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Victoria
Early one morning, less than a month after her eighteenth birthday, Alexandrina Victoria is roused from bed with the news that her uncle William IV has died and she is now Queen of England. The men who run the country have doubts about whether this sheltered young woman, who stands less than five feet tall, can rule the greatest nation in the world. Despite her age, however, the young queen is no puppet. She has very definite ideas about the kind of queen she wants to be, and the first thing is to choose her name. “I do not like the name Alexandrina,” she proclaims. “From now on I wish to be known only by my second name, Victoria.” Next, people say she must choose a husband. Everyone keeps telling her she’s destined to marry her first cousin, Prince Albert, but Victoria found him dull and priggish when they met three years ago. She is quite happy being queen with the help of her prime minister, Lord Melbourne, who may be old enough to be her father but is the first person to take her seriously. On June 19th, 1837, she was a teenager. On June 20th, 1837, she was a queen. Daisy Goodwin’s impeccably researched and vividly imagined new book brings readers Queen Victoria as they have never seen her before. Drawing on Queen Victoria’s diaries, which she first started reading when she was a student at Cambridge University, Daisy Goodwin—creator and writer of the new PBS/Masterpiece drama Victoria and author of the bestselling novels The American Heiress and The Fortune Hunter —brings the young nineteenth-century monarch, who would go on to reign for 63 years, richly to life in this magnificent novel.
12 pages, Audible Audio
First published November 1, 2016
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37622 people want to read
About the author
Daisy Goodwin
32 books2,241 followersDAISY GOODWIN, a Harkness scholar who attended Columbia University’s film school after earning a degree in history at Cambridge University, is a leading television producer in the U.K. Her poetry anthologies, including 101 Poems That Could Save Your Life, have introduced many new readers to the pleasures of poetry, and she was Chair of the judging panel of the 2010 Orange Prize for Fiction. That was the year she published her first novel the American Heiress ( My Last Duchess in UK) , followed by The Fortune Hunter and now Victoria. She has also created VICTORIA the PBS/ITV series which starts in January. She has three dogs, two dogs, and one husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,703 reviews
August 2, 2022
4+ stars to Daisy Goodwin's Victoria, a historical fiction novel released with a PBS TV series bringing the book to life on Sunday evenings. I was very sad when Downton Abbey was ending, but looked forward to the release of "The Gilded Age," "The Crown," and "Victoria," all of which handled similar themes and historical families. I won this book through a giveaway but had already started watching the TV series. I finished the book this week with one episode still left to watch to see how this chapter of the story ends -- and so far, I'm quite fascinated. A definite MUST-READ for all...
Story
Victoria's father was meant to be king, but he died young. A few of his brothers inherited the throne after their father passed on; however, none produced heirs. At 18, Victoria became Queen when her uncle died and she was quickly thrust into the spotlight. Raised by a German mother, with little education, and still a very young girl, Victoria waffled between rebellious teen and resourceful leader throughout this story. It covers about 2 years of her life from 18 to 20, ending when she proposes to her cousin Albert in order to bring some additional stability to her power. Based on Victoria's journals and several other historical documents, Goodwin recreates the beginnings of a rocky reign which eventually became the longest British royal on the throne (until Elizabeth II recently surpassed it a year ago). While the TV Series ends with Victoria and Albert married, having their first child, and her Prime Minister about to retire, the book stops a few months earlier... but it's still an amazing story.
Strengths
1. The story is classic: rebellious teen, loves someone she cannot have, fights with her mother, wants all the beautiful things, but is coming of age... so much drama we all have today but with the splendor of nearly 200 years ago added in for good measure.
2. It's full of family genetics and history. Who's married to whom? Who cheated on whom? It's her cousin? It's her uncle? It's also her third cousin once removed from the other side? Crazy... but it seems logical and makes sense all at the same time.
3. The ability to recreate the setting and the ambiance is well done. Goodwin is a master.
Suggestions
I have very little to suggest. Perhaps a family tree tucked into the jacket of the book? A little more background on her father and early years before she inherited the throne? It may help readers understand how her parents fell in love, what kind of relationship they had, how she was raised by her mother using German educational systems. You get a flavor of it, but I thirsted for a bit more.
Final Thoughts
Forget this is founded in some reality. Ignore that it's about royalty. Pretend it is modern times. The story is just a classic tale. And it has everything.
Story
Victoria's father was meant to be king, but he died young. A few of his brothers inherited the throne after their father passed on; however, none produced heirs. At 18, Victoria became Queen when her uncle died and she was quickly thrust into the spotlight. Raised by a German mother, with little education, and still a very young girl, Victoria waffled between rebellious teen and resourceful leader throughout this story. It covers about 2 years of her life from 18 to 20, ending when she proposes to her cousin Albert in order to bring some additional stability to her power. Based on Victoria's journals and several other historical documents, Goodwin recreates the beginnings of a rocky reign which eventually became the longest British royal on the throne (until Elizabeth II recently surpassed it a year ago). While the TV Series ends with Victoria and Albert married, having their first child, and her Prime Minister about to retire, the book stops a few months earlier... but it's still an amazing story.
Strengths
1. The story is classic: rebellious teen, loves someone she cannot have, fights with her mother, wants all the beautiful things, but is coming of age... so much drama we all have today but with the splendor of nearly 200 years ago added in for good measure.
2. It's full of family genetics and history. Who's married to whom? Who cheated on whom? It's her cousin? It's her uncle? It's also her third cousin once removed from the other side? Crazy... but it seems logical and makes sense all at the same time.
3. The ability to recreate the setting and the ambiance is well done. Goodwin is a master.
Suggestions
I have very little to suggest. Perhaps a family tree tucked into the jacket of the book? A little more background on her father and early years before she inherited the throne? It may help readers understand how her parents fell in love, what kind of relationship they had, how she was raised by her mother using German educational systems. You get a flavor of it, but I thirsted for a bit more.
Final Thoughts
Forget this is founded in some reality. Ignore that it's about royalty. Pretend it is modern times. The story is just a classic tale. And it has everything.
December 16, 2016
Victoria by Daisy Goodwin is a 2016 St. Martin’s Press publication.
This is a light and easy spin on Queen Victoria’s first days as the Queen, being at the ripe old age of eighteen. This fictional version of events reads more like a historical romance than a work of historical fiction.
As the sheltered Victoria tests the waters of her new found freedom and power, she often clashes with her mother and others who attempt to gain influence over her or advise her.
The Queen holds resentment in her heart for a long time, is often petulant and stubborn, and in some cases manipulative.
She is lucky to have found Lord Melbourne, who became her secretary, and could handle her in a way no one else seemed capable of. She loved him as a father figure, respected him as a friend, but soon developed deeper feelings for him. Theirs was a tumultuous association at times, but was one of deep affection and loyalty.
Lord M was her most trusted ally and did a great service to Victoria all the way up until her marriage to Albert.
This relationship dominates much of the book. It was interesting to see how that relationship developed and changed over time. The drama and intrigue at court is also very compelling, and although Victoria behaved like a spoiled child on many occasions and seemed to go through the motions of being a Queen, not taking her responsibilities beyond mere duty, she did have the courage to stand up to people she knew were attempting to ‘handle’ her or sway her decisions, although she made some awful mistakes along the way.
Victoria’s initial encounters with Albert are funny and their romance got off to a very rocky start, but I absolutely loved the banter between them and Albert was most assuredly a positive influence on the young queen, who benefited from this challenging person in her life because he was more than just a ‘yes’ man. By the same token, Victoria was the perfect woman for the extremely serious Albert, who never smiled.
I enjoyed reading about Victoria’s life prior to her marriage. She was only a teenager and rebelled like most normal teens do, especially those who are overprotected. This led to plenty of machinations and drama, and was on occasion, pretty suspenseful.
This is an interesting approach to historical fiction, and to Victoria’s early life, but the quick pacing and sharp dialogue, kept me turning pages and completely engaged in the story.
Overall, this is not exactly what I was expecting from this book, but I ended up liking it a lot and was glad the book took a buoyant tone, instead of a heavier one, which is what I was expecting, and is a fresh look at Victoria’s life before Albert and the way she finally accepted Albert as her husband.
4 stars
This is a light and easy spin on Queen Victoria’s first days as the Queen, being at the ripe old age of eighteen. This fictional version of events reads more like a historical romance than a work of historical fiction.
As the sheltered Victoria tests the waters of her new found freedom and power, she often clashes with her mother and others who attempt to gain influence over her or advise her.
The Queen holds resentment in her heart for a long time, is often petulant and stubborn, and in some cases manipulative.
She is lucky to have found Lord Melbourne, who became her secretary, and could handle her in a way no one else seemed capable of. She loved him as a father figure, respected him as a friend, but soon developed deeper feelings for him. Theirs was a tumultuous association at times, but was one of deep affection and loyalty.
Lord M was her most trusted ally and did a great service to Victoria all the way up until her marriage to Albert.
This relationship dominates much of the book. It was interesting to see how that relationship developed and changed over time. The drama and intrigue at court is also very compelling, and although Victoria behaved like a spoiled child on many occasions and seemed to go through the motions of being a Queen, not taking her responsibilities beyond mere duty, she did have the courage to stand up to people she knew were attempting to ‘handle’ her or sway her decisions, although she made some awful mistakes along the way.
Victoria’s initial encounters with Albert are funny and their romance got off to a very rocky start, but I absolutely loved the banter between them and Albert was most assuredly a positive influence on the young queen, who benefited from this challenging person in her life because he was more than just a ‘yes’ man. By the same token, Victoria was the perfect woman for the extremely serious Albert, who never smiled.
I enjoyed reading about Victoria’s life prior to her marriage. She was only a teenager and rebelled like most normal teens do, especially those who are overprotected. This led to plenty of machinations and drama, and was on occasion, pretty suspenseful.
This is an interesting approach to historical fiction, and to Victoria’s early life, but the quick pacing and sharp dialogue, kept me turning pages and completely engaged in the story.
Overall, this is not exactly what I was expecting from this book, but I ended up liking it a lot and was glad the book took a buoyant tone, instead of a heavier one, which is what I was expecting, and is a fresh look at Victoria’s life before Albert and the way she finally accepted Albert as her husband.
4 stars
January 9, 2017
Well, that was all fluff and nonsense that went on waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too long. The Lord Melbourne 'romance' was not appreciated by this reader, especially without an author's note with reasons why that was written into the story and if it had any basis in historical fact.
February 10, 2017
Thank you to Headline Review and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for me to review!
Victoria is a novelisation of Queen Victoria's ascension to the British throne in 1837. What you may or may not know, however, is that the author of this book is also the writer and creator of the ITV series (also titled Victoria) that coincides with it. I actually watched season 1 of the show first before reading the novel, so it's extremely difficult for me not to compare the two and to be honest, I much prefer the show to the novel. That's not to say it's a bad book, because it's not. It just lacked a few of the things that I adored from the show and even if I never watched the show, I still feel as though I would have the same issues with the book.
So here is what I will tell you (if you don't want to know anything about the show or the book's plot and don't already know the history of Queen Victoria, then perhaps don't read on) - The novel only reaches the point of Victoria's engagement, whereas the show continues farther than that until the birth of her first child. This, combined with the fact that Prince Albert only enters the novel 80% of the way through, was my main issue. If you're a massive romance fan like I am, then you'll probably be reading this wondering when the HECK Albert is finally going to show up and woo you and this is exactly what happened. I was waiting and waiting and waiting and then it only leads up until their engagement??? ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? THEIR RELATIONSHIP IS LITERALLY WHAT I'M HERE FOR!
Don't get me wrong, the first 80% of the novel is still important, as it follows Victoria's ascension and relationship with Lord Melbourne, but it dragged on for far too long and, in my opinion, should have only taken up 40-50% of the novel MAX, and the rest to be focussed on Victoria and Albert, their relationship, and how they rule together and start a family.
I would be fine with the novel how it is if it were the first in a series, but Daisy Goodwin has stated that her next novel will follow an entirely different main character and it will take place after Prince Albert dies SO THE WHOLE REASON I WANTED TO READ THESE BOOKS IS COMPLETELY OUT OF THE PICTURE. WHAT THE HECK.
I did love seeing Victoria ruling by herself, standing up to all of her enemies and coming into her own, but Albert was such a HUGE part of her life and I really, REALLY wanted to read about them together, so I was super disappointed.
In terms of the content, it's pretty historically accurate for the amount of information available and Daisy Goodwin relied on a hefty biography of Victoria's life so she knew what she was talking about, even if some aspects were embellished for the sake of TV drama.
So yes, I recommend this book if you want to know more about the Queen's early reigning years, but I don't recommend it if you're purely here for her and Prince Albert's relationship. I would definitely recommend the TV show over the novel in any case. The acting is superb, the costumes and settings were incredible and PRINCE ALBERT IS IN MORE THAN HALF OF IT, SO THERE'S THAT. He comes in at the end of episode 3 and there's 8 episodes in total in the first season, so get on that!
Overall I gave it a 3 out of 5 stars!
Victoria is a novelisation of Queen Victoria's ascension to the British throne in 1837. What you may or may not know, however, is that the author of this book is also the writer and creator of the ITV series (also titled Victoria) that coincides with it. I actually watched season 1 of the show first before reading the novel, so it's extremely difficult for me not to compare the two and to be honest, I much prefer the show to the novel. That's not to say it's a bad book, because it's not. It just lacked a few of the things that I adored from the show and even if I never watched the show, I still feel as though I would have the same issues with the book.
So here is what I will tell you (if you don't want to know anything about the show or the book's plot and don't already know the history of Queen Victoria, then perhaps don't read on) - The novel only reaches the point of Victoria's engagement, whereas the show continues farther than that until the birth of her first child. This, combined with the fact that Prince Albert only enters the novel 80% of the way through, was my main issue. If you're a massive romance fan like I am, then you'll probably be reading this wondering when the HECK Albert is finally going to show up and woo you and this is exactly what happened. I was waiting and waiting and waiting and then it only leads up until their engagement??? ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? THEIR RELATIONSHIP IS LITERALLY WHAT I'M HERE FOR!
Don't get me wrong, the first 80% of the novel is still important, as it follows Victoria's ascension and relationship with Lord Melbourne, but it dragged on for far too long and, in my opinion, should have only taken up 40-50% of the novel MAX, and the rest to be focussed on Victoria and Albert, their relationship, and how they rule together and start a family.
I would be fine with the novel how it is if it were the first in a series, but Daisy Goodwin has stated that her next novel will follow an entirely different main character and it will take place after Prince Albert dies SO THE WHOLE REASON I WANTED TO READ THESE BOOKS IS COMPLETELY OUT OF THE PICTURE. WHAT THE HECK.
I did love seeing Victoria ruling by herself, standing up to all of her enemies and coming into her own, but Albert was such a HUGE part of her life and I really, REALLY wanted to read about them together, so I was super disappointed.
In terms of the content, it's pretty historically accurate for the amount of information available and Daisy Goodwin relied on a hefty biography of Victoria's life so she knew what she was talking about, even if some aspects were embellished for the sake of TV drama.
So yes, I recommend this book if you want to know more about the Queen's early reigning years, but I don't recommend it if you're purely here for her and Prince Albert's relationship. I would definitely recommend the TV show over the novel in any case. The acting is superb, the costumes and settings were incredible and PRINCE ALBERT IS IN MORE THAN HALF OF IT, SO THERE'S THAT. He comes in at the end of episode 3 and there's 8 episodes in total in the first season, so get on that!
Overall I gave it a 3 out of 5 stars!
April 27, 2017
3.5 stars
Well, this was just pure reading pleasure. More historical romance than historical fiction, "Victoria " swirls around the early days of the English monarch's reign, her struggles for independence and her attachment to Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne that sparked many rumours. Although there were times that I wavered in liking the depiction of Victoria as an angst ridden teenager with a"crush" on a much older man, I lapped it all up. Like other reviewers, I would have liked an author's note to explain certain writing decisions in the book.
Well, this was just pure reading pleasure. More historical romance than historical fiction, "Victoria " swirls around the early days of the English monarch's reign, her struggles for independence and her attachment to Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne that sparked many rumours. Although there were times that I wavered in liking the depiction of Victoria as an angst ridden teenager with a"crush" on a much older man, I lapped it all up. Like other reviewers, I would have liked an author's note to explain certain writing decisions in the book.
June 19, 2017
I absolutely loved this book. The attention to detail, the character development, the overall splendid writing and Drammatic plot earned a 4-4.5 star rating! Not only is it spot-on factually, the writing is just simply great. Who would have thought that a royal would be raised under such strict conditions? I mean, having to hold one's hand anytime you go down the stairs?! Can we say paranoid much?! I am German, and absolutely loved/hated The depiction of Victoria's strict German mother in this! I felt like I was actually reading someone's diary at certain points in this novel. I wasn't as interested in this specific monarch largely due to the lack of drama compared to her predecessors (Plantagenets, Tudors, Stuarts), however I walked away feeling like I really learned quite a bit and gained much more of an interest in this era. I read this novel before the miniseries came out and I am thankful for it as I have a better understanding of the events that are not necessarily as broken down and explained when converted to the silver screen. I had never read a book by Goodwin before and see that she has several published prior to this one and will be going out and picking them up as she has just gained a new fan!
May 16, 2017
Disappointing.
Here we have the potential for an epic story. A young woman, sheltered for her entire life, becomes Queen at the age of 18. Grievously unprepared, she somehow still succeeds to become one of the most successful and well known monarchs of the British Royal line and, until recently, the longest reigning. Add to that the sweeping romance with her husband, Prince Albert, and you have a recipe for a riveting story, right?
I thought so, until I started this book.
Let's start with the writing. It's nothing to write home about, which, if the story is good enough, I can sometimes overlook. But as previously mentioned, the story is decidedly not good enough. Back to the writing. Repeatedly throughout this novel the author repeats herself multiple times in the novel. How frustrating was that sentence to read?
Exactly.
Now the story. Remember all of that good stuff? Nah. This book decides to focus its 400+ pages on a teenage crush on a father figure. And I get it. Queen Victoria's relationship with her Prime Minister was a big part of her early days as Queen. But did we really need an entire book dedicated to the same thing happening over and over and over again? Victoria likes Melbourne. Melbourne kind of likes Victoria but is too proper to encourage it. Decides to put an end to things.
Maybe.
Rinse and repeat. What really got me was the treatment of poor Albert. One of the most romantic stories the British monarchy has to boast is reduced to a bickering, miserable match. I honestly didn't even feel like Goodwin's Albert and Victoria liked each other very much at all. They are a side note tacked on to the star crossed love story that is Victoria and Melbourne. Never mind that Albert tried to protect Victoria during an assassination attempt. Never mind that together they championed so many important issues in poverty and learning. Never mind that after Albert's death, Victoria was scarcely seen for three years, wore black for the rest of her life, and laid out Albert's clothes every morning until her own death.
Never mind any of that.
Let's just talk more about Melbourne, shall we?
So disappointing.
Here we have the potential for an epic story. A young woman, sheltered for her entire life, becomes Queen at the age of 18. Grievously unprepared, she somehow still succeeds to become one of the most successful and well known monarchs of the British Royal line and, until recently, the longest reigning. Add to that the sweeping romance with her husband, Prince Albert, and you have a recipe for a riveting story, right?
I thought so, until I started this book.
Let's start with the writing. It's nothing to write home about, which, if the story is good enough, I can sometimes overlook. But as previously mentioned, the story is decidedly not good enough. Back to the writing. Repeatedly throughout this novel the author repeats herself multiple times in the novel. How frustrating was that sentence to read?
Exactly.
Now the story. Remember all of that good stuff? Nah. This book decides to focus its 400+ pages on a teenage crush on a father figure. And I get it. Queen Victoria's relationship with her Prime Minister was a big part of her early days as Queen. But did we really need an entire book dedicated to the same thing happening over and over and over again? Victoria likes Melbourne. Melbourne kind of likes Victoria but is too proper to encourage it. Decides to put an end to things.
Maybe.
Rinse and repeat. What really got me was the treatment of poor Albert. One of the most romantic stories the British monarchy has to boast is reduced to a bickering, miserable match. I honestly didn't even feel like Goodwin's Albert and Victoria liked each other very much at all. They are a side note tacked on to the star crossed love story that is Victoria and Melbourne. Never mind that Albert tried to protect Victoria during an assassination attempt. Never mind that together they championed so many important issues in poverty and learning. Never mind that after Albert's death, Victoria was scarcely seen for three years, wore black for the rest of her life, and laid out Albert's clothes every morning until her own death.
Never mind any of that.
Let's just talk more about Melbourne, shall we?
So disappointing.
January 10, 2019
Jar Pick #2
I did something that I don't usually do.
I watched the tv show before I read the book.
I know! SHAME! but I didn't know there was a book until I was halfway through the show.
Victoria is about the early years of Queen Victoria's reign. It spans from her 18 birthday until she proposes to Prince Albert. Queen Victoria is one of the most consequential monarchs in history but in the early days it was rough. She was only 18 when she claimed the Throne, she had a German mother(Germans weren't very popular with the English), was unmarried, and for some reason the fact that she was short seemed to be a problem. No one thought much of her. Everyone around wanted to control her and bend her to their will.
Victoria is fiction and since I know very little about her, I don't know how much of the story is true. Daisy Goodwin the author(and creator of the tv show) paints a captivating and beautiful story of a young woman trying to find her way in the world....while being the most powerful woman in the world.
If you love the Masterpiece Theatre show than you will love this book.
If you love sweeping and lavish Historical Fiction then you will love this book.
A Must Read.
I did something that I don't usually do.
I watched the tv show before I read the book.
I know! SHAME! but I didn't know there was a book until I was halfway through the show.
Victoria is about the early years of Queen Victoria's reign. It spans from her 18 birthday until she proposes to Prince Albert. Queen Victoria is one of the most consequential monarchs in history but in the early days it was rough. She was only 18 when she claimed the Throne, she had a German mother(Germans weren't very popular with the English), was unmarried, and for some reason the fact that she was short seemed to be a problem. No one thought much of her. Everyone around wanted to control her and bend her to their will.
Victoria is fiction and since I know very little about her, I don't know how much of the story is true. Daisy Goodwin the author(and creator of the tv show) paints a captivating and beautiful story of a young woman trying to find her way in the world....while being the most powerful woman in the world.
If you love the Masterpiece Theatre show than you will love this book.
If you love sweeping and lavish Historical Fiction then you will love this book.
A Must Read.
November 9, 2016
shamelessly putting this on my tbr list, as a history student I have sinned
EDIT:
I'd say it was pretty much exactly like the show, minus the downstairs subplot and the fact that The dialogue was basically identical to what they worked with on screen, but some scenes had more subtle details, which I loved. The Vicbourne build-up was beautifully done (ugh the pain) and Albert only made his entrance towards the 70% mark, not complaining.
Kathi, there are all of the Alexander scenes, too!
EDIT:
I'd say it was pretty much exactly like the show, minus the downstairs subplot and the fact that The dialogue was basically identical to what they worked with on screen, but some scenes had more subtle details, which I loved. The Vicbourne build-up was beautifully done (ugh the pain) and Albert only made his entrance towards the 70% mark, not complaining.
Kathi, there are all of the Alexander scenes, too!
August 20, 2020
Victoria Was One Of Ours
Victoria, the Queen who gave birth to an Era, had a passion for words. She started writing by the age of 13 and ended 10 days before her death. In addition to manny letters, she compiled her memories in 121 volumes of journals. Her whole life was there, in 60 millions of her own words, providing enough material for a faithful biography. Based on those sources, Daisy Goodwin turned the Queen’s life into a supremely enjoyable novel ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Victoria, the Queen who gave birth to an Era, had a passion for words. She started writing by the age of 13 and ended 10 days before her death. In addition to manny letters, she compiled her memories in 121 volumes of journals. Her whole life was there, in 60 millions of her own words, providing enough material for a faithful biography. Based on those sources, Daisy Goodwin turned the Queen’s life into a supremely enjoyable novel ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 11, 2019
I realy enjoyed it but in the end I felt so sorry for lord melbourne , in the show he gets more apprication , but I must say that I for once liked prince albert because in the show wasn't he so kind and now I saw him in an different light , had an great time reading this book
February 10, 2017
I didn't think I would like this book as much as I did so I'm very pleasantly surprised! I requested it on NetGalley because it sounded intriguing and now, I'm so glad that I did! Historical fiction is a genre I have sort of shied away from in the past because I wasn't a big fan of history in school but I thought this was wonderful and the kind of book I would like to read on a regular basis. Actually thinking about it, the few historical fiction books I have read (Salt To The Sea, All The Light We Cannot See, Sarah's Key & this one) were all solid favourites of mine! I must go find some more books like these fabulous ones!
Back to this book! I REALLY liked it. The strongest element to this book was definitely Victoria herself. Daisy Goodwin portrayed Victoria in such an enthralling way. She was likeable, she was smart, she was funny, she was independent, she was caring, she was brave, she was kind, she was capable, she was thoughtful, she felt authentic and she refused to let people treat her differently because of her gender/her age/her height & her marital status (and they certainly did try). Victoria also had bad qualities - she was stubborn and quite naïve and foolish at times but she was young and those things made her feel more real to me anyway. Victoria wasn't the only great character, so many other characters were fleshed out and they all felt three-dimensional in a subtle way as to not take the spotlight off of Victoria. The relationships in the book were also great. There were a few great dynamics - Victoria & her mother, Victoria and Prime Minister Melbourne, Victoria and Lehzen, Victoria's mother & Sir John Conroy, Albert & Ernst, and to a lesser extent, Victoria and Albert. My favourite dynamic was the one between Victoria and her mother. It was so complicated and I found parts of it very relatable. Everything between the two women felt so palpable- the resentment, the yearning, the desperation and it was just so good.
I liked the actual story too. It follows Victoria for the first year and a bit(ish) after she becomes queen. Not only is this a coming of age story but a story about a young queen! I thought the pacing was very well done apart from the end. I felt like the end was a bit rushed. There wasn't enough between Albert and Victoria for me. What I would love was if this turned into a book series because I want to find out what happens next. I don't know if that's even on the table but I would love to read a few more books about Daisy Goodwin's Victoria because I love how she did this book and I really liked her writing. Her writing was simple yet parts of it were actually very beautiful and I wish I highlighted more parts! Sometimes authors try too hard to make their writing sound very complicated but Daisy Goodwin didn't do that. I'm excited to watch the new Victoria show that Goodwin did too!
I would recommend this to everyone and I would definitely read something else by Daisy Goodwin.
*I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“I was not aware you were fighting a war, ma’am.” ... “That is because you are not a young woman, Duke, and no one, I suspect, tells you what to do. But I have to prove my worth every single day, and I cannot do it alone.”
“Their heads were close together, the Duchess’s face tilted towards Conroy like a sunflower facing the sun.”
Back to this book! I REALLY liked it. The strongest element to this book was definitely Victoria herself. Daisy Goodwin portrayed Victoria in such an enthralling way. She was likeable, she was smart, she was funny, she was independent, she was caring, she was brave, she was kind, she was capable, she was thoughtful, she felt authentic and she refused to let people treat her differently because of her gender/her age/her height & her marital status (and they certainly did try). Victoria also had bad qualities - she was stubborn and quite naïve and foolish at times but she was young and those things made her feel more real to me anyway. Victoria wasn't the only great character, so many other characters were fleshed out and they all felt three-dimensional in a subtle way as to not take the spotlight off of Victoria. The relationships in the book were also great. There were a few great dynamics - Victoria & her mother, Victoria and Prime Minister Melbourne, Victoria and Lehzen, Victoria's mother & Sir John Conroy, Albert & Ernst, and to a lesser extent, Victoria and Albert. My favourite dynamic was the one between Victoria and her mother. It was so complicated and I found parts of it very relatable. Everything between the two women felt so palpable- the resentment, the yearning, the desperation and it was just so good.
I liked the actual story too. It follows Victoria for the first year and a bit(ish) after she becomes queen. Not only is this a coming of age story but a story about a young queen! I thought the pacing was very well done apart from the end. I felt like the end was a bit rushed. There wasn't enough between Albert and Victoria for me. What I would love was if this turned into a book series because I want to find out what happens next. I don't know if that's even on the table but I would love to read a few more books about Daisy Goodwin's Victoria because I love how she did this book and I really liked her writing. Her writing was simple yet parts of it were actually very beautiful and I wish I highlighted more parts! Sometimes authors try too hard to make their writing sound very complicated but Daisy Goodwin didn't do that. I'm excited to watch the new Victoria show that Goodwin did too!
I would recommend this to everyone and I would definitely read something else by Daisy Goodwin.
*I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“I was not aware you were fighting a war, ma’am.” ... “That is because you are not a young woman, Duke, and no one, I suspect, tells you what to do. But I have to prove my worth every single day, and I cannot do it alone.”
“Their heads were close together, the Duchess’s face tilted towards Conroy like a sunflower facing the sun.”
December 1, 2016
I am going to preface this post by saying that Queen Victoria is absolutely my favorite queen! I’ve had my eye on this book for MONTHS waiting for it to come out.
When this came up for review I literally jumped for joy. So I was already geared up to love this one but my biggest fear was that because I was so excited to read it that I didn’t want to be let down if it wasn’t good.
Well my fears were entirely unfounded! This was an excellent read!
I have been a fan of Daisy Goodwin’s novels for quite some time. She always does a marvelous job researching her subjects and time periods and this novel was no exception. Though her novels are based on historical figures, they are billed as historical fiction but they are so seeped in historical facts that they don’t always read like historical fiction. I love her blending of fact and fiction, the books are always informative but yet entertaining and don’t read like history books.
The story itself flows very well and the ending was fitting and satisfying. I loved that the story focused on the family dynamics and romance rather than the politics of her reign. Sometimes historical fiction novels tend to focus too much on the historical elements and politics of the era, especially of royal figures and it can distract from the central story.
It’s hard to decide which things are important to include and which things are more tangents. Goodwin does a fantastic job at keeping things focused on the family and romance rather than overwhelming the reader with historical facts and figures. There are plenty of historical, fact based works on Queen Victoria, this book was meant to be more entertaining and loosely informative.
The characters themselves were well drawn and interesting. Victoria herself was easily likable and sympathetic and I think that a lot of readers will identify with her and enjoy getting to know her. Daisy Goodwin also wrote for the PBS/Masterpiece show, Victoria, and I guess this book basically follow the same plot. I haven’t seen the show but after reading this book I am going to watch it for sure!
And can I just say how in love with the cover that I am? The cover is eye catching with it’s red and gold accents and makes my want to know more about the book. It’s elegant and with the woman’s back facing the reader, it makes me want to know more about her. I love it!
If you are looking for a historical biography of Queen Victoria then this probably isn’t the book for you but if you are looking for something entertaining based on historical facts then I think you will love this one. There are some parts that are a little melodramatic but on the whole this is a fantastic read that I enjoyed immensely!
See my full review here
When this came up for review I literally jumped for joy. So I was already geared up to love this one but my biggest fear was that because I was so excited to read it that I didn’t want to be let down if it wasn’t good.
Well my fears were entirely unfounded! This was an excellent read!
I have been a fan of Daisy Goodwin’s novels for quite some time. She always does a marvelous job researching her subjects and time periods and this novel was no exception. Though her novels are based on historical figures, they are billed as historical fiction but they are so seeped in historical facts that they don’t always read like historical fiction. I love her blending of fact and fiction, the books are always informative but yet entertaining and don’t read like history books.
The story itself flows very well and the ending was fitting and satisfying. I loved that the story focused on the family dynamics and romance rather than the politics of her reign. Sometimes historical fiction novels tend to focus too much on the historical elements and politics of the era, especially of royal figures and it can distract from the central story.
It’s hard to decide which things are important to include and which things are more tangents. Goodwin does a fantastic job at keeping things focused on the family and romance rather than overwhelming the reader with historical facts and figures. There are plenty of historical, fact based works on Queen Victoria, this book was meant to be more entertaining and loosely informative.
The characters themselves were well drawn and interesting. Victoria herself was easily likable and sympathetic and I think that a lot of readers will identify with her and enjoy getting to know her. Daisy Goodwin also wrote for the PBS/Masterpiece show, Victoria, and I guess this book basically follow the same plot. I haven’t seen the show but after reading this book I am going to watch it for sure!
And can I just say how in love with the cover that I am? The cover is eye catching with it’s red and gold accents and makes my want to know more about the book. It’s elegant and with the woman’s back facing the reader, it makes me want to know more about her. I love it!
If you are looking for a historical biography of Queen Victoria then this probably isn’t the book for you but if you are looking for something entertaining based on historical facts then I think you will love this one. There are some parts that are a little melodramatic but on the whole this is a fantastic read that I enjoyed immensely!
See my full review here
August 28, 2017
Had so much fun consuming this story in novel form. I'm such trash for Victoria and Albert, just thinking about the fact they didn't spend their lifetimes together makes me want to cry. (Actually, I have spontaneously cried about it once.)
This has definitely sparked an interested in more historic royal tales, too! But, right now, it's time for me to start re-watching season 1 before diving into season 2.
This has definitely sparked an interested in more historic royal tales, too! But, right now, it's time for me to start re-watching season 1 before diving into season 2.
August 20, 2020
Vitória Era Cá Das Nossas
Pequena em estatura mas grande em tudo o mais, Vitória, a rainha que deu nome a uma era, era apaixonada por palavras. Começou a escrever aos 13 anos e terminou 10 dias antes da sua morte. Além de numerosas cartas, compilou as suas memórias em 121 diários. Foram cerca de 60 milhões, as palavras que espelharam a sua vida, providenciando material suficiente para uma biografia fidedigna. Baseada nestas fontes, Daisy Goodwin conta-nos a história desta pequena grande rainha! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Pequena em estatura mas grande em tudo o mais, Vitória, a rainha que deu nome a uma era, era apaixonada por palavras. Começou a escrever aos 13 anos e terminou 10 dias antes da sua morte. Além de numerosas cartas, compilou as suas memórias em 121 diários. Foram cerca de 60 milhões, as palavras que espelharam a sua vida, providenciando material suficiente para uma biografia fidedigna. Baseada nestas fontes, Daisy Goodwin conta-nos a história desta pequena grande rainha! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
October 15, 2016
I'll watch the miniseries, which will probably be gorgeous. However, the writing on the novel is lackluster and there's not really enough story to justify a 350+ page novel.
July 5, 2022
I really enjoy Queen Victoria and I love her with Prince Albert even more, though he was only in here for the last hundred pages which really depressed me because I love him.
I watched the first season of the TV show before this and I kind of expected for this book to go as far as the show did and it didn't which upsets me. I really need another book that continues the story.
I've also like the movie, The Young Victoria, which does not go as deep as the show does (obviously.... Its shorter) but it stars Emily Blunt (a queen in her own right), but I enjoyed that movie as well.
I watched the first season of the TV show before this and I kind of expected for this book to go as far as the show did and it didn't which upsets me. I really need another book that continues the story.
I've also like the movie, The Young Victoria, which does not go as deep as the show does (obviously.... Its shorter) but it stars Emily Blunt (a queen in her own right), but I enjoyed that movie as well.
December 10, 2016
3.5
Oh, young Victoria. This book covers 18/19 year old Victoria as she comes into power, acts like a child, stomps "But I'm the QUEEN" and you know, does Queen stuff. I did quite like this for the most part. The beginning started off strong but it got dragged out quite a bit in the middle. Not much happened and it felt like she was trying to stretch this story out perhaps because it was constrained due to the upcoming series on PBS. It did pick back up towards the end though and I'm curious to see where the TV series goes.
I've been curious about Goodwin's books for a while but have always been a bit put off by the lackluster reviews. I'm not sure if I'll be picking up more of her work in the future.
Oh, young Victoria. This book covers 18/19 year old Victoria as she comes into power, acts like a child, stomps "But I'm the QUEEN" and you know, does Queen stuff. I did quite like this for the most part. The beginning started off strong but it got dragged out quite a bit in the middle. Not much happened and it felt like she was trying to stretch this story out perhaps because it was constrained due to the upcoming series on PBS. It did pick back up towards the end though and I'm curious to see where the TV series goes.
I've been curious about Goodwin's books for a while but have always been a bit put off by the lackluster reviews. I'm not sure if I'll be picking up more of her work in the future.
December 25, 2020
Another wonderful Daisy Goodwin novel. Her writing is so beautiful and descriptive. Couldn't put it down.Full review you can find on my blog:https://poetryofreading.blogspot.com/...
November 15, 2016
I received this book for free from SheSpeaks
Victoria has lived a sheltered life before she became the Queen Victoria that we are all familiar with. Her mother didn't let her socialize or experience much outside of the walls of house, so in turn she doesn't know much about the world. At eighteen years of age, she find herself the Queen and with this comes not only great responsibility, but also a chance for her to carve out her own path. Thanks to Lord Melbourne, the prime minister, she learns the ins and outs of her life as Queen. There's one problem though. She starts to feel something for her much older advisor, Lord Melbourne, but she knows she can't possibly allow herself to love him. To complicate matters further, her uncle has come to court to remind her that she is destined to marry Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, but last time Victoria saw him, she was completely turned off. Daisy Goodwin's Victoria is an interesting glimpse into a lesser known Victoria. Readers get to know the Victoria that just arrived to the throne and the young woman who was finding her way.
I only knew the basic information about Victoria when I read this novel, but I love that Goodwin sheds so much light on her path to the throne as well as her life before Albert. The dynamic with her mother was especially interesting and I desperately wanted Victoria to break free from her mother's controlling grip. As any young woman will experience, Victoria struggled with her newfound freedom and although she didn't make the best decision at every turn, I still was rooting for her.
Her relationship with Lord Melbourne in Victoria was an interesting one. I could see the appeal of a well-respected man who actually supports her....a man with power and charm, but I knew that not only was he entirely too old for her, I was desperately waiting for Albert's arrival to court. And with that came my frustration. I was 70% through Victoria and there was no Albert yet! I was desperately waiting for his entrance and once he arrived, I was thrilled and loved his complex relationship with Victoria as well as his relationship with his charismatic brother.
All good historical fiction makes you want to learn more about its topic at hand and that was the case with Victoria. Reading this novel made me want to brush up on my British history and learn more about Victoria and Albert. It also has me so, so very excited for the show coming to PBS this January, which is based on this very book and written/created by Daisy Goodwin herself. I hope that Goodwin continues with Victoria's story as there is so much more to tell!
So, if you are like me and love all things historical fiction as well as British Royalty, you will definitely want to check out Victoria this fall, especially before the show airs this January on PBS. I can't wait!
Victoria has lived a sheltered life before she became the Queen Victoria that we are all familiar with. Her mother didn't let her socialize or experience much outside of the walls of house, so in turn she doesn't know much about the world. At eighteen years of age, she find herself the Queen and with this comes not only great responsibility, but also a chance for her to carve out her own path. Thanks to Lord Melbourne, the prime minister, she learns the ins and outs of her life as Queen. There's one problem though. She starts to feel something for her much older advisor, Lord Melbourne, but she knows she can't possibly allow herself to love him. To complicate matters further, her uncle has come to court to remind her that she is destined to marry Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, but last time Victoria saw him, she was completely turned off. Daisy Goodwin's Victoria is an interesting glimpse into a lesser known Victoria. Readers get to know the Victoria that just arrived to the throne and the young woman who was finding her way.
I only knew the basic information about Victoria when I read this novel, but I love that Goodwin sheds so much light on her path to the throne as well as her life before Albert. The dynamic with her mother was especially interesting and I desperately wanted Victoria to break free from her mother's controlling grip. As any young woman will experience, Victoria struggled with her newfound freedom and although she didn't make the best decision at every turn, I still was rooting for her.
Her relationship with Lord Melbourne in Victoria was an interesting one. I could see the appeal of a well-respected man who actually supports her....a man with power and charm, but I knew that not only was he entirely too old for her, I was desperately waiting for Albert's arrival to court. And with that came my frustration. I was 70% through Victoria and there was no Albert yet! I was desperately waiting for his entrance and once he arrived, I was thrilled and loved his complex relationship with Victoria as well as his relationship with his charismatic brother.
All good historical fiction makes you want to learn more about its topic at hand and that was the case with Victoria. Reading this novel made me want to brush up on my British history and learn more about Victoria and Albert. It also has me so, so very excited for the show coming to PBS this January, which is based on this very book and written/created by Daisy Goodwin herself. I hope that Goodwin continues with Victoria's story as there is so much more to tell!
So, if you are like me and love all things historical fiction as well as British Royalty, you will definitely want to check out Victoria this fall, especially before the show airs this January on PBS. I can't wait!
February 6, 2017
Pg 254 "....there was a feeling that a young, personable queen of marriageable age must be in want of a husband."
May 25, 2023
“… I am ready for the great responsibility that lies before me.” (2.5 stars)
I listened to VICTORIA as an audio book, and I honestly can’t say if I would have enjoyed it more as a traditional reading experience. I am ambivalent about this book, at best. I think my biggest issue with it was that it was written by an author to coincide with a television production she was writing, and I think the novel lacks a little as a result. It was not given the full treatment so to speak. The novel’s characterization and development feel very surface level to me. Much like they would be in a television script until an actor fleshes them out.
I did enjoy the narration of Anna Wilson Jones, who had a felicity with the German accents required by many of the characters and offered subtle shifts of tone to depict different characters. Considering that the writing is average, her performance is even more noteworthy.
Quotes:
• “Is that all I must look forward to? Comfort? I think I should prefer to be happy.”
“As you grow older, there is a lot to be said for being comfortable, ma’am. But I don’t expect you to believe me. When I was your age, I too wanted to be happy.”
• “There is nothing wrong in talking quietly; it only makes people listen harder.”
• “In the end to add to the sum of human knowledge is the only thing a man can be truly proud of.”
There are occasional moments where there was a genuine spark to this text. One moment that comes to mind is a scene where Queen Victoria and her future husband Albert fall for each other while playing a duet on the piano. It is rendered with a loveliness that made me smile. However, despite those random flashes, I found this overall to be a quite average read. I listened to it while walking the dog, so I’m no worse for the wear, but it seemed to be very standard romance lit historical fiction.
I listened to VICTORIA as an audio book, and I honestly can’t say if I would have enjoyed it more as a traditional reading experience. I am ambivalent about this book, at best. I think my biggest issue with it was that it was written by an author to coincide with a television production she was writing, and I think the novel lacks a little as a result. It was not given the full treatment so to speak. The novel’s characterization and development feel very surface level to me. Much like they would be in a television script until an actor fleshes them out.
I did enjoy the narration of Anna Wilson Jones, who had a felicity with the German accents required by many of the characters and offered subtle shifts of tone to depict different characters. Considering that the writing is average, her performance is even more noteworthy.
Quotes:
• “Is that all I must look forward to? Comfort? I think I should prefer to be happy.”
“As you grow older, there is a lot to be said for being comfortable, ma’am. But I don’t expect you to believe me. When I was your age, I too wanted to be happy.”
• “There is nothing wrong in talking quietly; it only makes people listen harder.”
• “In the end to add to the sum of human knowledge is the only thing a man can be truly proud of.”
There are occasional moments where there was a genuine spark to this text. One moment that comes to mind is a scene where Queen Victoria and her future husband Albert fall for each other while playing a duet on the piano. It is rendered with a loveliness that made me smile. However, despite those random flashes, I found this overall to be a quite average read. I listened to it while walking the dog, so I’m no worse for the wear, but it seemed to be very standard romance lit historical fiction.
October 8, 2016
I had high hopes for this book. Really, I did. With the hoopla surrounding the ITV series by the same name, perhaps my expectations were just too high.
For me, part of what makes a novel compelling is a main character who has a solid purpose--a strong goal that they are desperate to achieve. In this case, a young Queen Victoria is painted as a spoiled, whiny child, who cycles through emotions faster than anyone I've ever known, real or fictional. This didn't read as realistic, to me. She punishes her mother for attempting to protect her (control her, from Victoria's perspective), but it's never fully established which motive is actually true. (Should I hate or love or pity her mother? Who knows?) Victoria uses her newfound position as Queen of England to establish her purposes--ironic, given that she so resented being "controlled" by her mother. It seems to me that Victoria's purpose in life was to get her way. Period. Sorry folks, but that does not a captivating main character make.
Overall, I finished "Victoria" with a bad (annoyed? frustrated?) taste in my mouth. I can't be sure if it's the plot (or lack thereof, in terms of anything gripping) or character development. Perhaps it's both. I wish I'd read the previous offerings by Daisy Goodwin, so I could compare "Victoria" to them.
*I received an early reader edition of this book from St. Martin's Press.
For me, part of what makes a novel compelling is a main character who has a solid purpose--a strong goal that they are desperate to achieve. In this case, a young Queen Victoria is painted as a spoiled, whiny child, who cycles through emotions faster than anyone I've ever known, real or fictional. This didn't read as realistic, to me. She punishes her mother for attempting to protect her (control her, from Victoria's perspective), but it's never fully established which motive is actually true. (Should I hate or love or pity her mother? Who knows?) Victoria uses her newfound position as Queen of England to establish her purposes--ironic, given that she so resented being "controlled" by her mother. It seems to me that Victoria's purpose in life was to get her way. Period. Sorry folks, but that does not a captivating main character make.
Overall, I finished "Victoria" with a bad (annoyed? frustrated?) taste in my mouth. I can't be sure if it's the plot (or lack thereof, in terms of anything gripping) or character development. Perhaps it's both. I wish I'd read the previous offerings by Daisy Goodwin, so I could compare "Victoria" to them.
*I received an early reader edition of this book from St. Martin's Press.
August 30, 2017
A Rainha Vitória é uma figura incontornável da monarquia britânica, após ter ocupado o trono durante mais de 63 anos, entre 1837 e 1901. Nesse período, também apelidado de época vitoriana, ocorreram mudanças profundas no país, das quais o maior exemplo será a Revolução Industrial. Já li várias coisas sobre este período (gosto particularmente de North and South, de Elizabeth Gaskell), mas a verdade é que tinha uma lacuna no que respeita à Rainha propriamente dita.
Vitória – A Jovem Rainha foi escrito pela também argumentista da série televisiva, cuja segunda temporada acabou de estrear, e aborda a sua ascensão ao trono e os dois primeiros anos do reinado, antes de se ter casado. Vitória tinha vivido toda a sua infância e adolescência isolada em Kensington, porque perante a perspetiva de ser herdeira ao trono, a sua mãe e o ambicioso mordomo John Conroy desejavam que ela se tornasse dependente e necessitasse, por isso, do apoio de ambos assim que chegasse a uma posição de poder. A regência nunca se concretizou, porque Vitória completou os 18 anos antes do falecimento do Rei Guilherme IV, seu tio.
A partir do momento em que se torna Rainha, Vitória assume o papel sem medos, apesar da sua inexperiência, libertando-se das amarras da mãe e do pérfido Conroy. Para isso, recorre à ajuda do Visconde Melbourne, primeiro-ministro à data, que a aconselhou e ajudou em muitas das obrigações que Vitória encontrou a seu cargo. Lorde M, como Vitória o apelidava, depressa passou de conselheiro a amigo, e a relação entre os dois revelou-se fundamental para a estabilidade de Vitória.
Abarcando um período muito específico da vida da Rainha Vitória, este livro pretende mostrar as dificuldades que sentiu ao chegar à posição mais importante do país, enquanto lutava por se tornar uma mulher, independente, e com direito às suas próprias emoções. Acho que Daisy Goodwin fez um bom trabalho em retratá-la, tendo para isso recorrido aos diários que Vitória escreveu ao longo da sua vida. O livro tem um enfoque muito emocional e familiar, centrando-se nos acontecimentos do dia-a-dia de Vitória e com a relação nas pessoas que a rodeavam, deixando para segundo plano os acontecimentos sociais e políticos (como os acontecimentos no Afeganistão, por exemplo).
Vitória quis, desde o início, tornar-se uma grande Rainha, à semelhança de uma das suas antecessoras, Isabel I, tendo o tempo provado a concretização do seu desejo. Vitória – A Jovem Rainha retrata muito bem aqueles que foram os primeiros anos do seu reinado e abrem o apetite para futuras publicações da autora que ajudem o leitor a vislumbrar mais do que foi a vida desta importante figura histórica.
Vitória – A Jovem Rainha foi escrito pela também argumentista da série televisiva, cuja segunda temporada acabou de estrear, e aborda a sua ascensão ao trono e os dois primeiros anos do reinado, antes de se ter casado. Vitória tinha vivido toda a sua infância e adolescência isolada em Kensington, porque perante a perspetiva de ser herdeira ao trono, a sua mãe e o ambicioso mordomo John Conroy desejavam que ela se tornasse dependente e necessitasse, por isso, do apoio de ambos assim que chegasse a uma posição de poder. A regência nunca se concretizou, porque Vitória completou os 18 anos antes do falecimento do Rei Guilherme IV, seu tio.
A partir do momento em que se torna Rainha, Vitória assume o papel sem medos, apesar da sua inexperiência, libertando-se das amarras da mãe e do pérfido Conroy. Para isso, recorre à ajuda do Visconde Melbourne, primeiro-ministro à data, que a aconselhou e ajudou em muitas das obrigações que Vitória encontrou a seu cargo. Lorde M, como Vitória o apelidava, depressa passou de conselheiro a amigo, e a relação entre os dois revelou-se fundamental para a estabilidade de Vitória.
Abarcando um período muito específico da vida da Rainha Vitória, este livro pretende mostrar as dificuldades que sentiu ao chegar à posição mais importante do país, enquanto lutava por se tornar uma mulher, independente, e com direito às suas próprias emoções. Acho que Daisy Goodwin fez um bom trabalho em retratá-la, tendo para isso recorrido aos diários que Vitória escreveu ao longo da sua vida. O livro tem um enfoque muito emocional e familiar, centrando-se nos acontecimentos do dia-a-dia de Vitória e com a relação nas pessoas que a rodeavam, deixando para segundo plano os acontecimentos sociais e políticos (como os acontecimentos no Afeganistão, por exemplo).
Vitória quis, desde o início, tornar-se uma grande Rainha, à semelhança de uma das suas antecessoras, Isabel I, tendo o tempo provado a concretização do seu desejo. Vitória – A Jovem Rainha retrata muito bem aqueles que foram os primeiros anos do seu reinado e abrem o apetite para futuras publicações da autora que ajudem o leitor a vislumbrar mais do que foi a vida desta importante figura histórica.
June 18, 2025
I'M STILL PISSED THAT THEY CANCELLED THE VICTORIA TV SERIES 😭
This was a pretty good book, but Lord Melbourne took up WAAAYYY too much space and it was incredibly frustrating. He didn't even take up this much space in the tv series-By episode 4 of Season 1 Victoria is all about Albert! -400 pages with "Lord M" sending Victoria mixed signals got old really fast. Prince Albert doesn't make an appearance until damn near the end of the book *BOOOOOOOO*
I don't understand Daisy Goodwin's obsession with Lord Melbourne. In real life, they most likely had a father/daughter dynamic, and he did not look like Rufus Sewell! Victoria and Albert were the love story. Focus on that instead of one that likely didn't exist!
This was a pretty good book, but Lord Melbourne took up WAAAYYY too much space and it was incredibly frustrating. He didn't even take up this much space in the tv series-By episode 4 of Season 1 Victoria is all about Albert! -400 pages with "Lord M" sending Victoria mixed signals got old really fast. Prince Albert doesn't make an appearance until damn near the end of the book *BOOOOOOOO*
I don't understand Daisy Goodwin's obsession with Lord Melbourne. In real life, they most likely had a father/daughter dynamic, and he did not look like Rufus Sewell! Victoria and Albert were the love story. Focus on that instead of one that likely didn't exist!
November 8, 2018
Loved it! I'm impartial though because I love Queen Victoria and the show that this is based on (they follow each other extremely closely which is pretty cool). Just wish there was a sequel to coincide with the second season.
January 16, 2020
Since I disagree with a great many of my friends on this book, I will be blunt: Victoria is a frothy, lightweight read.
That does not mean it is bad. The prose is competent if nothing spectacular, the protagonists are likable, the portrait of some intimate friendships enjoyable to read. I even don’t mind the Victoria/Melbourne pairing too much – deeply inaccurate though it is, I can appreciate a good mentor/protégé romance, though I wish Goodwin had provided an author’s note explaining why she chose to take their relationship in this fictional direction. Reading the book is enjoyable – in a pleasant, inoffensive, low stakes kind of way where you don’t have to think too hard about it. I should note also that it closely matches the first season of Goodwin’s show, and having watched that I recognised scenes that matched line for line.
But a masterpiece this is not. In terms of presenting a portrait of the real Victoria, it only provides a surface impression – it does not go into depth about a great deal of the years it covers, tending to gloss over anything heavy and political. Where political events are incorporated, they are extremely simplified and the book avoids discussing anything grim or serious for longer than half a second. It instead shows us a very narrow and superficial slice of Victoria’s life, and reads like more of a historical romance than a historical fiction; an idyll where obstacles are minor and there’s no doubt of a happy ending. I would hardly describe it as ‘detailed’ or ‘compelling’, and the style of writing doesn’t elevate this fictional froth into anything dazzling either.
All in all, I would say that this is a pleasant, enjoyable read, but overrated.
5 out of 10
That does not mean it is bad. The prose is competent if nothing spectacular, the protagonists are likable, the portrait of some intimate friendships enjoyable to read. I even don’t mind the Victoria/Melbourne pairing too much – deeply inaccurate though it is, I can appreciate a good mentor/protégé romance, though I wish Goodwin had provided an author’s note explaining why she chose to take their relationship in this fictional direction. Reading the book is enjoyable – in a pleasant, inoffensive, low stakes kind of way where you don’t have to think too hard about it. I should note also that it closely matches the first season of Goodwin’s show, and having watched that I recognised scenes that matched line for line.
But a masterpiece this is not. In terms of presenting a portrait of the real Victoria, it only provides a surface impression – it does not go into depth about a great deal of the years it covers, tending to gloss over anything heavy and political. Where political events are incorporated, they are extremely simplified and the book avoids discussing anything grim or serious for longer than half a second. It instead shows us a very narrow and superficial slice of Victoria’s life, and reads like more of a historical romance than a historical fiction; an idyll where obstacles are minor and there’s no doubt of a happy ending. I would hardly describe it as ‘detailed’ or ‘compelling’, and the style of writing doesn’t elevate this fictional froth into anything dazzling either.
All in all, I would say that this is a pleasant, enjoyable read, but overrated.
5 out of 10
April 6, 2018
Estes livros que sempre me cativaram. Este livro em específico fala sobre a vida pessoal da rainha Vitória, dá-nos assim uma perspetiva mais intima de como era as relações pessoais e sociais da época e de como eram vividos os romances. Como também monstra-nos os “debates” internos da rainha e a maneira como esta vê as coisas.
June 20, 2017
Questa recensione è presente anche sul blog/per i riferimenti delle immagini-> http://thebooksblender.altervista.org...
- Ho ricevuto una copia di questo libro in cambio di un'onesta recensione -
La giovane Alexandrina Victoria - Drina per gli intimi - è destinata a un grande futuro - se lo zio Guglielmo le farà il dono di lasciarle il trono quando lei avrà raggiunto i diciotto anni così da essere libera dall'assurdo "Sistema Kensington", una serie di regole impostale dalla madre e dal di lei... amichetto Lord Conroy, i quali le hanno praticamente impedito di godere del mondo esterno e della altolocata società inglese (per la cronaca, la futura regina dorme ancora in camera con la madre).
Insomma, ecco arrivare il giorno sperato. Drina è diciottenne da un mese; è teoricamente libera dalla tutela opprimente della madre e... è appena diventata regina.
Ma su di lei le chiacchiere dei notabili e del popolino già si sprecano: è nana, è isterica, è inesperta, analfabeta e impreparata, troppo giovane, inadeguata al ruolo che sta per assumere, un burattino nelle mani della madre e di Lord Conroy (e la madre, a sua volta, è a dir poco succube del fascino di Conroy).
Dopo «un imbecille, un dissoluto e un buffone», tocca ad Alexandrina Victoria salire sul trono d'Inghilterra e dimostrare al mondo di poter essere una regina e non una sciocca ragazzina con una corona in testa.
Ma sarà effettivamente in grado?
Tra malelingue, sotterfugi, complotti Drina, anzi Victoria da adesso, troverà un inaspettato alleato nel suo Primo Ministro (dalla dubbia reputazione), Lord Melbourne, il quale la guiderà nel difficile protocollo reale e legislativo («È sempre più facile dare consigli che ascoltarli.», Lord Melbourne docet).
Ma un regno non si governa con i consigli altrui o in preda ai bisogni del cuore e all'esaltazione della libertà riconquistata. Victoria dovrà, in primo luogo, imparare a servire la Corona e i suoi sudditi.
Nell'immaginario comune, Victoria è associata alla figura austera con l'abito a lutto e la cuffietta bianca in testa. Ma ci si dimentica - almeno io mi ero dimentica prima di leggere questo romanzo - che la regina Victoria è salita al trono all'età di diciotto anni.
Si sarebbe rivelata una giovane ragazza nelle cui mani sarebbe rifiorito uno degli imperi più grandi di sempre, ma, al momento in cui ce la presenta Daisy Goodwin, Victoria è solo una ragazza inesperta e un po' sognatrice - come ogni ragazza di diciotto anni - con un paese da gestire.
Un metro e quarantanove di giovinezza e caparbietà chiuso per diciotto anni nel polveroso Palazzo di Kensington, libero da una parte ma legato dall'altra a un rigido protocollo, costantemente osservato da mille occhi pronti a individuare un suo tentennamento.
Quindi, questa è la storia della liberazione di un'adolescente costretta dalla propria madre e dal di lei amichetto al rispetto di rigide (e un poco assurde) regole; è la storia di come Buckingham House si trasformò in Buckingham Palace; è la storia di una grandiosa regina che dette il nome a un'epoca.
Ma è anche la storia di intrighi, maldicenze, dicerie, gelosie; di piccoli fatti ingigantiti dalle chiacchiere; di orecchie costantemente in ascolto e di occhi costantemente in agguato; di doveri, politica, obblighi e di rispetto della tradizione.
Tra una madre opprimente, uno zio che medita vendetta e l'altro che le cerca marito, una Corte pronta a cannibalizzare le spoglie del vinto, un popolo che cambia i propri beniamini come una banderuola segna-vento e un Parlamento gestito da soli uomini, la giovanissima sovrana sembrerebbe destinata a fallire tra chi la vorrebbe pazza e chi solo frivola.
Ma Victoria riesce a incunearsi in un mondo a misura d'uomo: non solo la circonferenza della corona è "da uomo", ma persino la dimensione delle stoviglie.
Ho un debole per i romanzi storici che riadattano eventi reali alle esigenze della storia raccontata e ho anche un vena romantica - ogni tanto vien fuori anche quella - che qui si è sciolta di fronte al rapporto tra Victoria e il suo Primo Ministro.
Ovviamente, vorrei precisare che si tratta di una storia molto (mooooolto) romanzata. Ma, come scrivevo poco sopra, gli eventi base sono suppergiù tutti veri.
Ad esempio,
- esisteva davvero il "Sistema Kensington", una rigida disciplina fatta di svariate regole (tra cui anche il dormire nella stessa stanza della madre) alla quale Victoria era costretta;
- è vero, anche se si svolse con dinamiche differenti, lo scandalo di Lady Flora Hastings. Uno stesso appunto nel diario della regina Victoria indica che lei sospettava il colpevole (non lo scrivo per non spoilerare la storia);
- è vero anche che le chiacchiere circa il rapporto tra Victoria e il Primo Ministro furono davvero argomento del secolo; tanto che alla regina fu affibbiato il nomignolo di Mrs. Malbourne.
E visto che mi sono sbrodolata in complimenti su questo romanzo, concludo con un paio di appunti. Il primo riguarda la scrittura che non mi ha particolarmente esaltata, essendo molto scarna e sbrigativa.
L'autrice ha scritto il libro mentre curava la sceneggiatura della serie televisiva Victoria (con Jenna Coleman nel ruolo di Victoria e Rufus Sewell in quello di Lord Melbourne) e questa impronta da script/sceneggiatura si riverbera nello stile usato nel romanzo.
Anche perché Daisy Goodwin È sceneggiatrice; nella serie tv si perdono alcuni passaggi davvero deliziosi del libro, ma si guadagna uno sguardo sul mondo della servitù e dei domestici non affrontato nel libro... ma la cosa non è poi così determinante.
In secondo luogo, l'altro appunto riguarda la parte finale del romanzo: per certi verso meno approfondita e più tirata via rispetto al resto.
Detto questo - e concludo davvero - i reali inglesi esercitano un certo fascino nell'immaginario collettivo da sempre e la Goodwin riesce qui a dargli una rilevanza interessante, piegando gli eventi necessari per una storia tutto sommato credibile e appassionante.
Insomma... signora Goodwin, ci fosse un seguito (sarebbe bello seguire Victoria fino alla fine del suo lunghissimo regno), io mi prenoto fin da ora!
September 13, 2018
3.5/5
This book was richly written and I could see the scenes in my head (which makes sense as the author, Daisy Goodwin, is also a screenwriter for PBS).
Every time I picked up this book I settled in, ready to escape to Buckingham Palace for a couple of hours.
Victoria follows the life of Queen Victoria, beginning in 1835 right before she becomes Queen of England at age 18 and ending when she marries Prince Albert in 1840.
Victoria is trying to make her own way and reign, despite prejudices against her due to her sex, age, and size. There’s a lot of power and expectations and Victoria relies on her Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne, to help her navigate this new role.
Lord Melbourne and Victoria’s relationship was one of longing and trust and a lot of *glances* with things that cannot be said - very Victorian indeed. Prince Albert doesn’t enter the picture until the last quarter of the book and even though I know how the story would end, I still rooted against him.
Victoria is touted as a ‘love story’ on the front, but I did not see this as a traditional love story. It is a story of a teenage girl learning to love and trust herself, and a story of the trials of mother/daughter love, and the love and trust of friendship.
Victoria is a slow (the middle particularly drags), but rewarding read. I also learned new information about Queen Victoria and her reign and was inspired to do more research (learning history through novels is the best!).
This book was richly written and I could see the scenes in my head (which makes sense as the author, Daisy Goodwin, is also a screenwriter for PBS).
Every time I picked up this book I settled in, ready to escape to Buckingham Palace for a couple of hours.
Victoria follows the life of Queen Victoria, beginning in 1835 right before she becomes Queen of England at age 18 and ending when she marries Prince Albert in 1840.
Victoria is trying to make her own way and reign, despite prejudices against her due to her sex, age, and size. There’s a lot of power and expectations and Victoria relies on her Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne, to help her navigate this new role.
Lord Melbourne and Victoria’s relationship was one of longing and trust and a lot of *glances* with things that cannot be said - very Victorian indeed. Prince Albert doesn’t enter the picture until the last quarter of the book and even though I know how the story would end, I still rooted against him.
Victoria is touted as a ‘love story’ on the front, but I did not see this as a traditional love story. It is a story of a teenage girl learning to love and trust herself, and a story of the trials of mother/daughter love, and the love and trust of friendship.
Victoria is a slow (the middle particularly drags), but rewarding read. I also learned new information about Queen Victoria and her reign and was inspired to do more research (learning history through novels is the best!).
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