INTERVIEW WITH MARGARET GEORGE
I am delighted to be able to offer my readers an interview with one of my favorite historical novelists, Margaret George. Margaret has tackled some challenging and elusive subjects in the past–the mega
lomaniac Henry VIII, the ill-fated Mary, Queen of Scots, the fabled Helen of Troy, and the even more legendary Cleopatra, among others. She has now turned her attention and her considerable talents to one of history's most intriguing figures–Elizabeth Tudor. Elizabeth I covers the Tudor queen's life from the Armada until her death, stubbornly refusing to go to bed and reminding Cecil that "Must is not a word to be used to princes." I was fortunate enough to be able to read an ARC of Elizabeth I and I think it is Margaret's best book yet. Tomorrow you can read Elizabeth I. Tonight, though, you can read Margaret's interview with me.
INTERVIEW WITH MARGARET GEORGE
Why did you write Elizabeth?
I wanted to show the older Elizabeth, the consummate statesman, in the arena. She had reigned for thirty years before the great crisis of the Armada tested her—and England. Her leadership was a legend in action. Following that was the uprising of the charismatic and troubled Earl of Essex—the last time a nobleman in England challenged the throne, but at the time she couldn't know that. And then there was the greatest adversary of all, the only one she couldn't best: time itself. But she put up one heck of a fight.
Do you think issues Elizabeth faced still resonate today?
I think they are as timely as ever. How to protect the citizens of your country? How to assure peace so that prosperity can follow? How to make do on less money than is needed for national expenses? (Budget crisis!) How to keep enemy regimes from harming your country? How to protect against assassination without violating the principles of law and freedom? How to instill courage in your people by example? Last, how to erase the lingering suspicion that a woman can't lead as well as a man?
What will the reader learn after reading your book?
That literary Elizabethan England as we think of it was a 'late bloomer'—Shakespeare didn't even arrive in London until about the time of the Armada. When Elizabeth first became queen, he hadn't been born.
Do you get along with your muse? How do you treat her?
Not as well as I should. I don't feed her enough. She needs free time and random input, daydreaming and deep reading. Instead she gets dull errands, grocery lists, and small talk at obligatory social events. If she were a dog, she'd run away.
But when I do get time alone with her, what bliss! It's my favorite thing in the world. At least I don't take her for granted. I hope she understands.
As an author, what is your greatest reward?
I would say it is split between two things—the joy of spending time in another dimension, another world, learning things I never knew existed, and the deep pleasure of knowing I'm introducing others to it and they are happy for it.
How long did it take you to research and write "Elizabeth"?
Technically, five years, but I had already done a lot of background research on that era, had a lot of the books already, and had visited many of the sites. So I had a head start.
How do you select your characters?
I am always looking for people who led operatic lives. Whose private passions have changed—or at least influenced—history. It helps if they die young and tragically. In that way Elizabeth is a departure from my other subjects, living to a ripe old age without being sick and dying peacefully in her bed with no regrets.
Do you have other passions besides writing?
I compete in national masters track and field meets, 100 meters and 200 meters, and in the long jump.
Tell us one of your secrets, something the general public wouldn't guess.
I am a Mars fanatic! I have a link on my toolbar to NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Mission so I can follow what's going on up on Mars. When Mars's orbit brought it close to the earth a few years ago, I saw Mars through an historic telescope at an observatory open house. I eagerly absorb every morsel of new information about the Red Planet. I collect Mars photos and reread "The Martian Chronicles" regularly.
If you could be a character in any book, who would you choose?
Scarlett O'Hara.
If you could ask any historical character a question, what would it be?
Elizabeth Tudor, were you truly a virgin?
Favorite line from a book?
"There are all kinds of love in the world, but never the same love twice." F. Scott Fitzgerald, "The Sensible Thing."
Margaret, thank you so much for agreeing to do this interview. You have done justice to this remarkable woman and have given your readers 662 pages of pure reading pleasure, plus a wonderful Author's Note and bibliography. For lovers of historical fiction, it doesn't get any better than that.
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Thank you both for the introduction to the new masterpiece, which I am confident it will be after reading Mary called Magdalen and Helen of Troy, both of which I found intriguing and enjoyable, not least because of the excellent insight into what life entailed in those times. Margaret, if Sharon gives an accolade like this I shall definitely be partaking of your offering. Many thanks to you both also for many hours of pleasurable reading.
Just got my shipment yesterday from Amazon with Ms. George's latest and I can say for certain that I will enjoy every line. Good thing I don't have to choose which of her books is my favorite...ooh! And, Sharon, Sunne will ALWAYS be my Number One of all time!
I would double up on the question to Elizabeth Tudor. Although I believe I know the answer (gained from no notable source other than being a woman)I would still enjoy studying the poise and reaction of the woman as she replies with a lie.
Here's my theory on why Elizabeth was a virgin (not that it really matters). In those days, women did not know how to prevent pregnancy. Elizabeth was a careful woman, a calculating woman and too smart to risk an illegitmate pregnancy. In the final analysis, she proved by her life that reigning and power were her passions and priority. She demonstrated that she had complete command. Unlike today, virginity was valued and considered a virtue. Nothing to be ashamed of.
I watched a doco on the theory that Elizabeth actually did have a baby. It was entertaining, if nothing else. But I loved the back and forth arguments between the so called experts on 'Elizabeth.' I love the idea that bias is the deciding factor in how people are portrayed. It certainly eliminates the need for truth.
Currently reading a fiction - The Final Act Of Mr Shakespeare. It has William squirming in his theatre seat, as he watches a 're-run' of Richard III. He questions whether he was right to portray Richard as such a hideous monster, and ponders on what damage he has sown through such a defamatory piece.
Hilarious.
I don't think Richard would have found Shakepeare's portrayal of him "hilarious", particularly as for centuries people who never looked beyond the play believed him to be the "hideous monster".If Elizabeth had given birth to a child it would have taken precedence over the Stuarts and the whole of history from 1603 onwards would have changed, probably for the better. The Stuarts were worse if anything than the Tudors, carrying the belief in "the divine right of kings" to such ridiculous extremes.
The 'hilarious' tag refers to the scenes of Will Shakespeare dealing with his guilt over his selected portrayal of Richard. Hence the mention of 'such a defamatory piece.'
I gathered that Pauline. I just used the word in a different context.
I actually didn't gather that you had gathered. But now, as I gather my thougths, I gather.
Don't worry. I've just completed a novel in which my characters meet Richard in the Battle of Barnet. I have portrayed him as a good man, not a sinister deformed individual. Richard III will be pleased, or I gather he will.
On behalf of Richard, who I think, had he lived, would have been a great king, Thank you.
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