The Virgin's Lover is in many ways a typical Philippa Gregory book; medieval England is the setting and the characters are drawn from history. I did, however, find one thing disturbing about this book.

There are four central characters to the story of The Virgin's Lover: Lord Robert Dudley and his wife Lady Amy Dudley; William Cecil, Lord Secretary to Queen Elizabeth; and Queen Elizabeth.

It is Ms. Gregory's portrayal of Queen Elizabeth that, at times, was disturbing. The more Queen Elizabeth and Lord Dudley's relationship progresses, the dumber Queen Elizabeth gets.

Now, I'm certainly no historian, and I wouldn't question Ms. Gregory's authority, but in all my readings about Queen Elizabeth, never is she portrayed as a simpering fool. Though the author does eventually redeem Queen Elizabeth's reputation as a strong woman and a competent leader, I found it difficult to get through the middle third of the book.

"I cannot live without him," was a common refrain of the Queen's, as she wrung her hands over being separated from her lover. Meanwhile, she seems oblivious to the fact that her country is at war and losing. She seems oblivious to the fact that the economy is failing. She seems oblivious to the fact she's about to lose her throne.

This struck me as very odd, and the love story became less about love and more about obsession.

Cecil Williams, the Lord Secretary, does eventually save Elizabeth from herself, while negotiating a peace with France and stabilizing the economy.

It seemed to me the only one actually getting any work done was Cecil.

I enjoyed the book because Philippa Gregory is an excellent writer. But both the female characters, Queen Elizabeth and Amy Dudley, are, at times, foolish and irritating. I would have enjoyed the book more if the two female characters, Queen Elizabeth and Lady Amy Dudley, had been portrayed as real women, rather than love sick, obsessive prepubescent girls.