As a fictionalized history, "Victoria", by Daisy Goodwin, touches on everything
from Victoria’s precarious relationship with her mother, to her childish infatuation
with Lord Melbourne, to her love for Prince Albert. Her immaturity shines
through in her continued dependence on Lehzen who was once her governess, but
continues to care for her charge by taking on the role of lady-in-waiting.
Victoria is often described as flighty, inconsistent, and emotional, which is
expected of a teenager, but not of a queen. Her lack of socialization as a
young child has left her friendless and suspicious, so it’s only natural she
bonds with the dynamic Lord Melbourne, the current Prime Minister. Not only
does she rely on his advice in matters of state, but she also depends on him
for guidance in her personal life and relationships. This reliance quickly
turns into infatuation, which, of course, cannot be publicly acknowledged. When
Prince Albert, her Coburg cousin, is introduced, he comes across as being
awkward, formal, and unyielding. Despite his faults, Victoria sets aside her
disapproval of him and falls in love.
Overall, this is an easy and engaging read that combines historical
fact with speculative prose to bring to life the Victorian era. Small details
such as the red boxes, Victoria’s love and care of Dash, and fashion and hair
styles create a realistic setting, illustrating what life might have been like
for these fictionalized personalities who lived in the 1800’s. I would have
liked to see more of the relationship between Prince Albert and Victoria, as her
change of heart from Lord Melbourne felt abrupt. Even though this wasn’t a love
story as much as a coming of age story, there’s a jump from flighty, infatuated
child to confident engaged woman that feels incomplete.
I received a pre-release copy of "Victoria" by Daisy Goodwin via Netgalley for an honest review.
