A review by booksrockcal
Q: A Voyage Around the Queen by Craig Brown

emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

5.0

This was slow but steady book for me. A long and interesting book about Queen Elizabeth II that provided joy and comfort in a difficult month for reading and work. I loved every minute of reading this book.  It is going to be in my top ten of the year. I love books about the royal family and this is among the best. It looks at the late queen from many different perspectives and not in the typical way of most biographies.  The author uses a  kaleidoscopic approach to the most famous—and most guarded— woman on earth, examining the Queen through a succession of interlocking prisms. It explores her childhood, and her relatives including her grandparents and parents, cousins and children with little known stories about them. It looks at the Queen from many different places. For example, it looks at her from the perspective of her corgis - how she became a Corgi fan—and  from the changing exhibits at Madame Tussaud’s and what that says about the Queen and the Royal family. It explores issues related to her marriage to Prince Philip, her relationship to Commonwealth countries as they increasingly lean Republican, her relationships with her homes and family, and her communications with everyone from her children to her prime ministers. Craig Brown treats us to an inside view of her family and courtiers’  relationship to the Queen with anecdotes involving her family members, courtiers, and friends. This books is not a typical biography written in chronological order but its kaleidoscopic approach to examining the Queen through highlighting unique events, people, and elements of her life provide insights into the Queen’s life and provide a portrait unique and different and oh so much better than the typical biography.  5 stars for sure!!