The Other Princess by Denny S Bryce Publisher: William Morrow (2023 (October 3))
ARC, eARC (448 pages)
Via: NetGalley
Rating:
Synopsis
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.
Find the book: Goodreads, Amazon
My Review
I really enjoyed this historical fiction book. It takes the story of Sarah Forbes Bonetta, the African princess who becomes a ward of Queen Victoria, and makes it more accessible. To many people, Sarah is just a footnote in history. This book makes her come alive with her own feelings, motivations, and dreams.
I really enjoyed this look into Victorian England and Victorian Africa. I have to admit that I have never thought much about Africa in the Victorian era and this book definitely opened my eyes to this world. I highly enjoyed getting to know Sarah and her life and times.
If you enjoy historical fiction or retellings of historical events, this book is likely the perfect book for you.
Had you heard about Sarah Forbes Bonetta before?
I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley for
review consideration. This in no way affects my opinion of the title
nor the content of this review.
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