Review of CORONATION YEAR by Jennifer Robson (New Release)

 3 Stars

Since we are in a coronation year, this title will attract the attention of readers.  This book, however, focuses on 1953, the year of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation.

It is not the queen but three residents of the 400-year-old Blue Lion Hotel that are central to the narrative.  Edie Howard, the owner of the hotel, is struggling to keep it financially viable.  The announcement that the coronation parade will pass directly in front of the hotel is a godsend.  Stella Donati gets a job as a photographer for a London magazine, and one of her tasks is taking photos at the coronation.  James Geddes is an artist who has been commissioned to do a painting of the procession. The lives of these three become entwined, especially when it seems someone is striving to tarnish the hotel’s reputation and even threatens to disrupt Coronation Day. 

I found the plot very predictable.  That certain characters will become romantically involved is obvious from their first meetings.  The villain is also easily identifiable.  The only surprise is the villain’s motivation and that, unfortunately, is far-fetched.  In fact, the action-packed resolution seems rather ridiculous and not in keeping with the tone of the rest of the book. 

I also take issue with the main characters.  All of them are so improbably perfect.  Edie, for instance, is totally selfless, exceedingly kind and thoughtful with everyone, even troublesome guests.  She is non-judgmental and empathetic towards everyone.  Stella and James also have only positive traits.  In the end, all emerge as heroes.  I understand that the author wanted to create likeable characters, but they are too good to be authentic.

There are elements that are described so as to seem important and then are never mentioned again.  Why, for example, is Dolly’s illness such a big deal?  Is it only to emphasize Edie’s care and compassion for her employees?  Edie notices that the cellar has been cleaned up by someone, but then that mystery is ignored?  What really happened with the reservation book?  The reader can only speculate. 

Then there are the unrealistic events.  The only explanation given for the professor’s presence in the cellar is that “he must have returned [to the hotel] in the wee hours”?  A man who has been “in and out of prison half a dozen times for all manner of offenses” can so successfully operate under his assumed identity?  How does Stella manage to get through a locked door? 

The book touches on some serious subjects.  Stella and James’ experiences during the war have left both with scars.  James because of his mixed heritage must also contend with racism.  But there are also touches of humour.  The portrayal of the eccentric Hons cannot but bring a smile.  I also liked the description of Canadian guests at the hotel:  “The Canadians were slightly more reserved [than the Americans], though still very nice, and keen that she not confuse them with the Americans.”

Knowing that Queen Elizabeth II reigned for 70 years, it is impossible not to consider the significance of  Edie’s thoughts about the young queen:  “Edie would wager [Elizabeth] was already sick to death of at least some of the duties she’d inherited.  Or maybe she wasn’t?  Perhaps she enjoyed it all?  Perhaps it truly gladdened the young queen’s heart to know the rest of her life would unfold in an endless succession of plaques to be unveiled, cornerstones to be revealed, ships to be named, trees to be planted, ribbons to be snipped . . . The queen was wealthy and admired and treated with deference, awe, and real affection wherever she went, but was it enough to outweigh her lack of freedom?” 

Royalists and lovers of historical fiction looking for a charming, quiet, escapist read will enjoy this book.  I can’t say I didn’t enjoy it, but my pleasure was certainly lessened by the too-perfect characters and predictable plot. 

Note:  I received a digital galley from the publisher via NetGalley.