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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Antisemitism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Classism
Minor: Child death
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
I think the conflict was supposed to be that they are Nazis but there was no hint of a plot.
dark
informative
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A novelization of the lives of the famous and infamous aristocratic English Mitford sisters, including the Nazis, the Communist, and the novelist who, here, is imagined as spy. I’ve read so much about them, I really enjoyed this reimagining. I’m not sure if someone who wasn’t so steeped in their stories would be as enthralled.
The alternating perspectives jumped around so much that and I found it hard to become invested in any of them, and a lot of the actual plot (which didn't seem to start until the second half of the book) felt rushed
The Mitford family is one interesting family! I didn't know much about the sisters going into the book well except for Nancy but it was really interesting to get to know them and learn about their life. There wasn't really a plot until the end but other then that it was a fast and easy read thats Iwell written and entertaining to read!
-ARC provided by publisher and Netgalley in exchange for honest review -
This is such a magnificent novel! I'm very interested in the Mitford universe and this book explores the darkest chapter of this family history. We read about it from three different perspectives, and only one of them is narrated in the first person, that of Nancy. The other two are Diana's and Unity's perspectives and are told from the most distant third person, and I imagine that that is no coincidence. During the rising of fascism and nazism in Europe, Diana and Unity become fascinated by these two ideologies to the point of risking their lives to support the rising of the Third Reich. This puts family bonds to the test and raises an uncomfortable question: to whom we owe loyalty?
I can't begin to imagine how challenging must have been for the author trying to understand Unity's and Diana's minds. Benedict writes about how strongly personal politics becomes for the sisters, without judging, patronizing or sympathizing. And that requires a perfect mastery of the art of writing. I strongly recommend this book.
This is such a magnificent novel! I'm very interested in the Mitford universe and this book explores the darkest chapter of this family history. We read about it from three different perspectives, and only one of them is narrated in the first person, that of Nancy. The other two are Diana's and Unity's perspectives and are told from the most distant third person, and I imagine that that is no coincidence. During the rising of fascism and nazism in Europe, Diana and Unity become fascinated by these two ideologies to the point of risking their lives to support the rising of the Third Reich. This puts family bonds to the test and raises an uncomfortable question: to whom we owe loyalty?
I can't begin to imagine how challenging must have been for the author trying to understand Unity's and Diana's minds. Benedict writes about how strongly personal politics becomes for the sisters, without judging, patronizing or sympathizing. And that requires a perfect mastery of the art of writing. I strongly recommend this book.