In the Shadow of a Queen by Heather B. Moore
Publication Date: 10/4/22
Hardcover ISBN: 9781639930500
Retail Price: $26.99
Page Count: 384
Historical Fiction Cover image: Photo12/Alamy Stock Photo and faestock/Shutterstock Book design: © Shadow Mountain Art Direction: Richard Erickson Design: Cheryl Dickert Smith
***I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own***
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Book Summary
Based on the true story of the free-spirited daughter of Queen Victoria.
Princess Louise’s life is upended after her father’s untimely death. Captive to the queen’s overwhelming mourning, Louise is forbidden to leave her mother’s tight circle of control and is eventually relegated to the position of personal secretary to her mother—the same position each of her sisters held until they were married. Already an accomplished painter, Louise risks the queen’s wrath by exploring the art of sculpting, an activity viewed as unbefitting a woman. When Louise involves herself in the day’s political matters, including championing the career of a female doctor and communicating with suffragettes, the queen lays down the law to stop her and devotes her full energy to finding an acceptable match for her defiant daughter. Louise is considered the most beautiful and talented daughter of Queen Victoria, but finding a match for the princess is no easy feat. Protocols are broken, and Louise exerts her own will as she tries to find an open-minded husband who will support her free spirit. In the Shadow of a Queen is the story of a battle of wills between two women: a daughter determined to forge her own life beyond the shadow of her mother, and a queen resolved to keep the Crown’s reputation unsullied no matter the cost.
My Review
To say I was excited to finally peruse the pages of this book is an understatement. I love history and I love reading about royalty, so this was a fantastic read for me. Once again, I'm amazed at the research that Author Heather B. Moore always does when she writes a book. I was fascinated throughout the whole book and also loved examining the Chapter Notes found at the back of the book.
In The Shadow of A Queen is based on the life of Princess Louise who was free-spirited and one of nine children of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Louise was ahead of her time in her thinking and in broadening her talents for a woman of the mid-1800s. She became a very accomplished painter and sculptor. Louise willfully went against her mother many times even though she loved her and was dedicated to the crown and monarchy. Out of all of Queen Victoria's children, I think Princess Louise was the most outgoing and loved by all social classes of people. She also was the only child to marry a commoner, whereas the rest of her siblings married another Royal.
This book must be devoured by those who love royal history and enjoy reading a great love story like Louise and John Campbells'. It will also be a great selection for those who'll love to read about a brave, determined woman who was ahead of her time. Be forewarned, this was not a quick read because it is over 350 pages long. I went down a rabbit hole wanting to know more about Princess Louise and her accomplished life when I finished reading. Don't let the historical aspect of the book turn you off though if you're not a lover of history. This is a compelling story that will stay with you long after you finish the book. Moore has an excellent writing style and is a master writer of Historical Fiction.
****Meet Author Heather B. Moore****
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More Information About Princess Louise's Life
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Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, (Louisa Caroline Alberta; 18 March 1848 – 3 December 1939) was the sixth child and fourth daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
In her public life, she was a strong proponent of the arts and higher education and of the feminist cause. Her early life was spent moving among the various royal residences in her family's company. When her father died in December 1861, the court went into a long period of mourning, to which with time Louise became unsympathetic. She was an able sculptor and artist, and several of her sculptures remain today.
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She was also a supporter of the feminist movement, corresponding with Josephine Butler, and visiting Elizabeth Garrett.
Before her marriage, Louise served as an unofficial secretary to the Queen from 1866 to 1871. The question of Louise's marriage was discussed in the late 1860s. Suitors from the royal houses of Prussia and Denmark were suggested. Still, Victoria did not want her to marry a foreign prince and therefore suggested a high-ranking member of the British aristocracy. Despite opposition from members of the royal family, Louise fell in love with John Campbell, Marquess of Lorne, the heir of the Duke of Argyll. Victoria consented to the marriage,[which took place on 21 March 1871.
After a happy beginning, the two drifted apart, possibly because of their childlessness and the Queen's constraints on their activities.
In 1878, Lorne was appointed Governor General of Canada, a post he held from 1878–1884. Louise was viceregal consort, starting a lasting interest in Canada. Her name was used to name many features in Canada, including Lake Louise and the province of Alberta.
Following her mother's death in 1901, she entered the social circle established by her elder brother, the new king, Edward VII. Louise's marriage with Lorne survived thanks to long periods of separation; they reconciled in 1911, and Louise was devastated by Lorne's death in 1914. After the First World War, she began to retire from public life, undertaking few public duties outside Kensington Palace, where she died at the age of 91.
{https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Louise,_Duchess_of_Argyll}
Advance Praise:
“Peek into the House of Hanover and view the strength of two women: Queen Victoria and her daughter Princess Louise. This story weaves compassion and conflict into breathtaking and gripping historical detail.” —Julie Wright, author of A Captain for Caroline Gray
“Moore crafts an intriguing portrait of the independently-minded Princess Louise and her tensions with the English royal family. Moore sets the stage with meticulous research, and she expertly combines fact with fiction, with psychological insights on Victoria's mercurial moods and the impact of her controlling nature. It adds up to a worthy portrait of a woman divided by duty and self-determination.” —Publishers Weekly
“Moore's tracking of Louise's commitment to women's suffrage and public education and of how Louise manages to follow her own interests and desires without alienating her famously moody mother is striking. Fans of Marie Benedict and Jennifer Chiaverini will enjoy this portrayal of a strong woman who successfully forges her own path.” —Booklist Available
Thank you so much for this lovely and thorough review!
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome! Thank you for continuing to write such wonderful books!
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