Daisy Goodwin’s book on Queen Victoria was a pleasure to read from the first page to the last. It was very informative describing the history during Victoria’s reign. Her depiction of the characters was strong and made the reader feel that each moment could happen in the way she has told the story. 

The theme, beyond the historical facts, is the development of a young woman, still, a teenager when she becomes queen, from an insecure girl to a more confident young woman, determined to resist the influence of her mother’s advisor. She makes mistakes; interferes with the government when she prefers to hold on to “Lord M” as prime minister; she’s often ridiculed by so-called friends and family behind her back, of course. Guided and advised mostly by Melbourne, who sees her perceptiveness and rather a fine mind, she grows in maturity.

I have always been fascinated by the story of Queen Victoria. She is a woman who ruled over a vast empire and influenced world events on a massive scale. So much of history from that period through to today have her fingerprints on them. Her legacy was as a powerful monarch who tried to make the world better. However, the parts that fascinate me the most are her familial connections. She was a woman with a powerful passion and connections with other people. Victoria’s love and loyalty to Albert is the stuff of a very dramatic fairytale. Her relationship with her children and their children is also layered with powerful emotion. What a complex person she was and how lucky we are to have so much historical information about her.

I loved this Intimate look into Queen Victoria’s early life. This was a period of change and growth for her. The reader is privileged to accompany her on this amazing journey. It is undoubtedly worth the read, and I cannot more highly recommend it to others.