- Hardcover: 320 pages
- Publisher: Crown Publishers (April 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1400050413
- ISBN-13: 978-1400050413
- Product Dimensions: 24.4 x 16.5 x 2.5 cm
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,087,082 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Maid Marian: A Novel
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Product Description
Product Description
An irresistible reimagining of the Robin Hood legend, Maid Marian brings to life the rollicking--and romantic--world of the Middle Ages.
An orphan and heiress to a large country estate, Marian Fitzwater is wed at the age of five to an equally young nobleman, Lord Hugh of Sencaster, a union that joins her inheritance to his and vastly enriches his family. But when she is seventeen, Lord Hugh, whom she hasn't seen in years, dies under mysterious circumstances. Marian is left alone again--a widow who has never been a bride. Like all unmarried young ladies of fortune, she is made a ward of Richard the Lionheart, England's warrior king.
But King Richard is away on Crusade and can’t be bothered with business at home. Marian's fate lies in the hands of his mother, the formidable Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, who will arrange her second marriage. The lucky bridegroom will get Marian's lands and, in return, pledge his loyalty--and silver--to King Richard. Marian herself is irrelevant and she knows it. Determined not to be sold into another sham marriage, she seeks out the one man whose spies can help uncover the queen's plans: Robin Hood, the notorious Saxon outlaw of Sherwood Forest.
Marian is surprised to discover that the famed "prince of thieves" is not only helpful but handsome, likable, and sympathetic to her plight. Following her plan, Robin’s men intercept a letter from Queen Eleanor, from which Marian learns, to her horror, that she is to marry her late husband’s brother. His family has a history of mysterious deaths, and Marian knows she is in danger. Once married, her land becomes theirs and she can be easily disposed of--a fate she may have escaped once already. On the eve of her wedding, Robin Hood spirits Marian back to the forest, still in her wedding gown. Queen Eleanor believes her to be dead, and Marian begins a new life with Robin Hood's outlaws, who pledge to help her regain her fortune and expose the treachery of her enemies.
An orphan and heiress to a large country estate, Marian Fitzwater is wed at the age of five to an equally young nobleman, Lord Hugh of Sencaster, a union that joins her inheritance to his and vastly enriches his family. But when she is seventeen, Lord Hugh, whom she hasn't seen in years, dies under mysterious circumstances. Marian is left alone again--a widow who has never been a bride. Like all unmarried young ladies of fortune, she is made a ward of Richard the Lionheart, England's warrior king.
But King Richard is away on Crusade and can’t be bothered with business at home. Marian's fate lies in the hands of his mother, the formidable Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, who will arrange her second marriage. The lucky bridegroom will get Marian's lands and, in return, pledge his loyalty--and silver--to King Richard. Marian herself is irrelevant and she knows it. Determined not to be sold into another sham marriage, she seeks out the one man whose spies can help uncover the queen's plans: Robin Hood, the notorious Saxon outlaw of Sherwood Forest.
Marian is surprised to discover that the famed "prince of thieves" is not only helpful but handsome, likable, and sympathetic to her plight. Following her plan, Robin’s men intercept a letter from Queen Eleanor, from which Marian learns, to her horror, that she is to marry her late husband’s brother. His family has a history of mysterious deaths, and Marian knows she is in danger. Once married, her land becomes theirs and she can be easily disposed of--a fate she may have escaped once already. On the eve of her wedding, Robin Hood spirits Marian back to the forest, still in her wedding gown. Queen Eleanor believes her to be dead, and Marian begins a new life with Robin Hood's outlaws, who pledge to help her regain her fortune and expose the treachery of her enemies.
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First Sentence
I DREAMT THAT NIGHT of Atalanta, the fleet-footed maiden of my schoolroom lessons, who raced every man who dared to challenge her. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt
I DREAMT THAT NIGHT of Atalanta, the fleet-footed maiden of my schoolroom lessons, who raced every man who dared to challenge her. Read the first page
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3.9 out of 5 stars (32 customer reviews)
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful, Romantic Escape, 4 May 2004
By "literary-piglet" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Maid Marian (Hardcover)
I loved this book, not only for the story but also for the warm, rich voice in which it is told. I hate books with perfect protagonists who adventure along being better than everyone else. In Marian, Watson has created a lovely and very human spirit--not a bionic uber-heroine. With a cinematic eye, Watson draws the reader into a bright and romantic landscape populated by authentic and interesting characters. Watson's judicious use of historical detail goes a long way toward building the world of the novel without being overbearing or dry. The overall effect is an extremely readable book, appropriate for a broad range of readers, that leaves you with a sense of having vacationed in a green and wonderful spot out of time and having befriended a handful of warm and remarkable individuals there.
"Maid Marian" reminded me a bit of "The Mists of Avalon," which is a good thing. The book itself is beautiful, too, in keeping with the story.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Elsa Watson Constructs Her Tale with Charm and Easy Grace, 17 May 2004
By Bookreporter - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Maid Marian (Hardcover)
A few years ago, it seemed like everyone was telling the legend of King Arthur from Guinevere's point of view. Now another famous maiden from history and legend tells her own story in MAID MARIAN, a lightly entertaining and romantic tale.Marian Fitzwater, the orphaned child of noble parents, lives under the watchful, and ruthless, eye of Queen Eleanor. Married at age five to her childhood companion Hugh, Marian grows up in the royal household, quietly learning not only how to be a noblewoman but also how to exploit her noble position for her own gain.
When her teenaged husband is killed before their marriage is ever consummated, Marian slyly negotiates a bargain that grants her some freedom --- at least for a little while. The young woman, who has grown up hearing tales of the dashing Robin Hood, travels with her childhood nurse to find the mysterious outlaw in the hopes that he can help her escape yet another arranged marriage, this time potentially fatal.
Marian expects that Robin Hood and his Merry Men can help her gain information that can secure her liberty. What she doesn't expect is to fall in love with the leader of that merry band. Despite their political differences, which sometimes result in fierce arguments between the sharp-tongued duo, the lovers hatch a plan that will outsmart the conniving nobility once and for all.
First-time novelist Elsa Watson constructs her tale with charm and easy grace, cleverly inserting well-known tales of the Merry Men into her own narrative. Maid Marian's voice is appropriately formal, as befits her noble upbringing. This elevated diction, though, means that Marian's growing feelings of love for Robin are expressed in language that sometimes feels stilted rather than genuine.
It's a pleasure to observe Marian's gradual maturation from a sheltered, innocent girl into a clever, brave young woman who fights with a cudgel and bravely disguises herself. Although the plot sometimes strains credibility, it keeps up the pace right to the very end. MAID MARIAN proves that this unsung companion to the Merry Men rightfully deserves to come out from behind Robin Hood's shadow and have her own story told.
--- Reviewed by Norah Piehl
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved it!, 22 Jun 2004
By "4starjenny" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Maid Marian (Hardcover)
I loved this book! This story is, in a way, Marian's journey through her discovery of her strengths and weaknesses. She is a strong heroine who is not unreal because of her perfection. She is a real person living in a unique time in history with something to share with all of us! The story was enjoyable and historically based. Watson did a great job describing what life was like during this time period while telling a great story using interesting characters. I loved it and can't wait for Watson's next book!
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