The Mitford Affair - A Novel by Marie Benedict
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Web ID: 17341045Ratings & Reviews
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4.4 Posh,, notoriety, fame, scheming…
4.4 Posh, notoriety, fame, scheming… Six sisters of the aristocratic Mitford family led stylish, controversial lives when they were young during the inter-war years. Nancy, the eldest sister, became a novelist with modest success. She was one of the “bright young things” in London’s social scene. Diana, with a staggering beauty, was the dazzling star of the family. She claimed to want to “feel, live, and do, rather than sit and be admired by others.” Thus, she divorced her husband and started up with the head of the British union of fascists. (BUF) Unity was interested in fascism and wanted a place in transforming politics. She became an ardent follower and was a member of Hitler’s inner circle. Jessica (Decca) was a communist with sharply conflicting politics. A tale of society people, position, connections, and political maneuvering of the “it family“ of the decade. The family’s antics and public political differences would be covered in the press. “Fascinating all things Mitford.” The price of this fame will be very costly. * Author is local. I have seen her several times at live author events. I hope she comes again to this side of the city! * I can hardly imagine the life of luxury they led . Even harder to imagine their political beliefs. * Well researched. * At times, the book read like a tabloid! Wow - the rich & famous! * Carnegie’s Maid is still my favorite! I think this book is my 2nd favorite by this author! * Lots of info online about the sisters. Don’t read it before you read the book! That will ruin the ending! * I will continue to read future books by this author. * The numerous nicknames were confusing at times.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Nazi sympathizers
Benedict’s novel gives us another perspective on the alliances and feelings about the Nazi’s. That doesn’t make it any easier to read. 3.5 Stars
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Wow!
Marie Benedict has done it again! I am a fan and The Mitford Affair does not disappoint! My only regret is that my mother-in-law is not alive to discuss . She was a war bride and served in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force in WWII. I always learn something new and I am entertained when reading a book written by Benedict. I had heard about writer Nancy Mitford, but I have not read any of her books. Nancy, the oldest, had five sisters and one brother..The book covers the 1930s and WWII. It is told by Nancy, Diana, and Unity. At first it is hard to keep all of the characters straight. I made a family tree and this helped me immensely. Having read an immense amount of WWII books, I was surprised that there was a lot of fascism followers in England. Diana and Unity have quite the stories. This is a book I can see myself rereading in the near future.. My thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an ARC of this book. The opinions in this review are my own.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Fascinating, character driven historical fiction!
This was an absolutely fascinating, character-driven, historical fiction! It is set in the period between World War I and World War II and follows the Mitfords, born into British high society, and their lives, loves and politics. Three of the sisters rise to positions of influence, but two choose to follow a path of Nazi beliefs. Marie Benedict has written a completely absorbing, often chilling, and very well researched book that explores that period of time, and the dilemma faced by the other sister, as she must make a terrible choice between family loyalty and loyalty to her country and humanity. I found all of the author's notes to be very informative also, about the time period and the family. The opinions in the review are my own.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Another Benedict winner
The Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict History and fiction are woven into an intriguing story of a British family with six sisters who are enmeshed politically with Nazis, fascists and communists in the 1930s and 1940s. Nancy, Diana and Unity Mitford run the show in this tale, with Diana and Unity traveling back and forth to Germany to get close to the infamous Adolf Hitler. Teas? Dinners? Apartments and fancy hotels? These two Mitford sisters gave their all to be part of the Nazi lifestyle and candy on the arm of the Fuhrer. As war breaks out in Europe, the Mitford family turns a blind eye to the threat Hitler poses to their homeland. Nancy alone tries to right this sinking ship of a family. I feel the story gets bogged down in the middle with the author trying to show the competition between a desperate Diana and unbalanced Unity to gain Hitler’s favor. The rest is pure Marie Benedict, a solid, well written story. Four stars and a thank you to #SourceBooksLandmark and #NetGalley for allowing me this ARC for my review.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
The famous Mitford sisters and a five star read!
The six Mitford sisters, Nancy, Pamela, Diana, Unity, Jessica and Deborah are known as the Bright Young Things. Their parents David and Sydney Mitford, are rather distant, the girls and their only brother Tom grew up being looked after by a series of nannies and running wild in the English countryside. The families rather fond of calling each other by odd nick names, the children invented their own private language, and they called their father (Farve) and their mother (Muv). When Diana divorces her husband the 2nd Baron of Moyne or Bryan Guinness, it caused a big scandal, she was having an affair with the leader of the British Union of Fascists, Sir Oswald Mosley and she believed in his radical ideas. Two other Mitford sisters have different political ideas to most British citizens, Jessica’s a communist and Unity’s obsessed by Adolf Hitler. A socially awkward and tall Unity leaves England, moves to Germany, joins the Nazi party and meets her idol. Nancy Mitford is a published novelists, she marries Peter Rodd and dreams of having a family of her own. She’s rather shocked by Diana’s and Unity’s choices, with another war looming, she’s worried they will be seen as a threat to English security and she’s right. The family has links to Winston Churchill, so Nancy has to make the difficult decision, who deserves her loyalty her country or her sisters? Marie Benedict in her latest book, delves into the lives of the famous Mitford sisters, especially Nancy, Diana and Unity. Were, Diana and Unity extremely naïve, even selfish and lacked basic common sense? The novel looks at how two upper class sisters, placed themselves at the center of scandal and political intrigue, in the lead up and during the Second World War, by believing in and supporting Fascism and Nazism. Nancy was put in the awful position, she loved her sisters and I think Diana in particular was selfish. Marie Benedict never disappoints, like in her previous two book I have read, Lady Clementine and Her Hidden Genius, by skilfully using a combination of fact and fiction, she creates a fascinating narrative that holds your attention and five stars from me.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Notorious Mitford Sisters
Marie Benedict sets the standard for excellence in historical fiction featuring notable women. She is one of those authors that you don’t need to read the reviews. You can count on meticulous facts with inspiring writing. A book you can’t put down, even when the main characters are loathsome as is the case in the Mitford Affair. It was like watching a train wreck where you know nothing good is coming, but you can’t turn away. I also like a book that compels me to search out more of the historical background of the characters and events to deepen the experience. Thanks to #Netgalley and #TheMitfordAffair for an advanced digital copy.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Interesting Historical Biography
The Mitford Affair is the latest biographical novel from historian Marie Benedict. This story covers the lives of the the Mitford sisters, particularly Nancy, Diana, and Unity. These sisters lives were interwoven with Hitler and the Nazi Party. Their choices ultimately affect their lives and the lives of their family members. I had never heard of these English sisters before I read this book. As always, Benedict does a deep dive into the lives of somewhat obscure women of history. She does a wonderful job of portraying a unique voice for each sister from a multiple narrator perspective. When you read this book, you can tell that Benedict has really spent time researching the personalities of the people about whom she writes. This book really helped me to understand why someone would want to get close to Hitler. It is interesting to read about real life of people who lived during that time, why they made the choices they did, and to notice the parallels between the evil then and the evil happening today. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an engaging story, wants to learn more about history, and desiring an easy read.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com