Lady Clementine

A Novel

By: Marie Benedict

Narrated by: Elizabeth Sastre

Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's Summary

From Marie Benedict, the New York Times best-selling author of The Only Woman in the Room! An incredible novel that focuses on one of the people who had the most influence during World War I and World War II: Clementine Churchill. 

In 1909, Clementine steps off a train with her new husband, Winston. An angry woman emerges from the crowd to attack, shoving him in the direction of an oncoming train. Just before he stumbles, Clementine grabs him by his suit jacket. This will not be the last time Clementine Churchill will save her husband. 

Lady Clementine is the ferocious story of the ambitious woman beside Winston Churchill, the story of a partner who did not flinch through the sweeping darkness of war, and who would not surrender either to expectations or to enemies. 

Also by Marie Benedict:
The Only Woman in the Room
The Other Einstein
Carnegie's Maid

Praise for Lady Clementine:  

"Benedict is a true master at weaving the threads of the past into a compelling story for today. Here is the fictionalized account of the person who was the unequivocal wind beneath Winston Churchill's wings - a woman whose impact on the world-shaper that was WW2 has been begging to be told. A remarkable story of remarkable woman." (Susan Meissner, best-selling author of The Last Year of the War)

"The atmospheric prose of Marie Benedict draws me in every single time. Lady Clementine's powerful and spirited story is both compelling and immersive. Benedict fully inhabits the measured and intelligent voice of Clementine Churchill. Entranced throughout, I discovered the secrets behind a familiar story I thought I knew. Deftly moving from the early nineteen hundreds through World War II, Benedict skillfully paints a vivid picture of the times and life of Clementine, the remarkable woman who was the steady force beside Winston Churchill." (Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times best-selling author of Becoming Mrs. Lewis)

"In her latest novel, Lady Clementine, Marie Benedict has gifted us all with another thoughtful and illuminating behind-the-scenes look at one of history's most unusual and extraordinary women. Benedict stuns readers with a glorious assortment of Clementine Churchill's most personal secrets: her scandalous childhood, her unexpected role as a social outsider, her maternal insecurities, and the daily struggles she faces to smooth her husband's political blunders and to keep up with his relentless demands for guidance and attention. With a historian's eye and a writer's heart, Benedict provides an unforgettable glimpse into the private world of a brilliant woman whose impact and influence on world events deserves to be acknowledged." (Lynda Cohen Loigman, USA Today author of The Two-Family House and The Wartime Sisters)

©2020 Marie Benedict (P)2020 Audible, Inc.

Not a fan

This book very deliberately calls itself a novel but presents itself, throughout, like a biography, including the time-line framed chapters. As the book went on, it became more and more deeply a cringe-inducing tale of the brilliance of the leading lady. The book, written in first person, has Clementine Churchill telling us how she personally maneuvered, masterminded, and manipulated cunning successes for every political, diplomatic, and military event of her married life. I happen to admire Mrs. Churchill, who needs no awkward inflating of her role. For a very good book about Clementine Churchill, I suggest "Clementine" by Sonia Purnell.

Utter Tosh

Apparently Sir WSC would have not thought of a single thing without Clemmie. Would not have fought in WW1 without her pushing him to volunteer. Would not have pursued the Dardanelles. Would not have started painting. Amazing. I own all the books he’s ever written and all the books his daughter wrote and most biographies- and yet I was completely unaware that Clemmie was the brain behind the man. Don’t waste the credit.

Exceptional

I have read the biographies of Clementine Churchill (1885-1977). But this historical fiction brings this formidable woman to life.

The book is well written and researched. Winston and Clemmie were a definite power couple. She must have been an amazing woman to deal with the ups and downs of Winston, bear five children, manage a large household on a shoestring budget and deal with a constant stream of angry people left in Winston’s wake. I am a huge fan of Winston Churchill and with Clemmie being a key part of it, I have acquired a great deal of information about her over the years. I am sure the book was not written with someone like me in mind, but I thoroughly enjoyed examining how Benedict wove the history with the fiction. I think that Clemmie would have been a great politician and maybe even an exceptional prime minister. If you are looking for something a bit different, give this book a try.

The book is ten hours and forty-five minutes. Elizabeth Sastre does a good job narrating the book. This is my first experience listening to Sastre. Sastre is an English actress and audiobook narrator.

Fantastic— one sitting listen

I’ve been waiting for this book; it more than delivered. We think of Churchill as a singular man. Now, we know the truth: there is no Churchill without a Clementine, just as there is no Roosevelt without an Eleanor. Clementine was not elected to a post, but more than did her duty.

Chalk full of marriage, politics, and endurance, this book is for both women and men. And I’m glad Clementine has had her say. It seems to hit the nail on the head regarding the conversations and tone of those conversations between the Churchills. Also, I loved its deeper story of how Clementine had to learn to help her “nerves,” which were, in fact, caused by Churchill, despite their great love. He was just a big personality. It also deals with her Mommy guilt. All this packed into a fast paced treatment of the events from a wonderfully vocal and modern female voice.

One writing difference which may cause listeners to hit the back button a few times: the book is written in present tense with backstory in past tense. May Hilary Mantel’s legacy continue (think Wolf Hall); it helps make HF seem as if is unfolding before our eyes, rather than being so yesterday.

Churchill's Facilitator

This was very interesting, the story of Winston Churchill's wife, told in the first person. At first I was displeased with the apparent conceit of Clemintine, who seemed to believe that she was indispensable to her husband. I paused to research the couple a bit from on line resources and was amazed at how close they were. From then on, the story became more believable. Many, if not most, anecdotes are historically documented, but I was not aware of the strained relationship among the allied leaders during WWII. The narrator's voice was exactly as one would have imagined Clemmie's: the crisp, clear intonation of a Brit.

goes nowhere

I was considering several different books about clementine churchhill but I clearly chose the wrong one. I hung in there...listenening for more than 5 hours... but finally i just couldnt take it anymore. the characters seemed like characatures rather than real people. winston came across as a bellowing, vacuous blowhard and clementine was equally unlikeable. she came across as a shallow, privileged and self-absorbed woman. I felt no connection to either of them or to the story which was very disjointed and painfully slow to unfold.

Fascinating & Personal

I honestly knew nothing about Clementine Churchill before starting this book.
It’s a journal-style view of her life from Meeting Winston through the end of WWII. It encompasses their personal and political endeavors, while highlighting the friction and strife of being a woman, let alone a woman of power. Some of the best moments were the emotional family dynamics, layered in with a struggle to balance being a mother and serving her country. It goes to show that all families struggle with addiction, loss, and work-life balance.
Elizabeth Sastre does a great job carrying Clementine’s story, as well as all the family and interim characters. Her portrayals of the Roosevelts were my favorite.

Distracting narrator

I loved the story; the narration was good except for the incredibly frequent mispronunciations. Did anyone listen to this before it was released??? The mispronunciations were very distracting for me

Fascinating story!

I enjoyed the book and the narrator was EXCELLENT! I would definitely listen to more like this.

Tried. Can’t finish.

Sentimental rubbish. Everything viewed from a 21st century, psychopopfeminist perspective. And the sweet young narrator does not sound like an aristocrat.

Interesting point of view

Really enjoyed hearing about a massive part of the 20th century that I thought I knew but from another perspective. There were some odd bits in the recording. Also when compared to the Splendid and the Vile there were some bits I was surprised that were not covered. All in all a good listen and a great viewpoint on history

good book, poor narration

This excellent portrayal of an interesting woman iliving in interesting times is undermined by the narrator's childish way of reading and inability to maintain the accent.