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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
In the first chapter, Nancy (the WRITER) says "that accounts for all six of my siblings..." But she is ONE of six. Nancy has five siblings. She should have said "that accounts for all five of siblings." or "that accounts for all six of us." This error on the second page made me want to stop, but I kept going.
I got about a quarter of the way in, and I was bored to absolute death. I know historical fiction writers want to get in all the fun facts and details they learned in their research, but the constant explainers on nicknames and social and political name dropping is exhausting as a reader.
DNF. Going back to the library.
I got about a quarter of the way in, and I was bored to absolute death. I know historical fiction writers want to get in all the fun facts and details they learned in their research, but the constant explainers on nicknames and social and political name dropping is exhausting as a reader.
DNF. Going back to the library.
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
informative
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for an arc in exchange for my honest reviews.
Publication: January 17, 2023
It has been a few years since I picked up a book by Marie Benedict. I remember that last time I had a hard time keeping focus with the story and ended up giving up. I saw the Mitford Affair and I requested it thinking that it had been a few years since I read her last book.
The one thing that I remember from Benedict's previous book and this one is that it is so well researched! This book is practically dripping in historical aspects about this family. I applaud her for this!
As a reader, I could not get into this story and found myself skimming or putting the book down. When it comes to historical fiction, I want to be sucked in while learning something new. This book felt as though I was reading a textbook with some fictional aspects. I couldn't connect with the characters or the story.
Overall, I give this book three stars because it has so much historical fiction and has made me want to do my own research. I knocked the two stars off because as the fictional part goes, I think this book lacked.
Publication: January 17, 2023
It has been a few years since I picked up a book by Marie Benedict. I remember that last time I had a hard time keeping focus with the story and ended up giving up. I saw the Mitford Affair and I requested it thinking that it had been a few years since I read her last book.
The one thing that I remember from Benedict's previous book and this one is that it is so well researched! This book is practically dripping in historical aspects about this family. I applaud her for this!
As a reader, I could not get into this story and found myself skimming or putting the book down. When it comes to historical fiction, I want to be sucked in while learning something new. This book felt as though I was reading a textbook with some fictional aspects. I couldn't connect with the characters or the story.
Overall, I give this book three stars because it has so much historical fiction and has made me want to do my own research. I knocked the two stars off because as the fictional part goes, I think this book lacked.
The six Mitford sisters are a force to be reckoned with in England's social scene during the 1930's. The three older sisters, Diana, Unity and Nancy take interesting and different paths as different political factions arise. Diana causes an uproar as she divorces her wealthy husband in order to pursue a relationship with the married leader of the British fascist movement, Oswald Mosley. Diana works relentlessly to pull in money and support for the fascist movement and works closely with her sister, Unity to pull support from Germany. Unity pushes her parents to send her to boarding school in Germany so she can become close to her idol, Hitler. By following his schedule closely, Unity is able to fall into Hitler's inner circle. Nancy realizes that neither Mosley or Hitler are moving in the right direction. Nancy writes fiction novels that show her feelings. She also keeps in touch with Diana and Unity, despite their differences in opinion. As war looms, the sisters have difficult decisions to make.
The Mitford family was a very real family from England whose lives made an impact in different areas during the interwar period. While this deeply emotional historical fiction story focuses on Nancy, Diana and Unity, each sibling lived a unique experience. The writing shows the intricacies of what happens when politics and family dynamics collide in the Mitford family. Written from alternating points of view of the very fully formed and different characters of Diana, Unity and Nancy, I was constantly amazed at how far the sister's love for one another extended even when their beliefs were at odds. I could feel Diana and Unity's passion towards the powerful, charismatic, yet dangerous men that they pursued and how they poured their energy and worth into Mosley and Hitler's campaigns while being aware of the risks. Nancy's bravery shines through as she uses her pen to try to show the world and her sisters the error of their ways while being incredibly tolerable of their actions towards their faces and actively fighting against them in the background. Overall, The Mitford Affair is a suspenseful and heartfelt look at the intersection of family and politics.
The Mitford family was a very real family from England whose lives made an impact in different areas during the interwar period. While this deeply emotional historical fiction story focuses on Nancy, Diana and Unity, each sibling lived a unique experience. The writing shows the intricacies of what happens when politics and family dynamics collide in the Mitford family. Written from alternating points of view of the very fully formed and different characters of Diana, Unity and Nancy, I was constantly amazed at how far the sister's love for one another extended even when their beliefs were at odds. I could feel Diana and Unity's passion towards the powerful, charismatic, yet dangerous men that they pursued and how they poured their energy and worth into Mosley and Hitler's campaigns while being aware of the risks. Nancy's bravery shines through as she uses her pen to try to show the world and her sisters the error of their ways while being incredibly tolerable of their actions towards their faces and actively fighting against them in the background. Overall, The Mitford Affair is a suspenseful and heartfelt look at the intersection of family and politics.
I struggled hard to read this book when I first started. I was waiting in line for it for several weeks, and had somewhat forgotten about what the "plot" of the book was. So when I started reading it, and got into the thick of it when Unity & Diane have started to become part of the inner circle of one of history's most notorious evils, I felt a little sick to my stomach.
In short, this book will get you to really think about politics, and the landscape of how perceptions can be shaped. This historical fiction was so well written in my opinion. I am giving 4.5/5 stars (rounded down on GR) because I would have liked to see a different mix of content.*
As silly as it may sound, I had to keep reminding myself that the words are not the author's endorsement of the events. Benedict used her story telling powers to illustrate a powerful and impactful story with this one.
**Spoilers start here**
In 2023, it's hard to read an intimate recount and positive interaction of Adolph Hitler. This book had my brain spinning and I felt like I was often internally yelling at Unity and Diane for their choices in continuing visiting Germany during the rise of Hitler. Unity's obsession and scheming, Diane's mental gymnastics of how to assist M by piggybacking off of Unity? Had my jaw dropping several times, but I suppose this is due to my hindsight of what unfolded during the European Theatre of WW2 and how someone could just do all this for... love? unhealthy obsession? I'm not sure of the correct term to label Unity & Diane's thoughts.
However, getting to the end and the turns that book had taken when you read through Nancy's thoughts and entries brought me back to reality, especially when she decides to ally herself with Winston Churchill and gets her own sister thrown into jail. Reading the post read Q&A discussion section helped me think through the book, and how Benedict used this work to draw some perspective into how people's politics (no matter how morally right or wrong) are formed and how singular types of actions can influence a wide range of opinions amongst a crowd.
*= I would have loved to see more interaction with Nancy & Churchill, and possibly more post Diane going to jail chapters. Whether these historically exist, I am not certain- but I think it would have given it the extra pizazz that I was hoping for when I got to the end.
In short, this book will get you to really think about politics, and the landscape of how perceptions can be shaped. This historical fiction was so well written in my opinion. I am giving 4.5/5 stars (rounded down on GR) because I would have liked to see a different mix of content.*
As silly as it may sound, I had to keep reminding myself that the words are not the author's endorsement of the events. Benedict used her story telling powers to illustrate a powerful and impactful story with this one.
**Spoilers start here**
In 2023, it's hard to read an intimate recount and positive interaction of Adolph Hitler. This book had my brain spinning and I felt like I was often internally yelling at Unity and Diane for their choices in continuing visiting Germany during the rise of Hitler. Unity's obsession and scheming, Diane's mental gymnastics of how to assist M by piggybacking off of Unity? Had my jaw dropping several times, but I suppose this is due to my hindsight of what unfolded during the European Theatre of WW2 and how someone could just do all this for... love? unhealthy obsession? I'm not sure of the correct term to label Unity & Diane's thoughts.
However, getting to the end and the turns that book had taken when you read through Nancy's thoughts and entries brought me back to reality, especially when she decides to ally herself with Winston Churchill and gets her own sister thrown into jail. Reading the post read Q&A discussion section helped me think through the book, and how Benedict used this work to draw some perspective into how people's politics (no matter how morally right or wrong) are formed and how singular types of actions can influence a wide range of opinions amongst a crowd.
*= I would have loved to see more interaction with Nancy & Churchill, and possibly more post Diane going to jail chapters. Whether these historically exist, I am not certain- but I think it would have given it the extra pizazz that I was hoping for when I got to the end.
Quick and Dirty
-multi-POV
-WWII politics are central
-sibling infighting
-tense read
Synopsis
The Mitford sisters are bright young things, part of London's social elite, influential and popular. But when Diana, the goddess of the group, decides to divorce her wealthy, titled husband in favor of her married lover, everything starts to unravel. Her lover, Lord Mosley, is the leader of the British Nazi party. Soon Diana and her sisters are seen at his rallies. Eccentric Unity has long harbored adoration for all things Nazi. Level-headed Nancy initially takes the Nazi bait, but she soon learns to loathe the hold Mosely has over Diana. As the world moves closer to war, the sisters move farther apart, emotionally and politically.
Musings
Whew, y'all. I've sat on this review for several days now, and I think I can finally summarize my thoughts on what I'm sure will be a very polarizing read. Let me start with the good. There were things I really loved about this book. For example, Benedict did copious research on the Mitford family and pre-WWII politics/politicians that deserves respect. You can tell she poured her heart and soul into making the book as factual as possible. At times, it feels like you're reading a memoir rather than fiction, which I think is where the slope gets slippery. This family made me cringe. Most of the family fully embrace Nazism and Hitler; their idolization of the most hideous, vile human ever is hard to stomach. While that's the point, we don't really get to the Nancy-feels-icky-about-this-to-do-something-about-it part until very late in the book. By then, for me, it wasn’t enough to redeem her as a heroic character. The entire first half or more reads like a who's-who of the Nazi party. Hitler is the fourth main character in this story, and that will be hard for some readers. It was for me. So, while this was a well-crafted WWII fiction, I struggled to relate to the main characters, Nancy included. Go in with eyes open.
-multi-POV
-WWII politics are central
-sibling infighting
-tense read
Synopsis
The Mitford sisters are bright young things, part of London's social elite, influential and popular. But when Diana, the goddess of the group, decides to divorce her wealthy, titled husband in favor of her married lover, everything starts to unravel. Her lover, Lord Mosley, is the leader of the British Nazi party. Soon Diana and her sisters are seen at his rallies. Eccentric Unity has long harbored adoration for all things Nazi. Level-headed Nancy initially takes the Nazi bait, but she soon learns to loathe the hold Mosely has over Diana. As the world moves closer to war, the sisters move farther apart, emotionally and politically.
Musings
Whew, y'all. I've sat on this review for several days now, and I think I can finally summarize my thoughts on what I'm sure will be a very polarizing read. Let me start with the good. There were things I really loved about this book. For example, Benedict did copious research on the Mitford family and pre-WWII politics/politicians that deserves respect. You can tell she poured her heart and soul into making the book as factual as possible. At times, it feels like you're reading a memoir rather than fiction, which I think is where the slope gets slippery. This family made me cringe. Most of the family fully embrace Nazism and Hitler; their idolization of the most hideous, vile human ever is hard to stomach. While that's the point, we don't really get to the Nancy-feels-icky-about-this-to-do-something-about-it part until very late in the book. By then, for me, it wasn’t enough to redeem her as a heroic character. The entire first half or more reads like a who's-who of the Nazi party. Hitler is the fourth main character in this story, and that will be hard for some readers. It was for me. So, while this was a well-crafted WWII fiction, I struggled to relate to the main characters, Nancy included. Go in with eyes open.
This book is a WW2 fiction based in England. Typically, these books feature strong, smart, underutilized women who end up being a fierce heroine. They are often inspiring and maybe a little boring at times. However, this book was based on the true story of high society sisters who become obsessed with Hitler. One sister is a normal person who isn’t a Nazi, and the dynamics are very fun/horrifying. Since it is based on a true story, I often stopped reading to check out the Wikipedia pages. I had to get past the first 20% of the book to truly get hooked.
Based on the lives of the Mitford sisters and the choices they made. Nancy is a novelist and has plenty of inspiration from her family. Her sisters Diana and Unity establish strong ties with the Fascist party and Hitler and the Nazi party. Nancy must figure out where her loyalty lies; her family or her country.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for my honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for my honest review.
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes