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Legacy

Legacy

the beloved novel of Elizabeth, England's most passionate queen, and the three men who loved her
Historical FictionLiterary Fiction
Published
1985
Language
English
Prose complexity
7/10

Vibe

ComplexThought-ProvokingEmotionalReflective
Court IntrigueComing of AgeBetrayalSacrifice

Genres

Historical Fiction Literary Fiction History Political Thriller

About the author

S
Susan Kay

Susan Kay was born on 1952 in Manchester, England. She worked as a primary school teacher until leaving to bring up a family, and now lives with her husband and two children in Cheshire. Her first novel was Legacy, about the life of Queen Elizabeth I and won a Georgette Heyer Historical Novel Prize and a Betty Trask Award in 1985. Her second novel was Phantom, which expands upon the history of Erik, the hideous, brilliant character from Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera, and won the Roman...

Characters

Queen Elizabeth IProtagonist

The Queen of England from 1558 to 1603, whose life and reign are the central focus of this historical novel.

All characters in Legacy

Frequently asked questions

  • Is Legacy by Susan Kay based on a true story?

    The novel is a fictionalized account of the life of Queen Elizabeth I, drawing heavily on historical records and biographical details to create its narrative.

  • Does Legacy have a film or TV adaptation?

    Legacy was adapted into a television miniseries, which aired in the late 1980s.

  • How does Legacy compare to other historical novels about Elizabeth I?

    Legacy is notable for its deep psychological exploration of Elizabeth I, focusing on her inner life and personal struggles more intensely than many other historical portrayals.