What was the most interesting thing about Victoria that you learned while reading this novel? Did you feel the same way about her at the beginning and end of the book?

What was the most interesting thing about Victoria that you learned while reading this novel? Did you feel the same way about her at the beginning and end of the book?

I was unaware of how manipulated she had been by her mother and her mother's male admirer. I felt that the lack of education and preparation was really horrible and selfish. She was certainly seen as a pawn.
I also thought that taking Elizabeth I as such an inspiration and motivation was a brilliant plan for Victoria.

I had always heard of the long and happy love between Victoria and Albert. I didn't realize she was so resistant to him in the beginning.

I was shocked that she was uneducated especially with those around her knowing that she would eventually be queen. I would've thought that it would be in Britains best interest to have a queen who was prepared for the inevitable position. However there were those who thought they'd be able to control her

I was very impressed that she had been so isolated and then was able to embrace and learn the necessities of being the queen, and a very successful one at that. Melbourne can be thanked for her initial guidance, but she had to have been a woman of intelligence and insight to learn so quickly and be so insightful. This book has made me want to learn more about her.

I was surprised at how ill-prepared she was to be queen. Her experience and knowledge of the world, and even the ways of society, was so limited, mostly, I believe, so that she could be manipulated by her mother and Conroy, when the time came. But her mother was also manipulated as well. As the book progressed, I started to feel annoyed with Victoria at times. She was often rude to people and seemed to have temper tantrums. I felt sorry for her, though. I also didn't realize that she had to be the one to propose marriage.

The way she was raised, the "Kensington System" of virtually total isolation from anyone but her mother, governess and Conroy-- with very limited contact even with her father's family, the Royal Family-- I knew nothing about that before reading this novel, and the novel prompted me to check things out online. It is (and was then, apparently) shocking that a child could be so much a prisoner. Today we would call that emotional abuse. Any excess of stubbornness can certainly be attributed to her enforced submission until her age of majority. The fact that she was able to resist and step into her role as queen without making even worse mistakes than she did is a tribute to her intelligence and to Lehzen, who served her so well in nurturing that intelligence and giving her a sense of self-worth under horrible circumstances. My feelings about Victoria (the fictional version) did not change, I liked her from the beginning and throughout, though I would have liked the author to go deeper into her character. All that I've learned has given me more respect for the real Queen Victoria, and sparked an interest in finding out more about her.

I was shocked at her lack of education and by her physical stature. I had always viewed her as matronly.

Her beginning. I cannot believe her Mom and friend kept her so isolated with no education. I can't imagine that happenig to our current Engish heirs.

I must confess, I knew nothing about Queen Victoria, so all of this novel was new to me. The most interesting aspect of her life as Queen was the daily receiving of the "boxes" and having to address all that they contained. Victoria gained wisdom, and used the guidance of Lord Melbourne and others to show a growing maturity in the decisions she made as the novel ended. I liked the fact that she was willing to change and incorporate points of view that were not just hers. I really appreciated the more tender side of her in the dealings with her mother as the novel was coming to a close.

I was surprised at her sheltered and uneducated life at Kensington. I realize that her mother and others may have been trying to protect her from those trying to rob her of the throne, but they also did her a disservice in the end. I also didn't realize the importance her ladies in waiting played on the political system - when Peele wanted to install a new government but couldn't or wouldn't unless she changed out her ladies for ones of the opposing party. Seems kind of silly now.

I was very surprised at how she was so sheltered, and yet she becomes this well regarded Queen. Through several things I read, I always thought she was so taken with Albert.

I felt this story was done wonderful. I felt like I was with her. I like Victoria's life. Her life journeys were amazing learning experience. I found it all intersting.