Hardback: 539 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Harper Collins 2022
Source: Tywyn Public Library
First Sentences: George VI is on the throne. The King, his wife and his two daughters enjoy great popularity.
Setting: United Kingdom
Review Quote: ‘The warmth and empathy that have made Fern Britton such a popular TV presenter are evident in her latest novel’ Woman’s Weekly
My Opinion: ‘The Good Servant’ is a fictionalised account of a true story. When the late Queen Elizabeth II and her sister were children, they had a much loved governess Marion Crawford. She taught them for many years and took her duties to the Royal Family very seriously. Yet she shocked the establishment in her retirement by selling her story, which was published as ‘The Little Princesses’
Fern Britton has taken the facts as they are known publicly and woven them into a story of ‘Crawfie’s’ life within the Royal Family. Of course we will never know the full truth but it is a fascinating glimpse into her life during those years, until it all went horribly wrong. Was it her fault? In some ways yes, but Marion had thought she could trust certain people around her.
It certainly seemed an apt time to be reading this novel, with certain royals being so much in the news at present! Worth a read if you are interested in the monarchy and enjoy historical fiction.
Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:
1932. Dunfermline, Scotland.
Marion Crawford, a bright, ambitious young teacher, is ready to make her mark on the world. Until a twist of fate changes the course of her life forever…
1936. Windsor Castle.
At first this ordinary woman is in a new world, working as governess to two young princesses, in a household she calls home but where everyone is at a distance. As the course of history changes, she finds herself companion to the future Queen, and indispensable to the crown. And slowly their needs become her needs. Their lives become hers.
It’s then she meets George, and falls in love for the first time. Now Marion faces an impossible choice: her sense of duty or the love of her life.
Author Profile:
Courtesy of Facebook Profile
About Fern Britton in her own words from her Amazon Author Page
I am an English television presenter and journalist who has worked in current affairs and Newsrooms since 1980. In the 1990's I hosted Ready Steady cook for the BBC and through the 2000's presented ITV's flagship daytime magazine This Morning.
Since then I have discovered the joy of writing novels. The Good Servant is my tenth novel. A breakaway from my usual theme of Cornish village life by the sea. The Good Servant focusses on a real woman who spent her twenties and thirties devoted to Princess Elizabeth ( Queen Elizabeth 2) and Princess Margaret as children, but ended up an outcast.
I live in Cornwall and have four children and three cats. I have a motorbike licence, a power boat licence and I make good roast potatoes.
Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:
Amazon Author Page. Goodreads Author Profile Fern Britton - Official Website
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