Coronation Year- A Novel by Jennifer Robson
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Web ID: 16777982Inspiring Read
Coronation Year by Jennifer Robson is a wonderful novel set during 1953 the Coronation year of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. The story is told from three different perspectives Edie the owner of Blue Lion Inn, Stella a photographer, and Jamie an artist. This beautifully written story weaves together all perspectives during a fascinating time period to make an enjoyable historical fiction novel. Coronation Year contains a little romance, mystery, and characters that I connected with. I felt immersed in the story as I walked through the streets of London in the shoes of each character. The backdrop of the year of the coronation for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth was fascinating and gave me a greater understanding of the historical events of the time. I found that the well written details of each character’s profession, background and passions added to the story. A truly inspiring read. I enjoyed my visit to 1953 London during the time of the Coronation for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. The story drew me in and the characters were so absorbing. I very highly recommend Coronation Year by Jennifer Rosbson. I look forward to reading more of her stories in the future. I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Ancient British hotel gets Coronation drive by
3.5 Stars The best thing about this book is its cover! The premise of this story is charming, regarding a centuries old hotel called The Blue Lion which housed boarders and where you could take afternoon tea. A legend existed that Queen Elizabeth I once took refuge in this inn during a raging winter storm. This ancient concern had continuously been in the Howard family, leaving it now to Edie Howard to keep it running. As of late it had been barely making a profit, and Edie could not even take a single day off from its management. The character of young woman Edie Howard cannot help but be likeable, as she is as close to a perfect human being as could be drawn. She assumes responsibility, is selfless, compassionate, modest, and non-judgemental. Excitement is heightened during this time as it is 1953 and Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation route will take Her Majesty right past The Blue Lion. However, at the same time someone seems out to get Edie and The Blue Lion in the form of mysteriously cancelled booking reservations as well as the publication of threatening letters on Blue Lion stationery. I enjoyed this mysterious element the least as I do not gravitate towards the mystery/thriller genre in books. I most enjoyed the discussion of afternoon tea with its scones, marmalade, clotted cream, lemon biscuits and triangle sandwiches, and the human interplay of The Blue Lion's regular residents. This was a pleasant "quiet read" that I popped in and out of while reading other books, just like its slightly more enjoyable predecessor "The Gown". It also imported a married couple from the previous book, which was a sweet touch. If you love reading about London and the British monarchy with a cozy mystery element you'll enjoy this too. Thank you to the publisher William Morrow for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Whet your appetite for the upcoming coronation
London - 1953 Miss Edie Howard, 32, is the owner of the Blue Lion Hotel. It has been around for 400 years passed down through generations of Howards. When Edie lost her parents, the hotel came to her and she is working very hard to keep it going. The age of it and the lack of money makes that difficult for her. Queen Elizabeth II is to be crowned in the upcoming months and Edie is thrilled to learn that her carriage will come right down the street in front of her hotel. Therefore, she has managed to reserve some of her best rooms for a fair amount of money for people wanting to get a good view of the Queen in her carriage. Stella Donati has been living in Rome since her parents were imprisoned and killed by the Nazis. Her passion has long been photography and she wants to be a professional photographer. So, when she answers an ad for a photographer at a London magazine, she is delighted when she is hired for the job. As a long time friend of Edie, she becomes a boarder at the Blue Lion. Jamie Geddes, 33, is of Indian descent. He is well educated and grew up in Edinburgh. His passion is painting and has been working hard in London to make ends meet. When he gets a commission to paint a picture of the new Queen in her carriage in front a certain business, he takes it. To make things convenient, he too becomes a boarder at the Blue Lion. These people become involved in one another’s lives as they all work toward Queen Elizabeth’s coronation day. But, there is mischief afoot because someone doesn’t want this to go well. This is a most unusual story and one that convinces me that the author has quite an extraordinary imagination. Well written with great characters and beautiful descriptions. With the coronation of Charles III coming up, this book will whet your appetite for it. Enjoy! Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Highly Recommend!
After Edie’s parents died, she was left in charge of the Blue Lion Hotel. Some guests had lived there for decades, while others were short-term guests. Edie finds out that the parade for Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation will pass right by her hotel. Right before the coronation, letters are sent out to cancel reservations for the Blue Lion. Will Edie find out who is trying to sabotage the success of her hotel? Will she be able to fill the hotel after all and make the money she needs to keep it afloat? This book is told from 3 points of view; Edie, owner of the Blue Lion hotel, Stella, a photographer commissioned for the coronation and Jamie, an artist who was also commissioned to paint for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth. Stella and Jamie stay at the Blue Lion. All have their own challenges, but can this event help to save The Blue Lion Hotel and give a boost to Stella and Jamie’s careers? I love how Jennifer Robson takes an historical event and tells the story of those who work behind the scenes of major events, in this case the owner of a hotel, a commissioned painter, and photographer for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth! Therefore, the lesser known stories are brought to life. A must read for those who are fans of Queen Elizabeth, The Crown, and love Historical Fiction!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Nostalgic, mysterious, and immersive!
Coronation Year is a captivating, lighthearted tale set in London in 1953 that takes you into the lives of the residents of the Blue Lion hotel, especially Edie Howard, the hardworking owner who, after struggling for the last few years to make ends meet, is hoping the upcoming coronation will provide the influx of cash she so desperately needs; Stella Donati, a Holocaust survivor and up-and-coming photographer who just received the chance of a lifetime when due to unforeseen circumstances she is chosen to photograph the queen on this incredibly momentous occasion; and James Geddes, a Scottish man with Indian ancestry who after leaving law school to pursue his dream of becoming a successful artist secures a lucrative commission to paint the queen’s procession as it passes by the esteemed Cartwrights’ Hall. The prose is rich and expressive. The characters are plucky, supportive, and kind. And the plot is a delightfully engaging tale about life, loss, love, friendship, family, loyalty, uncertainty, good intentions, self-discovery, meddling, mischief, deception, and a touch of romance. Overall, Coronation Year is a vivid, sentimental, timely read by Robson that does a lovely job of interweaving historical facts, endearing characters, and intriguing fiction into an insightful, compelling tale that is atmospheric and highly absorbing.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com