The Mitford Affair

A Novel

By: Marie Benedict

Narrated by: Emma Griffiths

Length: 10 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

"Plunges readers into a world of glamorous, charismatic young British debutantes and then turns that shiny world on its head...the most delicious storytelling." (Allison Pataki, New York Times best-selling author of The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post)

From New York Times best-selling author Marie Benedict comes an explosive novel of history's most notorious sisters, one of whom will have to choose: her country or her family?

Between the World Wars, the six Mitford sisters—each more beautiful, brilliant, and eccentric than the next—dominate the English political, literary, and social scenes. Though they've weathered scandals before, the family falls into disarray when Diana divorces her wealthy husband to marry a fascist leader and Unity follows her sister's lead all the way to Munich, inciting rumors that she's become Hitler's mistress.

As the Nazis rise in power, novelist Nancy Mitford grows suspicious of her sisters' constant visits to Germany and the high-ranking fascist company they keep. When she overhears alarming conversations and uncovers disquieting documents, Nancy must make excruciating choices as Great Britain goes to war with Germany.

Probing the torrid political climate in the lead-up to World War II and the ways that seemingly sensible people can be sucked into radical action, The Mitford Affair follows Nancy's valiant efforts to stop the Nazis from taking over Great Britain, and the complicated choices she must make between the personal and the political.

Also by Marie Benedict:

• The Other Einstein
• Carnegie's Maid
• The Only Woman in the Room
• Lady Clementine
• The Mystery of Mrs. Christie
• Her Hidden Genius

©2023 Marie Benedict (P)2023 Audible, Inc.

Fascinating

What a family! I found myself wondering what went wrong here? How could this happen? How could these smart, fabulous women fall prey to such evils? This is a great novel built on a foundation of truly shocking and utterly fascinating history.

Fascinating

Marie Benedict has written another great work. I could not put this compelling book down

Love Marie’s books, but…

I have read so many of Marie’s books and have been fascinated by the depth of knowledge, expansive descriptive vocabulary and the intense and complex drama she provides in her style of writing. Such a great talent. But this one left me disappointed only at the very end. I will assume after all of the research she has done for this she has knowledge of how yes storyline played out. I don’t understand why she didn’t close it up with a real end of story.

A Book of Now

This is Benedict’s best yet. It has so much heart, so much voice, and pitch-perfect examination of issues which haunt all of us now. Yes, you can read it as simply WWII build up historical fiction, or you can read it and think—ah. Not that you understand it that you see how it can happen, blind devotion to a “supreme” leader. And ask yourself, what-would-you-do. All with voices which stay well within their own character and time. Excellent.

Amazing!

Everything about this book was perfection! I was throughly intrigued and couldn't listen fast enough.

Great narrator, incomplete story

I enjoyed the unique storyline about Hitler's love life through a fictional lense, without the book being lovey-dovey. I think the author did a great job at character development. However, the story is incomplete and leaves an annoying feeling like, " What! It's done already!"
****spoiler alert beyond this line*************
I think there could've been more drama with respect to WW2, perhaps Nancy arriving at the truth - that her sisters deserve jail. I would've liked to see Diana and her husband with a severe punishment. I would've also liked to see Unity heal and become incredibly guilt conscience as well as go to jail for her choices, perhaps not as astringent of a punishment as Diana. Or another swing on things- Diana and her husband end up in the hospital due to an attack by the Nazis, letting them bear the burden of their mistakes, while Nancy gets to take care of her kids. All the while, Peter returning to father them.

The parallels of Nazi and today’s politics is uncanny

The way people from the same family, who truly love each other, can become polarized politically & philosophically and the blinders we wear to justify our allegiances, is brought to the forefront in this novel.

Ehhhhh

Unfortunately, this is not one of my favorites. I was really disappointed in the end of this book… just ending. I felt like there was no climax until the last “chapter” and there was no conclusion to the drawn out story. It just ended as a thought or rush to print! This book was highly recommended, by numerous book reviewers. So, I had huge expectations for a great read. I’ve read soooo many WWII (an embarrassing amount) books never on best selling list that are better than this read. At this point, I am convinced that book reviewers are paid off. I’m also not one to leave a review on books but I had to warn readers the disappointment. Nothing against the author. I know she has other great stories. I’m just going to have to recommend a pass for this particular book.

Passable

I struggled with this one. So, I actually went to the back of the book and read backwards. It helped somewhat. I felt I was drowning nazism and I just wanted the book to move on, for goodness sakes. I found myself getting sleepy while listening.

A thought provoking slice of history.

It was hard for me to like any of the characters except Nancy. After I finished the book, I googled the family. Marie Benedict’s version engaged the reader and made her audience wanting more.