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Georgian Queens #1
Queen of Bedlam
London 1788. The calm order of Queen Charlotte's court is shattered by screams. The King of England is going mad. Left alone with thirteen children and with the country at war, Charlotte has to fight to hold her husband's throne. It is a time of unrest and revolutions but most of all Charlotte fears the King himself, someone she can no longer love or trust. She has lost her marriage to madness and there is nothing she can do except continue to do her royal duty. Her six daughters are desperate to escape their palace asylum. Their only chance lies in a good marriage, but no prince wants the daughter of a madman. They are forced to take love wherever they can find it, with devastating consequences. The moving true story of George III's madness and the women whose lives it destroyed.
255 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 22, 2012
72 people are currently reading
3781 people want to read
About the author
Laura Purcell
17 books3,262 followersLaura Purcell is a former bookseller and lives in Colchester with her husband and pet guinea pigs.
Her first novel for Raven Books THE SILENT COMPANIONS won the WHSmith Thumping Good Read Award 2018 and featured in both the Zoe Ball and Radio 2 Book Clubs. Other Gothic novels include THE CORSET (THE POISON THREAD in USA), BONE CHINA and THE SHAPE OF DARKNESS (2020)
Laura’s historical fiction about the Hanoverian monarchs, QUEEN OF BEDLAM and MISTRESS OF THE COURT, was published by Myrmidon.
Her first novel for Raven Books THE SILENT COMPANIONS won the WHSmith Thumping Good Read Award 2018 and featured in both the Zoe Ball and Radio 2 Book Clubs. Other Gothic novels include THE CORSET (THE POISON THREAD in USA), BONE CHINA and THE SHAPE OF DARKNESS (2020)
Laura’s historical fiction about the Hanoverian monarchs, QUEEN OF BEDLAM and MISTRESS OF THE COURT, was published by Myrmidon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
September 14, 2014
Where I got the book: purchased at a conference. Signed.
Right, I’m going to start with a story so if you don’t like reviews that contain off-topic personal digressions, skip to the next one. But I love this story and have been waiting for a chance to put it in a review.
A few years ago, when the TV show The Tudors was a hot item, I attended a writer’s conference in St. Louis. Now, I’m a US-based Brit who, despite having lived outside England for more than half my life, still has an English accent, and this conference presented me with a discovery and a strategy—if you’ve got an English accent and everyone else is American, then milk it for all you’re worth because it makes you stand out from the other 500 or so writers in the place. No, don’t try faking an accent if you haven’t got one—I can see the wheels turning in your mind from here. But if you’ve got it, flaunt it.
I made this discovery on the first night, at an agents’ panel. This was back in the days when self-publishing was DEATH and agents had more or less the status of Olympian gods because they were pretty much the only way to a contract, and this conference was largely organized around opportunities to schmooze those wonderful golden beings. So I’m sitting there listening to the proceedings, and everyone’s asking the predictable questions, and I thought well, I’d better ask a question because, schmoozing. So I got the attention of the guy with the microphone and directed a question at my top pick agent, the one I’d be pitching to the next day. It was something about ebooks, which were also fairly new and controversial then, and what’s really funny about that was that her next blog post said “if one more person asks me about ebooks I’m going to scream!” She later published several ebooks herself, which shows just how much publishing changed in a very short space of time.
Anyway, my question was asked, the panel ended, and we all spilled out into some meeting space to chat and snack. It was only a moment before Prominent Agent #1 came up to me and introduced himself because he’d heard the English accent and wanted to talk about something English. See what I mean? We chatted, shook hands, someone was hovering to meet him so I moved on.
I hadn’t gotten very far before Prominent Agent #2 hove into view. “You should write about the Hanovers!” he proclaimed, without introducing himself (hooray for name tags!)
“The Hanovers? The Hanoverians?” My mind worked furiously but fortunately I still have a reasonable grasp of my country’s history. “The Georges? Oh, I see what you mean. A royal dynasty soap-opera kind of thing. Like the Tudors—scandals, intrigues, forbidden love and religious controversy.” (Although to be fair the only religious controversy I could think of was George IV’s morganatic marriage to Mrs. Fitzherbert, who was Catholic.)
“Yeah, the Hanovers. It would be great.”
Long story short, by the end of the conference this agent and I had talked a bit more about the “Hanovers” and agreed that it would definitely be the next Tudors, and I had converted his interest into a request for the full manuscript of my already-written novel, which had nothing to do with the Hanoverians. And I wasn’t about to start researching madly and writing Hanoverian novels unless he became my agent, which he didn’t.
But that conversation planted a seed in my mind that the Hanoverians were really quite an interesting lot, and I went so far as to rough out an idea for a series. So when I found myself sitting next to Laura Purcell and she showed me Queen of Bedlam which is about George III, I was primed to snatch the novel out of her unresisting hands and carry it off for a read.
Well, damn.
Sometimes, a historical novelist sparks an interest in a particular era that has previously been unexplored, if the novel’s good enough. And Purcell’s is. She’s taken one of the plum Hanoverian stories for her debut novel and done it well enough that the Georges—I, II, III and IV—may no longer languish in the dry and dusty corners of history but may spring to full colorful, weird, dysfunctional life on the historical fiction stage. If I ever had vague dreams of being THE novelist who sparked interest in The Hanovers (coming soon to Showtime!), I missed the boat. Perhaps I could write a screenplay?
The story of Queen of Bedlam is that of two Charlottes: Queen Charlotte, the consort of George III, and Princess Charlotte the Princess Royal (i.e. the eldest daughter), known throughout the novel as Royal. Her sister Sophia also has a fairly important supporting role, and the other four sisters and some of her brothers make appearances of varying regularity. Queen Charlotte had fifteen children, most of whom survived infancy, so Purcell made a wise choice in keeping to just a selection.
George III is known for two things: losing America and going mad—twice. The result was that the future George IV got to be the Prince Regent and gave us the period known as the Regency, a relief to historical novelists because how else would we distinguish the pre-Victorian era? George III’s reign was also marked by the French Revolution, the rise of Napoleon and war in Europe, events that are skillfully brushed in by Purcell through the filter of the royal family.
Not so many people know that another of George III’s peculiarities was not letting his daughters marry, and this forms the core of Queen of Bedlam. One of the beauties of the novel is that Purcell doesn’t try to make the princesses anachronistically independent or romantic—they are dutiful daughters who understand that a noblewoman’s role in life is to marry and have children, and that if you’re a princess your marriage will be based on politics rather than love. Royal is happy to accept that role—in fact, she’s longing for it, and her parents’ neediness is a constant irritant. As the King’s madness develops through the eyes of the two Charlottes, there’s an interesting reversal of roles. The Queen descends from dignity and control into pettiness, jealousy and weakness, and Royal tries, within her limitations, to take some kind of control over her life, with Sophia’s story as a tragic counterpoint.
I honestly can’t fault this debut anywhere on its writing. The only thing I noted in passing were several homonym errors that could and should have been picked up during editing, but goodness, those were minor faults in an otherwise extremely enjoyable read, which I ripped through pretty quickly. I will be buying Laura Purcell’s next book.
Right, I’m going to start with a story so if you don’t like reviews that contain off-topic personal digressions, skip to the next one. But I love this story and have been waiting for a chance to put it in a review.
A few years ago, when the TV show The Tudors was a hot item, I attended a writer’s conference in St. Louis. Now, I’m a US-based Brit who, despite having lived outside England for more than half my life, still has an English accent, and this conference presented me with a discovery and a strategy—if you’ve got an English accent and everyone else is American, then milk it for all you’re worth because it makes you stand out from the other 500 or so writers in the place. No, don’t try faking an accent if you haven’t got one—I can see the wheels turning in your mind from here. But if you’ve got it, flaunt it.
I made this discovery on the first night, at an agents’ panel. This was back in the days when self-publishing was DEATH and agents had more or less the status of Olympian gods because they were pretty much the only way to a contract, and this conference was largely organized around opportunities to schmooze those wonderful golden beings. So I’m sitting there listening to the proceedings, and everyone’s asking the predictable questions, and I thought well, I’d better ask a question because, schmoozing. So I got the attention of the guy with the microphone and directed a question at my top pick agent, the one I’d be pitching to the next day. It was something about ebooks, which were also fairly new and controversial then, and what’s really funny about that was that her next blog post said “if one more person asks me about ebooks I’m going to scream!” She later published several ebooks herself, which shows just how much publishing changed in a very short space of time.
Anyway, my question was asked, the panel ended, and we all spilled out into some meeting space to chat and snack. It was only a moment before Prominent Agent #1 came up to me and introduced himself because he’d heard the English accent and wanted to talk about something English. See what I mean? We chatted, shook hands, someone was hovering to meet him so I moved on.
I hadn’t gotten very far before Prominent Agent #2 hove into view. “You should write about the Hanovers!” he proclaimed, without introducing himself (hooray for name tags!)
“The Hanovers? The Hanoverians?” My mind worked furiously but fortunately I still have a reasonable grasp of my country’s history. “The Georges? Oh, I see what you mean. A royal dynasty soap-opera kind of thing. Like the Tudors—scandals, intrigues, forbidden love and religious controversy.” (Although to be fair the only religious controversy I could think of was George IV’s morganatic marriage to Mrs. Fitzherbert, who was Catholic.)
“Yeah, the Hanovers. It would be great.”
Long story short, by the end of the conference this agent and I had talked a bit more about the “Hanovers” and agreed that it would definitely be the next Tudors, and I had converted his interest into a request for the full manuscript of my already-written novel, which had nothing to do with the Hanoverians. And I wasn’t about to start researching madly and writing Hanoverian novels unless he became my agent, which he didn’t.
But that conversation planted a seed in my mind that the Hanoverians were really quite an interesting lot, and I went so far as to rough out an idea for a series. So when I found myself sitting next to Laura Purcell and she showed me Queen of Bedlam which is about George III, I was primed to snatch the novel out of her unresisting hands and carry it off for a read.
Well, damn.
Sometimes, a historical novelist sparks an interest in a particular era that has previously been unexplored, if the novel’s good enough. And Purcell’s is. She’s taken one of the plum Hanoverian stories for her debut novel and done it well enough that the Georges—I, II, III and IV—may no longer languish in the dry and dusty corners of history but may spring to full colorful, weird, dysfunctional life on the historical fiction stage. If I ever had vague dreams of being THE novelist who sparked interest in The Hanovers (coming soon to Showtime!), I missed the boat. Perhaps I could write a screenplay?
The story of Queen of Bedlam is that of two Charlottes: Queen Charlotte, the consort of George III, and Princess Charlotte the Princess Royal (i.e. the eldest daughter), known throughout the novel as Royal. Her sister Sophia also has a fairly important supporting role, and the other four sisters and some of her brothers make appearances of varying regularity. Queen Charlotte had fifteen children, most of whom survived infancy, so Purcell made a wise choice in keeping to just a selection.
George III is known for two things: losing America and going mad—twice. The result was that the future George IV got to be the Prince Regent and gave us the period known as the Regency, a relief to historical novelists because how else would we distinguish the pre-Victorian era? George III’s reign was also marked by the French Revolution, the rise of Napoleon and war in Europe, events that are skillfully brushed in by Purcell through the filter of the royal family.
Not so many people know that another of George III’s peculiarities was not letting his daughters marry, and this forms the core of Queen of Bedlam. One of the beauties of the novel is that Purcell doesn’t try to make the princesses anachronistically independent or romantic—they are dutiful daughters who understand that a noblewoman’s role in life is to marry and have children, and that if you’re a princess your marriage will be based on politics rather than love. Royal is happy to accept that role—in fact, she’s longing for it, and her parents’ neediness is a constant irritant. As the King’s madness develops through the eyes of the two Charlottes, there’s an interesting reversal of roles. The Queen descends from dignity and control into pettiness, jealousy and weakness, and Royal tries, within her limitations, to take some kind of control over her life, with Sophia’s story as a tragic counterpoint.
I honestly can’t fault this debut anywhere on its writing. The only thing I noted in passing were several homonym errors that could and should have been picked up during editing, but goodness, those were minor faults in an otherwise extremely enjoyable read, which I ripped through pretty quickly. I will be buying Laura Purcell’s next book.
November 28, 2012
Find the enhanced version of this and other reviews at: http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot....
Stateside we really don't learn a lot about George III. If anything he is a vague shadowy figure from our high school history books, the king who lost America, though to be completely honest I'm not sure too many people could tell you even that much off the cuff. Personally I've read histories of the American Revolution and have dim recollections of the 1994 film starring Nigel Hawthorne and Helen Mirren, but such shoddy and shallow background material could hardly be considered adequate preparation for the story that unfolded under Purcell's pen in Gad Save the King.
Generally speaking, I really liked this piece. The exploration of George's condition and how it stigmatized his family both publically and privately made quite the emotional backdrop for the story of three tenacious women, each struggling to grasp a fragile vestige of love and affection in a world literally gone mad. Not to negate the trials of her daughters, but Charlotte's experiences in particular struck a chord with me. Often overlooked by history, you cannot help but wonder at this woman; how she dealt with the mental deterioration of her spouse, the premature deaths of several of her loved ones, how she navigated the tangled relationships of those family members that survived and how she balanced all of this against her duties as Queen of England.
If I rated on content alone, I'd be all in, five stars, two thumbs way way up, the whole deal, but I don't. I'm one of those nitpicky readers who has a lot of trouble accepting the mechanics of a book. For example, I love alternating points of view, just not here. God Save the King is told from the varied perspectives of Queen Charlotte, Princess Charlotte (known as Royal to limit confusion) and Princess Sophia. Usually I have no problem with this format, but I found the beginning of the book focused heavily on Charlotte and Royal which, for me, made it difficult to accept Sophia later on. Additionally I felt at times the three voices struck the same note and began to run together. Ideally I would have liked to see more distinction between narrators as well as a more even distribution of face time with the reader.
Do I recommend the piece? Yes, wholeheartedly. Purcell is a promising new author who has channeled her obvious love for the Georgian era and the Hanoverians into a compelling piece of fiction. A few hiccups here and there, but nothing time and experience can't remedy. Will definitely be on the lookout for her work in the future.
Stateside we really don't learn a lot about George III. If anything he is a vague shadowy figure from our high school history books, the king who lost America, though to be completely honest I'm not sure too many people could tell you even that much off the cuff. Personally I've read histories of the American Revolution and have dim recollections of the 1994 film starring Nigel Hawthorne and Helen Mirren, but such shoddy and shallow background material could hardly be considered adequate preparation for the story that unfolded under Purcell's pen in Gad Save the King.
Generally speaking, I really liked this piece. The exploration of George's condition and how it stigmatized his family both publically and privately made quite the emotional backdrop for the story of three tenacious women, each struggling to grasp a fragile vestige of love and affection in a world literally gone mad. Not to negate the trials of her daughters, but Charlotte's experiences in particular struck a chord with me. Often overlooked by history, you cannot help but wonder at this woman; how she dealt with the mental deterioration of her spouse, the premature deaths of several of her loved ones, how she navigated the tangled relationships of those family members that survived and how she balanced all of this against her duties as Queen of England.
If I rated on content alone, I'd be all in, five stars, two thumbs way way up, the whole deal, but I don't. I'm one of those nitpicky readers who has a lot of trouble accepting the mechanics of a book. For example, I love alternating points of view, just not here. God Save the King is told from the varied perspectives of Queen Charlotte, Princess Charlotte (known as Royal to limit confusion) and Princess Sophia. Usually I have no problem with this format, but I found the beginning of the book focused heavily on Charlotte and Royal which, for me, made it difficult to accept Sophia later on. Additionally I felt at times the three voices struck the same note and began to run together. Ideally I would have liked to see more distinction between narrators as well as a more even distribution of face time with the reader.
Do I recommend the piece? Yes, wholeheartedly. Purcell is a promising new author who has channeled her obvious love for the Georgian era and the Hanoverians into a compelling piece of fiction. A few hiccups here and there, but nothing time and experience can't remedy. Will definitely be on the lookout for her work in the future.
November 16, 2012
Excellent novel about the effect that George III's madness has on his queen and his family, particularly his daughters.
April 29, 2018
An interesting and very readable account of the lives of a little written about area of the British Monarchy, the lives of Queen Charlotte the wife of the "mad" King George III and their daughters. Piqued my interest enough to go and do a bit of research about these forgotten Princesses.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
July 21, 2014
This is a deeply enjoyable, fast-paced account of events in the life of Queen Charlotte, the wife of ‘Mad’ King George III of England. Young British novelist, Laura Purcell has undertaken meticulous research to transform dramatic events into a historical page turner that contains much that I found new and intriguing. The story opens with skilfully evoked memories of Charlotte’s happy early years, as a newly arrived bride from a small German province, and the unlikely love and tenderness that formed between herself and the King. The deterioration of the King’s mental health leaves his wife anxious and alone, with the kingdom on the brink of war and her ambitious but vain eldest son (later the Regent) scheming to take the throne. It is this strain laid upon a previously loving and happy family that is so well explored.
As I’m currently writing about the 1790s myself, it was fascinating to learn about the royal milieu and its stifling atmosphere. I have long been fascinated by the jewel-encrusted hooped court dresses of the day, but discovered that these were but a small part of the mental and physical constriction that the couples’ six daughters had placed upon them. Turning the archetype of glamourous princesses upside down, we see the them blighted by their beloved father’s madness. Purcell cleverly selects two of these princesses as her focus, the eldest Princess Royal, who longs for marriage and children, and Sophia, a sickly romantic.
Moving between the perspectives of Queen Charlotte, Royal and Sophia, the novel gallops along, depicting the strain of lives lived beneath a rigid and tedious regime. We see the Queen ‘botanising’ at Kew, the girls horse-riding at Windsor, lining up for parades and dreading lengthy and tedious concerts. The claustrophobia of the court is well drawn; the palaces surprisingly cold and uncomfortable. Unsurprisingly, first Royal, and then Sophia, scheme to find love, with unlooked for and suspenseful consequences. The later scenes, set in Germany, were some of my favourites, reflecting the luxurious circumstances of smaller courts so lacking in austere England.
Though mostly written in a clear and work prose style, there are some finely wrought metaphors concerning ‘the sad princesses and a twilight king’. I did notice occasional modern colloquialisms but nothing intrusive. On a recent visit to Windsor Castle I was fortunate enough to see Queen Charlotte’s diary and would love to know if this, or other royal sources, were consulted.
Overall, Queen of Bedlam is an assured slice of historic writing that poignantly evokes Georgian women’s lives affected by tragedy, bringing to life a time of great change and crisis in Britain with confidence and skill. Laura Purcell is a writer I’ll search out again, a historian with much great empathy for her royal subjects, and a natural storyteller.
As I’m currently writing about the 1790s myself, it was fascinating to learn about the royal milieu and its stifling atmosphere. I have long been fascinated by the jewel-encrusted hooped court dresses of the day, but discovered that these were but a small part of the mental and physical constriction that the couples’ six daughters had placed upon them. Turning the archetype of glamourous princesses upside down, we see the them blighted by their beloved father’s madness. Purcell cleverly selects two of these princesses as her focus, the eldest Princess Royal, who longs for marriage and children, and Sophia, a sickly romantic.
Moving between the perspectives of Queen Charlotte, Royal and Sophia, the novel gallops along, depicting the strain of lives lived beneath a rigid and tedious regime. We see the Queen ‘botanising’ at Kew, the girls horse-riding at Windsor, lining up for parades and dreading lengthy and tedious concerts. The claustrophobia of the court is well drawn; the palaces surprisingly cold and uncomfortable. Unsurprisingly, first Royal, and then Sophia, scheme to find love, with unlooked for and suspenseful consequences. The later scenes, set in Germany, were some of my favourites, reflecting the luxurious circumstances of smaller courts so lacking in austere England.
Though mostly written in a clear and work prose style, there are some finely wrought metaphors concerning ‘the sad princesses and a twilight king’. I did notice occasional modern colloquialisms but nothing intrusive. On a recent visit to Windsor Castle I was fortunate enough to see Queen Charlotte’s diary and would love to know if this, or other royal sources, were consulted.
Overall, Queen of Bedlam is an assured slice of historic writing that poignantly evokes Georgian women’s lives affected by tragedy, bringing to life a time of great change and crisis in Britain with confidence and skill. Laura Purcell is a writer I’ll search out again, a historian with much great empathy for her royal subjects, and a natural storyteller.
December 24, 2012
This was a completely engrossing novel. Told from the points of view of Queen Charlotte, her daughters Princess Charlotte (called Royal in the book) and Princess Sophia, it painted a vivd portrait of this Hanoverian family beset by so much tragedy. Queen Charlotte is the beloved wife of King George, who is slowly slipping into madness. Their daughters, once happy and joyous, now needed at home to help in the struggle to keep their father sane. As the family ages, the King slips further and further from them, and Queen Charlotte keeps her daughters closer and closer as she slides into her own bitterness. As the Princesses age, they long for escape from the misery of their father's illness and their mother's resentment, yet every offer of marriage is refused as the Queen's selfishness will not allow them to escape. Eventually Royal does marry, and finds both happiness and tragedy in her own family. Meanwhile, the other girls long for their own lives to begin, leading to scandalous rumors, some true and some untrue and even a premature death. I began the story feeling much sympathy for Queen Charlotte, but eventually her bitterness pushed her family (and this reader) away from her. The -almost middle-aged when she married -Royal was the most sympathetic figure in my opinion, though they were all interesting characters. Very well-researched and beautifully written. This is the story of King George's women and all they sacrificed to heal the man they loved.
Read
October 31, 2016From the Author's note it would appear that the author wished to rehabilitate the reputation of Queen Charlotte: sadly, her story did not achieve that apart from - and it's a big setting aside - giving some insight into the psychological strain and almost bunker mentality engendered by George III's illness, known to history as madness but probably chronic and acute porphyria rather than mental degeneration. A wife and six daughter's were essentially sacrificed on the altar of 'keeping the King from getting upset'.
This is very readable but it staggers at times and one never really feels connected to any of the characters. Too much tell and not enough show, I think.. I will, however, read the sequel.
This is very readable but it staggers at times and one never really feels connected to any of the characters. Too much tell and not enough show, I think.. I will, however, read the sequel.
February 8, 2021
I felt like Laura Purcell was either a member of the court or a fly on the wall. She nailed the dialogue and all their intimate thoughts. Great way to learn about the monarchies and their pitfalls. Maybe intermarriage isn’t such a good idea! LOL
I will have to admit the names were a real challenge - so many the same, George, Charlotte etc. Not the authors fault!!
I’m still wondering why she wrote this book first. It takes place in the years FOLLOWING her second book, Mistress of the Court.
I will have to admit the names were a real challenge - so many the same, George, Charlotte etc. Not the authors fault!!
I’m still wondering why she wrote this book first. It takes place in the years FOLLOWING her second book, Mistress of the Court.
January 4, 2015
I cannot applaud Laura Purcell enough for her depiction of the far-reaching, destructive effects of mental illness. I also appreciated her depiction of George III, who is more than the tyrant king that Americans learn about in Revolutionary War history. A loving husband and popular king, he was plagued with regret over the loss of the colonies and how that impacted his people. While it’s true that Purcell is presenting a fictional representation, it is believable.
The narrative reveals the viewpoints of King George’s queen, Charlotte, and two of his daughters, Charlotte and Sophia. When King George first falls ill, Queen Charlotte, a perfectionist, tries very hard to maintain the expected decorum, but her world is quickly falling apart. The man she fell in love with no longer seems to exist, and she must face life alone without her king.
Queen Charlotte selfishly wants her family to stay intact. The novel offers insight into the disappointment of those who are of marriageable age but held back by their father’s condition and their mother’s dependence on their physical presence – even as Charlotte withdraws further into herself. The six princesses are desperate to escape their home-turned-prison and are desperate for love and freedom, but, of course, their desperation breeds disastrous consequences. Purcell somehow manages to transfer the feelings that her characters are experiencing over to her readers, especially as news from France arrives detailing the developments of that country’s revolution.
Queen of Bedlam is a masterfully written and well-researched novel written by someone who has truly mastered the craft of evoking readers’ emotions. Not only does it give us a historical account of the depth and degrees of the mental illness of King George, but additionally, and perhaps more importantly, it gives voice to the family members who are often forgotten but are still intensely affected by it.
The narrative reveals the viewpoints of King George’s queen, Charlotte, and two of his daughters, Charlotte and Sophia. When King George first falls ill, Queen Charlotte, a perfectionist, tries very hard to maintain the expected decorum, but her world is quickly falling apart. The man she fell in love with no longer seems to exist, and she must face life alone without her king.
Queen Charlotte selfishly wants her family to stay intact. The novel offers insight into the disappointment of those who are of marriageable age but held back by their father’s condition and their mother’s dependence on their physical presence – even as Charlotte withdraws further into herself. The six princesses are desperate to escape their home-turned-prison and are desperate for love and freedom, but, of course, their desperation breeds disastrous consequences. Purcell somehow manages to transfer the feelings that her characters are experiencing over to her readers, especially as news from France arrives detailing the developments of that country’s revolution.
Queen of Bedlam is a masterfully written and well-researched novel written by someone who has truly mastered the craft of evoking readers’ emotions. Not only does it give us a historical account of the depth and degrees of the mental illness of King George, but additionally, and perhaps more importantly, it gives voice to the family members who are often forgotten but are still intensely affected by it.
February 9, 2017
Told mainly through the Queen, Royal and Sophia, this novel is of how Queen Charlotte’s devotion to her husband turns slowly to frustration and resentment as he grows mentally and physically worse. Royal looks as if she will be able to break free, but she experiences her own unhappiness within the marriage that was supposed to redeem her. Sophia, who has her own health problems, is determined to find love, but her misguided choice ends up hurting her more than she could have foreseen.
This was a time when England needed a strong king, but George III ends up being cruelly lampooned by the populace and loses the regard of the country he truly loved more than his father or grandfather ever did.
A beautifully written, emotional story, that I have to admit I could only read in short bursts as the heartbreak reached out to me from the pages. Queen Charlotte's death scene is particularly tragic as she recalls everything in her life which she loved but was destined to lose.
This was a time when England needed a strong king, but George III ends up being cruelly lampooned by the populace and loses the regard of the country he truly loved more than his father or grandfather ever did.
A beautifully written, emotional story, that I have to admit I could only read in short bursts as the heartbreak reached out to me from the pages. Queen Charlotte's death scene is particularly tragic as she recalls everything in her life which she loved but was destined to lose.
July 16, 2015
The Things Families Do to Each Other
Although this novel is about George III, Charlotte, and their children, it could be about any number of families. The complicated ties of loyalty, guilt, and love strangle the 14 children of this royal couple. Charlotte, herself, grieves the loss of her loving husband to seeming madness, as well as her two infant sons. There is the restriction of duties that prevent a true understanding between her and her daughters. While the sons have more freedom, the daughters are bound to their parents by their mother's imposition of her feelings upon them. Guilt is a primary tool. This novel confirms my thought I'd never wish to be of royal or aristocratic birth. The privileges would never be of sufficient worth to outweigh the obligations. Great novel! I will be reading more from this author.
Although this novel is about George III, Charlotte, and their children, it could be about any number of families. The complicated ties of loyalty, guilt, and love strangle the 14 children of this royal couple. Charlotte, herself, grieves the loss of her loving husband to seeming madness, as well as her two infant sons. There is the restriction of duties that prevent a true understanding between her and her daughters. While the sons have more freedom, the daughters are bound to their parents by their mother's imposition of her feelings upon them. Guilt is a primary tool. This novel confirms my thought I'd never wish to be of royal or aristocratic birth. The privileges would never be of sufficient worth to outweigh the obligations. Great novel! I will be reading more from this author.
February 20, 2020
Just the right book at the right time.
I have had a particularly stressful last few days so I read this to escape and it worked. An easy book to read, helped because I had seen the film The Madness of King George with the marvelleous Nigel H and Dame Helen, otherwise I would have been none the wiser of these figures in my country's own history. LP is right to pick and highlight the 'lesser known' royals for they too have stories which need to be told. But remember it is historical fiction mixed with fact.
Toast
20.02.20 - I knew I had read it before! A re-visit I barely remember. An O.K. read this time around. Just not my cup of tea, the Georgians don't float my boat. I much prefer LP when she is writing her Gothic fiction.
I have had a particularly stressful last few days so I read this to escape and it worked. An easy book to read, helped because I had seen the film The Madness of King George with the marvelleous Nigel H and Dame Helen, otherwise I would have been none the wiser of these figures in my country's own history. LP is right to pick and highlight the 'lesser known' royals for they too have stories which need to be told. But remember it is historical fiction mixed with fact.
Toast
20.02.20 - I knew I had read it before! A re-visit I barely remember. An O.K. read this time around. Just not my cup of tea, the Georgians don't float my boat. I much prefer LP when she is writing her Gothic fiction.
April 25, 2015
Don’t read this book unless you are prepared to become emotionally involved with the lives of people who died 200 years ago.
God Save the King is a historical novel which gives an intimate insight into the lives of some of the women in the family circle of George III, in particular, his wife Queen Charlotte, his eldest daughter Princess Charlotte, known as Princess Royal, and one of his younger daughters, Princess Sophia.
This book is well-written, and is an accessible way of learning about the lives that were affected so dramatically by the mental instability of George III. I would highly recommend it, but suggest you have a box of tissues at the ready!
God Save the King is a historical novel which gives an intimate insight into the lives of some of the women in the family circle of George III, in particular, his wife Queen Charlotte, his eldest daughter Princess Charlotte, known as Princess Royal, and one of his younger daughters, Princess Sophia.
This book is well-written, and is an accessible way of learning about the lives that were affected so dramatically by the mental instability of George III. I would highly recommend it, but suggest you have a box of tissues at the ready!
June 19, 2024
This was about how the madness of King George III affected his wife and daughters. Told by Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg and some of her daughters. While informative of the period it was also kind of depressing. I felt sorry for the children. Still, I would gladly reread it.
September 24, 2015
The madness of King George, as told through the eyes of his wife and daughters. This was a brilliant piece of historical fiction, sad and gripping, and definitely worth reading.
August 13, 2025
Segu faktist ja fiktsioonist, mis hoolimata teemadest ei andnud ei head ülevaadet ajaloost ega tekitanud minus ka suuremaid tundeid. Oli küll piisavalt huvitav, et pooleli ei jätnud, aga ootasin ja lootsin peale sisututvustuse lugemist paremat elamust.
October 3, 2014
What an amazing historical fiction rendition of the story of George III from British author Laura Purcell. Her Queen of Bedlam, which was first published under a different name in England, is superb and a stand-out among the books written surrounding the various reigns of English monarchs.
The Georgian novel, of the many historical novels surrounding the life and times of Kings, Queens, and their offspring, is one I adored reading for numerous reasons. I won’t call it a Regency novel, even if she might, as I don’t want readers to get the wrong impression. It wasn’t that type of romantic book that swept you away just based on romantic intrigue or interludes alone or on the flip side made you roll your eyes. Yet, it wasn’t dark, dreary, or cumbersome either. If you like the type of people, especially women that Philippa Gregory writes of you’ll like this book, yet Purcell’s writing is MUCH better–more soft, flowing, and narrative with a strong voice. She captures each moment in time, even the sad situations, and puts it together for us into a story we’d not like to have to stop reading.
It had the perfect recipe of entertainment, offered in-depth societal and private looks at what it must have been like to be the wife or a daughter of George III, who was mad from a blood disease that seemed to cause some mental illness, and offered engaging dialogue and emotion. I really liked her characterization of his daughter, Royal. And even further, it was Charlotte’s story, not as the wife of George III even, just a side character, but as a mother who has lost children, has to manage a sick husband who she begins to fear yet loves, struggles with the chaos of the country, and juggles their 15 children. I could feel her stabilizing the castle, her family, and the monarchy structure all with a compassionate heart. It was the story of the women of his family and their roles. It was my perfect sort of British monarchy historical fiction read, as it was so easy to delve deep into from the start, causing me to read it much quickly than I read most books.
In my time garnering my history degree, and taking political science courses, the professors spent quite a bit of time on American History and British History, primarily George III’s reign of course as it had a little something to do with our own history (the American Revolution) and other pivotal points of history such as the French Revolution and defeating Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. I suppose for so long, as young students in America, we mostly just heard of mad King George due to his reputation. Amazingly enough, he was the longest British ruler save Victoria or Elizabeth II!! Now, we get his tale from the side of his family, as well as having the opportunity to meet clearly his family and the strong women who stood behind him to keep the country going.
I feel Purcell was authentic in her novel, had researched so much so well, especially the women, and really took the time to construct dimensional and whole characters each with their own distinct personality that one could connect to and care for on several levels.
I am thrilled to have read this book and hope to read more books by Laura Purcell again. She has seemed to capture the voice of the Georgian Era and brought the women to life that we hear so little about so they finally get their due. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who fancies British history from this era….or the women in history who always seem to be caught up in the impulsive lives of ailing Kings. Her writing style will make you feel as if you are gliding across pages and you’ll read more in one sitting than you had planned.
I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review, and it's been retitled.
The Georgian novel, of the many historical novels surrounding the life and times of Kings, Queens, and their offspring, is one I adored reading for numerous reasons. I won’t call it a Regency novel, even if she might, as I don’t want readers to get the wrong impression. It wasn’t that type of romantic book that swept you away just based on romantic intrigue or interludes alone or on the flip side made you roll your eyes. Yet, it wasn’t dark, dreary, or cumbersome either. If you like the type of people, especially women that Philippa Gregory writes of you’ll like this book, yet Purcell’s writing is MUCH better–more soft, flowing, and narrative with a strong voice. She captures each moment in time, even the sad situations, and puts it together for us into a story we’d not like to have to stop reading.
It had the perfect recipe of entertainment, offered in-depth societal and private looks at what it must have been like to be the wife or a daughter of George III, who was mad from a blood disease that seemed to cause some mental illness, and offered engaging dialogue and emotion. I really liked her characterization of his daughter, Royal. And even further, it was Charlotte’s story, not as the wife of George III even, just a side character, but as a mother who has lost children, has to manage a sick husband who she begins to fear yet loves, struggles with the chaos of the country, and juggles their 15 children. I could feel her stabilizing the castle, her family, and the monarchy structure all with a compassionate heart. It was the story of the women of his family and their roles. It was my perfect sort of British monarchy historical fiction read, as it was so easy to delve deep into from the start, causing me to read it much quickly than I read most books.
In my time garnering my history degree, and taking political science courses, the professors spent quite a bit of time on American History and British History, primarily George III’s reign of course as it had a little something to do with our own history (the American Revolution) and other pivotal points of history such as the French Revolution and defeating Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. I suppose for so long, as young students in America, we mostly just heard of mad King George due to his reputation. Amazingly enough, he was the longest British ruler save Victoria or Elizabeth II!! Now, we get his tale from the side of his family, as well as having the opportunity to meet clearly his family and the strong women who stood behind him to keep the country going.
I feel Purcell was authentic in her novel, had researched so much so well, especially the women, and really took the time to construct dimensional and whole characters each with their own distinct personality that one could connect to and care for on several levels.
I am thrilled to have read this book and hope to read more books by Laura Purcell again. She has seemed to capture the voice of the Georgian Era and brought the women to life that we hear so little about so they finally get their due. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who fancies British history from this era….or the women in history who always seem to be caught up in the impulsive lives of ailing Kings. Her writing style will make you feel as if you are gliding across pages and you’ll read more in one sitting than you had planned.
I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review, and it's been retitled.
June 14, 2014
The period of English history that I am least with is the Regency period and all of the King Georges. I think part of my aversion is that the majority of books that I see set during this period are light, fluffy romances – of which I have fairly little use. I will admit it was primarily the title that drew me in to this novel. I have always had some amount of intrigue about the “madness of King George” and also find stories about those who tend to be on the periphery fascinating. While George III and George IV are the primary male figures in this novel, the daughters/sisters/wives receive quite the novel treatment. This is certainly not a light, fluffy romance (although there are a few romantic scenes).
Despite the rather large cast of characters, the author does a fantastic job of creating each person in their own right. In a short span of pages I could easily tell Amelia apart from Sophia and Royal (and the same goes for the men as well, although they are featured on fewer pages). It is very easy for an author to focus on just one or two characters while the rest are introduced for a few sentences and then disappear to just show up in cursory scenes – not so here. I feel that I truly got to know each of them. I think that Sophia was my favorite character – my heart just broke for her.
Another strength in this novel was how the author sets the events in England within the context of events that are occurring in other parts of the world (particularly America, France, and some of the states and duchies that would become Germany). The American Revolution, the French Revolution, and the conquest of Napoleon all occurred during the reign of George III and are all events I was familiar with and helped me to place the events within the context of the greater world. That is always an element that I look for in novels.
Early on in my reading, the constant use of the name, Royal, for Princess Charlotte, daughter of George III, grated on my nerves. I didn’t realize at that time that her title was Princess Royal as the oldest daughter to the King. I just found it to be quite annoying to have to hear “Royal” all the time when the sound just didn’t fit in the sentence. I understand that this was done to avoid confusion with her mother, Queen Charlotte. It was refreshing that upon leaving England Royal actually expressed disdain over not being called by her given name because of her mother being of the same name. I thought this might have been a breakthrough moment and that we would then see her being called Charlotte because they were no longer in the same scenes – but alas that was but a dream.
Of note – the cover is beautiful! It is one of my recent favorites. I have no idea how accurate it is to the time period (I’m never very good at determining those things), but it is certainly eye catching!
I look forward to more novels by this author and really enjoyed her writing.
This review was previously posted @ The Maiden's Court. Was received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Despite the rather large cast of characters, the author does a fantastic job of creating each person in their own right. In a short span of pages I could easily tell Amelia apart from Sophia and Royal (and the same goes for the men as well, although they are featured on fewer pages). It is very easy for an author to focus on just one or two characters while the rest are introduced for a few sentences and then disappear to just show up in cursory scenes – not so here. I feel that I truly got to know each of them. I think that Sophia was my favorite character – my heart just broke for her.
Another strength in this novel was how the author sets the events in England within the context of events that are occurring in other parts of the world (particularly America, France, and some of the states and duchies that would become Germany). The American Revolution, the French Revolution, and the conquest of Napoleon all occurred during the reign of George III and are all events I was familiar with and helped me to place the events within the context of the greater world. That is always an element that I look for in novels.
Early on in my reading, the constant use of the name, Royal, for Princess Charlotte, daughter of George III, grated on my nerves. I didn’t realize at that time that her title was Princess Royal as the oldest daughter to the King. I just found it to be quite annoying to have to hear “Royal” all the time when the sound just didn’t fit in the sentence. I understand that this was done to avoid confusion with her mother, Queen Charlotte. It was refreshing that upon leaving England Royal actually expressed disdain over not being called by her given name because of her mother being of the same name. I thought this might have been a breakthrough moment and that we would then see her being called Charlotte because they were no longer in the same scenes – but alas that was but a dream.
Of note – the cover is beautiful! It is one of my recent favorites. I have no idea how accurate it is to the time period (I’m never very good at determining those things), but it is certainly eye catching!
I look forward to more novels by this author and really enjoyed her writing.
This review was previously posted @ The Maiden's Court. Was received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
June 15, 2014
In "Queen of Bedlam," Queen Charlotte of England is not sure what to do about King George III. He started out being a very good husband and a very good father but things have changed. He's starting to descend into madness, which means that it is up to Charlotte to step up, which she believes that she is ill prepared to do. I had never read any historical fiction or even really history about Queen Charlotte or King George III so I was not really sure what to expect. I was intrigued by the story of the mad king and wanted to know more about him and his family. This book definitely gives you a good taste for that!
In the late 1700s, England is really at a turning point. Wars in other parts of the world are threatening to affect them and potentially cause the need to get involved in something that the country can't stand to be involved in. England has also just lost the American colonies to an expensive war. It certainly doesn't help that England's King doesn't seem to be all there. Queen Charlotte is really at the center of this book. She is a complex character. You feel bad for what she is going through with her beloved husband but on the other hand, she seems to really draw on her children for support to what is almost an unhealthy degree. It was really interesting to see how and why she does this in the book. It was also interesting to see how her children coped with her holding on to them so tightly.
I really liked the setting and time period of this book. You all know that I love learning something new when I read a book and this book definitely allowed for that. I liked reading about how chaotic England was when the world surrounding them was arguably more chaotic. You get to see how England was getting pulled in so many different directions.
This is the kind of novel that you simply sink into and find yourself fully engaged. Purcell did a really good job of creating characters in Queen Charlotte, Royal, and Sophie that you want to follow. There was a good mix of informative historical detail and enough drama to really draw you in.
In the late 1700s, England is really at a turning point. Wars in other parts of the world are threatening to affect them and potentially cause the need to get involved in something that the country can't stand to be involved in. England has also just lost the American colonies to an expensive war. It certainly doesn't help that England's King doesn't seem to be all there. Queen Charlotte is really at the center of this book. She is a complex character. You feel bad for what she is going through with her beloved husband but on the other hand, she seems to really draw on her children for support to what is almost an unhealthy degree. It was really interesting to see how and why she does this in the book. It was also interesting to see how her children coped with her holding on to them so tightly.
I really liked the setting and time period of this book. You all know that I love learning something new when I read a book and this book definitely allowed for that. I liked reading about how chaotic England was when the world surrounding them was arguably more chaotic. You get to see how England was getting pulled in so many different directions.
This is the kind of novel that you simply sink into and find yourself fully engaged. Purcell did a really good job of creating characters in Queen Charlotte, Royal, and Sophie that you want to follow. There was a good mix of informative historical detail and enough drama to really draw you in.
November 5, 2012
This was a very good enjoyable read. Before starting God Save the King I knew very little about this period of history, having always favoured reading books on the Tudor of Medieval periods.
I was drawn in right from the first chapter, and eager to find out how the characters ended up in this sad situation. I really sympathized with Charlotte throughout the whole book, and can't imagine what it must have been like to lose so many loved ones, under such sad circumstances. I also thought the book portrayed quite well how frustrated the daughters would have got at the situations they found themselves in.
After reading this book I am now keen to read up more on this period, and will definitely get a copy of the next in the series when it is released. It is a very well written and informative book, and I would definitely recommend it :)
A note on the Kindle version - I was very impressed with the formatting and layout of the Kindle version. All the chapters had proper markers so it was easy to move backwards and forwards through the book. It was nice to have pretty chapter headers at the start of each chapter as well.
I think this is definitely a book I will enjoy even more with a second reading, as I will have better grasp and knowledge of the characters and the story. Well worth a read :)
I was drawn in right from the first chapter, and eager to find out how the characters ended up in this sad situation. I really sympathized with Charlotte throughout the whole book, and can't imagine what it must have been like to lose so many loved ones, under such sad circumstances. I also thought the book portrayed quite well how frustrated the daughters would have got at the situations they found themselves in.
After reading this book I am now keen to read up more on this period, and will definitely get a copy of the next in the series when it is released. It is a very well written and informative book, and I would definitely recommend it :)
A note on the Kindle version - I was very impressed with the formatting and layout of the Kindle version. All the chapters had proper markers so it was easy to move backwards and forwards through the book. It was nice to have pretty chapter headers at the start of each chapter as well.
I think this is definitely a book I will enjoy even more with a second reading, as I will have better grasp and knowledge of the characters and the story. Well worth a read :)
January 3, 2018
A nice historical fiction read set between the less written about Georgian period of 1783 and 1818. It focuses on the family of King George III and how his 'descent into madness' affected his wife and children. It is told from the viewpoint of Queen Charlotte and some of her thirteen surviving children. It depicts a King and Queen whom had their favourite children, mourned the loss of precious babies, and daughters who were desperate to escape the King's clutches and his wish to keep them maidens and close by. The unwed princesses who had lost all hope of any high-ranking suitor the moment it was suspected that the King's bloodline was not optimal could be easily swayed into the arms of the King’s equerries.
Although not a happy book it had its moments of bitter-sweet revenge such as when Princess Royal began to pen a note to her cold hearted mother addressing herself finally as an equal. I enjoyed the references to the other prominent figures around the world at that time and demonstrated the author's well done research. Although, I sometimes felt a lack of impression of the era, overall it piqued my curiosity to learn more about King George III, in particular how today's physicians would have diagnosed and treated him, and to perhaps trace the bloodline of the babe born out of wedlock, and who really was the father ...
Although not a happy book it had its moments of bitter-sweet revenge such as when Princess Royal began to pen a note to her cold hearted mother addressing herself finally as an equal. I enjoyed the references to the other prominent figures around the world at that time and demonstrated the author's well done research. Although, I sometimes felt a lack of impression of the era, overall it piqued my curiosity to learn more about King George III, in particular how today's physicians would have diagnosed and treated him, and to perhaps trace the bloodline of the babe born out of wedlock, and who really was the father ...
March 6, 2013
I have to say, I've never felt so depressed by a book before. It's not what you think -- the author did such a good job conveying the various emotions and situations of the three royal women featured in the novel that you couldn't help but empathize with them. Each and every one of them was trapped by society -- both the culture of the day and the constraints of royalty.
Having watched The Madness of King George III, with Queen Charlotte played by the wonderful Helen Mirren, it came as a surprise that the queen was so uptight and restrictive. Maybe I need to watch the film again, but I don't recall her coming off as anything but worried and concerned. Still, while I don't agree with her methods, it was all she could do within the boundaries set around her.
I understand that the author is going to write another novel following this family. I look forward to it, since it's a section of British monarchal history we don't often read about.
Having watched The Madness of King George III, with Queen Charlotte played by the wonderful Helen Mirren, it came as a surprise that the queen was so uptight and restrictive. Maybe I need to watch the film again, but I don't recall her coming off as anything but worried and concerned. Still, while I don't agree with her methods, it was all she could do within the boundaries set around her.
I understand that the author is going to write another novel following this family. I look forward to it, since it's a section of British monarchal history we don't often read about.
June 22, 2021
A fictional look at King George lll, dubbed the mad king who lost America, Queen Charlotte and their brood of 15 children. Their lives certainly make for an entertaining read. I have Always enjoyed Laura Purcell's gothic novels but was a little disappointed in this and that could solely be the fault of my own expectations and not the quality of the book. I was expecting a little more serious historical context given the timeframe instead the book was centered on illness, deaths and marriages and the emotional state of the family. It is the monarch I've read the least about but It certainly whet my appetite to read more.
April 26, 2013
Just a wee review...I've read quite a bit of nonfiction about George III and his family and know their histories, but this novel (as HF does) helped to humanize them in my mind. The novel is told from the point of view of George III's wife Charlotte and his six daughters. (Charlotte and George had 15 children and 13 survived to adulthood!) George III's illness (which was probably the inherited disease porphyria) plays a big role in the novel along with the effect it had on his family particularly his wife. The author plans to write other novels about royal women from the Hanover dynasty.
May 21, 2023
A solid, enjoyable read.
I liked the transition of Queen Charlotte who doted on her husband (King George) to a woman so repulsed by her husband that she couldn't bear to be in the same room as him. It was an interesting take on the effect of mental illness on those around them, and I suspect more realistic than the 'loveable madman' as portrayed in some movies.
However, what really brought the book alive for me were the stories of the prince and princesses, and how they were very much prisoners in a gilded cage unable to follow their own desires.
I liked the transition of Queen Charlotte who doted on her husband (King George) to a woman so repulsed by her husband that she couldn't bear to be in the same room as him. It was an interesting take on the effect of mental illness on those around them, and I suspect more realistic than the 'loveable madman' as portrayed in some movies.
However, what really brought the book alive for me were the stories of the prince and princesses, and how they were very much prisoners in a gilded cage unable to follow their own desires.
July 19, 2014
thanks to goodreads for the review copy
what a great book which covers the women in the life of the (mad) king George III, I had a bit of knowledge having seen the film Madness of King George and also Blackadder III but learnt a lot from this book
well written & researched this was a great experience and fully recommneded
what a great book which covers the women in the life of the (mad) king George III, I had a bit of knowledge having seen the film Madness of King George and also Blackadder III but learnt a lot from this book
well written & researched this was a great experience and fully recommneded
February 4, 2013
I want more! I have never read historical fiction regarding George III. I hope Laura Purcell keeps writing.
April 28, 2020
Excellent
June 25, 2020
I’ve never read a fictional telling of George III before, his madness, and the effect it had on his family. Having previously read several of Purcell’s books, I knew I enjoyed her writing. I wasn’t disappointed. She tells the story effortlessly, sticking as closely to fact as she can, but obviously she does have some artistic license because it’s fiction.
The narrative focuses on three main women of George’s family; his wife Queen Charlotte, his eldest daughter Charlotte Princess Royal (referred to as “Royal” throughout the story to avoid confusion with the Queen), and his second to youngest daughter Princess Sophia.
It is widely thought by historians nowadays that George suffered from the hereditary condition Porphyria, which is documented throughout the royal family several times. Other historians think he may have suffered from the condition Bipolar. I guess he could have had both, but we will never truly know.
He suffered several bouts of “madness” during his reign, the final bout led the way for his eldest son to be given the Regency (later crowned George IV). King George’s madness had a hugely detrimental effect on the female members of his family, as he had always made it clear he didn’t really want his daughters to marry, he wanted them all to stay in England and live with him and the Queen (he preferred his daughters hugely over his sons). The Queen was keen to keep her daughters with her as her companions, probably as a support network for when her husband was suffering. Due to his wishes that his daughters remained in England, arranging any sort of marriage could potentially have been the catalyst for another bout of illness for him, and so the Queen was very firm in her choice to keep her daughters by her side. But like any women of marriageable age, they all longed to have a husband and children of their own, plus, a marriage would be an escape out of what must’ve felt like a prison to them.
“Royal” did eventually get married, with the assistance of Prince George. Married life wasn’t everything she hoped it would be, she never managed to conceive a child again after her first was stillborn, but she made very strong, loving relationships with her husband’s children from his first marriage, and then with their children too.
Princess Sophia didn’t manage to marry, but there was scandal surrounding her, it’s most likely that she had a relationship with one of her father’s equerries, and conceived an illegitimate child, who would try to bribe the royal family in later life. Sophia lived out her adult life firstly in the household of her niece Charlotte, Princess of Wales, and then after her death, she moved into the household of Princess Victoria of Kent (her other niece, eventually crowned Queen Victoria).
Queen Charlotte lived her later life in misery, due to her husband’s illnesses, she was constantly living in a state of anxiety, and grief for the husband who was lost to her.
I really enjoyed this book. I love Purcell’s style of writing, and she is so good at creating lifelike characters.
The narrative focuses on three main women of George’s family; his wife Queen Charlotte, his eldest daughter Charlotte Princess Royal (referred to as “Royal” throughout the story to avoid confusion with the Queen), and his second to youngest daughter Princess Sophia.
It is widely thought by historians nowadays that George suffered from the hereditary condition Porphyria, which is documented throughout the royal family several times. Other historians think he may have suffered from the condition Bipolar. I guess he could have had both, but we will never truly know.
He suffered several bouts of “madness” during his reign, the final bout led the way for his eldest son to be given the Regency (later crowned George IV). King George’s madness had a hugely detrimental effect on the female members of his family, as he had always made it clear he didn’t really want his daughters to marry, he wanted them all to stay in England and live with him and the Queen (he preferred his daughters hugely over his sons). The Queen was keen to keep her daughters with her as her companions, probably as a support network for when her husband was suffering. Due to his wishes that his daughters remained in England, arranging any sort of marriage could potentially have been the catalyst for another bout of illness for him, and so the Queen was very firm in her choice to keep her daughters by her side. But like any women of marriageable age, they all longed to have a husband and children of their own, plus, a marriage would be an escape out of what must’ve felt like a prison to them.
“Royal” did eventually get married, with the assistance of Prince George. Married life wasn’t everything she hoped it would be, she never managed to conceive a child again after her first was stillborn, but she made very strong, loving relationships with her husband’s children from his first marriage, and then with their children too.
Princess Sophia didn’t manage to marry, but there was scandal surrounding her, it’s most likely that she had a relationship with one of her father’s equerries, and conceived an illegitimate child, who would try to bribe the royal family in later life. Sophia lived out her adult life firstly in the household of her niece Charlotte, Princess of Wales, and then after her death, she moved into the household of Princess Victoria of Kent (her other niece, eventually crowned Queen Victoria).
Queen Charlotte lived her later life in misery, due to her husband’s illnesses, she was constantly living in a state of anxiety, and grief for the husband who was lost to her.
I really enjoyed this book. I love Purcell’s style of writing, and she is so good at creating lifelike characters.
December 3, 2024
This book was so lame and disappointing that I'm infuriated by it! I was so intrigued by the premise of a sympathetic, but candid, updated, look at the family of King George III, and how they coped with his illness and the resulting Regency. What I got instead was a whiny, hand-wringing, repetitive soap opera, filled with two-dimensional caricatures instead of living human beings!
This was mostly about Queen Charlotte, whom I had always admired before, because she had so many children and had to deal with a difficult situation. Even though, my idea of her may be inaccurate, I definitely gained NOTHING from being subjected to this word-portrait of her as a selfish, narcissistic, shrew! She is presented as a morass of sniveling incompetence!
Then there are the 13 surviving children...the eldest, George, (Prince of Wales, Prince Regent, and ultimately, King George IV,) whom history has labeled a womanizer, spendthrift, and heartless son, presented here as the Queen's and his sister's favorite, because of his kind and thoughtful generosity! His marriages were both a complete disaster, but he is shown as the injured party! Only one other brother, Ernest, has any mention, other than the two babies who died. The daughters are almost as underrepresented, as the book only details the lives of Charlotte, ( The Princess Royal, later Duchess, then Queen, of Wurttemberg,) and Sophia, child # 12 and #5 daughter. They are both portrayed as desperate young women, who feel trapped and imprisoned by court life, yet who claim their undying first love and loyalty is to their father, King George III. In the author's note, she admits speculating on Sophia's possible love life and subsequent illegitimate child, but whether true or not, what is hardest to believe is that she would continue to put her father above her lover and son!
Of the other four daughters, the youngest, Amelia, comes in for the pathos of her early demise, but the rest just serve as place holders! I continually had to refer back to the family tree, which was too limited and too brief to be of much use.
I am left shaking my head, first and foremost at myself for actually wading through all 431 pages of this waste of time and paper, but also at the author, Laura Purcell, whose semi-gothic suspense books I have previously enjoyed. Her book: THE SILENT COMPANIONS is not only her best, but written in such a more engaging style, that it is hard to believe she is the same writer!
This was mostly about Queen Charlotte, whom I had always admired before, because she had so many children and had to deal with a difficult situation. Even though, my idea of her may be inaccurate, I definitely gained NOTHING from being subjected to this word-portrait of her as a selfish, narcissistic, shrew! She is presented as a morass of sniveling incompetence!
Then there are the 13 surviving children...the eldest, George, (Prince of Wales, Prince Regent, and ultimately, King George IV,) whom history has labeled a womanizer, spendthrift, and heartless son, presented here as the Queen's and his sister's favorite, because of his kind and thoughtful generosity! His marriages were both a complete disaster, but he is shown as the injured party! Only one other brother, Ernest, has any mention, other than the two babies who died. The daughters are almost as underrepresented, as the book only details the lives of Charlotte, ( The Princess Royal, later Duchess, then Queen, of Wurttemberg,) and Sophia, child # 12 and #5 daughter. They are both portrayed as desperate young women, who feel trapped and imprisoned by court life, yet who claim their undying first love and loyalty is to their father, King George III. In the author's note, she admits speculating on Sophia's possible love life and subsequent illegitimate child, but whether true or not, what is hardest to believe is that she would continue to put her father above her lover and son!
Of the other four daughters, the youngest, Amelia, comes in for the pathos of her early demise, but the rest just serve as place holders! I continually had to refer back to the family tree, which was too limited and too brief to be of much use.
I am left shaking my head, first and foremost at myself for actually wading through all 431 pages of this waste of time and paper, but also at the author, Laura Purcell, whose semi-gothic suspense books I have previously enjoyed. Her book: THE SILENT COMPANIONS is not only her best, but written in such a more engaging style, that it is hard to believe she is the same writer!
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