What do you think?
Rate this book
Like A Queen
The ultimate Queen's bible written by Australian blogger Constance Hall
"Raw & Real."
"Funny and life-affirming."
"Comic relief."
________
What you see in others is what you see in yourself.
Yep, another old cliche, thanks Con. But this little gem is a truthful one and will be your only real tool in recognising that you have reached Queendom.
Queens see Queens. They don’t see weight problems, they don’t see crazy bitches, they don’t see failures.
I thought there was something in the water, like women everywhere had changed, when I first started seeing divinity everywhere I went — a mum getting out of her car … radiating, the girl making my coffee … glowing.
The woman pushing a supermarket trolley with a huge FML expression … goddess.
Queens everywhere.
One day I was drinking a soy chai and watching two women chatting and enjoying a coffee while simultaneously rocking babies and wrestling toddlers. They looked so beautiful, so wise, so strong, that I nearly cried. I thought I must be pregnant but I wasn’t.
It wasn’t the women who had changed, it was me.
Then I started talking to women about other women we knew, but not the typical gossipy crap. I would talk about how beautiful they were, how strong they were and before I knew it, other women came to me to talk about women we knew in the same light, full of love, full of compassion, brainstorming ways that we could help new mums and laughing at the awesomeness of experienced ones.
Love and Compassion breeds Love and Compassion at phenomenal rates.
This is your confirmation that you are truly a Queen, you are what you see in others.
Queens only see Queens.
"Raw & Real."
"Funny and life-affirming."
"Comic relief."
________
What you see in others is what you see in yourself.
Yep, another old cliche, thanks Con. But this little gem is a truthful one and will be your only real tool in recognising that you have reached Queendom.
Queens see Queens. They don’t see weight problems, they don’t see crazy bitches, they don’t see failures.
I thought there was something in the water, like women everywhere had changed, when I first started seeing divinity everywhere I went — a mum getting out of her car … radiating, the girl making my coffee … glowing.
The woman pushing a supermarket trolley with a huge FML expression … goddess.
Queens everywhere.
One day I was drinking a soy chai and watching two women chatting and enjoying a coffee while simultaneously rocking babies and wrestling toddlers. They looked so beautiful, so wise, so strong, that I nearly cried. I thought I must be pregnant but I wasn’t.
It wasn’t the women who had changed, it was me.
Then I started talking to women about other women we knew, but not the typical gossipy crap. I would talk about how beautiful they were, how strong they were and before I knew it, other women came to me to talk about women we knew in the same light, full of love, full of compassion, brainstorming ways that we could help new mums and laughing at the awesomeness of experienced ones.
Love and Compassion breeds Love and Compassion at phenomenal rates.
This is your confirmation that you are truly a Queen, you are what you see in others.
Queens only see Queens.
272 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2016
121 people are currently reading
903 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
August 27, 2017
I fear being attacked for being un-queen like, (because queens all know you don't bag a queen) but this is not a great book.
I love Constance's blog, and I think that her writing better suits the short sharp nature of a blog. This book was just too much. It would have benefitted from a proper edit, being self published it was very rough. I think an editor could really have pulled the whole thing together and made it more enjoyable.
There were a couple of solid gold moments, but mostly, it was pretty ordinary and I skipped through a lot of it.
Good on Constance for putting herself out there, the message is on point (essentially, women, support your sisterhood) and the world would be a better place if we all had a village of Queens but this book just didn't do it for me.
I love Constance's blog, and I think that her writing better suits the short sharp nature of a blog. This book was just too much. It would have benefitted from a proper edit, being self published it was very rough. I think an editor could really have pulled the whole thing together and made it more enjoyable.
There were a couple of solid gold moments, but mostly, it was pretty ordinary and I skipped through a lot of it.
Good on Constance for putting herself out there, the message is on point (essentially, women, support your sisterhood) and the world would be a better place if we all had a village of Queens but this book just didn't do it for me.
December 25, 2016
Golly... look Constance is a very brave woman for baring her soul but I was left feeling empty with this book.
She seems to glamourise/normalise dysfunctional relationships and I was left feeling quite unsettled.
She certainly had some good words of advice to share but it was few and far between. I'm disappointed that I spent $30-$40 (can't remember) on this book. Hopefully I can gift it to someone who might like it.
With a good edit, this book could have been an easier read (grammar/spelling!). Unfortunately I found myself skimming the pages of what was a well intentioned advice book.
She seems to glamourise/normalise dysfunctional relationships and I was left feeling quite unsettled.
She certainly had some good words of advice to share but it was few and far between. I'm disappointed that I spent $30-$40 (can't remember) on this book. Hopefully I can gift it to someone who might like it.
With a good edit, this book could have been an easier read (grammar/spelling!). Unfortunately I found myself skimming the pages of what was a well intentioned advice book.
February 9, 2017
It wouldn't have hurt Constance to have someone proofread her content before publishing it, for one.
Secondly, there are themes of empowerment, togetherness and encouragement, something I'm very much all about, however, there is also an outright cult aesthetic. This book, along with the Queen movement, feels very much like the latter.
Constance's book glorifies fostering dishonesty and disrespect within relationships, and having a complete lack of moral compass all in the name of being 'real', 'relatable' and 'funny'. Which in my eyes, just isn't a very regal attitude to carry around with oneself, nor should it be used to influence and direct others in how they approach important relationships in their lives.
Her writing is crass, her sentence structure leaves much to be desired, and frankly many of her anecdotes leave a very bad taste in the reader's mouth. I for one felt like I had to shower repeatedly after several passages.
In short, there are many, many other coherent, literate and genuinely hilarious 'Mummy Bloggers/Authors' with published works that hit all the targets Constance aims for yet sadly falls short of, and then some, who are much more worth the invested time and money.
I would be appalled to hear my mother or spouse speak about me in the way this book is written, much less have to grow up and read it for myself from the horses' mouth so to speak.
If I could, I'd rate it 0 stars.
Secondly, there are themes of empowerment, togetherness and encouragement, something I'm very much all about, however, there is also an outright cult aesthetic. This book, along with the Queen movement, feels very much like the latter.
Constance's book glorifies fostering dishonesty and disrespect within relationships, and having a complete lack of moral compass all in the name of being 'real', 'relatable' and 'funny'. Which in my eyes, just isn't a very regal attitude to carry around with oneself, nor should it be used to influence and direct others in how they approach important relationships in their lives.
Her writing is crass, her sentence structure leaves much to be desired, and frankly many of her anecdotes leave a very bad taste in the reader's mouth. I for one felt like I had to shower repeatedly after several passages.
In short, there are many, many other coherent, literate and genuinely hilarious 'Mummy Bloggers/Authors' with published works that hit all the targets Constance aims for yet sadly falls short of, and then some, who are much more worth the invested time and money.
I would be appalled to hear my mother or spouse speak about me in the way this book is written, much less have to grow up and read it for myself from the horses' mouth so to speak.
If I could, I'd rate it 0 stars.
February 7, 2017
Constance Hall considers herself a Queen. In the process she has achieved something akin to a 'Benny Hinn' devotion and following from mothers on Facebook from all around the world. Very vocal, loud and angry women who remind me of Beyoncé's Beyhive if you dare criticise her.
First of all, I didn't buy the book (thank god now in hindsight). A friend bought it and I saw it on her coffee table and she lent it to me. I was looking forward to reading it. Although I have never followed Hall on Facebook I was interested in learning more about this woman's life, how she became how she was and more about her family. How she spoke to the masses like a preacher on Sunday.
Holy shit.
I can sum the whole book up in two words - DYSFUNCTIONAL AND CHAOTIC. If I lived the life of Constance Hall I would have peptic ulcers the size of dinner plates.
Everything in her life is dysfunctional. Her relationship with her partner, her relationship with her family, her teenage years, hell, even her parenting style. Hall seems to trundle through life with a laissez-faire attitude to everything. Her house is a mess? Oh well. She hasn't brushed her teeth in three days? Oh well. Her children aren't eating and they won't get dressed? Oh well. She lives in a constant state of dysfunctional love with her husband, fighting, cheating, making up then doing the same thing again a month later? Oh well. You are a grown woman with four children, check yourself please.
I love a good memoir. Have you read "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls? Or "Warrior Woman" by Maxine Hong Kingston? Memoirs have the ability to draw the best out in the person you are reading about so that you learn how they became the person that they are today. They are ultimately uplifting. You feel something for the person. Anger, sadness, joy or sorrow. Hall failed miserably to achieve that.
Instead of feeling sorry for her, I felt she was spoiled and lazy. The more I read the more I felt that she took the easiest path at all times and anytime the going got tough Constance Hall bailed out, ran away and hid, even as a mother with children who need her. There is spurts and spits of great writing intermixed in the pages, but mostly it's just a badly edited book about a woman with Peter Pan syndrome.
This book was supposed to be uplifting and inspiring but I felt it became a satirical sermon written by someone who has taken a couple of classes of Psychology and now feels as though she's stumbled on the secret of life. 'Queendom' is supposed to be the ultimate message of the book, that you can be any woman you choose, no one has the right to judge your parenting style, you are strong, you are woman, you are the lyrics of Helen Reddy alive.
Look, I have no problem with the message at all. Do you, please, but by all means I don't need 300 + pages of disjointed, fragmented, badly edited, tenth grade equivalent written drivel to convince me I need to be more royal.
The whole idea of Queendom is just whitewashed shtick for the masses. Don't expect to be treated like a Queen, put on a pedestal, to be admired with deferential treatment. You may fall break your crown or collapse under the weight of the world's high expectations. Expect and demand to be treated as an equal. Equal rights, the ability to speak openly and be respected for your capabilities not just who you are. The ability to be critical yet still be loved.
I wish Constance Hall the best in the future, I really do. I hope she finds what she is looking for, makes peace with herself and moves out of the dysfunction she seems to thrive in.
First of all, I didn't buy the book (thank god now in hindsight). A friend bought it and I saw it on her coffee table and she lent it to me. I was looking forward to reading it. Although I have never followed Hall on Facebook I was interested in learning more about this woman's life, how she became how she was and more about her family. How she spoke to the masses like a preacher on Sunday.
Holy shit.
I can sum the whole book up in two words - DYSFUNCTIONAL AND CHAOTIC. If I lived the life of Constance Hall I would have peptic ulcers the size of dinner plates.
Everything in her life is dysfunctional. Her relationship with her partner, her relationship with her family, her teenage years, hell, even her parenting style. Hall seems to trundle through life with a laissez-faire attitude to everything. Her house is a mess? Oh well. She hasn't brushed her teeth in three days? Oh well. Her children aren't eating and they won't get dressed? Oh well. She lives in a constant state of dysfunctional love with her husband, fighting, cheating, making up then doing the same thing again a month later? Oh well. You are a grown woman with four children, check yourself please.
I love a good memoir. Have you read "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls? Or "Warrior Woman" by Maxine Hong Kingston? Memoirs have the ability to draw the best out in the person you are reading about so that you learn how they became the person that they are today. They are ultimately uplifting. You feel something for the person. Anger, sadness, joy or sorrow. Hall failed miserably to achieve that.
Instead of feeling sorry for her, I felt she was spoiled and lazy. The more I read the more I felt that she took the easiest path at all times and anytime the going got tough Constance Hall bailed out, ran away and hid, even as a mother with children who need her. There is spurts and spits of great writing intermixed in the pages, but mostly it's just a badly edited book about a woman with Peter Pan syndrome.
This book was supposed to be uplifting and inspiring but I felt it became a satirical sermon written by someone who has taken a couple of classes of Psychology and now feels as though she's stumbled on the secret of life. 'Queendom' is supposed to be the ultimate message of the book, that you can be any woman you choose, no one has the right to judge your parenting style, you are strong, you are woman, you are the lyrics of Helen Reddy alive.
Look, I have no problem with the message at all. Do you, please, but by all means I don't need 300 + pages of disjointed, fragmented, badly edited, tenth grade equivalent written drivel to convince me I need to be more royal.
The whole idea of Queendom is just whitewashed shtick for the masses. Don't expect to be treated like a Queen, put on a pedestal, to be admired with deferential treatment. You may fall break your crown or collapse under the weight of the world's high expectations. Expect and demand to be treated as an equal. Equal rights, the ability to speak openly and be respected for your capabilities not just who you are. The ability to be critical yet still be loved.
I wish Constance Hall the best in the future, I really do. I hope she finds what she is looking for, makes peace with herself and moves out of the dysfunction she seems to thrive in.
December 23, 2016
I read this book after following Constance on Facebook, I waited and waited until it came. When I got home and saw the package on my table I was jumping up and down in excitement and started to read it. To say the least, I was utterly disappointed. I thought with not being a mum and without a husband or long-term partner, that I could learn something and look back at this when the day comes to relate and to have a laugh. This made me more terrified of having children and reading it felt that I was being in a lecture of how she wants people to see things, and not allow them to think of it in their own minds. I can see where people were laughing but I definitely wasn't, it just wasn't funny. The overuse of swear words is too much to bear in this book. Some things in the book brought up history of my life where I thought I let go, however, this made the tension worse and is just unnecessary in my life and where I'm at right now. It seems she has no standard of what she feels is a Queen, I know she isn't judgemental but there would have to be a standard, right?. The book was rushed and seemed like she wanted to get it out whilst she was in the limelight - only for the money I could imagine. She glamorises broken households, and whilst having some dark humour gets some people by as it did for me, I don't appreciate her glamorising it. I could continue on but this is all I have time for. By the end of the day, it's hyped up sh*t.
January 3, 2017
Appallingly written. Crass. A woman with zero class and a faulty moral compass. I feel sorry for her husband and children reading the things she has put to paper about them.
September 9, 2016
I loved the rawness of this book. I found it confronting in a way that was so raw and so real, when I thought about when I was going through early motherhood and relationship issues, I always thought I was so alone but I have realised that we all have our adversities and our issues that we have to face. Feel so much better knowing I am not alone, that women out there are finally speaking out about how hard motherhood truly is, we are all Queens, we are all truly amazing! I haven't laughed so much reading a book ever, my favourite part of the book that had me in tears from laughing so much was the birthing poo section - OMG love it!!!
February 9, 2018
This has alot of 1* reviews on Goodreads. So I wasn't sure what to expect. It's not a perfect book but hey who is perfect?! Yes it probably could have done with a bit of editing and yes it does have "swearing" shock horror 🙄. I didn't feel like she was "glamourising dysfunctional families" she is just being honest about her experiences. Honesty carries more weight with me than writing what people want to hear. Yes some of it is a bit out their and shocking. But her chapters about parenting and loosing yourself within motherhood I found refreshing. The Book is written and reads like you have just met her in a random place and she is dumping her stuff on you 😂. This she openly admits to doing often... I enjoyed it.
February 7, 2017
Absolute garbage. This "queen" is everything a mother shouldn't be. She glorifies laziness and hides behind her cult following. I wouldn't even use this book for kindling if I was freezing to death.
October 13, 2016
I gave birth to my first child in March this year. On the whole I thoroughly enjoyed being pregnant and am genuinely looking forward to my next go at it (mad, I know.) I spent the months planning her arrival, reading everything I could, trawling through online support groups and trying to figure out my parenting style, while reminding myself to remain flexible. What I didn't enjoy during this time was my husband. While everyone around me was happy and excited, my husband was not really interested in my pregnancy and had no interest in learning about babies. He didn't want to pick up a single book and got squeamish with the details.
Now that bub is here, my husband works and I stay home with Little One, doing the majority of care-giving and the housework, whether husband is home or not. He works 40 hours a week, and I work 168 hours a week, on-call. At some point, I began to ask myself if it was normal for mothers to want to drop-kick their husbands the second they walk in the front door, or to fantasize about packing up and leaving him behind while me and the baby ride off into the sunset. My friends in my Mothers Group all advised that the same thing was happening in their homes and they felt the exact same way.
None of the baby books I had read mentioned this phenomenon. Why did nobody warn the mothers-to-be of the incredible strain that parenthood can put on your bond with your partner? While I am at it, there are several things that the books don't cover. The pressure of social media on parenting; the fact that you constantly vaguely smell of baby vomit; that emotion that you feel when it is 3am and the baby is still crying and you are overwhelmed with both love and a desperate rage. Shouldn't there be somebody out there warning us all? Perhaps a guardian angel who can pop in with a quick disclaimer before D-Day? Or at the very least, making us feel like we aren't so strange for being so not the perfect, benevolent mother and partner that we thought we'd be.
Constance Hall is that guardian angel. Her Facebook page is a hub for women to share their frustrations, to laugh at themselves and their experiences, and feel connected to other mothers (or, as she refers to us, Queens.) She shares her personal experiences of life with her husband and 4 children and has created a safe online space for lost women to find their proverbial crowns and see themselves as the brilliant creatures that they are. And the best part: she has written an entire book to help guide us through this beautiful and difficult time; from staring daggers at your husband while he sleeps and you rock a baby who you're pretty sure hates you, to finding your inner royalty and realising that there's no such thing as perfect (but whatever you're doing is close.)
Like A Queen is part memoir, part musing. It is not a how-to guide or a trouble-shooting manual for parenthood. It is a collection of stories and anecdotes that combine to give you a sense of who Constance Hall is as a person, the journey that she has been on to become her Queenly self, and an insight into how she views other women. She hides nothing about her faults and failures, writing with a brutal honesty which is endearing and reassuring. Through her words, she feels like a trusted and valued friend. The reader can empathise with her stories and observations, and in a world where we often feel so very judged, the experience is truly cathartic.
This book is a labour of love and in reading it, you enter the wonderful world of Constance Hall, where all women are Queens and can laugh, love and empathise with one another. It is a fast and easy read, light-hearted enough that the depth won't drag you down. I highly recommend this book for any Queen (expectant mothers, new mothers, mothers who have lost their crowns, mothers who are rocking it but want to join the growing fold) and have already offered to lend it out to my Mothers Group.
I have cross-posted this review from my blog.
Now that bub is here, my husband works and I stay home with Little One, doing the majority of care-giving and the housework, whether husband is home or not. He works 40 hours a week, and I work 168 hours a week, on-call. At some point, I began to ask myself if it was normal for mothers to want to drop-kick their husbands the second they walk in the front door, or to fantasize about packing up and leaving him behind while me and the baby ride off into the sunset. My friends in my Mothers Group all advised that the same thing was happening in their homes and they felt the exact same way.
None of the baby books I had read mentioned this phenomenon. Why did nobody warn the mothers-to-be of the incredible strain that parenthood can put on your bond with your partner? While I am at it, there are several things that the books don't cover. The pressure of social media on parenting; the fact that you constantly vaguely smell of baby vomit; that emotion that you feel when it is 3am and the baby is still crying and you are overwhelmed with both love and a desperate rage. Shouldn't there be somebody out there warning us all? Perhaps a guardian angel who can pop in with a quick disclaimer before D-Day? Or at the very least, making us feel like we aren't so strange for being so not the perfect, benevolent mother and partner that we thought we'd be.
Constance Hall is that guardian angel. Her Facebook page is a hub for women to share their frustrations, to laugh at themselves and their experiences, and feel connected to other mothers (or, as she refers to us, Queens.) She shares her personal experiences of life with her husband and 4 children and has created a safe online space for lost women to find their proverbial crowns and see themselves as the brilliant creatures that they are. And the best part: she has written an entire book to help guide us through this beautiful and difficult time; from staring daggers at your husband while he sleeps and you rock a baby who you're pretty sure hates you, to finding your inner royalty and realising that there's no such thing as perfect (but whatever you're doing is close.)
Like A Queen is part memoir, part musing. It is not a how-to guide or a trouble-shooting manual for parenthood. It is a collection of stories and anecdotes that combine to give you a sense of who Constance Hall is as a person, the journey that she has been on to become her Queenly self, and an insight into how she views other women. She hides nothing about her faults and failures, writing with a brutal honesty which is endearing and reassuring. Through her words, she feels like a trusted and valued friend. The reader can empathise with her stories and observations, and in a world where we often feel so very judged, the experience is truly cathartic.
This book is a labour of love and in reading it, you enter the wonderful world of Constance Hall, where all women are Queens and can laugh, love and empathise with one another. It is a fast and easy read, light-hearted enough that the depth won't drag you down. I highly recommend this book for any Queen (expectant mothers, new mothers, mothers who have lost their crowns, mothers who are rocking it but want to join the growing fold) and have already offered to lend it out to my Mothers Group.
I have cross-posted this review from my blog.
February 7, 2017
I really had some high hopes after reading so many reviews, and with so many of my friends adopting the "Queen" alias.
The first few chapters I loved it, I even laughed out loud in a few sections.
I didn't even mind the expletives every few sentences nor do I care about the writing style- I actually thought it was quite innovative to have sectioned paragraphs, as it was easy to stop and find your place again.
However, by the end of the book, I officially hate the "Queen" slogan.
Glorifying dishonesty in a relationship, being consistently in a volatile environment, having a complete lack of moral compass for the sake of being funny and relatable?
I understand what Constance was trying to convey and she did well in the first few chapters, but experiencing my own volatile relationship to my son's father and then reading about her experiences left me sick to my stomach.
She talks about breaking the chain of female oppression and to give yourself love but yet continues for pages about affairs, dishonesty, break ups, hate, but stays together for the love of the children.
How they don't fight in front of their kids but "write 3 page text messages" after she has gone for a drive.
To me, it actually suggests she may have stockholm syndrome in her domestic situation- all because "she loves him."
Don't get me wrong, in real life it maybe apples and cinnamon, but if the book represents her present life...
Well intended book, to make you feel ok about your life and ultimately to embrace everyone with kindness because you don't know what they are going through.
But there are plenty more inspirational reads out there that will leave a better feeling in your gut after reading the last page.
The first few chapters I loved it, I even laughed out loud in a few sections.
I didn't even mind the expletives every few sentences nor do I care about the writing style- I actually thought it was quite innovative to have sectioned paragraphs, as it was easy to stop and find your place again.
However, by the end of the book, I officially hate the "Queen" slogan.
Glorifying dishonesty in a relationship, being consistently in a volatile environment, having a complete lack of moral compass for the sake of being funny and relatable?
I understand what Constance was trying to convey and she did well in the first few chapters, but experiencing my own volatile relationship to my son's father and then reading about her experiences left me sick to my stomach.
She talks about breaking the chain of female oppression and to give yourself love but yet continues for pages about affairs, dishonesty, break ups, hate, but stays together for the love of the children.
How they don't fight in front of their kids but "write 3 page text messages" after she has gone for a drive.
To me, it actually suggests she may have stockholm syndrome in her domestic situation- all because "she loves him."
Don't get me wrong, in real life it maybe apples and cinnamon, but if the book represents her present life...
Well intended book, to make you feel ok about your life and ultimately to embrace everyone with kindness because you don't know what they are going through.
But there are plenty more inspirational reads out there that will leave a better feeling in your gut after reading the last page.
February 7, 2017
Some amusing funny parts but all in all I felt it is a extremely dangerous book that normalises an abusive and dysfunctional relationship.
June 1, 2017
This 'book' and I use that term loosely, is the confused and incoherent ramblings of someone who thinks their opinion is very important. It isn't.
Constance Hall isn't qualified - professionally, or otherwise, to offer half the advice she does. The end section is just bizarre. She even goes into detail about checking your poo and not eating certain foods. Is she a doctor or nutritionist? She is not qualified to write that. Stay in your own lane!!! Being 'real' and 'honest' doesn't mean you actually know anything...
Even the wording. Calling it a bible in itself is just odd. This is no one's Bible and her 'advice' is not good. It normalizes dysfunction at every turn. I think ultimately, the poor thing probably has a personality disorder from being abandoned by her parents. Her father chooses to keep her sister, not her. Then her mum buggers off and is never there. It sounds like both her parents were drug addicts that were more focused on themselves than her. The normalization of drug culture is ridiculous.
I feel there is a very strong narcissistic element to her personality and the book. She is obsessed with how she looks, even her Facebook page. That I followed for a short time - Is every post a photo of her face? Talking about anything and there is her mug.
The book is confusing and lacks clear definition: is it a memoir? Or is it a self-help book? Or is it the ramblings of a troubled soul who was told she wasn't smart but funny and wanted to 'show everyone' she could write? I go with the later.
The paragraph structure and the grammar and spelling made me want to cry. And I am no Grammar Nazi.
Clearly, Constance has some street smarts and a sad yet somewhat interesting story. She is clever with marketing as the entire let's be a 'Queen' is a massive con, pardon the pun. There is a scary cult-like following and Constance pretends she doesn't know her power. Her followers are almost minions. When she says jump. They say how high? The real focus seems to be the 'you are not a bad parent cause I said so'. It is an okay mantra but maybe actually try to be a good parent! Is she repeating what her parents did to her? I really hope not.
Themes in this 'book' are all over the place. There are snippets of gold. Very fleetingly! Nothing ground breaking. There was talk of the queen movement is based around Feminism. I couldn't disagree more with that assessment. Manipulation, yes. Dysfunction, yes. Mentally instability, yes. Neediness, yes. Feminism, no.
To be clear, I didn't buy the book. I borrowed it from a friend who ordered it before it came out. She had to pay upfront. First, she never got her books even though she helped the first books get printed! Months later she got sent 6... yes, 6. She only ordered 2! I read in the newspaper she said she had sold some ridiculously high amount of books. It made me wonder if she is actually being loose with the truth. Maybe she printed that many.
Either way, avoid it like the plague.
Constance Hall isn't qualified - professionally, or otherwise, to offer half the advice she does. The end section is just bizarre. She even goes into detail about checking your poo and not eating certain foods. Is she a doctor or nutritionist? She is not qualified to write that. Stay in your own lane!!! Being 'real' and 'honest' doesn't mean you actually know anything...
Even the wording. Calling it a bible in itself is just odd. This is no one's Bible and her 'advice' is not good. It normalizes dysfunction at every turn. I think ultimately, the poor thing probably has a personality disorder from being abandoned by her parents. Her father chooses to keep her sister, not her. Then her mum buggers off and is never there. It sounds like both her parents were drug addicts that were more focused on themselves than her. The normalization of drug culture is ridiculous.
I feel there is a very strong narcissistic element to her personality and the book. She is obsessed with how she looks, even her Facebook page. That I followed for a short time - Is every post a photo of her face? Talking about anything and there is her mug.
The book is confusing and lacks clear definition: is it a memoir? Or is it a self-help book? Or is it the ramblings of a troubled soul who was told she wasn't smart but funny and wanted to 'show everyone' she could write? I go with the later.
The paragraph structure and the grammar and spelling made me want to cry. And I am no Grammar Nazi.
Clearly, Constance has some street smarts and a sad yet somewhat interesting story. She is clever with marketing as the entire let's be a 'Queen' is a massive con, pardon the pun. There is a scary cult-like following and Constance pretends she doesn't know her power. Her followers are almost minions. When she says jump. They say how high? The real focus seems to be the 'you are not a bad parent cause I said so'. It is an okay mantra but maybe actually try to be a good parent! Is she repeating what her parents did to her? I really hope not.
Themes in this 'book' are all over the place. There are snippets of gold. Very fleetingly! Nothing ground breaking. There was talk of the queen movement is based around Feminism. I couldn't disagree more with that assessment. Manipulation, yes. Dysfunction, yes. Mentally instability, yes. Neediness, yes. Feminism, no.
To be clear, I didn't buy the book. I borrowed it from a friend who ordered it before it came out. She had to pay upfront. First, she never got her books even though she helped the first books get printed! Months later she got sent 6... yes, 6. She only ordered 2! I read in the newspaper she said she had sold some ridiculously high amount of books. It made me wonder if she is actually being loose with the truth. Maybe she printed that many.
Either way, avoid it like the plague.
October 15, 2016
I didn't know whether to give this book 1 or 5 stars...1 because it made me feel raw and exposed and ripped off; 5 because I connected with Con, her story and this book so entirely.
The tales of shit husbands, pre-birth expectations, feelings of isolation, anxiety, parenting fears, etc.
I feel rewarded for reading it. I feel empowered by reading it. I feel changed for reading it.
Thank you for your honesty, Constance Hall ❤️
The tales of shit husbands, pre-birth expectations, feelings of isolation, anxiety, parenting fears, etc.
I feel rewarded for reading it. I feel empowered by reading it. I feel changed for reading it.
Thank you for your honesty, Constance Hall ❤️
July 28, 2018
She is bonkers and I love her! That’s all there is to say :)
January 2, 2017
It was ok...
if you were after some positive reinforcement that you're actually a normal mother, or just doing ok in life, then this book may be a revelation for you. For me, it was a nice read, but nothing I hadn't heard before. Had I read this maybe 5 years ago, I may have written a different review.
If you're a bit prudish with your language (like me), you may find the amount of expletives nauseating & unnecessary, and while I realise that this is written in the authentic voice of the author, I think it does reduce the overall tone of the book, and detracts from the overall message that is trying to be portrayed.
to put it in a very basic, crude way, it's little more than a slightly polished diary. Her writing style is humorous at times, and the way she articulates certain points is impressive in parts, but it's basically just the story of her life, and the lessons she's learned from it. I don't really feel like I gained anything having read it.
if you were after some positive reinforcement that you're actually a normal mother, or just doing ok in life, then this book may be a revelation for you. For me, it was a nice read, but nothing I hadn't heard before. Had I read this maybe 5 years ago, I may have written a different review.
If you're a bit prudish with your language (like me), you may find the amount of expletives nauseating & unnecessary, and while I realise that this is written in the authentic voice of the author, I think it does reduce the overall tone of the book, and detracts from the overall message that is trying to be portrayed.
to put it in a very basic, crude way, it's little more than a slightly polished diary. Her writing style is humorous at times, and the way she articulates certain points is impressive in parts, but it's basically just the story of her life, and the lessons she's learned from it. I don't really feel like I gained anything having read it.
November 5, 2016
Constance totally deserves 5 stars purely for her dedication to spreading the message of encouraging women to support each other without judgement. Such an important message and ironically she gets judged very harshly by a handful of women who perhaps have missed her point. She is shameless, authentic, funny and I found the book a good read. May she keep inspiring women to treat themselves better and treat other women better too!
December 29, 2020
There are some tid bits of interesting stories scattered throughout the book, but that is the only redeemable part of the book. I eye rolled most pages and couldn't get over the horrible writing. Each paragraph seems like it was written for an Instagram post. I swear like a sailor, but even this was too much for me. Every second word doesn't need to be f*** or C*** to get your point across. Use a thesaurus and come up with some different words! 1/5
January 2, 2017
While I agree with her sentiments, I think Constance should stick to blogging and sharing her thoughts on Facebook. A whole book of "queeniness" is a bit much to take and comes off reading as a tad preachy and becomes a little boring.
February 2, 2017
I had never heard of Constance Hall until she started popping up on my Facebook feed after a few of my lovely friends began occasionally sharing some of her posts. I have often been described as a 'mother with no children (yet)' and so I was instantly drawn to Constance's honest, raw and REAL portrayal of being a Mum of four.
I was hooked.
Following all the amazing feedback she was receiving for her book Like A Queen I decided I couldn't wait to receive it as a Christmas present, and so just bought it myself!
I really believe this book is important, that Constance's voice is important not only because of what she says, but because of what she does too. She follows through on everything, she is just a genuine person living her life and commenting on the world around her.
There's one thing I'd like to settle first- Like A Queen is NOT just for mums, or mums-to-be. It is for every woman; no matter their age, race, profession, income, location, marital status, sexuality, past, present or future. It is a book about empowering woman, about showing how amazing we are and how life-changing we can be when we are honest with ourselves and we work together.
Constance talks of her relationship with her family, her husband and her friends and her passion for what she believes in is truly inspiring. Being honest about anxiety and how crippling it can be, while still raising 4 kids is incredible!
I myself have only recently begun to deal with my own anxiety and depression and through this book, Constance spoke to me. I was worried about things that hadn't even happened yet- that weren't even a given- and reading her words (her hilarious words) gave me hope.
I mean really, what else could we ask for?
Could this book have done with a good proofread and edit? Sure. But I think it's wise to overlook things like that considering the message Constance is portraying in her words.
Everyone should read this book. Mothers, daughters, husbands, sons- everyone! I look forward to maybe one day sharing it with my own children, and perhaps I'll have a few choice anecdotes of my own to share with them!
I was hooked.
Following all the amazing feedback she was receiving for her book Like A Queen I decided I couldn't wait to receive it as a Christmas present, and so just bought it myself!
I really believe this book is important, that Constance's voice is important not only because of what she says, but because of what she does too. She follows through on everything, she is just a genuine person living her life and commenting on the world around her.
There's one thing I'd like to settle first- Like A Queen is NOT just for mums, or mums-to-be. It is for every woman; no matter their age, race, profession, income, location, marital status, sexuality, past, present or future. It is a book about empowering woman, about showing how amazing we are and how life-changing we can be when we are honest with ourselves and we work together.
Constance talks of her relationship with her family, her husband and her friends and her passion for what she believes in is truly inspiring. Being honest about anxiety and how crippling it can be, while still raising 4 kids is incredible!
I myself have only recently begun to deal with my own anxiety and depression and through this book, Constance spoke to me. I was worried about things that hadn't even happened yet- that weren't even a given- and reading her words (her hilarious words) gave me hope.
I mean really, what else could we ask for?
Could this book have done with a good proofread and edit? Sure. But I think it's wise to overlook things like that considering the message Constance is portraying in her words.
Everyone should read this book. Mothers, daughters, husbands, sons- everyone! I look forward to maybe one day sharing it with my own children, and perhaps I'll have a few choice anecdotes of my own to share with them!
December 11, 2016
Like every good mother I jumped on the bandwagon and read this when a friend offered to lend it to me. My baby is one and I knew it would be an easy read and might prove useful.
Funny? Yes in parts - Constance clearly has a heart of gold and is a beautiful person. I enjoyed her anecdotes and there were some real gems.
I just couldn't get on board with finding it inspirational and found the sermons ineffectual. I'm clearly on the outs with those views though.
Funny? Yes in parts - Constance clearly has a heart of gold and is a beautiful person. I enjoyed her anecdotes and there were some real gems.
I just couldn't get on board with finding it inspirational and found the sermons ineffectual. I'm clearly on the outs with those views though.
December 14, 2016
Constance isn't the best writer in the world & sometimes she's so over the top BUT she has some good stuff to say. Her overall message of supporting woman is one worthy of hearing. It's good to cut through all the bullshit & that's what Constance does in this book. Real & raw & ridiculous, it's all here in these pages.
February 9, 2017
Not to seem unqueenly but while there are some nice concepts in this book the language was such that this was an awful read. I managed to finish it but I really struggled and did seriously consider not finishing it.
May 12, 2020
A lot of personality, and surprisingly insightful and mature in her message.
January 31, 2020
All power to Constance but this definitely needed a good edit. Repetitive at times with no clear timeline - lots of backwards and forwards. Message is good but it is somewhat lost in the delivery.
February 22, 2017
3.5 stars
Constance Hall, Mummy blogger, one time big brother housemate, "Queen"
She is brash, loud, potty mouthed, some may say crude/crass, takes no prisoners and gives no f**cks. At face value you might just hike up your skirt and run far far away in the other direction from here. However if you put this aside this book does show a heart of gold, and she has such a strong respect & affinity for other women, queens if you will, and her book is designed to empower other mums and women and to show that life is not a fairytale.
Sh** happens, you can crumble and cry, or you can own it and get going again. No one is perfect and Constance has many life decisions that I may not agree with, however I do agree with her sentiments that we should support each other, be honest with each other, and its okay to not be okay .
Everyone is a queen, and the most important person that needs to know that is YOU.
Give the book ago, I do think you'll be pleasantly surprised (and mildly shocked).
Constance Hall, Mummy blogger, one time big brother housemate, "Queen"
She is brash, loud, potty mouthed, some may say crude/crass, takes no prisoners and gives no f**cks. At face value you might just hike up your skirt and run far far away in the other direction from here. However if you put this aside this book does show a heart of gold, and she has such a strong respect & affinity for other women, queens if you will, and her book is designed to empower other mums and women and to show that life is not a fairytale.
Sh** happens, you can crumble and cry, or you can own it and get going again. No one is perfect and Constance has many life decisions that I may not agree with, however I do agree with her sentiments that we should support each other, be honest with each other, and its okay to not be okay .
Everyone is a queen, and the most important person that needs to know that is YOU.
Give the book ago, I do think you'll be pleasantly surprised (and mildly shocked).
March 25, 2017
I loved this book! It's like a Caitlin Moran book for new mums. It's heartfelt, comforting, interesting and has some amazing advice in it. Plus it's all written with the lovely ideal of women supporting each other. I highly recommend it to any new mums or mums with young children. It will make you laugh and smile in solidarity!!
October 25, 2017
After reading this all I could think was her upbringing and the dysfunction that her childhood ensued. She is the result of her parents doing a real number on her.
Histrionic Personality Disorder criteria (Cluster B Personality Disorders):
The personality disorder characterized by at least 3 of the following:
- self-dramatization, theatricality, exaggerated expression of emotions; ✓
- suggestibility, easily influenced by others or by circumstances; ✓
- shallow and labile affectivity; ✓
- continual seeking for excitement, appreciation by others, and activities in which the patient is the centre of attention; ✓
-inappropriate seductiveness in appearance or behaviour; ✓
-over-concern with physical attractiveness. ✓
Associated features may include egocentricity, self-indulgence, continuous longing for appreciation, feelings that are easily hurt, and persistent manipulative behaviour to achieve own needs. ✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
She literally ticks every box! You only need 3.
Given her ability to make everything about herself it was actually a read sad book to read. This is not someone to look to for advice. This is someone to be pitied. I hope she can get the help she needs so her kids to not cop the same sorry tale she got from her drug-addicted selfish parents.
Luckily, I did not buy the book. I got it from a friend. We both agreed it very hard to read. The book was littered with basic spelling and grammatical errors. No excuse, really! It is so poorly written you actually struggle to finish it. I didn't even read it all. I flicked to sections and it just had no real point. I am still confused what it really was. It is no bible. It is no feminism-based book. It is almost like a memoir that just highlights her sad childhood. It could have been written and constructed well. As is, it is not good. Avoid.
Histrionic Personality Disorder criteria (Cluster B Personality Disorders):
The personality disorder characterized by at least 3 of the following:
- self-dramatization, theatricality, exaggerated expression of emotions; ✓
- suggestibility, easily influenced by others or by circumstances; ✓
- shallow and labile affectivity; ✓
- continual seeking for excitement, appreciation by others, and activities in which the patient is the centre of attention; ✓
-inappropriate seductiveness in appearance or behaviour; ✓
-over-concern with physical attractiveness. ✓
Associated features may include egocentricity, self-indulgence, continuous longing for appreciation, feelings that are easily hurt, and persistent manipulative behaviour to achieve own needs. ✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
She literally ticks every box! You only need 3.
Given her ability to make everything about herself it was actually a read sad book to read. This is not someone to look to for advice. This is someone to be pitied. I hope she can get the help she needs so her kids to not cop the same sorry tale she got from her drug-addicted selfish parents.
Luckily, I did not buy the book. I got it from a friend. We both agreed it very hard to read. The book was littered with basic spelling and grammatical errors. No excuse, really! It is so poorly written you actually struggle to finish it. I didn't even read it all. I flicked to sections and it just had no real point. I am still confused what it really was. It is no bible. It is no feminism-based book. It is almost like a memoir that just highlights her sad childhood. It could have been written and constructed well. As is, it is not good. Avoid.
September 18, 2017
Overall I wasn't a big fan of this book. I enjoyed relating with her anecdotes about having kids etc, but got a little over the constant "queen" talk. I'm so unqueen worthy...
December 18, 2016
Why only 4 stars for a book I loved? I am in no way prude but felt some of her wording a bit too below the belt.
I do not stand for everything that she believes in but I think that is kind of the point of the book. Just because we are all different and believe in different things, doesn't make anyone person wrong. She should be building each other up, not knock each other down, because A didn't do what B would have done.
I love that Constance said things that every woman....and man. Needs to hear. She brought tears to my eyes, with her paragraph about c-sections..Thank you Constance, that is something nobody has ever said and as I have had 3 sections, I kinda felt like a failure in the child birth department..but guess what? I actually gave birth!!
Her points on relationships was so raw and real. Made me realise, that hey it is normal to feel that way.
Very raw and I felt honest book.
I do not stand for everything that she believes in but I think that is kind of the point of the book. Just because we are all different and believe in different things, doesn't make anyone person wrong. She should be building each other up, not knock each other down, because A didn't do what B would have done.
I love that Constance said things that every woman....and man. Needs to hear. She brought tears to my eyes, with her paragraph about c-sections..Thank you Constance, that is something nobody has ever said and as I have had 3 sections, I kinda felt like a failure in the child birth department..but guess what? I actually gave birth!!
Her points on relationships was so raw and real. Made me realise, that hey it is normal to feel that way.
Very raw and I felt honest book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews