Victoria and Albert

by Evelyn Anthony, Harry Barton (Illustrator)

Drawn from Queen Victoria’s diaries and correspondences, Evelyn Anthony’s novel reimagines the story of how a sheltered eighteen-year-old girl ascended to the British throne, became a major force in politics, and fell in love with her husband

When King William dies, his teenage niece Victoria becomes queen. In spite of her youth and lack of experience, the eighteen-year-old surprises her detractors by taking the reins with poise and grace, vowing to always put the welfare of her realm first. Yet from the moment she meets her cousin, the handsome, fair-haired Albert, she becomes obsessed by love. Homesick for Germany, Albert wishes the petite, birdlike creature would choose someone else. But when Victoria asks him to share her life, he has no choice but to say yes.

Evelyn Anthony’s novel captures Victoria’s passion for Albert, along with the contradictions in her personality and monstrous ego that almost destroyed her marriage. Although she bore Albert nine children, Victoria lacked maternal instinct. In many ways she mirrored the callous indifference of the era: Child labor and grueling fourteen-hour workdays were commonplace in Victorian England. Spanning the first twenty-one years of her reign, Victoria and Albert is a love story and a revealing portrait of a marriage.

In 1837, an eighteen-year-old girl ascended the throne of Great Britain, and within three years Victoria had established herself and the Crown as a major power in politics. Much has been written of her marriage to Albert, but little has been included of the struggle between husband and wife. Evelyn Anthony now recreates the Victorian past to tell the story of that love, and how Victoria eventually came to love her husband better than herself or her own power.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, British Literature, Royalty

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1958

About the author

Evelyn Anthony was the pen name of Evelyn Bridgett Patricia Stephens Ward-Thomas,

Started her career as a writer of historical fiction, later switched to writing contemporary thrillers, often with an espionage theme.

She met Michael Ward-Thomas on a double date in The Dorchester and both were attracted to each other.] He worked for the Consolidated African Selection Trust. They switched partners and were married a few months later.

They bought Horham Hall in 1968 but found that it was costly and sold it in 1976 and moved to Naas, County Kildare where she had relatives. Increased income from her writing allowed her to buy Horham Hall back in 1982.

In 1994 she became High Sheriff of Essex, the firswt woman in over 700 years to hold this office.

In 1995 her daughter Kitty died of a heroin overdose, leading Evelyn to not write for another seven years.

In 2004 her husband died of a stroke.

She was survived by her children Susan, Anthony, Ewan, Christian and Luke as well as 16 grandchildren.

NB:Some sources give Ms Anthonys year of birth as 1926.

Additional information added from Wikipedia

Reviews

[Sarah Wetzel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm going to give this 3.5 stars. I liked the book itself although I realized that I didn't like the story of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. I assumed that their relationship in real life matched what I had seen in some movies or on the new tv miniseries, Victoria. If the story in this book is true (which I'm assuming it is) then it makes me very sad that Prince Albert had to live his life like he had to live it. I had no idea Queen Victoria was so...mean and selfish. Because of her horrible upbringing certain personality traits make sense (i.e. her being so headstrong, her latching onto Albert with so. much. love-almost suffocating him and some ways she did suffocate him). The stories of her with her children made me very, very sad. I couldn't believe that she would actually tell everyone how horrible her first son, Bertie, was and that it would have been best if he wasn't born first since he was such a disappointment. How horrible for a mother to say that?! But again, with her childhood and her being queen (so no one could really correct her) I'm not surprised that everyone was scared of her. I don't think I'd like to be her friend. The author did a good job of writing a story about Victoria and Albert though.

[Hanna (lapetiteboleyn) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very different view to the modern opinion of the 'great love' between Victoria and Albert. I found it an interesting read.

[Peggyzbooksnmusic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rated 4 stars. Historical fiction published in the 1950's. An interesting look at the relationship between Queen Victoria, her husband Prince Albert and the historical events that transpired in England during the mid 19th century.

[vi paola · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was full of life and sadness.

A lot of tears.

[Karen Ribble · Rating 5 out of 5]

This historical fiction book is told from the perspective of Victoria herself as taken from her letters and diary entrances. I loved it although after reading other books about her, I see more now about how self absorbed she was. Easy, fun read.

[Booklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy reading about the royals and this book included much of the politics of the time which was interesting. Victoria and Albert are definitely worth reading about because they were two complex people who had a complex marriage. It ends with Albert's death from typhoid fever.

[ErinAlise · Rating 5 out of 5]

At just 18 years old in 1837, Victoria was crowned Queen of England. Her reign would last 63 years and leave an unprecedented legacy, yet behind the crown her husband stood and became king in all but name.
The story unfolds from which Victoria is crowned until the death of her beloved husband. Much political intrigue played throughout, and the reader gets a sense of how the royal couple's day to day was experienced. Many times it’s mentioned that though their marriage was fruitful, it was not altogether happy. Victoria loved her husband very much, and he was simply fond of her.
I found it fascinating how Victoria wielded her power, how formidable she was, and yet how fragile. The government power switched from the Tories to the Whigs so many times, and I found it refreshing how the author explained so much without making it too tedious. Victoria was not always a very likable person, but I enjoyed her history. Very good read from start to finish. Not a romance novel whatsoever, just a good historical fiction.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The more recent historical fiction versions of Queen Victoria all seem determined to show Victoria in the best light possible, and hold up the marriage of Victoria and Albert as one of True Love.

However, earlier on we see Evelyn Anthony here giving a much more honest - and bleak - portrayal of the reign and marriage, showing Victoria with all her many, many faults, and just how unhealthy her marriage was. Its more honest than some factual biographies in showing the many harms of Victoria's reign and her policy of cold imperialism. This version of Victoria has a heart like a raison, and makes you sorry for the people stuck living or working with her.

There is a lot of exposition as the narrator covers Victoria's very busy reign, but even with all the dates and events and huge cast, you still get a good sense of the emotions and motivations of the main characters, all of them shown, despite their many, many protests about their elevated position in society, all too human, warts and all.

[Irene · Rating 3 out of 5]

This felt more like a piece of nonfiction than like a novel. It offered a straight forward account of the relationship between Queen Victoria and her husband Albert. I felt no narrative tension, no empathy with the characters, no thrill of great prose. As a historical work, it offered no new insights or striking analysis of this political couple. I found nothing to complain about in this book, but also nothing to praise or savor

[KAREN RUTH ULLOM · Rating 4 out of 5]

A DISAPPOINTMENT; WHY IS THIS STORY SO DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHERS?

I was so dismayed at how this author's story of Queen Victoria is so remarkably different than other books I've read. Although this book is well written, I don't know what to believe any longer, but plan to do some more research about this legendary Queen who served England for such a long time.

[Stephanie Meyers Helms · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a struggle for me even though I was initially anxious to read it. I know the history of Victoria & Albert’s relationship and was hoping for greater detail and insight. I was, however, surprised to learn that apparently Albert never loved Victoria.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I enjoyed this for the first part, but it started to feel kind of sad, and I didn't like the angle the author took on the relationship between Victoria and Albert. I ended up not quite finishing it, but it was nice to get some of the history of Victoria's reign.

[Bethan Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this many years ago and very much enjoyed it, although I don’t think the author had access to all the sources available now. Still, a lovely book.

[Cheryl Zigler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the historical content in this book. I am fascinated with Victoria and Albert’s relationship

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Queen Victoria ascended to the throne of England at the young age of 18. Despite having powerful female rulers in the past, it seemed that England still wasn't used to one and wanted Victoria to marry as soon as possible to have a husband help her with policy-making. Victoria doesn't seem all that interested in marriage and having a man to rule over her until she meets her cousin Albert. He's incredibly handsome and Victoria falls in love with him right away. The two set to marry.

Victoria is very happy. She has Albert by her side and she is very friendly with the English Prime Minister. However Albert doesn't enjoy his new lifestyle all that much. Albert doesn't love Victoria but realizes its his duty to be a good husband. He feels worthless with the very little that Victoria allows him to do. This is the story of their marriage from when they meet until when one of them passes away.

I haven't read much on Queen Victoria in the past so I don't know much about her. This book portrayed her as rather rigid but also completely tunnel visioned about her friends. There is no grey with Victoria. It's all either white or black. She loves someone or she hates them. It's tough to see how someone could rule a nation with that kind of mentality.

This is an interesting look in to Victoria's early reign and her relationship with Albert, though it was a bit slow at times.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This ©1957 fiction book was in my mother's collection. The author has written extensively about UK monarchy in her career. It is well researched, shows how difficult the role of the Consort is, how he rises above it - in this case, by creating the first World's (Fair) Exhibition and by creating the Balmoral Castle. With the new bestseller Victoria release, and the upcoming Victoria PBS series in 2017, this was a timely read.

[Cleo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book of historical fiction. This period of English history is not familiar to me so it was exciting to 'walk' through it. The author concentrated on the feelings of the characters which made it extra interesting to me.

[Littia + Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of young Victoria until the death of her beloved, Albert. Interesting and engaging.

[Lu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read years ago

[LL]

my grandfather's from 1958