Mistress of the Ritz

A Novel

By: Melanie Benjamin

Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat

Length: 11 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

A captivating novel based on the story of the extraordinary real-life American woman who secretly worked for the French Resistance during World War II - while playing hostess to the invading Germans at the iconic Hôtel Ritz in Paris - from the New York Times best-selling author of The Aviator's Wife and The Swans of Fifth Avenue.

"A compelling portrait of a marriage and a nation at war from within." (Kate Quinn, author of The Alice Network)

Nothing bad can happen at the Ritz; inside its gilded walls, every woman looks beautiful, every man appears witty. Favored guests like Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Coco Chanel, and the duke and duchess of Windsor walk through its famous doors to be welcomed and pampered by Blanche Auzello and her husband, Claude, the hotel’s director. The Auzellos are the mistress and master of the Ritz, allowing the glamour and glitz to take their minds off their troubled marriage and off the secrets that they keep from their guests - and each other.

Until June 1940, when the German army sweeps into Paris, setting up headquarters at the Ritz. Suddenly, with the likes of Hermann Goëring moving into suites once occupied by royalty, Blanche and Claude must navigate a terrifying new reality. One that entails even more secrets. One that may destroy the tempestuous marriage between this beautiful, reckless American and her very proper Frenchman. For in order to survive - and strike a blow against their Nazi "guests" - Blanche and Claude must spin a web of deceit that ensnares everything and everyone they cherish.

But one secret is shared between Blanche and Claude alone - the secret that, in the end, threatens to imperil both of their lives and to bring down the legendary Ritz itself.

Based on true events, Mistress of the Ritz is a taut tale of suspense wrapped up in a love story for the ages, the inspiring story of a woman and a man who discover the best in each other amid the turbulence of war.

Praise for Mistress of the Ritz:

“No one writes of the complexities of women’s lives and loves like Melanie Benjamin. In Mistress of the Ritz, Benjamin brings wartime Paris brilliantly to life.... Intense, illuminating, and ultimately inspiring!” (Elizabeth Letts, New York Times best-selling author of Finding Dorothy)

©2019 Melanie Benjamin (P)2019 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“In Mistress of the Ritz, Melanie Benjamin illuminates the little-known story of Blanche Auzello, the fiery American who, along with her French husband, secretly worked for the French Resistance while hosting senior German officials at their storied hotel. This meticulously researched and richly told story could only have been penned by Melanie Benjamin - already an icon of historical fiction, she has truly outdone herself. Important and inspiring!” (Pam Jenoff, New York Times best-selling author of The Lost Girls of Paris)

“This impeccably researched, lyrically told historical about a brash American woman and her French husband during WWII is a remarkable achievement.... Benjamin skillfully weaves in a host of historical figures - including Coco Chanel, alleged to be a Nazi sympathizer, and Ernest Hemingway - whose vibrant presences make Benjamin’s protagonists and engaging group of supporting characters shine all the more. Even readers who aren’t big fans of historical fiction might be swayed by this outstanding tale.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

“Benjamin’s new novel is a lively portrait of the opulent grand hotel which drew Picasso, Hemingway, Cole Porter - and Hermann Göring.” (Kirkus Reviews)

Wartime Paris

Loved this book! I am intrigued by WWII as it took place in the European Theater. The story of a French hotelier and his American flapper wife as they live through the twenties, thirties, and the German Occupation of Paris during WWII is fascinating. The author is a master of prose, using Paris and the opulent Ritz Hotel as the backdrop to their history. The reader, Barbara Rosenblatt, is a wonder! She is adept at articulating accents and voices -- both make and female. I heartily recommend this audio book!

Romance turned heroic

The book begins as a romantic story and slowly turns into a story of passion and resilience. The very unheroic protagonists become heroes of the resistance, survivors of Nazi occupation, and their own marital warfare. Based on true characters. Lovely and lively prose.

Narrator voice

I do not care for the narrators voice Barbara Rosenblatt sounds like a heavy smoker throughout

2nd half was good

I had a hard time with the beginning of the book. very descriptive and seemed too long until it got to more suspenseful thinga. in the end I did enjoy just thought it could be done on a more condensed version.

This is a great story

Her voice took some getting used to with my very "southern" ears but I loved the story. It keeps you interested with no lulls.

Timeless story set in time

An international marriage and their internal struggle with married life and their collective mistress, “The Ritz”, and their external struggle with the Nazi occupation of Paris.
Very relatable to those who have been married for several years , and who enjoy a good authentic historical read.

Loved it!

I loved this book. The characters just come alive for you especially with the narrator's voice. I thought she did an amazing job and I loved the way she said Popsie. You wont go wrong listening to this one.

Long, drawn out

Wanted to love this book. It starts out strong, and it could be the narrating that didn't do it for me. Seems to drag out much longer than needed. Appreciate the historical relevance and the story the Ritz played during this time. Blanche's character was a bit much - over the top and I think it was voice in this instance that didn't work for me. Didn't finish the last hour or so, couldn't hang in that long.

the story teller

just a great read! the story teller made the book come alive especially the main caratre

Too slow

I felt that the story was much too slow and boring.
The performance was very good.