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meowreads_94's review
4.0
ARC Book Review:
Before the Crown by Flora Harding
My obsession with royal families started when the tragic death of Princess Diana happened in 1997. Little did I know back then, this princess would be my ultimate lady crush. With the wheel of time, I read more and more about the royal family of England because they are still more active than any others. As a history buff, I simply cannot turn my eyes from them.
When I see this book on NetGalley, I cannot stop myself to request it. I am sold to know even a fiction version of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. They both get attracted to each other almost when they first met but both of them were bound with reputation, duties, and whatnot. This book is so interesting to read just because to see how a woman who has come from a better position than her love interest, would tackle her heart.
Before the Crown so beautifully portrayed the relation between Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip from the crushing moment to their marriage. I feel the whole plot centered on Philip more than Elizabeth but it turned out positively as it was very important for readers to know where Philip had come from and his struggle to marry and fit in into such a big institution.
I am adoring this real-life couple a lot who are married for more than 70 years but this book put a spotlight on their Foundation behind this marriage and it’s such a delight to read about this.
The writing gets me into it in a minute and portrays both of the protagonist’s strengths and weaknesses amazingly. We as commoners, get to see how ordinary and extraordinary the thinking process of the royal persons work. If you like the Crown, this would be an amazing read for you.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Pub date: December 20, 2020.
I am wholeheartedly thanking @harpercollinsaustralia, @netgalley, and #floraharding for writing such a charming novel and give me the opportunity to read its arc copy.
I cannot wait to write a full review on my blog and Goodreads because I need to talk about prince Philip, his family, the jewels, the royal wedding, and of course how awesomely and strongly princess Elizabeth has been portrayed in this boo
Before the Crown by Flora Harding
My obsession with royal families started when the tragic death of Princess Diana happened in 1997. Little did I know back then, this princess would be my ultimate lady crush. With the wheel of time, I read more and more about the royal family of England because they are still more active than any others. As a history buff, I simply cannot turn my eyes from them.
When I see this book on NetGalley, I cannot stop myself to request it. I am sold to know even a fiction version of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. They both get attracted to each other almost when they first met but both of them were bound with reputation, duties, and whatnot. This book is so interesting to read just because to see how a woman who has come from a better position than her love interest, would tackle her heart.
Before the Crown so beautifully portrayed the relation between Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip from the crushing moment to their marriage. I feel the whole plot centered on Philip more than Elizabeth but it turned out positively as it was very important for readers to know where Philip had come from and his struggle to marry and fit in into such a big institution.
I am adoring this real-life couple a lot who are married for more than 70 years but this book put a spotlight on their Foundation behind this marriage and it’s such a delight to read about this.
The writing gets me into it in a minute and portrays both of the protagonist’s strengths and weaknesses amazingly. We as commoners, get to see how ordinary and extraordinary the thinking process of the royal persons work. If you like the Crown, this would be an amazing read for you.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Pub date: December 20, 2020.
I am wholeheartedly thanking @harpercollinsaustralia, @netgalley, and #floraharding for writing such a charming novel and give me the opportunity to read its arc copy.
I cannot wait to write a full review on my blog and Goodreads because I need to talk about prince Philip, his family, the jewels, the royal wedding, and of course how awesomely and strongly princess Elizabeth has been portrayed in this boo
brooke_review's review against another edition
4.0
If you're like me, you came across Flora Harding's debut novel Before the Crown by way of Netflix's hit show The Crown. As the title suggests, Before the Crown takes readers into the lives of a then Princess Elizabeth Windsor and her future husband Philip Mountbatten before Elizabeth is ever crowned Queen of England. Fans of the television show The Crown will appreciate this journey back in time to the events preceding the series (The first episode of The Crown details Elizabeth and Philip's wedding, which is where Before the Crown ends.) If you have ever wondered how the royal marriage came to be, don't miss Flora Harding's Before the Crown.
Theirs is the longest marriage of any British sovereign, surpassing 70 years - Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip married in 1947 when she was still a Princess and he was a foreign Prince who renounced all of his titles and took up British citizenry just to have her hand. You may already be familiar with the ups and downs that have taken place during the pair's union throughout the years, but you may not know the story of Elizabeth and Philip's courtship. That's where Harding's Before the Crown comes into play.
Before the Crown opens in the nascent days of Elizabeth and Philip's relationship, showing how their feelings grew for each other over time, and detailing the obstacles they went through just to make it to the altar. While their story isn't as scintillating as say one about Princess Margaret, Elizabeth's daring younger sister, would be, it is grounded and realistic, showing the difficulties that come with marrying the future heir to the throne of Britain.
Harding's novel is informative and evenly paced, if not a bit dry and tedious, but again, readers should remember that this is a story about Queen Elizabeth, a woman not only married to Prince Philip, but also to England and the duty that her role as sovereign carries. Elizabeth and Philip so often seem like an odd match, that people can't help but wonder how their romance found its start. Look no further than Before the Crown, which pulls back the curtain on the early days of the royal marriage and is worth a read by any fans of the British royal family.
Theirs is the longest marriage of any British sovereign, surpassing 70 years - Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip married in 1947 when she was still a Princess and he was a foreign Prince who renounced all of his titles and took up British citizenry just to have her hand. You may already be familiar with the ups and downs that have taken place during the pair's union throughout the years, but you may not know the story of Elizabeth and Philip's courtship. That's where Harding's Before the Crown comes into play.
Before the Crown opens in the nascent days of Elizabeth and Philip's relationship, showing how their feelings grew for each other over time, and detailing the obstacles they went through just to make it to the altar. While their story isn't as scintillating as say one about Princess Margaret, Elizabeth's daring younger sister, would be, it is grounded and realistic, showing the difficulties that come with marrying the future heir to the throne of Britain.
Harding's novel is informative and evenly paced, if not a bit dry and tedious, but again, readers should remember that this is a story about Queen Elizabeth, a woman not only married to Prince Philip, but also to England and the duty that her role as sovereign carries. Elizabeth and Philip so often seem like an odd match, that people can't help but wonder how their romance found its start. Look no further than Before the Crown, which pulls back the curtain on the early days of the royal marriage and is worth a read by any fans of the British royal family.
jayfr's review
2.0
If you enjoyed The Crown you'll like this, as it's mostly a prequel to the Netflix series.
Elizabeth and Philip come off as slightly too saccharine and twee, more suited for something by Barbara Cartland than a more modern historical novel.
I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Elizabeth and Philip come off as slightly too saccharine and twee, more suited for something by Barbara Cartland than a more modern historical novel.
I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
book_dragon88's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
martine3's review
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
bargainsleuth's review against another edition
4.0
For this and other book reviews, visit www.bargain-sleuth.com.
If you love Netflix’s The Crown (season four premiered November 15th-yay!), you will love Before the Crown. This book was just the balm I needed after reading a couple of pretty dry non-fiction books.
In Before the Crown, Princess Elizabeth has had a crush on Prince Philip since she was 13. As she gets older, she carries on a correspondence with Phillip during World War II when he was in the British navy. The Queen Mother thinks nothing of the correspondence, but King George doesn’t like it. He doesn’t like anything that would break up “We Four”.
Prince Philip of Greece has no country, as his family is exiled, no money, no wardrobe, doesn’t like shooting, his sisters married Germans, his mother has some mental illness, and cast off most of her worldly goods to become a nun. He is not, in a word, a hot prospect to become the future queen of England’s husband.
The story is told from both Elizabeth and Philip’s point of view, which I thought was interesting as I listened to the audiobook featuring Edward Killingback and Imogen Wilde. Philip is a lot more unpolished in private and so are his thoughts. He enjoys Princess Elizabeth’s company and is genuinely fond of her, and his uncle, the highly ambitious Dickie Mountbatten encourages him to pursue the relationship.
Elizabeth grows from a school girl crush to genuine first love as she gets to know Phillip and spend more time with him. She knows that if she wants to marry him, she’s going to have to ask him, which is something she’s not comfortable doing since she’s an old-fashioned girl. Phillip agrees to marry her, saying he was willing to do his duty for Britain. Elizabeth thinks he is doing this as a matter of state.
When, in fact, the two get engaged, King George orders the two to keep the engagement a secret. Then he whisks the family away for a trip to Africa for three months, hoping the distance will make Elizabeth second-guess her decision to marry.
When Elizabeth returns to Great Britain, Phillip confesses that he’s in love with her and he’s not just marrying her out of a sense of duty. The book culminates with the moments before the wedding.
This was thoroughly enjoyable listen on audio. Phillip’s chapters were shorter, but I’m glad the producers decided to have both male and female narrators. The female narrator sounds like the young woman Elizabeth was, and Phillip the more unpolished prince in exile. I highly recommend Before the Crown, if you like a good love story, the royal family, or historical fiction.
If you love Netflix’s The Crown (season four premiered November 15th-yay!), you will love Before the Crown. This book was just the balm I needed after reading a couple of pretty dry non-fiction books.
In Before the Crown, Princess Elizabeth has had a crush on Prince Philip since she was 13. As she gets older, she carries on a correspondence with Phillip during World War II when he was in the British navy. The Queen Mother thinks nothing of the correspondence, but King George doesn’t like it. He doesn’t like anything that would break up “We Four”.
Prince Philip of Greece has no country, as his family is exiled, no money, no wardrobe, doesn’t like shooting, his sisters married Germans, his mother has some mental illness, and cast off most of her worldly goods to become a nun. He is not, in a word, a hot prospect to become the future queen of England’s husband.
The story is told from both Elizabeth and Philip’s point of view, which I thought was interesting as I listened to the audiobook featuring Edward Killingback and Imogen Wilde. Philip is a lot more unpolished in private and so are his thoughts. He enjoys Princess Elizabeth’s company and is genuinely fond of her, and his uncle, the highly ambitious Dickie Mountbatten encourages him to pursue the relationship.
Elizabeth grows from a school girl crush to genuine first love as she gets to know Phillip and spend more time with him. She knows that if she wants to marry him, she’s going to have to ask him, which is something she’s not comfortable doing since she’s an old-fashioned girl. Phillip agrees to marry her, saying he was willing to do his duty for Britain. Elizabeth thinks he is doing this as a matter of state.
When, in fact, the two get engaged, King George orders the two to keep the engagement a secret. Then he whisks the family away for a trip to Africa for three months, hoping the distance will make Elizabeth second-guess her decision to marry.
When Elizabeth returns to Great Britain, Phillip confesses that he’s in love with her and he’s not just marrying her out of a sense of duty. The book culminates with the moments before the wedding.
This was thoroughly enjoyable listen on audio. Phillip’s chapters were shorter, but I’m glad the producers decided to have both male and female narrators. The female narrator sounds like the young woman Elizabeth was, and Phillip the more unpolished prince in exile. I highly recommend Before the Crown, if you like a good love story, the royal family, or historical fiction.
solennk's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
jennywjordan's review
5.0
After binge-watching the Crown on Netflix, I immediately snagged the opportunity to read Harding's novel. I'm sure I've known that the Queen ascended to the throne at a very young age, and her story of moving up in lineage is one of England's most sordid love stories. Harding tells quite the love story of Elizabeth and Phillip, two young people falling in love. Yes, there is much more to these two, but at the core, Elizabeth is a young girl in love with an officer, and Phillip is a young man determining his fate.
As I see the Queen wave from the palace balcony at some event or other dressed in her pastels with matching hat, I can't help but remember the young girl in love so hopeful as she marries her groom.
As I see the Queen wave from the palace balcony at some event or other dressed in her pastels with matching hat, I can't help but remember the young girl in love so hopeful as she marries her groom.
sophiebrt4's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
southernbellebooks's review against another edition
4.0
I love this book. It's very easy to read and definitely a book I would recommend to those wanting to dip their toes into historical fiction. It was digestible and light.