Elizabeth & Margaret

The Intimate World of the Windsor Sisters

By: Andrew Morton

Narrated by: Marisa Calin

Length: 10 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's Summary

Perfect for fans of The Crown, this captivating biography from a New York Times best-selling author follows Queen Elizabeth II and her sister Margaret as they navigate life in the royal spotlight.

They were the closest of sisters and the best of friends. But when, in a quixotic twist of fate, their uncle Edward Vlll decided to abdicate the throne, the dynamic between Elizabeth and Margaret was dramatically altered. Forever more Margaret would have to curtsey to the sister she called "Lillibet". And bow to her wishes. 

Elizabeth would always look upon her younger sister's antics with a kind of stoical amusement, but Margaret's struggle to find a place and position inside the royal system - and her fraught relationship with its expectations - was often a source of tension. Famously, the queen had to inform Margaret that the church and government would not countenance her marrying a divorcee, Group Captain Peter Townsend, forcing Margaret to choose between keeping her title and royal allowances or her divorcee lover. 

From the idyll of their cloistered early life, through their hidden war-time lives, into the divergent paths they took following their father's death and Elizabeth's ascension to the throne, this book explores their relationship over the years. Andrew Morton's latest biography offers unique insight into these two drastically different sisters - one resigned to duty and responsibility, the other resistant to it - and the lasting impact they have had on the crown, the royal family, and the ways it adapted to the changing mores of the 20th century.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.  

©2021 Andrew Morton (P)2021 Hachette Audio

Critic Reviews

“Deliciously detailed, sometimes gossipy, often moving, this in-depth examination of royal siblings is sure to be in demand.” (Booklist)

"Thoroughly researched and well written, the most comprehensive  account of the complex relationship between the Queen and Princess Margaret to date. Fascinating and enjoyable." (Sarah Bradford, New York Times best-selling author of Elizabeth) 

"The dynamic between the two royal sisters is endlessly fascinating when presented by Andrew Morton. Informative, insightful, and never a dull page. Morton at his forensic best." (Ingrid Seward, author of Prince Philip Revealed and My Husband and I, editor in chief of Majesty magazine)

Enlightening

I think this will answer most of the crucial questions about Princess Margaret that anyone could have. I have been looking for a while for a book that would shed a bright light on her character and motives and also spill the big mysterious secret of Peter Townsend. This book does all that and more. Listen carefully to the part about Princess Margaret’s decision not to marry Townsend. There is more there than the mere words.

Queen Elizabeth is much less of a mystery, but this parallel lives study is quite the biographical masterpiece. I’ve read a few other Morton bios. They are always good, but this one is a cut above his usual excellent work.

I was not as pleased with narrator. Her voice has a schizophrenic quality. She can be soft as silk one second and then harsh, nasal and loud the next. It all happens so fast, usually in the same sentence. It’s just her voice, but it’s not suited to narration. Also her accents leave much to be desired. I still could not stop listening. Kudos to Andrew Morton!

Strange narration

The overly dramatic narration didn’t appeal to me. She goes from breathy and hard to hear to irritatingly too-loud and almost screechy in one sentence. Hard to adjust the volume. Not a fan of this reader at all! Couldn’t finish it.

one of the best

despite a rather strange narrator, this is an excellent book about the sisters, nothing really new but full of perennially fascinating details for anyone who enjoys a good dish about the Windsors. purely personal and full of gossip without being petty or tacky like some.

Freakish Performance

The narrator of this book had a bizarre speaking voice and reading style. She reminded me of the horrendous Shakespearean actor on an old episode of Frasier. If you don't know what I'm talking about, YouTube it. I couldn't get past the first chapter. It's probably a good book....if someone with a normal speaking voice were reading it.

Narrator is ANNOYING!!

Narrator is horrible! She goes from a firm voice to a whisper and back again in every sentence. I couldn't make it through half the first chapter. Too bad I wasn't able to listen to this book, the author worked long and hard on the book I'm sure, but the narrator blew it.

Narrator poor

Narration VERY uneven - rapid-fire and calm in the same sentence. Will never listen to her again.

A Good Summer Read

Elizabeth & Margaret is a fabulous book for anyone who's into the British Royal Family. I've been a fan since the marriage of Charles and Diana in 1981. I've read countless books and magazine articles over the years about the Windsors. Andrew Morton did a wonderful job of showing the contrasts between the Queen and her sister. The reader is able to see the humanity beyond the lavish lifestyle of royalty. Marisa Callin did a great job of narrating this dual biography of two of the most famous women of the 20th Century.

Great book but terrible narrator!

I love anything about the British royals and this book delivers on some insights. However, had to struggle to get past the first couple of chapters to carry through to the end because of the terrible narration. Heavy breath, inconsistent speed, often and unnecessarily melodramatic

Meh

Interesting to see the inside story but overall feels like a gossip column. Morton slams Diana but says nothing about Charles disgusting behavior. Royals protect their own.

Very distracting narration.

While this is an interesting read, I cannot get past the frenetic quality of the narration. This narrator is all over the place; trying much too hard to control/direct the reader's emotions to the story. The constant changes in pitch, volume and tempo, many times within a single sentence, are an annoying distraction to enjoying this book. Too bad, as the story is an interesting one. I came very close to returning this purchase, and will definitely avoid buying another audio book read by this narrator.

Interesting story, beautifully read

The book covers a long time span and presents a good deal of information that has not been public knowledge, much of it clearing up negative misunderstandings about Margaret. It is occasionally a little repetitive.
The reading is beautiful: clear, expressive and easy to listen to. When direct quotations of Elizabeth and Margaret are used, an approximation to their voices and pronunciation is given which gives an accurate impression without mimicry or caricature.

Fantastic Book

loved this book, it had everything and I got to learn of the past of the 2 sisters

Awful performance

Narrator adopts an odd breathless diction that really detracts from the enjoyment and meaning. Not sure why she did that. Should have been read in a straight voice. Her performance makes this a rather strained listen.