My Review
The Queen's Coronation is a historical novel set in 1952 England, as Queen Elizabeth is preparing for her coronation. The story is told from the viewpoint of three women: Caroline Brimstone, a dresser to the queen, is unhappily married and the mother of a young daughter; Miranda Miller is an American journalist who has taken an office job at the palace in order to covertly write articles "behind the scenes"; Lucy Jones is a young wardrobe assistant who wants to be a singer.
I wanted to read this novel because I love Jennifer Ryan's historical fiction. Her book The Chilbury Ladies Choir is one of my all time favorite novels. I love the fresh perspective she bring to life in England during World War II.
It took me a few chapters to get to know the three protagonists in this book. I found Caroline immediately sympathetic, found Miranda's story interesting, and was often exasperated with Lucy's naivete and very poor decisions with men. As the book went on, their stories became more entwined and I became fully engrossed in the storytelling.
The historical details in this book are lovely. It was unique and interesting glimpsing the coronation from the viewpoint of everyday women working at the palace. I especially loved the glimpses of excitement in the larger community about the coronation, like the big street festival in the neighborhood where the women lived, with Caroline's young daughter dressed up as queen.
I really enjoyed The Queen's Coronation and recommend this book for other historical fiction fans. Readers who have an interest in Queen Elizabeth II and the British royal family will be particularly interesting. (And yes, fellow dog lovers, there are several Corgi sightings in the book!)
Thanks to Random House and Netgalley for an advanced reading copy of this book.
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