Shandi Sturgill

Once again, a series on PBS has inspired my reading selection. Victoria is a novel by Daisy Goodwin, creator and writer for the PBS series, released to coincide with the show. It, obviously, tells the story of England’s second longest reigning monarch. Alexandrina has been closely guarded by her mother throughout her life, allegedly to protect her from any attempts on her life. On June 20, 1837, King William IV dies, making the small teenage girl Queen of England. In an act of defiance, Alexandrina decides she will be called by her middle name, Victoria, and begins forging her own identity and sovereignty.

Goodwin has a knack for bringing her characters to life. Her descriptions of characters faces and tones in their voices added subtext regarding their emotions. Victoria, in particular, is wonderfully crafted. She comes across as a believable, typical teenage girl who finds herself in uncommon circumstances. I enjoyed watching her tune into her identity, emotions, and role as queen. Lord Melbourne, Victoria’s Prime Minister, is also a memorable character whose charm and internal conflicts come vividly to life.  

This is an engrossing book, but it does suffer from some pacing issues. For example, the relationship between Victoria and Albert could have been better developed. Theirs is an iconic relationship that deserves more than the “insta-love” treatment Goodwin gives it. Goodwin can be a bit repetitive with her writing; we simply do not need to hear from both Lord Melbourne and Emma, using much of the same wording, about how superior Victoria’s coronation was to her predecessors. I also wish that Conroy and Cumberland’s plot to make the Duchess of Kent Victoria’s regent, had been more fully developed.  

Some books you don’t want to see end, and for me Victoria is one of them. Yet, it was because of the attachment I felt for the characters more than anything else. It should be noted that if you are a stickler for historical accuracy, you probably won’t enjoy this book; Goodwin takes quite a few liberties with the historical narrative. However, if you are looking for a novel that contains interesting characters, intrigue, and romance, you will probably enjoy Victoria.