Victoria

It feels like it has been awhile since I read a book that felt strictly like pleasure reading, and Victoria was perfect in that regard. Goodwin's storytelling is wonderful - - I felt transported to the 19th century and captivated by the story of an 18 year old Queen who simultaneously must contend with the responsibilities and politics of her position and the normal coming of age problems. The story has historical detail, enough to set the scene, but not too much to bog you down, romance, a bit of fashion, and some political challenges - - all of which are presented in a completely engaging way.

Victoria takes the throne as an 18 year old, and her first challenge is contending with her Duchess mother's boyfriend's power grabbing ways. show more She finds a confident in her adviser, Lord Melbourne, and her reliance on him grows as she deals with the challenges of being such a young, petite ruler. The question of her marriage is, as you might expect, a huge deal and a large focus of the book.

I'm not normally a person who reads romance, but I really did enjoy the sweet way Goodwin portrays Victoria's coming of age, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this one to people looking for a light, very enjoyable historical fiction read. I believe it is going to be made into a mini series too, so that should make it extra fun!

The only reason I didn't give it five stars is that it isn't very literary nor original, and I save my fifth stars for something that makes a book out of the ordinary. Something that makes me go "wow". This book didn't have that, but it was completely enjoyable. show less

Book Browse may never send me another ARC for review because it took me so long to drag myself through this one. It's the basis for the Brit mini-series soon to come to US TV screens, and I sincerely hope that it plays better on the small screen than it does on the page. First, in terms of the content and the writing, this should have been labelled a YA historical romance. Victoria is portrayed as a giddy, self-centered, petulant teenager who needs the guidance of her Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne. But her dependence rapidly develops into a major crush on the much older man. Goodwin goes so far as to suggest that the feelings are mutual, and that Melbourne must sacrifice what the heart wants for duty. Victoria, meanwhile, moons over show more him and does a lot of foot stamping and huffing out of rooms when she can't have her way. She despises her boring cousin Albert, who has been suggested as the ideal mate; people keeps saying that she needs a man to control her, and he seems to fit the bill. When he comes to visit, she's still mooning over Melbourne, but WHAM! all of a sudden she realizes that she's passionately in love with Albert.

This is a silly book about a silly girl who became a queen that ruled for 50+ years. Surely Victoria deserves better. If not, it's a good thing the Brits survived her rule. show less

Ascending to the throne at the age of 18, and just narrowly avoiding a regency that would have given her overbearing mother ruling power in her stead, Alexandrina (who would come to be known as Queen Victoria) begins to emerge from the sheltered life of her childhood. This fictionalized account of the first few years of her reign details her initial endeavors at forging a working relationship with Parliament, her strained relationship with her mother and her very-nearly-wasn't courtship with Prince Albert.

I hadn't realized when I added this book to my to-read pile that the focus was so narrow in frame of time. So much of what we know or hear about Victoria takes place upon or after Albert's death, and I actually really appreciated show more getting to dig into the nuts and bolts of those initial early years, scandals and all. show less

Most know her for her long-lived, powerful rule over Great Britain, but very few know her story outside of the monarchy. Victoria is a dazzling glimpse of Queen Victoria not only during her reign; rather, it covers the four-year timespan before she ever thought to ascend throne, to her first few years in.

There's a really interesting dynamic between the struggle for power that surrounds young Alexandrina (Victoria's birth name), as well as her hard-earned path to ascension. A great player in this is Lord Melbourne, Victoria's closest friend and confidante upon King William IV's death—unusual because he was 40 years her senior—who would go on to be a hugely successful mentor in Victoria's most critical years. Goodwin portrays him as a show more charismatic, hard-to-figure-out character, and I loved the ambiguous but wholly intriguing relationship between him and Victoria.

Victoria is also highly empowering; I loved reading about the obstacles she faced just for being a female ruler, and how she overcame them. Who would have thought, in 1837, that such a small girl, hardly a woman at eighteen, would end up ruling the world?

While well researched, this novel isn't bogged down with facts or a timeline of events that usually makes historical fiction difficult for me. It felt like a natural story, specifically about Victoria's development in her teenage years and early adulthood. It portrays the Queen in a relatable, human light—a perspective I've never seen before, and appreciate extremely. This is a very approachable account of the more intimate details of Victoria's life; Anglican history buffs and romance lovers alike will really enjoy this.

Pros: Story flows well and the ending is satisfying // Many points of rising action and tension // Well-fleshed characters: Victoria is easy to sympathize with and Lord Melbourne is fascinating // A great historical perspective of an endearing character

Cons: Some parts are melodramatic (not that they're overly dramatic, but the characters just act really scandalized over the smallest things) // I wish the subplot with Victoria's domineering mother had been more developed in the latter half of the book

Verdict: Less of an all-encompassing biopic and more of a glimmering coming-of-age story of one of the most powerful female rulers in history, Victoria is a historical drama that paints a vivid picture of the Queen's earliest, most transformative years. Daisy Goodwin is a natural storyteller; lovers of all things British Royalty will eat this book up. Equal parts political examination and budding romance, it left me thinking: What a beautiful novel. If you're curious about Queen Victoria as a person rather than just her political roles, go pick this up immediately.

Rating: 7 out of 10 hearts (3.5 stars): Not perfect, but overall enjoyable; would recommend, but borrow a copy before you buy!

Source: Complimentary copy provided by publicist via publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you, SheSpeaks and St. Martin's Press!) show less

A love story set in the past without being overly tarted-up: How refreshing. A little fussy but a well-written historical fiction that seems to run truer to the historical record than many novels in this genre.

Intriguing and delightful, Goodwin brings the 1850's alive with 'Victoria'. The characters are multifaceted, while proving that duty and honor rule the day. The relationships and interwoven politics are represented in a way that truly must have been what Victoria felt and went through as a young Queen. Beautifully portrayed, the beginning of Victoria's reign is alive and pulls you in with Goodwin's interpretation. I can't wait to see the series, which will bring 'Victoria' to a whole new level.
* I received an arc from NetGalley for an honest review

Before she was the staid and stout queen of “we are not amused” fame, Queen Victoria was a teenage monarch, with all the trials and drama that situation entails. This historical fiction novel seeks to bring young Victoria to life.

At the tender age of 18, Alexandrina Victoria finds herself ascending the English throne. She has been kept more or less in seclusion her entire life by her overprotective mother and her mother’s scheming comptroller. Embracing her new found independence, Victoria is determined to be her own monarch, beholden to no one. Of course, the intricacies of running a country are challenging for even a seasoned monarch. Victoria must learn who she can trust and who she can learn from to become the ruler England show more needs.

I really enjoyed this book. Generally, especially in popular fiction, Queen Victoria is left as the Widow of Windsor, the melancholy, withdrawn woman unable to cope with the loss of her husband, Albert. It is refreshing to see her treated as the young, vibrant girl she must once have been.

Being historical fiction, Goodwin takes some liberties with the past to heighten the drama. However, excessive embellishment is not needed, as the unvarnished past provides more than enough material. The book is engagingly written. Victoria jumps off the page as a real person. You really feel for this sheltered young woman, thrown into a job no one thinks she is capable of doing, and unable to trust even her own mother.

I would recommend this book for any lover of history or historical fiction. Any one with romantic tendencies will also enjoy this book.

An advance copy of this book was provided by the publisher via Goodreads Giveaways in exchange for an honest review. Victoria is currently available for purchase. show less