This was a fascinating glimpse into the life of a woman who seems so far beyond anything I can reach. Smith makes Queen Elizabeth human; I won't go so far as to say she brings the Queen to our level, but she makes it easier to see that yeah, underneath all the reality, Elizabeth is a person beyond just a monarch.
Biographies are often thought to be dry, scholarly writing, a true bore to get through. Smith does a great job making this more than just a recounting of facts. This is a story, a tale, of a life. It was fun to read! Sure, there were dull moments; paragraphs about politics that I didn't fully understand or enjoy, but even those were written for enjoyment rather than strictly learning.
One aspect of biographies, especially when it comes to the royal family, is that I have to pay attention to who is writing the book and what his/her goal is. I only recently learned how much that can taint the glasses the book is being written through. For example, I love Lady Di. I'm inspired by her story. I'm angered by her death. I'm awed by her life. There was always a part of me that was angered by the royal family for their actions or lack thereof. It was easy to find a villain in Charles. After reading this book (and watching documentaries done by members of the royal family's press), I had to accept that there are two sides to the story of Lady Di and Prince Charles. How much of either side is true? We probably will never know. I just have to be more open that maybe Charles isn't the monster I'd concluded him to be. Thanks, Smith, for helping me realize this.
I've always been interested in royalty, and I've made it a goal to read more about the royal family. This was a great jump into the family, and I can't wait to keep reading.
Personally, I'd love more pictures...
No surprises that you enjoyed this book :)
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