Abdul Karin, employed with his father at the Agra jail, was a son of the middle caste. Fortune shone down on him and he became one of the few Indians to work for Queen Victoria during her last few years. Before long, he was teaching Victoria Urdu and helping her with her correspondence. What Abdul didn't realize until later was the animosity Victoria's family and staff had against him.
I was glad that this book mentions John Brown, the Scottish ghillie (outdoor servant), who worked at Balmoral Castle at the time Victoria and Prince Albert leased (and then bought it outright). After Albert's death, John became a personal attendant and favorite of the Queen until his death in 1883. Victoria was devastated by his death. Four years later, Abdul would come into Victoria's life from India and remain with her until her death 14 years later. Before this book, I didn't know when and how Brown and Karin fit into Victoria's life.
This book makes a rather large point about the racism in Victoria's family, household, country, and political figures who interacted with the Queen. She could have nipped it, yet she generally ignored it. She obviously put no thought to the very real consequences of her preferential treatment towards Abdul. She must have worn blinders because there was plenty of comment in the newspapers, etc. She obviously thought her word was law; it wasn't.
Abdul seems to have taken advantage of his position. He advised her constantly about Muslim issues in India. He planned to write his memoirs but the political leaders must have squashed his plans. Abdul's expenses increased regularly and he asked for increases in his salary. He fully realized his powerful position in Victoria's entourage.
After a while, this book sounded like a litany of (1) Queen Victoria ignoring the anger her preference for Abdul created in her staff, (2) Abdul's growing involvement in Victoria's affairs, and (3) the rampant racism of the British against Indian's (in general) and Abdul Karin (in particular). After a while, this story just seemed repetitive.
This book shows that, after Victoria's death, her family worked to erase all vestiges of Abdul's time with the Queen. This author should be congratulated for doing the incredible research necessary to reinstate Abdul into the story of Victoria's life.
Overall score = 3.5 stars This score is only based on the book; I did not view the film. After reading this, I have no interest in seeing it.
I was glad that this book mentions John Brown, the Scottish ghillie (outdoor servant), who worked at Balmoral Castle at the time Victoria and Prince Albert leased (and then bought it outright). After Albert's death, John became a personal attendant and favorite of the Queen until his death in 1883. Victoria was devastated by his death. Four years later, Abdul would come into Victoria's life from India and remain with her until her death 14 years later. Before this book, I didn't know when and how Brown and Karin fit into Victoria's life.
This book makes a rather large point about the racism in Victoria's family, household, country, and political figures who interacted with the Queen. She could have nipped it, yet she generally ignored it. She obviously put no thought to the very real consequences of her preferential treatment towards Abdul. She must have worn blinders because there was plenty of comment in the newspapers, etc. She obviously thought her word was law; it wasn't.
Abdul seems to have taken advantage of his position. He advised her constantly about Muslim issues in India. He planned to write his memoirs but the political leaders must have squashed his plans. Abdul's expenses increased regularly and he asked for increases in his salary. He fully realized his powerful position in Victoria's entourage.
After a while, this book sounded like a litany of (1) Queen Victoria ignoring the anger her preference for Abdul created in her staff, (2) Abdul's growing involvement in Victoria's affairs, and (3) the rampant racism of the British against Indian's (in general) and Abdul Karin (in particular). After a while, this story just seemed repetitive.
This book shows that, after Victoria's death, her family worked to erase all vestiges of Abdul's time with the Queen. This author should be congratulated for doing the incredible research necessary to reinstate Abdul into the story of Victoria's life.
Overall score = 3.5 stars This score is only based on the book; I did not view the film. After reading this, I have no interest in seeing it.
