Interesting window onto a fascinating period

Tracing Charlotte’s life provides a fascinating angle from which to view the Regency years. The book is as much about her parents as about her, which is understandable. It also provides an intriguing picture of Caroline of Brunswick and a glimpse of George III’s treatment of his daughters and gives a general impression of how dysfunctional the royal household was in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. All of this puts the upbringing of the future Queen Victoria in a context we don’t hear that much about.
The narration is a little robotic at times, with a few mispronunciations (no one ever pronounces ‘Belvoir’ correctly so it’s not the end of the world) but perfectly clear and I had no problem with it.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Interesting book ruined by narrator

I had high hopes of this book because though the story of Princess Charlotte’s tragic death is fairly well known, not much is said about her life.

Sadly, a book that really did have the potential to be very interesting, was made quite difficult to plough through because of the terrible narration. On several occasions her dull and robotic delivery was so boring, I fell asleep and missed bits of the book. Still, I suppose the book could be recommended as an insomnia cure, but that doesn’t seem fair to say because it wasn’t the writer who was at fault. It was the terrible narrator. I could have lived with her mispronunciation - I have never heard Esher pronounced quite like that, or, for that matter, monarchy, but I could overlook that. What is difficult to overlook is the lack of interest in the subject the narrator shows. She treats the book as nothing more than a telephone directory.

Unfortunately, having listened to this once, I don’t think I could listen to it again, unless it was read by a different narrator.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Interesting

Sad and tragic life of the heiress to the throne in this interesting period of history. Well researched and detailed.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

A story of how royalty used to live

I really enjoyed this book very sad life and even sadder death.

I Would recommend.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

A good book but irritating pronounciation

Clear diction but irritating pronunciation of words like Monarchy! A not unusual word in the context. Good exploration of Charlottes life.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Great book, bad narrator

I felt bad that I kept falling asleep during this book. It had so much detail and I was interested, but the narrator was so boring and monotone that it was a snooze. I had to re-read several chapters twice to make it through. The story was so well researched and the detail was great, shame about the delivery.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Didn’t want it to end

The narration is not the best. But I’ve heard worst for sure.
The story is very engaging and I didn’t want it to end! Perfect for those of us who reread Pride and Prejudice every two months.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

A litany of royal cruelty

One always thinks of royals leading a privileged lifestyle but this Princess was treated abominably by the very people who should have been caring for her.
The narrator was intensely irritating with her persistent mispronunciations and lack of tonal inflection. Doesn’t anyone ever edit these audiobooks?

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Not great

Terrible narration when speaking as Charlotte it really ruins the experience I wish I’d read the reviews first

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!