Gloriana!

Scholarly biographies are often so dull and repetitive, perhaps because they must cover an entire life with minute accuracy. And if a biography is not strictly accurate, not underpinned by documents, first sources, etc., one may as well read a novel. Of course, No amount liveliness will make up for shallow research.

Here is where the author's chosen structure is brilliant. Focusing on a few dates not only allows her to show off her scholarly chops, but also to indulge in a bit of "gossip" about her subject, and to put Victoria firnly in context of the age. You're impressed by detail and primary sources, you feel the Queen was a real person, and that you have a rather fuller, more empathetic, understanding of her life. Victoria is not disrespected by assumptions about her thoughts and feelings, nor is she fawned upon, made into a marble statue you come to hate for its perfection.

Much -- plenty!-- is left out, and you will want to say, "Wait, Lucy! Go back. Tell me more about..." and "Do it again, please!" She has gives such a lively grasp of the subject, you will want to fill in gaps, delve deeper, go off on tangents. I know I'm not alone in wanting much more of Melbourne, a man too often seen only in silhouette against much more unworthy subjects --his silly, immature wife; that over-lionized, self-indulgent poet; Peel, Palmerston and other noisy politicians; Albert (now firmly in his place, thank you Lucy); and his pupil, Victoria.
How about it, dear Lucy?

12 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Love Lucy Worsley

Lucy Worsley peeks into corners that other historians do not see and comes up with wonderful little nuggets and keen perceptions. I'm sorry she did not narrate the book herself as she is delightful, but the narrator did a good job for her.

8 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Fascinating and enjoyable

Interested to learn more about the real Victoria after watching the PBS miniseries on her life. Loved the way this was organized around 24 important days in her life. Loved the narrator! Highly recommend!

2 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Enjoyable look into Victoria’s life

I love Lucy Worsley and this book did not disappoint. I was entertained, learned various new facts, and looked forward to my listening time. The narrator was great as well.

Lucy Worsley is the best!!!

love this book! Huge fan of dr. Lucy Worsley, definitely recommend, great for car travel.

Absolutely Wonderful

I enjoyed and ate up every chapter of this book. I learned so much about Victoria, her family, her challenges and struggles - all making her the woman she was and still is to many admirers.

A bonus was the great interview by Lucy Worsley at the end.

I also found Lucy Paterson’s voice and inflection to be most engaging to listen to!

Enjoyable and interesting history !

I enjoyed this well written bit of history about Queen Victoria and her family. Very insightful on detail and story line.

Fascinating and Engaging

Lucy Worsley is one of my favorite historians because of her ability to make history come alive for the non-academic reader. She brings a sense of human interest and fun to her subjects that makes them live. She also applies a bit of psychological analysis to their motives and behavior that may not be strictly academic and no doubt reflects her own experiences, but it engages the reader, who can accept it or apply their own insights.

A very interesting telling of Victoria's life through the device of 24 pivotal days. If the queen or her times interest you at all, I recommend it.

Fab Listen On Queen Victoria

I really enjoyed listening to this. Dr. Lucy Worsley is my favorite historian and I thought she chose an interesting premise (choosing only 24 days) to tell us about Queen Victoria. I say only because I thought it would be limited to those 24 days, but Dr. Worsley goes much into depth than that day. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it for anyone interested in learning more about Queen Victoria and Victorian history.
A note about the narrator, she was absolutely fine, but I personally would have preferred Dr. Lucy to have read it. She just has a way of adding emphasis and just a certain oomph to details and facts, which I enjoy. It would have been nice to have had her read it.

Wonderful!

Worsley is the queen of history! I enjoyed the format of the book, the narration and bits she chose to include.