It was wonderful to see Queen Victoria in later life - older, struggling against the expectations of her family, and still finding her joy. Abdul was a lesser known figure in Queen Victoria's life and bring attention to his life with this book is fantastic.

This was an okay historical look into Queen Victoria and her relationship with her servant, Abdul, but didn't add much to the movie.

I've read bios of Queen Victoria, but have never even seen Abdul Karim's name mentioned (tho' John Brown's come up often enough!) I haven't seen the movie, but Judi Dench is one of my favorites! The book was a pretty good peek into Victoria and Abdul's relationship with one another. I'd like to read more info on it.

"Soon to be a Major Motion Picture starring Dame Judi Dench from director Stephen Frears, releasing September 22, 2017.

Tall and handsome Abdul was just twenty-four years old when he arrived in England from Agra to wait at tables for Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. Within a year, Abdul had grown to become a powerful figure at court, the Queen's teacher, or Munshi, her counsel on Urdu and Indian affairs, and a friend close to the Queen's heart. "I am so very fond of him.," Queen Victoria would write in 1888, "He is so good and gentle and understanding....a real comfort to me."

This marked the beginning of the most scandalous decade in Queen Victoria's long reign. Devastated first by the death of Prince Albert in 1861 and then her personal servant John Brown in 1883, Queen Victoria quickly found joy in an intense and controversial relationship with her Munshi, who traveled everywhere with her, cooked her curries and cultivated her understanding of the Indian sub-continent—a region, as Empress of India, she was long intrigued by but could never visit. The royal household roiled with resentment, but their devotion grew in defiance of all expectation and the societal pressures of their time and class and lasted until the Queen's death on January 22, 1901.

Drawn from never-before-seen first-hand documents that had been closely guarded secrets for a century, Shrabani Basu's Victoria and Abdul is a remarkable history of the last years of the 19th century in English court, an unforgettable view onto the passions of an aging Queen, and a fascinating portrayal of how a young Indian Muslim came to play a central role at the heart of the British Empire."

Firstly I was clued into this by Judi Dench on Graham Norton, then I saw the preview with Eddie Izzard, now I can't wait for the movie OR the book!

"Victoria & Abdul" tells the story of Abdul Karim, an Indian servant, teacher, and companion of Queen Victoria near the end of her life. Basu has done a lot of research in both Britain and India, but I think she was a bit too sympathetic to the main characters at times and tended to gloss over the historical context (particularly the history of Britain in India and the Raj). For example, Victoria's commitment to learning Urdu is brought up several times as an example of her love for her Indian subjects; I don't doubt Victoria's devotion to duty, but I find it difficult to believe that she truly wanted to understand the nuances of Indian culture when she repeatedly dictated that Indians at her court should dress in her romanticized understanding of "native dress". I was also cynical of the relationship between Victoria and Abdul being one of pure, deep friendship. Each used the other throughout the book: Victoria, craving male attention (the similarities with John Brown are mentioned), irked and manipulated officials and her own children in her attempts to keep Abdul by her side; Abdul continually pushed the boundaries of his social status in both Britain and India by asking for more privileges, titles, and land for himself and his family. Overall this is an interesting story, but I do think readers need to have some critical awareness to really grasp the implications.

I really enjoyed this book. I can't wait to see the movie, thiugh the books are always better. It tells of the friendship between Queen Victoria and Abdul. It is beautifully written.

A truly fascinating study of one of the most controversial friendships within the royal family.
The author tells the story well with the injection of pictures, paintings and attention to historical detail whilst also making you think about the racism, class and political divisions within the family at the time. I really routed for Queen Victoria as she faced constant opposition and backlash from those around her.
Upon the Queens death the actions taken to remove Abdul and his family from the Country and conceal the close friendship formed was quite shocking.
A book that all history lovers would enjoy.

I always find Queen Victoria fascinating and this book is no exception. The author relates for us the story of Victoria’s friend Abdul, who comes to her household originally to serve at table, but becomes one of her closest confidantes in the last decade of her life. I think Shranani Basu has done a wonderful job of bringing the main players to life. I really had a sense of being a fly on the wall watching the various dramas unfold. I thought it was wonderful that this Abdul had come along in her older years and opened up a whole new world for her. He made Indian food for her, taught her to speak Hindi, and introduced her to the culture of India, over which she was Empress, and yet a place she would never visit. Meanwhile, her family appears to have been insanely jealous of the relationship. Well, I say 3 cheers to Victoria for wanting to learn new things all the way to the day of her death.

This story has now been made into a movie, which I have not yet seen so I’m not sure how well it keeps to the story. I do know that I thoroughly enjoyed reading about this chapter of the Queen’s life and it just confirms my impression that she must have been a wonderful person to know. I think that Abdul brought a level of excitement back into Victoria’s life at a time when others were starting to write her off because of her age. I highly recommend this book for its color and attention to detail and historical accuracy.

Shrabani Basu’s “Victoria And Abdul: The True Story Of The Queens' Closest Confidant” is the historical account of the unique friendship between an elderly Queen Victoria and her 24-year-old Indian servant, Abdul Karim. Despite a 44-year age difference, the two found common ground and strong bond, with Karim teaching Victoria, the Empress of India, about her realm, and Victoria playing the devoted, indulgent grandmother.

Author Basu recaps the highlights of Victoria’s story, including the permanent state of mourning she adopted after her husband, Prince Albert, died in 1861, and her close friendship -- or was it romance? -- with Highland servant John Brown.

Basu digs deeper into Karim’s background, tracing how a young, married Indian administrator positioned himself to be dispatched to London to serve as a special aide during Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887, learning English and preparing for court etiquette.

Always pleased to learn about the distant parts of her realm, Victoria immediately shows particular interest in the Karim and the other Indian delegations arriving for the Jubilee. She quickly singles Karim out as a special favorite, making him her “Munshi” or language teacher.

Basu does an excellent job of combing correspondence and archives to provide detailed accounts of how both British and Indian officials and courtiers viewed Karim’s growing influence over Victoria and how she indulged his growing sense of entitlement.

Using these sources and bridging two cultures, Basu develops a compelling, enjoyable, and informative book.

I enjoyed this book. I loved the history of it, especially Queen Victoria. As a woman, I find her reign such a force to be reckoned with. Abdul is in his own right interesting and learning how influential he became and such a controversial figure in history makes it all the more captivating. I thought the ending fell off and wised there had been more to it.

Courting devotion: Shrabani Basu's 'Victoria & Abdul'

Editor's note: This review appears in Mountain Times (Boone, NC) both in print and online at the link below.

A local screening of “Victoria & Abdul” wasn’t available when the movie was released Sept. 22, and despite much anticipation surrounding Dame Judi Dench's reprisal as Queen Victoria, that's a good thing.

It gives you time to absorb Shrabani Basu’s book, from which the movie came.

Basu’s “Victoria & Abdul: The True Story of the Queen’s Closest Confidant” was published in hard cover by The History Press in 2010. Today, you can find a used paperback version from a couple of U.S. sellers offering the Indian publishing company Rupa & Co. (New Delhi) release — or you can more easily find the movie tie-in paperback release from Vintage.

The artwork between the covers is noticeably different, but then neither The History Press nor Rupa had the benefit of Dench posing as the queen and Ali Fazal as Abdul Karim.

But any way you can get a copy, you should. All instincts suggest that this is one book you’ll want to read before seeing the movie.

It’s not that Dench won’t do justice to the part of the 81-year-old queen and empress of India. She’s been there before. The movie that precedes ‘Victoria & Adbul,’ 1997’s “Mrs. Brown,” tells a similar story of Victoria and a male confidant, John Brown, following the death of her beloved Prince Albert. Indeed, because of undeniable similarities — including the unrest the relationship caused in the royal household — Basu refers to Brown often in her text.

What Basu also does, and this is where a movie adaptation could easily falter, is write with both historian’s eye and storyteller’s gift the story of how a handsome 25-year-old Indian clerk caught the attention of the queen to eventually become not only her munshi, or teacher of the Indian language and culture, but closest friend and trusted adviser.

The story of their rapidly evolving relationship — the queen signs letters to Abdul in terms such as “your affectionate mother” — is one that Basu documents well, having delved deep into primary sources, including somehow slogging line by line through Victoria’s scrawled journals.

Yet for all of that research, Basu’s is no pedantic tale. The book captures more than what dusty journals and century-old newspapers could offer. The need the queen had for the one thing none in her household had been able to offer since the deaths of Albert and Brown — a true friend — is detailed.

"The Queen's family never understood that he had provided her with the companionship over the last decade of her life, which they themselves had not been able to offer," Basu writes.

Similarly permeating the pages, the aura of racism surrounding the Indian people and the jealousy of those in power anxious to obtain or keep it are a lot to ask of a movie meant to entertain.

And at the end of the story, it is this, Basu’s excellent exploration of how those subjects season the tale of a singularly loyal queen and devoted confidant, that offer the best reason to read it before you see it.

http://www.wataugademocrat.com/mountaintimes/in-review-courting-devotion-shrabani-basu-s-victoria-abdul/article_697a1c10-de71-5c59-a863-59d793e8811b.html

The author does a good job of making all the detail understandable, but I did do a bit of skimming, especially in sections listing all the Indian provinces or government ministers-- names tend to be included with little to no introductory information. Terms are dropped in with no explanations. Best for readers already somewhat familiar with both English government history and Indian geography.

I was disappointed that this book felt so impersonal and didn't really seem to get into the intimate relationship between Queen Victoria and Munshi Abdul. I expected personal stories of interactions between them. The book was stuffed with details from letters and from things people around them said about their relationship. Well, more like whining and conspiring about their relationship. By the end of the book, I still hadn't come to a conclusion about whether there was true devotion from Abdul's side or whether he was abusing his influence over the Queen. I was able to conclude, for myself, that the Queen treated him like a pet, to be indulged and not taken seriously, and that those around them behaved like whiny jealous kids. I expect a lot of modifications in the movie.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf Doubleday for the e-ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. I've read previous biographies where the Queen's relationship with Abdul Karim, an Indian servant, has been recounted. I was happy to read a book devoted to that very topic. I enjoyed it. I feel that it could have read a little more quickly, but it was a good book for anyone interested in the royals and especially more than the typical history you read in other books.

Victoria & Abdul is the story of Queen Victoria’s relationship with Abdul Karim, who became her teacher, as well as her most trusted companion and advisor on Indian affairs.

I read this book in one sitting! I loved the way the writer made a historical account of Queen Victoria easy to read and understand, despite not having a lot of contextual knowledge of her friendship with Abdul Karim. Much literature focuses on Victoria's younger years, so I really enjoyed learning more about her life as an aging queen and how she personally related to the colonies of her massive empire.

It was clear that this book was well researched and thoughtfully written. The level of detail makes you feel as if you are transported to the VIctorian Era and are a part of Queen Victoria's circle. I can't wait to see the film adaptation and hope it does this work justice.

This is a well researched and written account of a true story I knew little about. It discusses the relationship between the aging Queen Victoria and her beloved companion and teacher of urdu, Abdul Ma a young Indian man who travelled to England as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations and rose from the status of a royal servant to become one of the Queen's most beloved and trusted companions, a relationship which lasted right up to her death. The friendship seemed unlikely, and was often criticised by her family and other members of the Royal Household, and even somewhat hushed up after her death.
The book is clearly and concisely written, and sets out the history and the supporting evidence in an easy to follow logical manner. The writer is very balanced and does present the full story, including details about the opposition to the unlikely friendship. This was a quick and interesting read, and one I would recommend to anyone with an interest in the Victorian era, or Royal History.

Among royal biographies, "Victoria and Abdul" stands out in distinction, different from all others, due to its revelations of the relationship between Queen Victoria and her Indian secretary, Munshi Abdul Karim. The true historical facts must be revealed to all those who care. Queen Victoria defined an entire era and etched her name into history by her dynamic personality. Shrabani Basu creates a very humane portrait of the iconic monarch. The Queen’s irresistible sincerity, unaffected simplicity and transparent truthfulness shone in the spotlight of conscientious duty. Reigning from 1837 to 1901, she became the second longest reigning monarch in Britain, for over sixty-three years.

At the height of the British empire, a young Muslim influenced its sovereign, reverberating in shockwaves across the royal court. For Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887, Abdul Karim, a 24-year-old assistant clerk from India, arrived in England to be an attendant. The Queen, impressed with the tall, dignified young man, made him her Indian secretary, and most trusted confidant. Their discussions covered philosophical, political and practical issues. The Queen titled Karim as ‘Munshi’ or teacher.

In 1897, facing a near revolt in the Royal Household against Abdul Karim, the unprejudiced Queen Victoria backed Karim unconditionally, oblivious to all accusations against him. “Victoria & Abdul” is a stunning piece of historical work, a well researched chronicle of the English court. Unrecorded in the annals of history, the startling revelations of this great relationship story of all time, survived destruction, languishing in obscurity for a hundred years, until Shrabani Basu unraveled its complicated tangles. This book is highly recommended for public edification about the last thirteen years of the life of Queen Victoria, who shaped the 'Victorian Age' for posterity, making it the most splendid era in the history of Britain.

Victoria & Abdul was previously published before however new information was found leading to the author writing an updated book. If you are going to read it, make sure you pick up the newest version which has information from the found Mushi's journal.

This chronicles the later life of Queen Victoria and her Indian confidante and friend, Abdul Karim aka Munshi. The Queen had a fascination with India, a country which she ruled over and had never been. She called for Indian men to come to the palace and be part of the household staff however she took a liking to Karim. He became much more than staff and it was not looked keenly on by the other members of staff and Royals.

It is hard to get a clear picture of whether there was truly anything improper about Karim and his behavior, or whether it was underlying racism, or most likely, a combination of both. The racism and hatred for his kind was real however Karim seemed very proud and an unabashed social climber as well.

It will be very interesting to see what the movie does with the characters, does it take a side, and how do they weave in more story elements. The book is interesting however it reads very non-fiction with lists of events and supporting documents; less woven story.

Queen Victoria was quite taken by her title of Empress of India. She was unable to visit India, so she brought India to England.

For her Golden Jubilee, several men from India were assigned to be her personal servants, including the twenty-four-year-old Abdul.

The lonely queen had lost her beloved Albert and her loyal servant John Brown. Queen Victoria fell in love with Abdul's stories about his exotic homeland of India. She formed a motherly attachment to Abdul, promoting him to her teacher.

During Queen Victoria's last ten years she studied Urdu under Abdul's guidance, becoming quite proficient. The Queen's dependence on her Munshi led to friction with her government and her family. Every power was pushing the Queen to abandon her interest in Abdul. Abdul was spied upon and defamed, but the Queen defended him and showered titles and gifts upon Abdul and his family.

Victoria & Abdul is an enlightening biography of Queen Victoria between her Golden and Diamond Jubilees. It tells of the human side of the queen and of her profound attachment to those she loved. It is the story of a humble man who rose to become a queen's most trusted friend, only to be vilified and his history erased after her death. And it is the story of racism and religious prejudice in Victorian England.

Detail of handkerchief celebrating Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee


The information is detailed and I felt I knew and understood Victoria and Abdul. There are wonderful photographs included.

This book is the basis for the upcoming movie Victoria & Abdul starring Judy Dench. I can't wait to see it!

View the trailer at https://youtu.be/3xo-EP_O5pQ

I received a free ebook from the publisher in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.