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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
I have really enjoyed several other books by this author but this one was hard to get through. The pacing is slow, I honestly started skimming some chapters because not much was actually happening. There is a lot of rather clunky and unnatural sounding exposition. I don't understand the decision to have one sister's POV chapters in first person and the other sisters' in third.
What makes it the most difficult to stick with is that none of the characters are likeable. Nancy the doormat is the most sympathetic but is still rather boring of a POV character with her continuous inaction and hangdog attitude.
And it is impossible to relate to Diana and Unity. Their infatuation and obsession with their respective men would be cringy with anyone but it's infuriating when one of them is a serial cheating fascist and the other is literally Hitler. Listening to so many of the characters blatantly espouse the virtues of Nazism was nauseating.
I was rather disappointed in this one, would not recommend.
What makes it the most difficult to stick with is that none of the characters are likeable. Nancy the doormat is the most sympathetic but is still rather boring of a POV character with her continuous inaction and hangdog attitude.
And it is impossible to relate to Diana and Unity. Their infatuation and obsession with their respective men would be cringy with anyone but it's infuriating when one of them is a serial cheating fascist and the other is literally Hitler. Listening to so many of the characters blatantly espouse the virtues of Nazism was nauseating.
I was rather disappointed in this one, would not recommend.
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
After visiting the Mitford sisters graves in Swinbrook, I have been so intrigued to learn more. I was so excited to stumble upon this book at the library. Historical fiction isn’t my go-to, but it was an interesting read nonetheless to get more insight into their lives.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I can’t say there is anything wrong with the writing of this book. I think that I just don’t always gravitate towards historical books. I haven’t read a lot of WWII books, so, to be honest, I’m not well versed in the details on timelines and what happened leading up to and between WWI & II. Because of that I also had to brush up on the definition of communism and fascism at the beginning of the book and some of our characters to help lay a foundation for understanding. By doing reasearch I did accidentally spoil what happened to Unity at the end but that was fine. Regardless of all that, it felt very strange to read a book about the women in the Nazi movement, who idolized the fascist leaders, Hitler, and the ideals and principles of their cause without fear of recrimination, conscience, or, guilt.
This is the story of three (four?) of the six Mitford sisters, one being writer Nancy Mitford, who become embroiled in different sides of the pre-war conditions in London in the 1930's. Two of the sisters become enamored with Hitler and in his inner circle, one of them (Diana) early on is partner and wife to the up and coming leader of the BUF, Britains Union of Facists (Mosley). She gives up her husband, her children, her health, any sliver of moral conscience for one man, that dazzles her with his starlight and brilliance. And he never once seems to return the feeling for her (still maintaining other relationships with other women -his ex sister-in-law-). Their sister Unity, doesn't even ever really get a paramour. For her, its simply being close to, and in the favor and perceived sunlight of Hitler himself. Both sisters are used for British propoganda by choice, and as arm candy and for their adoration. And both women are not just brainless dodo's - they are strongly political, and would serve their lives for the cause, as well as their leaders. Meet the women fascists, who adored Hitler and Lord Mosley, and who would and did sacrifice everything for the cause they believed in and the men who championed it.
Nancy Mitford, was caught between the love and care for her sisters, and her continued appall at how they (and her parents) were behaving, and the dangerous consequences for the country. She wrote satirical critiques of her family, and lost their trust and affinity as a result, but ultimately she had to decide if she would turn them in to turn the tide on the growing danger. The Mitford family were cousins to Clementine Chruchill, so therefore Winston, and this in itself was interesting. Honestly I learned more/remembered more about Whineron Churchill by reading this book. Nancy, and a fourth sister who turned her back on the family to fight for freedom, (Decca), they stood apart from their family. Everyone in the book suffered the consequences for what they believed.
I enjoyed how the book emphasizes how influential our Mitford women were to their political men counterparts. Although Unity and Diana lost themselves in the "dazzle" of a prominent man that they gave everything for. They also, in their own right, were the strong women behind the men. Who truly understood and drove the political or social landscape. Especially Diana, secretly crafting the policy, the PR, the ideas that would change social thought. And with little to no recognition.
It was eerily fascinating - and you can feel Nancy's conflict, as well as her pain of separation from her family, a loveless marriage, infertility, financial compromise, and her writing. She is not like her sister Decca, unabashedly a freedom fighter and proclaimer. Nancy is more conflicted than the heroes we so often read about. Almost unwilling to do what she ultimately does.
They were definitely interesting characters this time around. In some ways, its a troubling read. Right now there is a great divide in our country between left and right. I know that people look at each other and question their political beliefs with unwavering faith in their own views. It makes me wonder how the future will look on our present through the lense of history. How do folks decide what is right and true and who to believe, and what to fight for - even when it separates us from our families. How to keep informed, so that the "Never Again" is something we don't let erode and slip away. It was troubling and fascinating. And easy to see how it happens. A little too easy.
I don’t feel that I can critique the story much because, although I know some creative liberties have been taken with how people felt etc. , for the most part we are sticking to historical events. I do wish there had been some additional information about what happened to all the characters at the end of the book to really tie up all lose ends.
In the end though is this my kind of book? No. If you like this genre would you like it? I think so!
This is the story of three (four?) of the six Mitford sisters, one being writer Nancy Mitford, who become embroiled in different sides of the pre-war conditions in London in the 1930's. Two of the sisters become enamored with Hitler and in his inner circle, one of them (Diana) early on is partner and wife to the up and coming leader of the BUF, Britains Union of Facists (Mosley). She gives up her husband, her children, her health, any sliver of moral conscience for one man, that dazzles her with his starlight and brilliance. And he never once seems to return the feeling for her (still maintaining other relationships with other women -his ex sister-in-law-). Their sister Unity, doesn't even ever really get a paramour. For her, its simply being close to, and in the favor and perceived sunlight of Hitler himself. Both sisters are used for British propoganda by choice, and as arm candy and for their adoration. And both women are not just brainless dodo's - they are strongly political, and would serve their lives for the cause, as well as their leaders. Meet the women fascists, who adored Hitler and Lord Mosley, and who would and did sacrifice everything for the cause they believed in and the men who championed it.
Nancy Mitford, was caught between the love and care for her sisters, and her continued appall at how they (and her parents) were behaving, and the dangerous consequences for the country. She wrote satirical critiques of her family, and lost their trust and affinity as a result, but ultimately she had to decide if she would turn them in to turn the tide on the growing danger. The Mitford family were cousins to Clementine Chruchill, so therefore Winston, and this in itself was interesting. Honestly I learned more/remembered more about Whineron Churchill by reading this book. Nancy, and a fourth sister who turned her back on the family to fight for freedom, (Decca), they stood apart from their family. Everyone in the book suffered the consequences for what they believed.
I enjoyed how the book emphasizes how influential our Mitford women were to their political men counterparts. Although Unity and Diana lost themselves in the "dazzle" of a prominent man that they gave everything for. They also, in their own right, were the strong women behind the men. Who truly understood and drove the political or social landscape. Especially Diana, secretly crafting the policy, the PR, the ideas that would change social thought. And with little to no recognition.
It was eerily fascinating - and you can feel Nancy's conflict, as well as her pain of separation from her family, a loveless marriage, infertility, financial compromise, and her writing. She is not like her sister Decca, unabashedly a freedom fighter and proclaimer. Nancy is more conflicted than the heroes we so often read about. Almost unwilling to do what she ultimately does.
They were definitely interesting characters this time around. In some ways, its a troubling read. Right now there is a great divide in our country between left and right. I know that people look at each other and question their political beliefs with unwavering faith in their own views. It makes me wonder how the future will look on our present through the lense of history. How do folks decide what is right and true and who to believe, and what to fight for - even when it separates us from our families. How to keep informed, so that the "Never Again" is something we don't let erode and slip away. It was troubling and fascinating. And easy to see how it happens. A little too easy.
I don’t feel that I can critique the story much because, although I know some creative liberties have been taken with how people felt etc. , for the most part we are sticking to historical events. I do wish there had been some additional information about what happened to all the characters at the end of the book to really tie up all lose ends.
In the end though is this my kind of book? No. If you like this genre would you like it? I think so!
informative
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
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Miscarriage, Racism, Antisemitism, Suicide attempt, War
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes