elentikvah's review against another edition
4.0
Becoming Queen Victoria was my Biography/Autobiography selection for the Discomfort Book Club. Written by Kate Williams, it actually begins long-before the birth of Victoria, setting the historical stage for the coming of a female monarch - actually touching on the Tudor reigns of Mary I & Elizabeth I, Stuart reign of Mary II (with William of Orange) & Anne - then focusing on the Hanoverian line with King George III and his numerous descendants, including Princess Charlotte Augusta of Wales.
rlse's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn’t expecting the focus in the first part of this book on Princess Charlotte of Wales, the heir to George IV who died in childbirth and prompted the rush of her royal uncles to marry and produce heirs, of which Victoria was the first survivor in line. However, it was one of my favorite parts of the book since I was previously unfamiliar with this historical figure.
thecaledonianrose's review against another edition
5.0
This book is divided between the histories of Princess Charlotte, daughter of the Prince Regent (later George IV) and Princess Caroline, and the early life of Queen Victoria, with a brief discussion of the Royal Dukes (Sussex, Cambridge, Cumberland, York) who became the heirs in the wake of Charlotte's death.
I've read other books by Kate Williams and found this, like the others, to be well-researched, rich in detail, and eminently readable. The author doesn't bog the reader down in scholarly language yet does not pander to the reader either. She kept the narrative fluid and forward-moving, imparting an obviously solid knowledge of her subject matter.
In reading this book, I found myself more informed regarding the life of Princess Charlotte and the often shocking behavior of the Hanovers than I did of Queen Victoria, but that didn't surprise me as this was not the first biography I've read of the famed Queen. However, the inclusion of excerpts from the Queen's journals and letters lent a new insight into the maturing mindset of the Princess she was to the Queen she became.
As I tend to prefer non-fiction to historical fiction these days, Becoming Queen Victoria was an engrossing and enjoyable read, one recommended to me and so I in turn recommend it to anyone who holds an interest in the succession crisis within the House of Hanover and the early years of Queen Victoria.
I've read other books by Kate Williams and found this, like the others, to be well-researched, rich in detail, and eminently readable. The author doesn't bog the reader down in scholarly language yet does not pander to the reader either. She kept the narrative fluid and forward-moving, imparting an obviously solid knowledge of her subject matter.
In reading this book, I found myself more informed regarding the life of Princess Charlotte and the often shocking behavior of the Hanovers than I did of Queen Victoria, but that didn't surprise me as this was not the first biography I've read of the famed Queen. However, the inclusion of excerpts from the Queen's journals and letters lent a new insight into the maturing mindset of the Princess she was to the Queen she became.
As I tend to prefer non-fiction to historical fiction these days, Becoming Queen Victoria was an engrossing and enjoyable read, one recommended to me and so I in turn recommend it to anyone who holds an interest in the succession crisis within the House of Hanover and the early years of Queen Victoria.
rcbird05's review against another edition
4.0
I've been obsessed with Queen Victoria since the Young Victoria movie with Emily Blunt (my favorite actress.) I got it years ago as a Christmas gift and I just got around to reading it. The book was great. I learned a lot that I don't think I would have learned otherwise.
anderson65's review against another edition
3.0
While the narrative held my interest, it is straight, well-documented history. Perhaps I missed the "novelistic flair"? It took me a while to get through it due to its textbook tone. If you enjoy history, particularly the childhood and young adult life of Queen Victoria, this might be the book for you.
necessitteem's review against another edition
5.0
I love reading about Queen Victoria and I learn something new about her every time. Of course she was flawed but what person isn’t? It’s fascinating to get a look into her life. I like how in this book the author explained the climate and circumstances leading up to her being the heir and becoming queen. I learned so much reading this book and I enjoyed it so much! Will definitely read Kate Williams’s other books to learn about other historical figures as well.
jinjer's review against another edition
3.0
I think this is the book that the Victoria series is based on? I liked it and will keep it. It's a good reference book but doesn't read like a stodgy reference book.
jennybeastie's review against another edition
4.0
Very engaging book. I particularly like how tying the life and death of Princess Charlotte in to the life of Victoria gives a much better context for the time than any book I've read on the subject previously.
toryhallelujah's review against another edition
2.0
WAYYYYYYYYY slower and more minutely detailed than I was expecting/wanted. This dragged and dragged and dragged -- but it's not all the book's fault; a lot of it is just how dense/complicated/confusing the British royal family was.
persey's review against another edition
3.0
Loved the account of Princess Charlotte, but the hook connecting the stories of the Charlotte and Victoria needed to be developed better. The Victoria stuff is very familiar.