Review: Worth reading
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 02 13, 2014
I've read numerous books about the European Royals, particularly the British, and this one doesn't compare with most of the others.  However, because not very much is known about Helena, I believe it is worth reading if you are interested in Victoria's children.  Unless you are well-versed on family relations among the royals of that era, it can be confusing because the author isn't consistent in using the same name each time he refers to some of the more distant relatives.  For example, one time he might refer to the person by his or her royal title, then next time refer to the same individual by a family nickname. If I were to re-read it (which I doubt I shall), I would create a family tree to keep all of the branches in order.  There is a reason Victoria is known as the Grandmother of Europe.I was a bit surprised that Victoria thought Helena was unattractive.  In the photos in the book she doesn't appear to be a striking beauty, but she wasn't at all unattractive by any normal standards.  Yet, Victoria complained in numerous letters to family members about Helena's lack of beauty. Victoria was extremely demanding and critical of Helena, and I admire the strength of emotional character she must have had to have survived her mother's criticism. European Royals, including modern-day British Royals, are not noted for having great intellect, but Helena was well-educated for someone of her class and apparently was quite intelligent, if not an intellectual.