About the book: 2023 / A film adaptation is being prepared. Starring Alicia Vikander and Jude Law. Ideal for fans of novels by Hilary Mantel and Philippa Gregory. Anyone who enjoys Wolf Hall, The Tudors, and The Other Boleyn Girl will enjoy it. The Queen's Gambit is the first book in Elizabeth Freemantle's series about prominent women in English history. It tells the story of Catherine Parr, the last wife of the wayward Henry VIII, about whom the English came up with a rhyme to remember his wives: divorced, executed, died, divorced, executed, survived. King Henry VIII of England, who managed to divorce two wives, bury one, and execute the other two, is looking for a new wife. He turns his attention to the recently widowed Lady Latimer, Catherine Parr. But she falls in love with the irresistible Thomas Seymour, the king's brother-in-law. Then Henry sends Seymour away and marries Catherine. Now she must rely on her wits, trusting only her faithful maid Dot. There are court intrigues ahead, but Catherine does not intend to give up love. “Elizabeth Freemantle paints for readers a picture of the experiences, thoughts and feelings of Catherine Parr, in whose life there was so much fear and so little love. An intelligent, educated woman who wrote books, for several years balanced on the precarious rope of love for her husband, King Henry VIII, every minute risking taking the wrong step and paying with her head. I am sure that lovers of historical novels will greatly enjoy this book.” — ALEXANDRA MARININA, writer “Although the events described in the novel took place almost half a millennium ago, in fact it is very relevant because it talks about strong and internally independent women who do not want to put up with the social roles assigned to them and strive for more, not forgetting, however, about love. It was especially interesting to follow the fate of the maid Dot, who in the end turned out to be happier than her mistress and received a kind of Dickensian happy ending that balances the generally sad story.” — SVETLANA KHARITONOVA, translator “Interest in the historical events on which the novel “The Queen's Gambit” is based does not fade even today. In the pages of this book, Elizabeth Freemantle very accurately recreates Tudor England and carefully reconstructs the palace aesthetics that have gone down the centuries. At the same time, all the characters in the story - from the wise and noble widow Catherine Parr, who became the sixth wife of the mad King, to the touching and pure-hearted servant Dorothy Fountain, who dreams of happiness inaccessible to her - look so three-dimensional and alive that you want to empathize with them. Dynamic plot twists, an abundance of love and political intrigue, as well as the author’s light and pleasant style add additional charm to “The Queen’s Gambit.” There is no doubt that this book is capable of brightening up any evening and immersing the reader headlong in a thrilling story unfolding at the very center of the intricate web of the Tudors.” — MARIA TYUMERINA, Marie Claire