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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
Pretty good but also word for word (almost) the first 5 or so episodes of the BBC series "Victoria."
Well written and interesting look into the life of Queen Victoria. I love the TV show and wasn’t disappointed by this read.
It was a bit odd to read this after watching the PBS show since the show follows this so closely, although its its timeline continues on further. It was quite enjoyable though. I really need to read the biography about Victoria I own.
New life breathed into the early days of Queen Victoria, before she started her life with Prince Albert.
Originally Posted At:
www.thebookishloner.com
*This book was provided to me by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
My Thoughts
I must admit, I know nothing about history. Ok, ok, there are a few things that stuck around in my head after history class but it’s safe to say I’m far from a history nut. Now that’s not to say I don’t find interest in the History channel, it’s just sometimes it’s hard not to fall asleep while watching it, but if it’s historical fiction we’re talking about then sign. me. up!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Victoria. After finishing it I went where everyone goes to find out facts these days, wikipedia. I wanted to see how much truth made up the backbone of Goodwin’s Victoria and I think it’s safe to say that there was definitely a decent amount of knowledge sprinkled in among the drama and intrigue. Victoria gives us a glimpse of a young woman’s journey to becoming a queen so many will learn to respect. I had so many emotions while reading, from praising Victoria’s push for independence to mourning with her over her heart’s desire in Lord Melbourne to relief as she comes to terms with the prospect of a marriage, the poor girl had plenty of ups and downs at the beginning of her reign.
The pacing of Victoria was a little slower than what I usually like but Goodwin does such a fabulous job with dialogue and painting the scene that I still had trouble tearing myself away from the pages. I’ve also been informed that Goodwin’s Victoria will be a mini series on PBS in January, I’m so excited to see the character on the small screen!
www.thebookishloner.com
*This book was provided to me by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
My Thoughts
I must admit, I know nothing about history. Ok, ok, there are a few things that stuck around in my head after history class but it’s safe to say I’m far from a history nut. Now that’s not to say I don’t find interest in the History channel, it’s just sometimes it’s hard not to fall asleep while watching it, but if it’s historical fiction we’re talking about then sign. me. up!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Victoria. After finishing it I went where everyone goes to find out facts these days, wikipedia. I wanted to see how much truth made up the backbone of Goodwin’s Victoria and I think it’s safe to say that there was definitely a decent amount of knowledge sprinkled in among the drama and intrigue. Victoria gives us a glimpse of a young woman’s journey to becoming a queen so many will learn to respect. I had so many emotions while reading, from praising Victoria’s push for independence to mourning with her over her heart’s desire in Lord Melbourne to relief as she comes to terms with the prospect of a marriage, the poor girl had plenty of ups and downs at the beginning of her reign.
The pacing of Victoria was a little slower than what I usually like but Goodwin does such a fabulous job with dialogue and painting the scene that I still had trouble tearing myself away from the pages. I’ve also been informed that Goodwin’s Victoria will be a mini series on PBS in January, I’m so excited to see the character on the small screen!
3.5
Oh, young Victoria. This book covers 18/19 year old Victoria as she comes into power, acts like a child, stomps "But I'm the QUEEN" and you know, does Queen stuff. I did quite like this for the most part. The beginning started off strong but it got dragged out quite a bit in the middle. Not much happened and it felt like she was trying to stretch this story out perhaps because it was constrained due to the upcoming series on PBS. It did pick back up towards the end though and I'm curious to see where the TV series goes.
I've been curious about Goodwin's books for a while but have always been a bit put off by the lackluster reviews. I'm not sure if I'll be picking up more of her work in the future.
Oh, young Victoria. This book covers 18/19 year old Victoria as she comes into power, acts like a child, stomps "But I'm the QUEEN" and you know, does Queen stuff. I did quite like this for the most part. The beginning started off strong but it got dragged out quite a bit in the middle. Not much happened and it felt like she was trying to stretch this story out perhaps because it was constrained due to the upcoming series on PBS. It did pick back up towards the end though and I'm curious to see where the TV series goes.
I've been curious about Goodwin's books for a while but have always been a bit put off by the lackluster reviews. I'm not sure if I'll be picking up more of her work in the future.
This book is basically a simplified version of the PBS Masterpiece mini-series in book form. At least the first few episodes until Victoria proposes to Albert.
I love the mini-series, and thought perhaps this book would add to it. Although there is more internal dialogue given, a lot of scenes have been cut out (especially anything to do with the servants, and Albert's brother Ernst).
I think even if I had read the book first I would have been disappointed. I feel that the only reason this book was enjoyable was because I had already seen the mini-series. The book doesn't have a lot of descriptions or details of really anything (like the coronation). It's all very lacking.
I love the mini-series, and thought perhaps this book would add to it. Although there is more internal dialogue given, a lot of scenes have been cut out (especially anything to do with the servants, and Albert's brother Ernst).
I think even if I had read the book first I would have been disappointed. I feel that the only reason this book was enjoyable was because I had already seen the mini-series. The book doesn't have a lot of descriptions or details of really anything (like the coronation). It's all very lacking.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
3.5 stars
I love the story of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Theirs was a timeless tale. Which in this particular telling is the only thing that prevents a full five star review. The writing was (albeit a few grammatical errors) was clean and well researched to describe the age in which it is set. The characters were well represented in my opinion. Goodwin did a fantastic job of describing Victoria's relationships with her mother and Conroy as well as with Melbourne and the struggle she had in the first years of her reign. The only hole I found was the romance between Victoria and Albert. It seemed hurried and their encounters slightly rushed. I believe that at first they were not happy to be thrown at each other, but I don't believe two people who so vehemently disliked each other could do a complete 180 in such a short time.
That being said, Goodwin did a wonderful job overall conveying Victoria's early years and struggle as Queen.
I love the story of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Theirs was a timeless tale. Which in this particular telling is the only thing that prevents a full five star review. The writing was (albeit a few grammatical errors) was clean and well researched to describe the age in which it is set. The characters were well represented in my opinion. Goodwin did a fantastic job of describing Victoria's relationships with her mother and Conroy as well as with Melbourne and the struggle she had in the first years of her reign. The only hole I found was the romance between Victoria and Albert. It seemed hurried and their encounters slightly rushed. I believe that at first they were not happy to be thrown at each other, but I don't believe two people who so vehemently disliked each other could do a complete 180 in such a short time.
That being said, Goodwin did a wonderful job overall conveying Victoria's early years and struggle as Queen.
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Medical trauma
Minor: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Death, Drug use, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Classism, Deportation