Victoria & Abdul (Movie Tie-in)

The True Story of the Queen's Closest Confidant

By: Shrabani Basu

Narrated by: Elizabeth Jasicki

Now a Major Motion Picture starring Dame Judi Dench from director Stephen Frears.

History’s most unlikely friendship—this is the astonishing story of Queen Victoria and her dearest companion, the young Indian Munshi Abdul Karim.

In the twilight years of her reign, after the devastating deaths of her two great loves—Prince Albert and John Brown—Queen Victoria meets tall and handsome Abdul Karim, a humble servant from Agra waiting tables at her Golden Jubilee. The two form an unlikely bond and within a year Abdul becomes a powerful figure at court, the Queen’s teacher, her counsel on Urdu and Indian affairs, and a friend close to her heart. This marked the beginning of the most scandalous decade in Queen Victoria’s long reign. As the royal household roiled with resentment, Victoria and Abdul’s devotion grew in defiance. Drawn from secrets closely guarded for more than a century, Victoria & Abdul is an extraordinary and intimate history of the last years of the nineteenth-century English court and an unforgettable view onto the passions of an aging Queen.

Critic reviews

"A tale of Empire and intrigue, brought vividly back to life." --Vikas Swarup, author of Slumdog Millionaire

"If this had been the plot of a novel, it would have been dismissed as foolishly far-fetched. But Victoria & Abdul is fact rather than fiction, and therein lies its power."--The Times of India

"A charming tale which should have been told before."--Stephen Halliday, BBC History Magazine

"A book so startling that it changes your view of the world. One of the great love stories of all time."--Phillip Knightley, Khaleej Times

Very slow read

What did you like best about Victoria & Abdul (Movie Tie-in)? What did you like least?

Like the story and reserarch behind it; hated the bogging down by details

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Sad state of politics

Which scene was your favorite?

all about the same

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

no ; reading the book was enough, but the movie would move infinitely faster

Any additional comments?

With 20/20 hindsight, I'd see the movie instead

,,,Hi,, THE love shown between a Queen, and a sincere man from India,,

,,,,,Hi,, loved every word I heard,, about a Queen and her love of India, and all it's people, from all those years ago,, read , listen and enjoy,, Ritchie,

what a great story!

I found this to be so interesting. I had never heard of the relationship between Queen Victoria and Abdul. it's a fitting story for what's going on in the world today, with Muslims being portrayed as evil. Some things never change.

Fascinating History

Enjoyed this book. So much to learn about the relationship between India and Britain. I want to know more!

Honestly, can’t finish yet.

I bought the book after seeing the movie’s preview because we all know the books are always better. But I can’t bring myself to finish this one. It’s dry. There is no flow to the story or reading of it and with the diary inserts it becomes repetitive. Abdul sounds like an obnoxious prat over time. I really wanted to enjoy this story but alas...