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There are currently 24 member reviews
for The Dark Lady's Mask
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Susan B. (Sarasota, FL)
A Muse for the Century
This is one of the best historical fiction book I have read. The story of Aemilia Bassano Lanier is one of hardship, talent, and incredible courage - especially for a woman living in Elizabethan times. Add Will Shakespeare to the story and I was set to wondering which of the theories about Aemilia being his muse was true. So many things happen it was hard to put the book down.
This book will appeal to all who enjoy a well written book that has many layers of history woven in it. Book Clubs will love diving into the many attributes of Aemilia and of Will Shakespeare along with other Lords, Ladies, and people of this time.
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Lori Beth J. (West Chester, PA)
Shakespeare's Dark Lady
The Dark Lady's Mask in an engaging historical novel. It is about the poet Aemila Bassano Lanier and the many masks she had to wear throughout her life to survive as a woman and a poet in a time that was not kind to women. The novel is rich in historical detail and introduced me to many figures from that time. Mary Sharratt impressed me with her research. I would recommend this book to anyone who is fond of The Renaissance period, Shakespeare, and strong female characters.
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Lois P. (Hillsborough, NC)
Tale of loves and losses in Shakespearean England
A gripping novel that brings alive the historical poet, Aemeia Bassano Lanier. We learn to love her as a young girl and follow her through to middle age. We see her struggle with the limiting issue of being a female in these times. Beautifully researched and filled with rich historical details, this is a great read for those who love historical fiction or those who would enjoy a vivid story.
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Dona H. (Muskegon, MI)
What if?
Using her extensive Shakespearean research and a delightful imagination, Mary Sharratt asks what if The Dark Lady of Shakespeare's work was a young woman who actually co-wrote several of his plays and was romantically involved with him. An uncommonly clever woman, Aemilla struggles to obtain an education, is denied a chance to use it, and is forced into a loveless marriage, but never gives up her quest for equality. I sympathized with her every step of the way and loved the way she rose to each challenge.
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Grace W. (Corona del Mar, CA)
Rich Tapestry
I couldn't put down The Dark Lady's Mask and I didn't want it to end. The story is a rich tapestry, finely woven with exquisite details of place, well-developed characters, highly evolved themes. It is a novel of Shakespeare's muse, yet more deeply it is a story of an educated woman and the on-going challenges faced by educated women. This book is wonderful in all aspects and especially in its portrayal of women, society, religion, arts, and commerce of the Elizabethan age. A must read!
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Marcia C. (Jeffersonville, PA)
The Dark Lady's Revenge
A beautiful, talented musician and aspiring writer, Aemilia Bassano Lanier, defies Elizabethan conventions. She dresses as a man, rides horseback and travels the countryside. In a totally chance meeting she is intrigued by a young Will Shakespeare and when London is threatened by the plague, she convinces him to run to Italy with her. Thus begins a wonderful collaboration between the two which produced several of what came to be known as Shakespeare's comedies. I loved Aemilia for her fearlessness, determination and resilience. Even after Shakespeare abandoned her, she pursued her dream of publishing her writings under her own name in the face of overwhelming odds. This book has a great story, traveling with Aemilia from London to northern Italy and back to London. Her pursuit of her dream to be published is true. Her role as Shakespeare's Dark Lady, probably not so much. This book is a wonderful read, filled with ups and downs and some surprising twists of fate.
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Peggy H. (North East, PA)
Truth can be Stranger than FictionHow
This book introduced me to real life feminist Aemilia Lanier. Part way through I had to do some research to see what was real about this character, and, to my surprise...it all was! And that is what made it really interesting and a great read. A wonderful addition to my Shakespeare trivia.
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