lex6819
Written on Mar 23, 2018
"In Queen Victoria's Mysterious Daughter, Lucinda Hawksley delves into artistic and royal secrets to discover the life of Princess Louise, whose true story has either been lost in history or has been deliberately kept secret. The sixth child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert had a difficult childhood and troubled adolescence, a world away from the usual perception of the life of a privileged princess. For such a prominent public figure, much of her life story has been hidden away inside impenetrable walls. What was so scandalous about this princess that her files in the Royal Archives and at her husband's home, Inveraray Castle in Scotland, still need to be locked away? Can we believe, as many do, that Louise in fact gave birth secretly to an illegitimate royal child? An indomitable woman, Louise lived her life to the full, in a manner that few 21st-century readers would believe possible for a 19th-century woman. She lived through wars and revolutions. As well as being a prominent member of the Aesthetic art world, Princess Louise was a passionate campaigner for women's rights, health reform and education for all. She travelled widely, holidaying in Europe, Africa and North America, and she lived in Canada for five years as the wife of the Governor General. Here is our best evidence yet that Queen Victoria's many secrets have yet to be fully disclosed"--
- ISBN10 1250059321
- ISBN13 9781250059321
- Publish Date 8 December 2015
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 6 September 2021
- Imprint Thomas Dunne Books
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 384
- Language English
Reviews
Beth C.
Written on Oct 13, 2015
Lucinda Hawksley has done a great job of attempting to explain that very thing. Princess Louise appears to be one of the more beloved royals of her time, and yet the very things that made her so valuable are the very same things that scandalized her mother. She was popular with the people, did a significant amount to help the conditions of the poor and working class, and was a noted artist...yet one rarely hears about her. Hawksley has written a biography, but it is one that is - by necessity - also informed by sources other than "official" ones. With her access to the royal archives being denied (as it has been for many who wished to research Princess Louise), some of her conclusions are based on conjecture and educated guesses. While this may annoy those who opt for strict sourcing in a biography, it did seem understandable to me considering the circumstances.
Hawksley also pulls no punches - she makes it clear that being Victoria's daughter was no bed of roses, and that Louise was far from perfect. The entire royal family, in fact, had some *serious* issues. But overall, Louise comes across as a pioneer of the times, and a mostly sympathetic character.
The biggest downside to the book was the simple fact that I could not keep names straight. There were so many that I started getting confused and losing track of which was from way back, who was a friend or artist vs. employee, etc. It did get a bit disconcerting at times. Frankly, I got to the point where I just blew by most of them unless it was something fairly significant.
Overall, I did find the book quite interesting. I find it a shame that so much of Princess Louise's contributions seem to have been whitewashed over, and continue to be, because of mysteries that happened in the past. I think she would be "much moved and gratified" to know that she hasn't truly been forgotten.