An Indiscreet Princess: A Novel of Queen Victoria’s Defiant Daughter

A few years ago I reviewed a book about Queen Victoria’s oldest daughter. I was thrilled to see a book about another of her children: the Princess Louise, who I knew very little about. After reading An Indiscreet Princess, however, I knew I had to learn more.

Rather than starting in Louise’s childhood, as so many novels following historical figures seem to lately, Blalock begins with a more exciting period of her life: her attempts to study art formally rather than with a tutor. Queen Victoria, ever proper, must be cajoled into it. So begins Louise’s struggle to define her own life outside of what her mother wishes.

Louise is a fascinating figure and is portrayed as such while remaining a woman of her own time. I don’t know whether Blalock softened any part of her to make her more palatable to a modern audience, but if this was done, it was done carefully. Louise is a powerful force, but she never once comes across as entirely out of place in the English royal family. I enjoyed this book a great deal and think it’s an excellent introduction to a woman many may have overlooked.