This historical fiction book is based on a true story. I found this story fascinating. This book is well written. A great read

This is the first book of Fern's that I have read but will definitely be reading more of her books. This novel was beautifully written, it is based on the true story of the queens governess. It was well researched and although some fiction it gave an insight into the queens early life. A fantastic read.

I was totally absorbed by this fascinating book, a fictionalised account of the life of a real royal servant, Marion Crawford. All started so well until she was sucked into royal duty and taken in by a rather nasty man who she really thought she loved. From laughing and playing with the young princeses to accompanying them on royal trips, being invited to state occasions and having their absolute confidence, it was hard to witness her subsequent fall and estrangement. An insightful and sad story, made more so by the fact so much of it is true.

Wow, absolutely loved this book. I’m not really a big fan of the Royal Family and admit I don’t really know much about them so when I read this book I read it as a fictional book.
I now find myself being intrigued to learn more.
Very different from her usual books but beautifully written and can’t recommend it enough.
Thank you NetGalley for this wonderful book

Marion Crawford is appointed governess to two young princesses - Lilibet and Margaret. But then the abdication changes the future for the future Queen, and Marion's role is more complicated. And then she meets George and has to decide where her loyalties lie.

I did enjoy reading The Good Servant, although I found my sympathies with Marion waning by the end of the book. At best naive, some of her actions were questionable and hard to understand.

An entertaining read, perfect for the holidays.

This isnt my typical genre. But i read with with my mother in law and it was good.

She is a big Fern Britton fan, and she said its a bit different from her ofher novels. But she liked it none the less.

The characters were well rounded and full bodied. Writing was easy to follow and atmospheric.

I enjoyed the book. Formally it's the story of life of royal governess Marion Crawford, but parallely we could follow the stories of royal family members and even more people involved in their life. It gave me better understanding about historical situation of that time and the characters of some historical personalities. You can feel that the book was written with love and respect to all those people who one or another way were mentioned in the story.

This was my first time reading a book from the author but I am delighted to say I thoroughly enjoyed the story and I look forward to reading more books from the writer in the future!

I finally got around to reading this book. With all that has gone on with the royal family over the last few years, this was a very interesting story.
It may be a fictional account of a story, but I felt that I was there, taking it all in.
The characters appear human, and vulnerable to human emotions.
Sometimes a difficult read, especially when George reveals his true colours.
Thought provoking

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley and HarperCollins UK. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: 5/5 Stars
Published: June 9, 2023
Pages: 544

I love all things Royal and enjoyed The Crown, but what a wonderfully, engrossing story by Fern Britton, new author to this reader. "The Good Servant" was such an enjoyable read that I had a hard time putting it away. Definitely a page-turner. There may be some factual parts to this story that somehow entwines into a fictional piece of work that makes this story interesting and worth the read.

Marion “Crawfie” Crawford, a governess to the Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, for the most part sacrifices her own happiness, nuptials and education, to become a dedicated and loyal servant to the monarchy. This story has its host of characters, including Crawfie’s husband who is a drunkard and liar, the other Royals, staff and other characters.

This story is well-written, detailed, and fast-paced, and I am sorry I waited this close to it publication date to read it…especially in one sitting as I was so drawn into the story and the characters. Did I mentioned that I love all things Royal? I think I did and I loved, loved this novel. The minor characters added to the story (i.e., Duke and Duchess, Mrs. Simpson etc.) as well. There are various times during my reading that I found myself empathetic for the heroine and all she had to go through…dealing with a despicable husband for so long and the manipulation pressed upon her by him, the Royal family, and the media. Dare say that the events of that time are no different than those of today.

If you enjoy fictional stories of the Royals, then this is for you. Such an entertaining and enjoyable book to read and highly recommend.

Whilst I was interested in the storyline I found the telling* of it rather dry. I found it difficult to like Crawfie, can someone really be that naive?

Although only fiction a great royal read.
We have always known how ruthless the men in grey at the palace have been to protect the royal family as portrayed in the crown but this story takes it to another level.
A loyal servant who was manipulated by both the media and the Queen mother has her reputation destroyed through no fault of her own.
Manipulated through out her life first by her family then the royal family and constantly by her husband.
All people who should have loved her but used her for their own agenda.
Although only fiction it is based on fact and goes to show nothing has changed even though we are now in a different century

A very interesting blend of fact and fiction about Marion Crawford a.k.a. Crawfie who was a governess to Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret. She sacrifices her own personal happiness to be a loyal servant, and is an observer of major events in the monarchy. Very interesting and enjoyable read.

Wow, a fantatsic read. I was throughly engrosssed in the story and characters. Even though I know it is fictions the touches of reality made it feel as this were realy what happened. Like watching The Crown, but ten times better.

An enjoyable read giving a fictional account of the life as governess to the Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret. Marion Crawford, Crawfie as she became known, sacrificed not just her place at university but postponed for many years her marriage.

Fern Britton writes a fast-paced and enjoyable novel with a flair for bringing people to life. Sir Alan (Tommy) Lascelles is a charming character, Crawfie naive and not particularly attractive, and George Buthlay, Crawfie’s husband, a rogue, liar and drunkard. Quite a combination of characters. A glimpse behind the scenes of the Royal Family’s household. Sadly Crawfie was blinded by love and possibly coerced into selling her story which ruined her life.

My thanks to the publishers HarperCollins and NetGalley for this advance copy.

A sign of a great book is that you finish it at say, lunchtime, and then you’re still thinking about the characters when you’re trying to get to sleep. This is one of those books. I was absolutely gripped by Crawfie, the royal household. A story with which we all feel so familiar with and yet it’s all from a distance. It felt totally and utterly believable, every bit of it. The characters felt so authentic- from Crawfie’s moaning mum to Tommy Lascelles. I hated reading about George, I just felt so sorry for Marion and I am only sorry that she was stuck with him for so long. Fascinating to read the afterword too. Just a FABULOUS book all round really!!

A brilliant read and one I really enjoyed. The characters are loveable and varied, the plot is one that is engaging and medium paced. I found myself completely drawn into the story and enjoyed the writing style.

Such a powerful book. An excellent fictional account of an intriguing period of time. I am a royalist through and through, and Fern brought the Queen back to life for me. Beautifully written, page-turning and just an overall excellent book. Escapism at its finest.

I throughly enjoyed this fictional story of the life of Marion Crawford who was governess to Queen Elizabeth (Lillibet) and her sister Margaret and it gives a wonderful and insightful overview of Royal life behind the Palace doors and the social life of the late 30s until the marriage of Elizabeth to Philip. Crawfie as she was named by Lillibet, came for the summer as governess to the Royal children intending to return to studies in Psychology to work with children from disadvantaged backgrounds, but she sacrificed this all, as well as postphoning her marriage to George, her older suitor to be supportive of the family. The main players of the times the ex-King, Mrs Simpson, as well as the Duke and Duchess are brought to life in the pages, even Queen Mary and the late King are included. The courtiers and the royal household had various roles that they followed and this niave Scottish teacher became intrigued with the events of history happening before her eyes. Sadly she was not respected by her husband when she eventually married and her writing a book about her experiences with the princesses put her outside the circle of trust. Fern has brought Marion to life and you feel certain empathy about the path she followed in her role as governess, when she tried to give the children an understanding of normal life outside their privileged lives.

What a lovely enjoyable and fascinating read. Really interesting with the historical content and was also quite poignant the timing as the Queen has recently died. Would definitely recommend this book