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booklvrkat's review against another edition
5.0
*audio
This story ended on such a big note for me, I couldn't even think of starting another book. I needed to let it brew, let it cool down, and let myself ponder on it's entirety. The start of the story starts with a car and it's passengers witnessing the horrific crash of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed in 1997. I remember waking to this news story the next morning, and breaking down in tears. Diana, if I may be so bold, was such a presence. And the young princes! The story goes back and forth between 1997 and the early 1910's. The stories move forward unlocking secrets along the way in both. Normally this story would have taken me forever to complete. I was hooked from the first chapter. I love the way the history of The Princess of Wales wrapped around these two era's, the stories of the girls growing up in the past, the more current life of a "shop" owner, and all the little pearls we're given. Well done historical fiction that makes you wonder if just a little bit of it isn't true.
This story ended on such a big note for me, I couldn't even think of starting another book. I needed to let it brew, let it cool down, and let myself ponder on it's entirety. The start of the story starts with a car and it's passengers witnessing the horrific crash of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed in 1997. I remember waking to this news story the next morning, and breaking down in tears. Diana, if I may be so bold, was such a presence. And the young princes! The story goes back and forth between 1997 and the early 1910's. The stories move forward unlocking secrets along the way in both. Normally this story would have taken me forever to complete. I was hooked from the first chapter. I love the way the history of The Princess of Wales wrapped around these two era's, the stories of the girls growing up in the past, the more current life of a "shop" owner, and all the little pearls we're given. Well done historical fiction that makes you wonder if just a little bit of it isn't true.
ashleyneubaum's review
2.0
Review: "Another Woman's Husband" is a historical drama, told using dual narratives. One narrative (which I found more interesting) was told in the early 1900's and focused on Wallis Simpson. The second narrative revolved around Princess Diana's death, as told by Rachel, a fictional commoner at the time. This narrative was undoubtably the weaker of the two.
I was excited to read this novel, the storyline sounded incredibly interesting to me. However, I felt incredibly bored for most of the novel, and found myself skimming through the end because I had devoted time to reading the novel and was determined to finish it. Overall, very anticlimactic.
Favorite Quote: N/A
I was excited to read this novel, the storyline sounded incredibly interesting to me. However, I felt incredibly bored for most of the novel, and found myself skimming through the end because I had devoted time to reading the novel and was determined to finish it. Overall, very anticlimactic.
Favorite Quote: N/A
ragnhild's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
3.5
hope2023's review
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I enjoyed the dual stories of Wallis Simpson and Princess Diana. It was an interesting contrast moving between the female characters way of life in the earlier 1900s verses 1997. The author is clever how she ties the two stories together. I preferred the tale with Wallis since she is a living character in the novel. Simpson’s era is fascinating, and the author has plenty to work with exploring her longtime friendship with Mary Kirk, and her relationships with three husbands including Prince Edward and the abdication.
While a work of fiction, I was surprised to learn some facts I wasn’t aware of prior to reading.
tidy69's review
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I would have liked that they left out the Lady Di story and focus just on Mary Kirk and Wallis Simpson.
noveldeelights's review against another edition
5.0
Gill Paul’s The Secret Wife was one of my top 5 books last year so when the opportunity to read and review Another Woman’s Husband came my way, I may have done a little jig around my living room. When I finally settled down to read, I immediately knew I was in for another treat.
August 31st, 1997. For many of us, this date is probably burnt into our brains. This day is how the story starts when Rachel and her fiancé, Alex, find themselves in a taxi right behind the car accident that claims the life of Princess Diana. Alex is a tv producer and is quickly lost in a cloud of obsession in an attempt to figure out the events of that night. As interesting as those chapters were, touching on the various conspiracy theories, for me the true strength of the novel lies in the chapters about Wallis.
1911. Mary Kirk meets Wallis Simpson at a summer camp. Their friendship will endure many ups and downs until one final act of betrayal.
Of course, I’d heard of Wallis Simpson and her place in history. But I didn’t know anything else about her. Her story is told through Mary’s eyes and it’s just so incredibly fascinating to read about as we follow Wallis from her teenage years all the way to her marriage to the King who abdicated the throne for her.
Rich in atmosphere and history, this story had me hooked until the very last word on the very last page and while I was quite sad to see it end, I was also utterly delighted to have had the chance to read this absolute gem of a novel. Fact and fiction flow together seamlessly, intertwined with a nice dose of intrigue that had me wondering throughout how on earth these two iconic women could possibly be connected. The author has such a wonderful writing style, full of fabulously vivid descriptions that I found myself completely immersed and could almost hear the music or the clinking of cocktail glasses.
This is historical fiction at its finest and would make a truly fabulous movie. If Gill Paul hadn’t already been on my list of go-to authors, she most definitely would be now. I absolutely loved this and I feel that even if you aren’t necessarily a lover of historical fiction, you too will greatly enjoy this novel! I can’t possibly describe how excited I am about the author’s next offering.
August 31st, 1997. For many of us, this date is probably burnt into our brains. This day is how the story starts when Rachel and her fiancé, Alex, find themselves in a taxi right behind the car accident that claims the life of Princess Diana. Alex is a tv producer and is quickly lost in a cloud of obsession in an attempt to figure out the events of that night. As interesting as those chapters were, touching on the various conspiracy theories, for me the true strength of the novel lies in the chapters about Wallis.
1911. Mary Kirk meets Wallis Simpson at a summer camp. Their friendship will endure many ups and downs until one final act of betrayal.
Of course, I’d heard of Wallis Simpson and her place in history. But I didn’t know anything else about her. Her story is told through Mary’s eyes and it’s just so incredibly fascinating to read about as we follow Wallis from her teenage years all the way to her marriage to the King who abdicated the throne for her.
Rich in atmosphere and history, this story had me hooked until the very last word on the very last page and while I was quite sad to see it end, I was also utterly delighted to have had the chance to read this absolute gem of a novel. Fact and fiction flow together seamlessly, intertwined with a nice dose of intrigue that had me wondering throughout how on earth these two iconic women could possibly be connected. The author has such a wonderful writing style, full of fabulously vivid descriptions that I found myself completely immersed and could almost hear the music or the clinking of cocktail glasses.
This is historical fiction at its finest and would make a truly fabulous movie. If Gill Paul hadn’t already been on my list of go-to authors, she most definitely would be now. I absolutely loved this and I feel that even if you aren’t necessarily a lover of historical fiction, you too will greatly enjoy this novel! I can’t possibly describe how excited I am about the author’s next offering.
blovesbooks80's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
thebooktrail88's review
5.0
Wow wow and wow again. How have I not heard of this true life story before? Wallis simpson and Princess Diana are such iconic figures but Wallis's childhood and life up until and after she married the king of England is utterly fascinating! With a brilliant touch of phrase and a deft touch of historical intrigue and creative flourish, the period and the people come to life from the page. I half expect the finished book to have gilded pages and be displayed in the shops on a velvet cushion.
The stories of both Diana in 1997 and Wallis Simpson in 1911 are stories you might think you know but I had no idea of the link! A mystery hidden in plain sight! A puzzle solved across the years! Some of it might be fictionalised of course but I can't say anything else other than read this with your mouth wide open like I did. It plays out like a film in your mind with classical music mixing with the jazz of the 1920s.
The historical research must have taken ages - as although the book is written with a light and deft touch, you're sure that beneath the velvet there's some history stuffed in there - making it a very comfortable, enticing read with a glorious mix of facts and intrigue.
Gill has taken me to some amazing places and moments in time - Elizabeth and Richard Burton's affair on set of Cleopatra in Italy, the Titanic in the middle of the Atlantic ocean and even the middle of the Crimea with Florence Nightingale. This HAS to be an epic film or at least given to those who want to relive history - Gill has such a skill, I half expected to wake up this morning clutching a bracelet or facing a portrait picture on my wall (when you read the book you'll see why)
Stunning! Out in two weeks. Put it on your list now. And buy that red velvet cushion in preparation.
The stories of both Diana in 1997 and Wallis Simpson in 1911 are stories you might think you know but I had no idea of the link! A mystery hidden in plain sight! A puzzle solved across the years! Some of it might be fictionalised of course but I can't say anything else other than read this with your mouth wide open like I did. It plays out like a film in your mind with classical music mixing with the jazz of the 1920s.
The historical research must have taken ages - as although the book is written with a light and deft touch, you're sure that beneath the velvet there's some history stuffed in there - making it a very comfortable, enticing read with a glorious mix of facts and intrigue.
Gill has taken me to some amazing places and moments in time - Elizabeth and Richard Burton's affair on set of Cleopatra in Italy, the Titanic in the middle of the Atlantic ocean and even the middle of the Crimea with Florence Nightingale. This HAS to be an epic film or at least given to those who want to relive history - Gill has such a skill, I half expected to wake up this morning clutching a bracelet or facing a portrait picture on my wall (when you read the book you'll see why)
Stunning! Out in two weeks. Put it on your list now. And buy that red velvet cushion in preparation.
keepingyouonread's review
3.0
I really wish I could do half stars because I am very torn to rate this a 3 or 4 star. I liked the middle of the story but felt the beginning and end dragged a bit. This is a quick and easy read taking place in two time periods - one in the early 1900-1940s and the other immediately after Princess Diana’s death.