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The Other Princess: A Novel of Queen Victoria's Goddaughter
The Other Princess: A Novel of Queen Victoria's Goddaughter | Denny S. Bryce
5 posts | 2 read | 5 to read
A stunning portrait of an African princess raised in Queen Victoria’s court and adapting to life in Victorian England—based on the real-life story of a recently rediscovered historical figure, Sarah Forbes Bonetta.
With a brilliant mind and a fierce will to survive, Sarah Forbes Bonetta, a kidnapped African princess, is rescued from enslavement at seven years old and presented to Queen Victoria as a “gift.” To the Queen, the girl is an exotic trophy to be trotted out for the entertainment of the royal court and to showcase Victoria’s magnanimity. Sarah charms most of the people she meets, even those who would cast her aside. Her keen intelligence and her aptitude for languages and musical composition helps Sarah navigate the Victorian era as an outsider given insider privileges.
But embedded in Sarah’s past is her destiny. Haunted by visions of destruction and decapitations, she desperately seeks a place, a home she will never run from, never fear, a refuge from nightmares and memories of death.
From West Africa to Windsor Castle to Sierra Leone, to St. James's Palace, and the Lagos Colony, Sarah juggles the power and pitfalls of a royal upbringing as she battles racism and systematic oppression on her way to living a life worthy of a Yoruba princess.
Based on the real life of Queen Victoria’s Black goddaughter, Sarah Forbes Bonetta’s story is a sweeping saga of an African princess in Victorian England and West Africa, as she searches for a home, family, love, and identity.
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review
Jess861
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Pickpick

I managed to finish the book yesterday and it was a solid pick for me. A few brutal scenes at the beginning but then it became more of a story about a princess. I had no idea about Queen Victoria's Goddaughter so it was an interesting story to learn about. It follows Aina throughout her entire life and while her life wasn't overly exciting after the beginning it is still a decent read. A strong and brave woman!

#Africa #London #Royalty #Victorian

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Jess861
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The new way I treat myself to an evening of reading - specialty cheese, crackers and a juice or tea. Tonight it is guava juice, garlic crackers and roasted garlic and herbs cheddar cheese. I'm hoping that the kids don't wake up so that I can finish this book tonight.

#GarlicAndHerbCheese #Guavajuice #GarlicCrackers #EveningReading

Bookwomble Looks like you're settling in for a cosy evening 😊 6mo
Tamra Nice! 6mo
dabbe 🤩🤩🤩 6mo
Jess861 @Bookwomble It was absolutely wonderful! 6mo
48 likes4 comments
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Jess861
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Been slowly making my way through this book while enjoying some beautiful weather. I'm enjoying the book so far. A few brutal scenes in the beginning that were hard to read but necessary to the story (in my opinion). I'm curious to see how it will end.

#HistoricalFiction #DragonfruitTea #Outside #Africa #England #Royalty

40 likes1 stack add
review
candc320
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Pickpick

I absolutely LOVE finding historical fiction based on people of history that I knew nothing about before. This was fascinating! It‘s a heartbreaking beginning for our heroine, however she fought to maintain her place in the strange world she was thrown into and did her best to live the life she wanted and deserved. The narrator was great and the story beautifully written. 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Suzze I read her book, Wild Women and the Blues a couple of years ago and loved it. I just got this one recently, and need to read it soon. ❤️ 9mo
candc320 Oh, I need to read that one! Thanks for the recommendation @Suzze ! 9mo
26 likes1 stack add2 comments
quote
CMB
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“My mother belongs to Africa. England was part of her story, but who she became was despite England. I want Africa to know her best.”
—Victoria Matilda Davies Randle, daughter of Princess Aina of the Egbado in Okeadon, aka: Princess Sarah Forbes Bonetta Davies, Goddaughter of Queen Victoria of Great Britain. (I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway hence its “uncorrected proof” status. It‘s due to be published soon.)