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Victoria & Abdul
Victoria & Abdul tells the extraordinary true story of Queen Victoria's relationship with Abdul Karim, her Muslim manservant, who travelled from India to present a ceremonial medal as part of the Queen's Golden Jubilee but within months became her personal teacher of Urdu and dedicated spiritual advisor. The unprecedented and unlikely friendship caused meltdown within the royal household, the ensuing battle royale pitting the Queen against the court and her entire family.
Through the prism of a highly unusual love story, Lee Hall's Victoria & Abdul, based on the book by Shrabani Basu, explores race, religion, power and the farce of empire through the prism of a highly unusual love story.
- GenresNonfictionBiographyIndia
55 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2017
57 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Lee Hall
18 books8 followersLee Hall (born 20 September 1966) is an English playwright and screenwriter. He is best known for the 2000 film Billy Elliot.
Hall was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, in 1966, the son of a house painter and decorator and a housewife. He was educated at Benfield School in Walkergate. As a youth he went to Wallsend Young People's Theatre along with Deka Walmsley and Trevor Fox who later appeared in both Billy Elliot and The Pitmen Painters. He went to Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, where he studied English literature and was taught by the poet Paul Muldoon.[1] After leaving Cambridge, he worked as a youth theatre fundraiser in Newcastle and at the Gate Theatre in London. In 1997, his playwriting career was launched with the broadcast of his radio play, Spoonface Steinberg, on BBC Radio 4.[2]
Hall was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, in 1966, the son of a house painter and decorator and a housewife. He was educated at Benfield School in Walkergate. As a youth he went to Wallsend Young People's Theatre along with Deka Walmsley and Trevor Fox who later appeared in both Billy Elliot and The Pitmen Painters. He went to Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, where he studied English literature and was taught by the poet Paul Muldoon.[1] After leaving Cambridge, he worked as a youth theatre fundraiser in Newcastle and at the Gate Theatre in London. In 1997, his playwriting career was launched with the broadcast of his radio play, Spoonface Steinberg, on BBC Radio 4.[2]
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 26, 2017
I found this book very interesting. I thought it was interesting that Queen Victoria did not seem to harbor within herself the racism that so many of the upper classes in England had at that time. The relationship between herself and her "Munshi" (teacher), which is what she called Abdul, was very interesting and unique for that time period. Reading this book, though, raised many questions in my mind as I read: Was she truly as enlightened as this portrayed her, with regards to the Indian race and culture? Was the influence of Abdul over her as intense and true as indicated by others in power and her family, or was it that they were prejudiced against him and sought to make him look worse than he really was? In an objective look at the situation, did she truly favor him over family and over others in the Court and over others in India, or was that their racism and jealousy that caused the to mistrust him? Did she grant him status and favors that no other sovereign had done with people like him in the past? Unfortunately, because her family and those in power destroyed all the papers and artifacts that they could after his death, the answers to those and many other questions I had, will probably never be known. It is sad that people try to change history by destroying records that in later times could be used to clarify what really happened, and this is just such a case.
December 26, 2017
A truly fascinating study of one of the most controversial friendships within the royal family.
The author tells the story well with the injection of pictures, paintings and attention to historical detail whilst also making you think about the racism, class and political divisions within the family at the time. I really routed for Queen Victoria as she faced constant opposition and backlash from those around her.
Upon the Queens death the actions taken to remove Abdul and his family from the Country and conceal the close friendship formed was quite shocking.
A book that all history lovers would enjoy.
The author tells the story well with the injection of pictures, paintings and attention to historical detail whilst also making you think about the racism, class and political divisions within the family at the time. I really routed for Queen Victoria as she faced constant opposition and backlash from those around her.
Upon the Queens death the actions taken to remove Abdul and his family from the Country and conceal the close friendship formed was quite shocking.
A book that all history lovers would enjoy.
March 11, 2018
I expected so much more than what Basu delivered in this bio of VR and her Munshi, Abdul Karim.
The portrait of Victoria is one of a sensitive, maternal figure, ever willing to learn and wanting to connect on a personal level with another human being, and blind to Karim’s faults.
Karim himself, does not come across as a particularly interesting man. He seems at most to be a competent, inveigling person who connected with the Queen, and made sure he was adequately rewarded for the services he gave her.
The book itself, chould have been cut by at least half. It is exceedingly repetitious as we are told year by year of the same events (Windsor, Balmoral, Osborne, the Continent, Munshi on leave) with few differences, except the date and maybe the specific individuals involved. How many times do we need to be told that reporters and the public were excited by the Indians exotic and colorful dress; or that the Queen always missed her Munshi terribly when he was away; or about her favorite donkey chair which always traveled with her, etc., etc. And there was too much editorializing i.e. “was ordered to leave the country and packed his bags like a common criminal,” or “ his mind drifted back to the wintry days in Balmoral, the fresh scent of Highland heather, and the sound of the River D…“
The other fault, in my opinion, is the book’s political superficiality and the lack of a discussion of the contradictions in Victoria’s attitudes and actions, or lack of action.
How was it that she, and by proxy her government, did not have more qualified people, either Indian or British, advising on critical matters affecting her Indian subjects?
Why is the Queen distraught and personally involved to rectify the delay in Karim’s land grant in Agra, but silent on the famine in which millions of her Indian subjects starved to death?
All told, this was a dull read that I had to slog through.
The portrait of Victoria is one of a sensitive, maternal figure, ever willing to learn and wanting to connect on a personal level with another human being, and blind to Karim’s faults.
Karim himself, does not come across as a particularly interesting man. He seems at most to be a competent, inveigling person who connected with the Queen, and made sure he was adequately rewarded for the services he gave her.
The book itself, chould have been cut by at least half. It is exceedingly repetitious as we are told year by year of the same events (Windsor, Balmoral, Osborne, the Continent, Munshi on leave) with few differences, except the date and maybe the specific individuals involved. How many times do we need to be told that reporters and the public were excited by the Indians exotic and colorful dress; or that the Queen always missed her Munshi terribly when he was away; or about her favorite donkey chair which always traveled with her, etc., etc. And there was too much editorializing i.e. “was ordered to leave the country and packed his bags like a common criminal,” or “ his mind drifted back to the wintry days in Balmoral, the fresh scent of Highland heather, and the sound of the River D…“
The other fault, in my opinion, is the book’s political superficiality and the lack of a discussion of the contradictions in Victoria’s attitudes and actions, or lack of action.
How was it that she, and by proxy her government, did not have more qualified people, either Indian or British, advising on critical matters affecting her Indian subjects?
Why is the Queen distraught and personally involved to rectify the delay in Karim’s land grant in Agra, but silent on the famine in which millions of her Indian subjects starved to death?
All told, this was a dull read that I had to slog through.
June 8, 2018
I haven't seen the movie version of this story yet but was expecting something a bit different in this book. It was a very detailed and footnoted historical telling of the relationship between Queen Victoria and Abdul Karim in the late 1800's. Sometimes the detail seemed excessive and focused on tiny aspects such as all the individual Indian royalty who came to Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, what they were wearing, what gifts they gave to the Queen and then what she gave to them. It certainly showed all the dislike and bad feelings of the Household staff and members of the Royal family towards Abdul. The author had really researched the connections and tried to show both sides of the story--were the staff and Royal family jealous, racially biased....? Was Abdul behaving in a way to cause this dislike? Despite the huge amount of detail, quotes, etc., it was an interesting look back at Queen Victoria's life and times.
March 5, 2019
The overall story and the history behind it was wonderful. The writing was good, not spectacular. Often details were unnecessarily repeated where I felt the author either thought the reader was not very bright or she just needed to fill up the pages with words. Other times, it felt like details were left out then mentioned like they should have already been known. The themes tackled in the book are no doubt important, I just felt the story could have been laid out better.
February 8, 2018
Looking forward to the movie...
I decided to read this manuscript. I do not generally like them, and I’m still not a huge fan. However, I enjoyed the story line and concept. I am looking forward to seeing the movie version as well.
I decided to read this manuscript. I do not generally like them, and I’m still not a huge fan. However, I enjoyed the story line and concept. I am looking forward to seeing the movie version as well.
December 28, 2017
I love the book, but I wanted more photos of the movie.
April 29, 2018
Read this because I saw the movie. Although this is a non-fiction book which the author researched there are parts where the author attributed thoughts and feelings to the subjects.
March 19, 2025
The Munchi to the Queen
Queen Victoria was made the Empress of India, and she decided she needed to know more about the exotic place of which she was empress. She asked for two Indian servants to attend her, one of which was Abdul who had been a clerk in India. A clerk was considered a higher station than that of the servant that Abdul had become for the Queen. He was dissatisfied with his position and asked to return home.
When the Queen realized Abdul was unhappy, she officially made him her Munchi, or teacher and assistant as he had already been teaching the Queen to speak and write Hindustani. The royal household was “not amused”.
This was an interesting story about a very different time. As much as the Queen would push to get her way, even though she had more power as a monarch than is currently held by the English King, it was clear that she was ignored often by her subjects. I could be wrong, but had she been a male and a King, I doubt they would have had such an easy time pushing her wishes to the side. It also appeared to me that either from the telling of history or in truth, the Munchi may have used his influence with the Queen to better his station in life. Because this is a telling of history and not actual history, who is to say what the truth is.
I did not think the story at all uninteresting, but it could have been edited with a heavy hand. I listened to the Audible version which was very well done, but I kept looking to see how much time I had left as it seemed to be going on forever. For that reason I was only able to give it four instead of five stars.
Queen Victoria was made the Empress of India, and she decided she needed to know more about the exotic place of which she was empress. She asked for two Indian servants to attend her, one of which was Abdul who had been a clerk in India. A clerk was considered a higher station than that of the servant that Abdul had become for the Queen. He was dissatisfied with his position and asked to return home.
When the Queen realized Abdul was unhappy, she officially made him her Munchi, or teacher and assistant as he had already been teaching the Queen to speak and write Hindustani. The royal household was “not amused”.
This was an interesting story about a very different time. As much as the Queen would push to get her way, even though she had more power as a monarch than is currently held by the English King, it was clear that she was ignored often by her subjects. I could be wrong, but had she been a male and a King, I doubt they would have had such an easy time pushing her wishes to the side. It also appeared to me that either from the telling of history or in truth, the Munchi may have used his influence with the Queen to better his station in life. Because this is a telling of history and not actual history, who is to say what the truth is.
I did not think the story at all uninteresting, but it could have been edited with a heavy hand. I listened to the Audible version which was very well done, but I kept looking to see how much time I had left as it seemed to be going on forever. For that reason I was only able to give it four instead of five stars.
November 15, 2024
i'm not sure what kind of book i was expecting - based on the trailer to the movie, an unlikely buddy story maybe. but i was impressed with queen victoria and her ability to enjoy someone's company regardless of age, education, social status and color. i can also see that maybe the munshi took advantage of her - not quite elder abuse, but not quite nothing.
but i was really taken aback by the intrigue. i understood the jealousy by the other indian attendants. but the cruelty by the upper class english. demanding all correspondence the day after she died, and then again the day of the munshi's service. not even subtle racism. and also, i think, jealousy by by king edward.
but i was really taken aback by the intrigue. i understood the jealousy by the other indian attendants. but the cruelty by the upper class english. demanding all correspondence the day after she died, and then again the day of the munshi's service. not even subtle racism. and also, i think, jealousy by by king edward.
January 23, 2022
my favorite line," I want to taste a mango, get me one. Majesty they only grow in India. I'm the Emperess of India, send me one."
May 9, 2022
I had a lovely timing learning about the special relationship that these two people had.
November 22, 2022
It beautifully told the story—of greed and entitlement from family - love, and loyalty from the queen.
April 21, 2024
Not my cup of tea
September 13, 2024
Too many name
Drops and wordy
Drops and wordy
February 9, 2019
My local library offers free ebooks via a system called 'Borrowbox' which is sadly really hard to navigate. I'd long intended to either read the book or see the film of Victoria and Abdul but I hadn't realised that why I recently downloaded was the 'screenplay' not the book.
I've got through my entire life without reading a screenplay so this was quite a novelty. I've recently been trying to get my head around Audiobooks which don't work well for me. They take 2-3 times longer to listen to than it takes to actually READ the book and I have the attention span of a mayfly when I'm being 'read at'. I've now discovered that the absolute opposite end of the scale is the screenplay - even quicker than watching a film, a screenplay is the absolute bare bones of he-said-she-said. Knowing some of the actors in the film - especially Dame Judi in the role of Victoria - meant I could 'hear' the dialogue in my head as I read on the page.
Ultimately though it's a rather unsatisfactory way of consuming a story and not one I'll rush to repeat. My rating is based on this being my first and only such screenplay so it's obviously 'average' for my n=1 experience.
I've got through my entire life without reading a screenplay so this was quite a novelty. I've recently been trying to get my head around Audiobooks which don't work well for me. They take 2-3 times longer to listen to than it takes to actually READ the book and I have the attention span of a mayfly when I'm being 'read at'. I've now discovered that the absolute opposite end of the scale is the screenplay - even quicker than watching a film, a screenplay is the absolute bare bones of he-said-she-said. Knowing some of the actors in the film - especially Dame Judi in the role of Victoria - meant I could 'hear' the dialogue in my head as I read on the page.
Ultimately though it's a rather unsatisfactory way of consuming a story and not one I'll rush to repeat. My rating is based on this being my first and only such screenplay so it's obviously 'average' for my n=1 experience.
Read
September 12, 2017I feel bad saying this, especially since I noticed the book hasn't been reviewed on Goodreads before. It's a "did not finish" for me.
I was definitely interested in reading this true story. It sounded so interesting.
But it felt so dry.
I made it a third of the way into the book and decided to set it aside.
I think this one will translate better in movie form.
Just my personal opinion. I don't want to discourage someone else from reading the book. It just felt more like a history book to me and unfortunately I couldn't get into it.
I was definitely interested in reading this true story. It sounded so interesting.
But it felt so dry.
I made it a third of the way into the book and decided to set it aside.
I think this one will translate better in movie form.
Just my personal opinion. I don't want to discourage someone else from reading the book. It just felt more like a history book to me and unfortunately I couldn't get into it.
August 24, 2020
The premise has potential to be interesting, but this screenplay does not deliver. Complex history and figures are reduced to shallow displays of ceremony and protocol. There may be a hint of the author's views on constitutional monarchy, but that may not have been intended by the authors or production crew. Given the premise, and the time in which this movie was made, I would have expected more attention to colonialism, and in particular, the seeds for Indian independence and partition.
April 26, 2020
Thoroughly researched and documented, this book tells the story of Queen Victoria and her Indian companion and tutor in the last years of her life. There is so much textual evidence offered in the book that I found it quite unreadable, but if you are looking for a book that outlines the minutiae of the relationship between the Queen and her Munshi, this is the book for you.
December 30, 2020
3+ Stars
Interesting, if a little dry, with enough poorly-constructed sentences (especially misplaced modifiers) for me to feel the need to mention it here.
Interesting, if a little dry, with enough poorly-constructed sentences (especially misplaced modifiers) for me to feel the need to mention it here.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews