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livres_de_bloss's review against another edition
4.0
This is an engaging, riveting telling of the unique relationship between Queen Victoria and Abdul Karim.
I confess I watched the film prior to reading the book but the book was instrumental in filling in the gaps.
This is, overall, a sad story. After reading it, I was struck at how almost everyone looked bad afterwards: the Queen was truly blinded by adoration and refused to even hear bad things about the Munshi, I felt like the Munshi may have been pushing his luck a bit and being exploitive, the government interference, the household prejudices, the attempt to sabotage the friendship from Indian servants and British servants alike, the spiteful actions of Bertie after the Queen’s and the Munshi’s deaths.
The micromanagement of Indian affairs on behalf of the Munshi by the Queen was hard to read. It’s kind of underlining what is wrong with a monarchy where nepotism flourishes and the rules are only enforced depending on your circumstance.
No one comes away looking particularly good at the end of this book.
The author did a wonderful job at telling a detailed and informative story. I was amazed at the detail considering most of the correspondence was destroyed. I learned so much about both India and Queen Victoria through this story!
I confess I watched the film prior to reading the book but the book was instrumental in filling in the gaps.
This is, overall, a sad story. After reading it, I was struck at how almost everyone looked bad afterwards: the Queen was truly blinded by adoration and refused to even hear bad things about the Munshi, I felt like the Munshi may have been pushing his luck a bit and being exploitive, the government interference, the household prejudices, the attempt to sabotage the friendship from Indian servants and British servants alike, the spiteful actions of Bertie after the Queen’s and the Munshi’s deaths.
The micromanagement of Indian affairs on behalf of the Munshi by the Queen was hard to read. It’s kind of underlining what is wrong with a monarchy where nepotism flourishes and the rules are only enforced depending on your circumstance.
No one comes away looking particularly good at the end of this book.
The author did a wonderful job at telling a detailed and informative story. I was amazed at the detail considering most of the correspondence was destroyed. I learned so much about both India and Queen Victoria through this story!
soniapage's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting but rather sad recounting of the friendship between Queen Victoria and her servant Abdul Karim at a time in her life when she dearly needed a friend. My one gripe is that it is very repetitive.
ammbooks's review
4.0
It’s was very interesting to read about this stretch of years from the perspective of a relationship thru correspondence. One is left with a certain admiration for queen Victoria. To deal with an empire and deal with the petty social in fights of not just her household staff but all her children. And still have time to learn a difficult language at her age.
libraryrobin's review against another edition
2.0
A long, and not always interesting, in-depth account of the controversial friendship of Queen Victoria and an Indian servant.
vikingwolf's review against another edition
3.0
Abdul was handpicked to come to the UK when Victoria wanted to form a closer relationship with India, the fascinating country that she was the new Empress of. He began as a common servant which is not what he was expecting as his skills were in administration but Victoria took a liking to him and gave him a more fitting role where he could assist her with her papers and become her teacher in her desire to learn Urdu. He soon became her most trusted companion, something that other Indian servants, the stuffy Royal Household and her family did not approve of. I understand their concerns as he did ask for honours and perks for himself and his father and friends, which is really not acceptable behaviour. It brought her into a conflict every time with her UK or Indian based staff, and he even tried to get her to take the side of the Muslims over the Hindus in an India that was getting close to splitting. It is easy to see their frustrations with the situation.
On the other side it does seem that Abdul genuinely cared for Victoria and knowing the hostility against him, was perhaps being prudent in ensuring that he had a future after she was gone ie looking for land to own in India. Her family were certainly not going to provide for him after her death and Victoria was also concerned for her future. He certainly filled a void in her life after the death of John Brown and tried to look after her interests. I can imagine that he also had to endure not just hostility and jealousy but outright racism. This book gives an interesting insight into this friendship, the political upheaval in India and Victorian life. I was also fascinated by the personality of Victoria, how much she wanted to learn about India and her determination to learn to speak and write Urdu. I found it very interesting and will probably watch the film.
On the other side it does seem that Abdul genuinely cared for Victoria and knowing the hostility against him, was perhaps being prudent in ensuring that he had a future after she was gone ie looking for land to own in India. Her family were certainly not going to provide for him after her death and Victoria was also concerned for her future. He certainly filled a void in her life after the death of John Brown and tried to look after her interests. I can imagine that he also had to endure not just hostility and jealousy but outright racism. This book gives an interesting insight into this friendship, the political upheaval in India and Victorian life. I was also fascinated by the personality of Victoria, how much she wanted to learn about India and her determination to learn to speak and write Urdu. I found it very interesting and will probably watch the film.
kawthar114's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
crazylady4's review against another edition
4.0
Good book overall, dragged at times and was often set to wondering if everything was burnrd how quotes were obtained. Interesting the hatred towards a man over nothing but promotion. Shows the nitty gritty of human jealousy. Who hasn't tried to use their own connections to further themselves.
cscottrun's review
3.0
I was hoping for more of a narrative, but this read like a textbook with some narrative features. It was difficult for me to become fully engaged in the book. I enjoyed it for the most part but was disappointed because of my own expectations.
itsali's review against another edition
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.0