Finding Freedom

[gruntley123]

As the native English speaker in my group here I've been tasked with choosing a book as a present for a friend who is v interested in the British monarchy.

Obviously Finding Freedom is the newest book out and, as such, seems an obvious choice.

Has anyone read it? The Amazon reviews seem split roughly 50/50 between 5 and 1. She'll be reading in a second language so the simplistic prose that is oft mentioned in the reviews is probably more of a help than a hindrance.

So, is it a good choice, or is there anything else, preferably on the younger members of the family, that anyone would recommend?

Thanks for any help.

You might be interested in the recommendations here:

fivebooks.com/category/world/europe/britain/the-royal-family/

From what I gather, Finding Freedom isn’t about the British Monarchy but about a couple who have stepped down and covers only the few years they have been together. If I was your friend, I would prefer a non biased one written in general about the monarchy or Elizabeth II’s rule.

Finding Freedom is NOT about the British Monarchy - perhaps you already know that?

I'm only a quarter of the way through and can say it is so far, all about Meghan. Plus the timeline jumping is very confusing. Oh and it's clearly written for Americans (like it mentions Harry graduating from High School)

Thanks for those suggestions EdithWeston. Has anyone read 'Kate: The Making of a Princess' ?

That looks the most suitable of the books listed, her interest is more of the sort driven by the weekly magazines that keep us up-to-date with the happenings of the young European royals. I, being an avowed republican, am generally a disappointment to them for not knowing chapter and verse about the British royal family.

Thanks SunbathingDragon - I don't think she would be interested in anything at that depth.

lifestooshort123 - I feel as though I've made a faux pas, but I'm not sure why? The link they've sent me has the subtitle 'The Making of a Modern Royal Family' Are royalty and monarchy not one and the same?

AHippoNamedBooBooButt - I think the combination of confusing and written for Americans would probably make it unsuitable.

Thanks again for your answers and suggestions.

No, not a faux pas. My apologies, I wondered whether your post was tongue in cheek! The book in question is being largely derided as a one-sided attack on the Royal Family and there are many fairer books out there. I'm glad to hear they are still popular!

A far funnnier book about the Royal Family and its long history of scandalous younger siblings who really don't give a fuck is Ma'am Darling, by Craig Brown - a biography, of sorts, of Princess Margaret. Very tongue in cheek, and not a traditional history, but it gives a surprisingly clear picture of the contradictions and restrictions of royal privilege, as well as the opulence and sheer bloody-mindedness of Margaret herself.

That Ma'am darling book about Princess Margaret was an eye opener. What a diva. I wonder how she would have got on with Meghan. She is meant to have torn a strip off Fergie over toegate