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angelofthetardis's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book has lived on my Kindle for years without me ever having read it, and I had thought it was a book showcasing the making of the ITV drama 'Victoria' starring Jenna Coleman. I clearly wasn't paying that much attention when I bought it, as in fact it is a novel telling the story of Victoria's life from shortly before the death of her Uncle King William IV, up to her engagement to Prince Albert.
I was surprised at the lack of depth here. Although the author is the same person who wrote the TV series, I can't say that this is a novelisation as basically all of the subplots have been excised, leaving only the main narrative of Victoria growing into her role as Queen behind. While that's not a bad thing in and of itself, there is very little new material here. In fact, it felt more like I was reading an expanded novelisation of the film 'The Young Victoria' starring Emily Blunt. It hits all of the main plot points contained in that film and it was that cast I was imagining throughout - particularly Paul Bettany as Lord M. Ultimately, it came across to me as someone telling a story using the information learned in a school history lesson and via a summary of the Queen's early life rather than a well thought-out, well researched novel.
I was very sympathetic to Victoria's desire to stretch her wings and take charge of her own life after the restrictions of The Kensington System were lifted, and liked the motif of Victoria taking strength and inspiration from her forebear, Queen Elizabeth I, particularly when faced with people who treated her like they knew better. The author has done a good job at encouraging the audience to root for Victoria in understanding just who is trying to manipulate her (everyone) and for her to have the option of making her own choices.
I know it won't be to everyone's taste, but I did like the balancing of the 'romance' element between Victoria and Lord M. Is it likely that it's historically accurate? Probably not. But it is clear that she really did rely upon him heavily in her early years on the throne and probably did see him as something of a father figure. This is what I like about historical fiction - the fact that the author has taken a little gap in the collective knowledge and filled it with her own ideas. And yet she's kept it believable; I didn't question for a moment that it wasn't a possibility that their relationship had the potential to develop into something deeper, yet he would choose the integrity of Crown and Country over his feelings. The continuation of the Elizabeth I imagery by painting Lord M as Victoria's 'Earl of Leicester' was particularly appreciated by this reader - I found it a brilliant way of him expressing himself without compromising his (or her) position any further.
I'm less convinced by the development of Albert's character and relationship with Victoria. There was nothing that convinced me of their growing feelings for one another, or that he was even that likeable (although I admit to totally understanding his character! Seeing a lot of myself in there!) It felt like Victoria had been backed into a corner about her proposal, when in fact as far as I've always understood it she was more than willing to become Albert's wife after she'd had the opportunity to get to know him a little and that it was almost 'love at second sight'. Genuinely, I was preparing myself for one or other to say 'to hell with this' in the climactic scene! I mean, it would have been one mega plot twist, but still, that's how little I bought into it.
As a 'point and click' pick from my Kindle, it did the job, but I wasn't drawn into the writing and didn't have that urge to just keep going. It's by no means anywhere near bad enough to countenance a DNF, but I doubt I'll pick it up again in future.
I was surprised at the lack of depth here. Although the author is the same person who wrote the TV series, I can't say that this is a novelisation as basically all of the subplots have been excised, leaving only the main narrative of Victoria growing into her role as Queen behind. While that's not a bad thing in and of itself, there is very little new material here. In fact, it felt more like I was reading an expanded novelisation of the film 'The Young Victoria' starring Emily Blunt. It hits all of the main plot points contained in that film and it was that cast I was imagining throughout - particularly Paul Bettany as Lord M. Ultimately, it came across to me as someone telling a story using the information learned in a school history lesson and via a summary of the Queen's early life rather than a well thought-out, well researched novel.
I was very sympathetic to Victoria's desire to stretch her wings and take charge of her own life after the restrictions of The Kensington System were lifted, and liked the motif of Victoria taking strength and inspiration from her forebear, Queen Elizabeth I, particularly when faced with people who treated her like they knew better. The author has done a good job at encouraging the audience to root for Victoria in understanding just who is trying to manipulate her (everyone) and for her to have the option of making her own choices.
I know it won't be to everyone's taste, but I did like the balancing of the 'romance' element between Victoria and Lord M. Is it likely that it's historically accurate? Probably not. But it is clear that she really did rely upon him heavily in her early years on the throne and probably did see him as something of a father figure. This is what I like about historical fiction - the fact that the author has taken a little gap in the collective knowledge and filled it with her own ideas. And yet she's kept it believable; I didn't question for a moment that it wasn't a possibility that their relationship had the potential to develop into something deeper, yet he would choose the integrity of Crown and Country over his feelings. The continuation of the Elizabeth I imagery by painting Lord M as Victoria's 'Earl of Leicester' was particularly appreciated by this reader - I found it a brilliant way of him expressing himself without compromising his (or her) position any further.
I'm less convinced by the development of Albert's character and relationship with Victoria. There was nothing that convinced me of their growing feelings for one another, or that he was even that likeable (although I admit to totally understanding his character! Seeing a lot of myself in there!) It felt like Victoria had been backed into a corner about her proposal, when in fact as far as I've always understood it she was more than willing to become Albert's wife after she'd had the opportunity to get to know him a little and that it was almost 'love at second sight'. Genuinely, I was preparing myself for one or other to say 'to hell with this' in the climactic scene! I mean, it would have been one mega plot twist, but still, that's how little I bought into it.
As a 'point and click' pick from my Kindle, it did the job, but I wasn't drawn into the writing and didn't have that urge to just keep going. It's by no means anywhere near bad enough to countenance a DNF, but I doubt I'll pick it up again in future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical trauma, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Body shaming, Death of parent, Alcohol, Death, Classism, Drug use, Animal cruelty, Deportation, and Murder
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