The Royals

A tantalizing trip through castle Windsor. Listening to Ms. Kelley narrate her book is a real treat. The amount of delicious gossip and factual information keeps one riveted to their headphones. Ms. Kelley delivers each tidbit with conviction and a hint of humor. While some information may be disputed one cannot help but wonder at the outlandish behavior of this blue blood family and how it tries to deal with its problems. Still, it was interesting to know that even the royals are to an extent as common as everyone else and that the highs and lows of life spare no one regardless of birth or position in society. Highly recommended for a fast listen if you can find a copy somewhere. The book contains four cassettes which are rather short in length. I got through the entire book in just one and a half days.

I picked the darn thing up at 8 PM one night and couldn't put it down until 7AM the following morning! It "reads like a tabloid"---well, D'UH! If you're looking for a serious, scholarly study on the House of Windsor, pass this little baby up. If you're looking for the dirt, the grim, the whispered secrets, and gossip galore, this book is for you. (Dormouse's word of advice: Just don't read it the night before a job interview...not good, not good at all.)

I adore this book. I love that much of its contents has been so obviously made-up. I particularly love that Kelley invents conversations between people (eg. the Queen (age 6) discussing affairs of state with an even more juvenile Princess Margaret - I mean, give me a break!). I love the little anecdotes that just make you smile (the Queen Mum being inseminated by a turkey baster is my personal favourite). Does this give you a taster for the most celebrated piece of Faction of the 1990s? I read this during my lunch-break when my day gets a little too boring and I need to day-dream... catch my drift?

What a fun book and that's all it is. There is nothing new in this book, well maybe a few things, but nothing that is going to make you drop open your mouth in shock. I've read other reviews here, and I'm finding people are taking this book much too seriously. It's just fun, Everyone loves a little gossip and that's all this is. Read it and have fun with it, don't start harping on what is real and what isn't. Just read, laugh and enjoy. Nothing in here is really nasty...to anyone. The only reason it was banned in the UK is because it would be real easy for the ROYALS to sue Ms. Kelly. I have to give this book five stars, it's just too rich...and really some fun reading. By the way the cover is GREAT! Pick it up, have a cup of tea, and enjoy. It's worth it!!! Trust me.

I have read Ms. Kelly's writing before so I anxiously awaited this book and was not disappointed. She puts you in the middle of events. Her words describe so vividly the royals that at times one has the tendancy to practice a curtsey! I was saddened, angered, overjoyed, laughing and thoroughly immersed in the book. I would highly recommend it to everyone. This is her grestest work of the written word.