Queen Victoria Twenty-four days that changed her life

Review by Booklist Review

Until very recently, Queen Victoria held the distinction of being the longest-reigning monarch in British history, holding the throne from 1837 to 1901, hence the nineteenth century retaining the label the Victorian era. Historian and author Worsley (If Walls Could Talk, 2012) puts forth intriguing major points in this new assessment, substantiated by extensive research and supported by copious reading of secondary sources. She emphasizes Victoria's particular style of governing, which she describes as a clever way . . . that we might characterize as stereotypically feminine ; the shadow cast over her by her husband, Prince Albert; and how she emerged from his domination upon his early death as imperious, eccentric and really rather magnificent. What may come as a surprise to many readers and students of Victorian history is Worsley's assertion that Queen Victoria, in truth, led a life that was not particularly happy. A replacement for previous biographies? No, but this is unquestionably a helpful, thoughtful addition to the ever-growing body of work about this century-defining ruler.--Brad Hooper Copyright 2018 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.

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Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

The latest from historian Worsley (Jane Austen at Home) is an insightful, sympathetic, and vividly written examination of the "good woman" who ruled England for 64 years. Worsley argues that the new role Victoria created for the monarchy, one that relied more on influence than power, stemmed from her ability to cultivate the people's respect despite their unease with a woman on the throne, which she did by relying on instinct and emotion to guide her decisions, as her culture expected women to do, rather than the logic and intellect culturally associated with men. When she inherited the throne in 1837, she immediately distanced herself from her controlling mother, choosing her own advisers. Victoria kept the word obey in her 1840 marriage vows to Prince Albert, and she struggled to reconcile her public role as queen with her private one as wife; once she became a mother, she ceded government and family business to Albert. Widowed in 1861, it took a decade and the near death of her eldest son before Victoria adjusted to ruling on her own again, which she did for another 40 years. Worsley's command of the material and elegant writing style make this a must-read for anyone interested in the British monarchy. Illus. (Jan.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

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Review by Kirkus Book Review

The Chief Curator of Historic Royal Palaces in England shares her unique access to the quotidian history of English royals to treat us to another delightful story from the inside.Worsley (Jane Austen at Home, 2017, etc.) is helped in this instance by Victoria's penchant for saving outfits she wore at important milestones, right down to the shoes, and the author provides significant insight into her attitude to the throne. At first, she was a headstrong young woman trying to break away from the influence of her mother and John Conroy. Her father's friend and servant, Conroy devised a system that he and Victoria's mother used to control all aspects of her life. It was a system designed to ensure their power when she ascended the throne, whether as regents or advisers. Luckily, Victoria was sufficiently headstrong to reject them both. As queen, she relied on Lord Melbourne, a father figure, for advice, and she exhibited her strong emotional intelligence. After her marriage to Albert, she fell under his orderly, dispassionate intellect; luckily, she retained the empathy that made her beloved. Still, he often infantilized her, downplaying her abilities. As a mother, Victoria came up short, as Worsley amply shows. She didn't enjoy her children except that they made Albert happy. She was tyrannical and never nursed them, since that would have made her feel "like a cow or a dog." Albert's influence was reflected in her thinking that women were inferior to men and therefore had no right to vote. She held him up as the unattainable perfection that none of her children would ever attain. Her grief at Albert's death and interminable mourning are legendary, but it also made her realize that no one could have mastery over her. John Brown caused no end of consternation, but it was he who brought her back to the people. She made few public appearances, but photographs and two books she wrote about Albert took the place of her presence.An utterly enjoyable account of Victoria's familial relationships. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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