards the end that I was actually replacing "thou" and "thee" with their modern-day counterparts), but the story itself was strong.
I'll admit, picking up this novel, I didn't have a whole lot of information on Shakespeare (beyond what I retained from school). That didn't much matter, though, More...
Aug 10, 2008
Tracy
rated it:
This really was a decent book. The plot kept moving at a decent pace so there was no more than maybe two or three slow spots of a few pages throughout the books. I *loved* the characterization of Shakespeare.
It falls short of 5 stars because of Turtledove's choice to have the English talk in, well...English. Real English...with thees and thous and such. The Spanish used modern dialect, but the English used Shakespearean English, which made for a very slow read. I don't need to More...
It falls short of 5 stars because of Turtledove's choice to have the English talk in, well...English. Real English...with thees and thous and such. The Spanish used modern dialect, but the English used Shakespearean English, which made for a very slow read. I don't need to More...
Apr 02, 2008
Srochat
rated it:
I confess it -- I'm a sucker for alternate history. And this one was especially fun.
"Ruled Britannia" takes place 10 years after the Spanish Armada defeated Queen Elizabeth's fleet and successfully invaded England. Now officially a Catholic country (with Spanish troops and Irish mercenaries in the street to keep it that way), the country is growing restive as two great figures near the end of their life ... King Philip of Spain and Lord Burghley, one of Elizabeth's former a More...
"Ruled Britannia" takes place 10 years after the Spanish Armada defeated Queen Elizabeth's fleet and successfully invaded England. Now officially a Catholic country (with Spanish troops and Irish mercenaries in the street to keep it that way), the country is growing restive as two great figures near the end of their life ... King Philip of Spain and Lord Burghley, one of Elizabeth's former a More...
May 11, 2009
Adam
rated it:
great book. The writing style is a little off tempo. The quick change between modern english and shakespearian english sometimes warranted some rereading of passages to make sure that all was clear....this is a definite downfall of the book in some scenes. This by no means takes too much away from the story itself, just makes thing annoying late at night. Great read overall.
Aug 09, 2010
Jodi
rated it:
Interesting premise to this novel of Shakespeare writing in 1598 in an England in which the Spanish had successfully invaded with the Armada. Shakespeare is hired by William Cecil to write a play encouraging an uprising—much intrigue occurs which I will not relay so not to reveal too much. The story moved along at a good pace, was entertaining and a fast read.
Aug 18, 2008
Rachael
rated it:
I am a fan of alternate history generally and Ruled Britannia is one of the best I've read of the genre. This stand-alone novel tells the story of an England conquered by the Spanish Armada and living under Spanish rule for a decade. The plot revolves around a conspiracy to incite the populace to revolt against the Spanish through a play secretly created by William Shakespeare. Author Harry Turtledove is the largely undisputed master of alternate history fiction and here he proves he still de
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Nov 14, 2008
Reid
rated it:
This is an interesting retelling of history in which the Spanish Armada succeeds in conquering Britain. This is in the time of Shakespeare, and he is the central character. There is sex, intrigue, plots, conspiracies, lots of drinking, and a fascinating look at what it might have been like to perform or see a play in Elizabethan times.
A meticulously researched book, this is also its downfall at times; the attention to detail and verisimilitude bogs the story down at some points, and More...
A meticulously researched book, this is also its downfall at times; the attention to detail and verisimilitude bogs the story down at some points, and More...
Sep 05, 2008
Emily Ann
rated it:
I attended a panel on which Harry Turtledove was participating at Comic Con in 2007. I'd never heard of him prior to that, but left determined to read some of his books as the idea behind alternative history is fascinating to me. I'd hoped, actually, to cut my teeth on one of the alternative Civil War or alternative WWII books, but it was too difficult to ascertain order and which were/were not series in the book store. So instead I picked up this one as it was a nice stand-alone.
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Aug 27, 2009
Jason
rated it:
This was a nice surprise. Having given up on Turtledove for his overly slow and both too-academic/too-cheesy plot lines and dialogue, I was happy to find something that was both creative and exciting. But I love Shakespeare, so that might have helped. This was a truly good read.
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Nov 09, 2011
Bill
rated it:
After its defeat by the Spanish Armada, England is occupied and restored to the Catholic Church. Ten years later William Shakespeare gets the opportunity to show the pen is as mighty as the sword. The 16th century dialogue takes getting used to but a good story nonetheless.
Nov 08, 2008
Carolyn
rated it:
This is the second of Harry Turtledove's alternative histories that I've read, and I found them both fascinating. I'm always intimidated by the sheer size of them, but once I start reading, I just get wrapped up in them. The premise of Ruled Britannia is that England was defeated by the Spanish Armada and Queen Elizabeth imprisoned in the Tower of London. William Shakespeare was recruited to write a play that would encourage the English people to revolt against the Spaniards and restore England
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Apr 19, 2009
John
rated it:
Typical Turtledove alternate history. This time the Spanish armada won so the Spanish now rule England. People try to get Shakespeare to write a play to get the citizens to rebel.
Nov 11, 2009
Deedee
rated it:
What if the Spanish Armada was successful? Starring Queen Elizabeth I, Robert Cecil and William Shakespeare.
Nov 03, 2011
Jake
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This was an excellent alternate history novel with interesting, well-developed characters.
Jan 02, 2012
Paul
rated it:
Interesting Premise. Shakespeare is the main character. Liked the story but due to the old english language it can be difficult to read at times.
Jul 08, 2008
Jennifer
rated it:
What if the Spanish Armada had conquered England? What if Shakespeare and his company had got pulled into a plot to incite the English populace with a play to rise up against their Spanish oppressors? What if the person who wrote about it filled the book with strong characters and vivid historical detail? The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that it bogged down in the middle--the plot thickened but slowly and repetitively (warning: a little bawdy).
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Nov 20, 2007
Burke
rated it:
Its a fun read, but don't try to go through a chapter after a night out. The dialogue is Shakespearean, and can get awfully difficult to read with a buzz on.
Still, its a cleverly written novel about Shakespeare's England under Spanish rule (assuming the Armada hadn't been destroyed at sea and instead sucessfully invaded England).
Its a tale of intrigue, patriotism, and personal struggle, with some fun references for students of English.
Still, its a cleverly written novel about Shakespeare's England under Spanish rule (assuming the Armada hadn't been destroyed at sea and instead sucessfully invaded England).
Its a tale of intrigue, patriotism, and personal struggle, with some fun references for students of English.
