If you’ve seen the PBS mini-series, how do you think it compares to the novel?

If you’ve seen the PBS mini-series, how do you think it compares to the novel? Were there any surprises for you, or did you notice any dramatic deviation from the novel?

I am looking forward to the mini-series to see if it will disprove my opinion of the book. I felt the book was fluffy and soap-opera-y and I admit it was hard for me to read. The story felt disjointed and seemed to skim the importance of Victoria's reign. From what I've read of the PBS production and the previews I've seen, I wouldn't be surprised that Daisy Goodwin may be a better screen writer than book author. Normally, the book is better than the movie, but this time I'm hoping the presentation clarifies Victoria in a better light than does the book.

Very disappointing. Tried watching but turned off after 45 minutes. Casting was awful very flat acting, depressing aura with bad musical score. Victoria was ok. The script was fine and I now appreciate the book.
But Mama was not believable, Conroy not slimy or Melbourne not a lady's man.

I enjoyed the premiere of the mini-series, but found, as is so often the case, that the book offered a richer insight into Victoria's life. That being said, I think Daisy Goodwin's involvement with the mini-series was an asset in bringing the book to life. In my opinion, both are well-done.

The first episode was very good and followed the first chapters of the book. Reading the book and then watching the mini-series helps to broaden the story. A TV show can be very good, but reading the book is better.

Last night I saw the first episode of the series on PBS. I noticed that the book and the TV version are sometimes overlapping and sometimes different stories. For example, in the novel the rat that provokes her screaming reaction is on the floor; in the TV version, it's on her birthday cake. The TV drama has Flora Hastings being humiliated by her examination at the very same time that Victoria's coronation is underway; in the novel, as in history, those events were a year apart. The TV version also has developed the character of the hairdresser Skerret as a former prostitute, and created conflicts between Lehzen and her predecessor at Buckingham Palace, in a way that wasn't in the novel, and that I suspect is pure fiction.

Mostly it seems the TV version is less accurate, but in at least one instance, I noticed it tried to correct a minor error in the novel. In the book (at least in the uncorrected proof), the painter of her coronation portrait is called Hayden; the TV version corrects this-- it was Hayter-- but their version of the portrait itself has Victoria's head turned way too much to the right, apparently trying to fit the novel, which describes her pose (p. 142) as "standing and looking back over her shoulder." (It was actually Thomas Sully who painted her in that pose.)

I was disappointed in the PBS mini-series, personally. I thought they left out a lot of the personal touches that made the book interesting. I don't think it captured Victoria's independent spirit/willfulness. I felt the book was MUCH better.

JLPenn I'm very impressed with your post. You caught a lot of things that I missed.

Now that I've seen TV Victoria, I can better relate to some of the characters. But it is rather like Hallmark productions—all surface fluff. And also how I view the book . . . .

As usual, the book was full of details not expressed in the show. The book gave a better sense of place and of the inner thoughts of the people involved.

I've been enjoying the PBS series but in no way does it measure up to Downton Abbey. But I've only watched the first part, so maybe it will get better. I do think Lord Melbourne is well cast with Rufus Sewell in the role.

I enjoyed the first episode and enjoyed it very much. I hadn't read a lot of the book yet. Since then I have read much more. A mini-series cannot get all of a book. The book is always better. However, I think the TV show is good and I went to the Internet to find more information about Victoria. She was quite a woman and Queen.

I really enjoyed the book, and looked forward to the PBS series. I have only seen the first episode, but I felt that the TV series presents Victoria as much more of a spoiled brat than as the book portrayed her. I immediately identified with Victoria's struggles to assert herself in the book. In the series, she comes across as very immature and self centered. I was also confused by the time line of the series; it seems that the first episode has covered at least half of the book. Are they going to take her story past the first three years of her reign, where the book ended?

Another obvious problem with the TV version is that it suffers by comparison with the wonderful Crown" miniseries recently shown on PBS.

Books are always better than the movie or mini-series. I have only watched the first two episodes. So far I think that the mini-series is good. They did wonderful casting with the Queen and Melbourne. They are adding to the story but I have heard they want this to be the next Downton Abbey so they are adding more of a plot and more villains.

I have seen the first two episodes of "Victoria" and it is just OK - I was particularly struck by the upstairs/downstairs aspect of it, with the downstairs characters I don't remember from the book. If this was supposed to be reminiscent of "Downton Abbey" it fails! The casting is OK, particularly good is Rufus Sewell as Lord M (I love him in anything!) and gives the series some "heft" - can't say that the book was any better, but will finish watching the series just for the costumes.

I did watch the first episode, but have to admit that I did fall asleep, so am planning to re-watch the recorded version. I was taken with how much of the book is covered in the first episode.

I read the book and liked it. I like historical fiction. The TV series seems to follow the book closely but every now and then it doesn't. I feel that Albert is very pompous - and as are most of the characters. I would like to read more of Victoria as she reigned a very long time.

I am very picky. I do have respect for PBS. I have created the scenes in my mind. Just one detail off will upset me. All booklovers create scences. I also create the small details. I feel those are important. Why? They tell a story. This is now one of my favorite books. I do not want to destroy it by watching it. Yes, I am weird.

I have been watching the mini-series and have read the book. In my opinion, the book was better, but that is usually the case. I have enjoyed the mini-series very much and realize not all the details that are in the book can be in a mini-series. It has been a good show to watch and enjoy. I have gone to the Internet to learn more about Victoria and Albert. I find them fascinating.

This is a case where there is quite a bit of difference between the mini-series and the novel. The "downstairs" drama and romance are in no way a part of the novel but add the the mini-series in a way that makes it more like Downton Abby.
The basic character of Victoria is the same in the book and the mini-series, but in the mini-series we get to see Victoria married and what her early marriage is like - in other words - it takes the story further than the book does.
For me the mini-series delights the eye with the fabulous costumes. Victoria's wardrobe was not a big feature of the novel. The spectacular settings and the wonderful music also add to the mini-series.
If a person has an interest in Queen Victoria, I would recommend both reading the book and enjoying the mini-series!

On a somewhat related note, filming of the second series of Victoria has now started. And those who've mentioned Downton Abbey in this thread might be interested to know that there are rumors that Julian Fellowes is writing a prequel to Downton Abbey.

I never watched or read Downton Abbey. I will check out the book. I am researching Victoria's life. I wish my favorite historian author will write a book on her. My next place to research about her is the Library of Congress. What are your favorite research web sites?

The mini-series seems to be pleasing those who have not read the book. Jenna Coleman does a fairly good job of portraying Victoria and Tom Hughes makes a good-looking Albert but, overall, the series lacks real pull for me. It seems to be a fairly good reproduction of the book, however.