The Sisters

The Saga of the Mitford Family

By: Mary S. Lovell

Narrated by: Annie Wauters

Length: 18 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

This is the story of a close, loving family splintered by the violent ideologies of Europe between the wars. Jessica was a Communist; Debo became the Duchess of Devonshire; Nancy was one of the best-selling novelists of her day; the ethereally beautiful Diana was the most hated woman in England; and Unity Valkyrie, born in Swastika, Alaska, would become obsessed with Adolf Hitler.

©1991 Mary S. Lovell (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"[A] balanced, well-researched, and beautifully written biography...[an] exceptional achievement." ( Bay Area Reporter, Tavo Amador)

"The Mitford girls were probably the most spectacular sister act of the 20th century." ( Vogue)

That Narration was Fine

I was stressed that I wasted money on this book because of all the reviews that say the narrator is awful but she really wasn’t at all! This is my second book about the Mitford sisters so I knew I would like it.

A very good book ruined by the reader

This is a fascinating story and very well researched. I have never heard such a bad reader in all the audible books I've listened to. Not only did she read poorly, not understanding the punctuation at all, but the recording itself was so bad that it sounded as if she had a mouthful of garbanzo beans. I stuck it out to the end because the story was great, but I often had to refer to my borrowed book to find out what was said. I slowed the speed to 8, but even then it was incredibly frustrating to listen to this garbled account. Couldn't they have found an English reader? I will never get another book read by this reader.

Overall just bad narration and boring story

First and foremost the narrator sounds like she just had 2 packs of cigarettes and then decided to read the story.

Overall story was alright but did not have me on the edge of my seat. Maybe 2 of the sisters were interesting but the rest were easily forgotten.

I would not recommend this book unless there is a high interest in WWII era or you have trouble sleeping.

The Mitford Sisters’ Social Calendar

Aside from a few years interesting details which were inevitable in the historical context, this book drones on like a social calendar from which seemed to be the main resource. The narrator sounds as bored as the story becomes. The privileged sisters seemed more ignorant in their naïveté than intelligent— such as sister Unity’s enthrallment with Hitler. Painful to hear. Can’t recommend it.

The narrator killed the story!

What made the experience of listening to The Sisters the most enjoyable?

I already broadly knew the story of the Mitford Sisters and looked forward to the details in this biography.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Sisters?

Specially the story of Decca and Esmond really touched me. It was beautiful.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator killed the story. Many times I had to rewind to find out what she said. Or she thought the sentence had finnished and the tone of her voice went down, only to find out that there were still some words she had forgotten ... Shame, really killed it for me

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I had thought I would be most touched by Nancy Mitfords story, but it was Decca's story that really moved me!

Any additional comments?

Please have someone else read the story again!!

Fascinating subject ruined by narrator

Amazing story and appallingly wooden narrator. She mispronounced words and paused in sentences where there was no pause making it almost nonsensical. Unbelievably bad and to be avoided. It says something for the content of the book that I was able to grit my teeth and get through 18 hours.

Life is stranger than fiction

I really enjoyed this book looking into all the lives of the Mitford family. The only thing I found irritating was that, although the American reader did a wonderful job pronouncing French words, she slaughtered the pronunciation of English locations including High Wycombe and Clovelly. It would have helped to get a little input from the locals.

Interesting story spoiled by narrator

The Mitford sisters had such interesting lives that these made for a very enjoyable tale told in interesting fashion by the author. It was somewhat spoiled for me by the narrator whose inability and inconsistency as well as her speech defect (Rs), delivered in a flat voice was distracting and irritating.

I love it .. my 1st audio book ..

I love it fascinating story .. I grew like with the narrator, I didn't know u can adjust the speed, it was 100% and I don't like it .. place it on 85% speed and it sound wonderful. I'm not much a reader, I love visual .. but hearing stories while doing house work turns out better than music, because u have to committed to one record. 👍🥰

Good story... Horrible narrator

It is unfortunate for the author that such an awful reader was given the job of presenting what could have been an interesting story.