Georgie Blalock

This enticing and thoroughly researched book is the story of Queen Victoria’s fourth daughter, Princess Louise. Princess Louise must live by the constraints of her title and the rules of Victorian society. Her mother, Queen Victoria, is dictatorial, demanding and most of the time, is not at all “motherly”. Yet Princess Louise grows into a lovely woman of great character, and she has exceptional artistic talent. When she goes to art school, she meets and takes classes from the famous sculptor Joseph Edgar Boehm, with whom she has a long-lasting affair.
Recognizing her duty to the crown, and after declining many unsuitable suitors recommended by her mother, Louise finally agrees to marry Marquess of Lorne, heir to the Dukedom of Argyll. However, since she is of royal blood and he only a British subject, this was quite an unusual match. The Marquess and Louise spent most of their time in Canada, where he had an appointment, but she returned to England later due to an injury. There she continued her relationship with Boehm while her husband remained in Canada.
Learning about the Queen was fun and I especially enjoyed how the author navigated her relationship with Louise, given they had much in common yet lots of conflict. I also loved the inclusion of historical letters! I had so much fun with this book and am very excited to read this author’s next book.
… (altro)

I didn't know much about Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria, prior to this novel. Louise struggled to make her own way in the late 19th century, something that can feel relatable today. Louise sought to be a sculptor, studying with many of the noted artists of the day, and she aimed to assert herself in her personal relationships, too. Often tense with her mother, Louise married to escape the queen's household and to have the freedom to conduct her own love affairs. Overall, this novel makes for compelling reading and is definitely a good book for fans of royal history.… (altro)

An Indiscreet Princess by Georgie Blalock is a story based on facts about Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Fourth daughter and sixth child. In this version, Prince Albert is dead and the Queen is in perpetual mourning. This puts a damper on the children, especially Louise. Talented in her own right as a sculptor/artist she fights conventions and her mother so she can go to art school.

Louise was secretary to her mother, as an unmarried girl, that was the lot in life for the Queen's girls. She was of marriageable age and it was the Queen's duty to find a suitable husband for Louise and her other girls. She had strict requirements, and the prospective husband had to stay in England.

Louise was allowed by the Queen to attend art school, thus meeting her lover, sculptor, and teacher Edgar Boehm. It was a long-lasting affair. The Queen finally found a suitable suitor for Louise, she became engaged to Marquess of Lorne, heir to the Dukedom of Argyll while he visited Balmoral. He was a British subject and Louise was royalty, which was not often done then. The Queen felt this marriage would bring new blood to the royalty, although Louise never had any children.

The Marquess wanted some sort of appointment in the Queen's court. He was appointed Government General of Canada and Louise became Viceregal consort of Canada. While there the Marquess and Louise founded the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. Louise was also a patroness of many organizations while in Canada.

A sleigh accident injured Louise and she was sent back to England where she took up where she left off, as a married woman it was easier for her to carry on her duties and affair with Boehm. This is pretty much where this story ended, her return to England. She and her husband never really had a loving relationship whereas they spent a lot of time apart.

I enjoyed this particular take on Louise and the life of royalty in Victorian England. A time of strict protocols and lifestyle. Seemed to me to be a dark and gloomy time. One can only mourn for so long. For that era, Louise was a very strong woman, getting what she wanted and being very accomplished.

If you like a historical novel at its best, this one is for you. Louise was a very fascinating woman of her time. I give it 5 stars for story content, research, and writing.… (altro)