stephb413 's review for:

Victoria & Abdul by Shrabani Basu

3.0

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3.5 What an enlightening read! I have not really read anything quite like this before. Sadly the blatant racism is not so shocking of the Victorian era, but the sexism the usually considered beloved Queen faced by those closest to her was surprising to me. (Probably shouldn't be, I just love the idea of an all-powerful and admired female ruler as there are so few throughout history. I know.... hah! I truly am a dreamer!) It was also interesting to read about the love and positivity the Queen had over her conquered subjects in India, which is so not the perceived norm usually of the British Empire (for good reasons.) Always a joy to read something so eye-opening!