First published 2014
Victoria ascends to the British throne at eighteen after growing up under strict supervision and virtual isolation. The young queen navigates the challenges of ruling an expanding empire while building a personal life with her first cousin Albert. Together they raise nine children who will marry into royal families across the continent. Victoria's reign spans over six decades, encompassing massive industrial and cultural transformations that reshape Britain and its colonies. As her empire grows to circle the globe, she earns titles like Empress of India and the affectionate nickname Grandmother of Europe. The public sees an iconic monarch, but behind the crown lies a complex woman balancing the demands of power with the intimate struggles of family life.
Genres: biography, history, 20th-century, 19th-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, family-drama, rise-to-power
Setting: Britain, India
Period: 19th Century, 20th Century
112 pages · Paperback · Penguin Workshop