Victoria's Daughters

By: Jerrold M. Packard

Narrated by: Heather Wilds

Length: 12 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

Vicky, Alice, Helena, and Beatrice were historically unique sisters, born to a sovereign who ruled over a quarter of the earth's people and who gave her name to an era: Queen Victoria. Two of these princesses would themselves produce children of immense consequence. All five would curiously come to share many of the social restrictions and familial machinations borne by 19th-century women of less-exulted class.

Principally researched at the houses and palaces of its five subjects in London, Scotland, Berlin, Darmstadt, and Ottawa - and entertainingly written by an experienced biographer whose last book concerned Victoria's final days - Victoria's Daughters closely examines a generation of royal women who were dominated by their mother, married off as much for political advantage as for love, and finally passed over entirely with the accession of their brother Bertie to the throne. Jerrold M. Packard provides valuable insights into their complex, oft-tragic lives as daughters of their time.

©1998 Jerrold M. Packard (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"[An] engaging group biography...Packard's narrative is accessible, unpretentious and solidly written." ( Publishers Weekly)

Terrible Narrator

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Does the narrator know how to read punctuation? There are pauses in weird places and an flat, dull delivery. I was so looking forward to this book, but the narration ruined it for me.

Robotic reader

Although I find the story interesting, the narrator is making it difficult for me to focus on anything except how poorly she read the book. I don’t think I can continue listening to it. She has expression... but it is the SAME expression no matter what she is reading. Her inflection doesn’t match what she is saying quite often so I feel like she is simply reading words and hasn’t bothered to familiarize herself with them first. My first Audible disappointment.

Annoying Narrator and Major Historical Error

The narration was read with a strange cadence that proved very distracting. In addition, twice the author referred to Princess Charlotte of Wales as Victoria's aunt. Charlotte was the daughter of Victoria's uncle, King George IV, making Charlotte Victoria's 1st cousin, not her aunt.

Very informative

I liked getting to know more about personalities, struggles and accomplishments of the Royal family.

unpleasant narration.

narrator seems to be speed reading a shopping list. An unpleasant experience to try to listen to.

Disappointing

I would listen to this book again with a different narrator. The reading really spoiled a fascinating history.

Lots of detail. Not much narration.

I love history. This is a history book full of research from primary sources, such as letters written by the family members. It is not a narrative story where history comes alive, in my opinion. It might be an interesting read, but I found it tedious as an audible book.

Very Enjoyable

This book was a great historical read. I knew nothing of Queen Victoria's Daughters except for Vicky before I discovered this book.

Informative but got lost

The overall writing was great and history phenomenal! However, I had to restart some bits as I had lost track of the information before or the relation of persons. This happened several times and made the story lose a little of its luster for me personally. Enjoyed the narrator as well!

Victoria revisited

I love history! This was presented very well in chronological order. Impressive and very informative.