Reviews

Before the Crown by Flora Harding

jberos's review against another edition

relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

csmith212's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

3.25

bells_books's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

bookmar0's review against another edition

3.0

(2,5) fou rire parce que je pensais que c'était un livre biographique alors que c'est vraiment juste une fiction.... du coup les premiers chapitres étaient super durs à passer j'ai cru lire une fan fiction wattpad

theavidreaderandbibliophile's review

3.0

Before the Crown by Flora Harding allows readers to get a behind the scenes look at the courtship between Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip. I found the book easy to read, but I did feel it had slow pacing and it lacked depth. Before the Crown seemed to be aimed at a younger audience. The point-of-view alternates between Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip. We get to see what each one thought and how they felt as the relationship progressed. We get to see different moments of their relationship. It is small snippets of time. I was disappointed that their original meeting was not included. The story builds up to the wedding, but the actual event is not included. I found the ending to be dissatisfying. I like how it made Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, and the other members of the royal family seem like real people. Queen Elizabeth is so confident and poised, but she was not always this way. I liked seeing how she felt about being queen and dealing with her shyness. There is some mild foul language in the book. It is wise to remember that this is a fictionalized account of events. It would have been helpful if the author had added an afterward on what was fact and what was fiction. Before the Crown is a book that will appeal to those who are fascinated by the royal family and enjoy watching “The Crown”.

ger_gerxstitches's review against another edition

4.0

I enjoyed this imagined take on Elizabeth and Phillips courting and engagement.

tu_anh7's review against another edition

5.0

i LOVED this
although it was a bit slow at times, this is such a captivating book
some of my favourite chapters were those from phillip’s pov
reading his (somewhat fictional) thoughts about elizabeth were !!!!

THE PARALLEL BETWEEN THE START AND END!!
THE ENTIRE WEDDING SCENE
OMG
I WISH IT WAS LONGER
I LITERALLY GOT EMOTIONAL

-> because the book spans many years, and goes by slowly, u almost feel like ur living through it with them. so when everything finally came together and they were finally able to marry, u could say i let a start tear slip.

btw it is kind of a slow burn
but also not rlly

enticingtitles's review against another edition

3.0

If you love The Crown and are a bit of an Angliophile like me. Before the Crown is a fictionalized, but well researched story about the courtship between Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip. It was an entertaining read and gives you a peek into one of the longest lasting royal marriages. It lacks the drama of the more recent royal marriages and separations, but that's what is endearing about the Queen and her husband.

trudyd's review

3.0

Nicely written, but a lot of the same story. Nothing new.

ivyfitzgerald's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0