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A review by mapsco1984
Becoming Queen Victoria: The Tragic Death of Princess Charlotte and the Unexpected Rise of Britain's Greatest Monarch by Kate Williams
4.0
This book begins with the short, somewhat tragic, and often overlooked life of Princess Charlotte, the only child of George IV, and follows through after her death to the scramble of her uncles to get married and pop out some kids. The Duke of Kent wins the race, and Victoria is born.
The book does a good job of setting up how the people felt about Charlotte (and her father and uncles) and how Victoria in many ways took over that role (the hope of the people) after Charlotte's death. Although dry at times, Williams certainly has a witty way with words, and I was literally snorting with laughter at the image of Prince Albert practically having the vapors at a dance that lasted *gasp* past 11 PM!
I always knew Albert was a bit of a prig, but this book really highlights what a little priss he was. That said, Williams also manages to show how and why Victoria would be crazy about him. This is a very delicate balance, and she does it well.
4 stars and recommended to anyone: good to read if you don't know much about this period of history, and even if you do, you'll probably learn something new.
The book does a good job of setting up how the people felt about Charlotte (and her father and uncles) and how Victoria in many ways took over that role (the hope of the people) after Charlotte's death. Although dry at times, Williams certainly has a witty way with words, and I was literally snorting with laughter at the image of Prince Albert practically having the vapors at a dance that lasted *gasp* past 11 PM!
I always knew Albert was a bit of a prig, but this book really highlights what a little priss he was. That said, Williams also manages to show how and why Victoria would be crazy about him. This is a very delicate balance, and she does it well.
4 stars and recommended to anyone: good to read if you don't know much about this period of history, and even if you do, you'll probably learn something new.