The Mitford Affair: A Novel | 
panI rated this 2 ⭐️ on GR and 2.5 on SG. This was just not it. I really enjoyed Nancy Mitford‘s Pursuit of Love & Love in a Cold Climate, so I was really interested in learning more about her and her family, whom many of the characters in her autobiographical novels are based on. Read like a narrative Wikipedia article. It was impossible to root for any of the characters: Nancy is so passive & woe-is-me, while Diana and Unity are straight up Nazis.
pickWritten from the viewpoint of Nancy, the eldest and a socialist, and in the third person telling us how sisters Diana and Unity become darlings of Hitler and spokeswomen for Facism and Nazism until Great Britain declared war on their hero which lead to their downfall. A picture of how politics can divide families and form loyalties with dire consequences. A very interesting read.
Pretty sure all my TBR books still on my bookshelf are peeved now. #libraryhaul #itsstillhotoutside
I loved reading these books about the Mitford sisters. They were strong, independent women. Nancy was a sharp- tongued writer; Diana, a fascist, wanted to lead a meaningful life, but had to do so by being the woman behind the man; and Unity was also a fascist and adored Hitler. Jessica was a communist, Deborah became a Duchess (and in- law to Adele (& Fred Astaire); and Pamela a countrywoman & anti-Semite.
pickThis novel is about the infamous Mitford sister‘s love for each other & their complicated bonds.The voices of 3 sisters tell their story:writer Nancy,fascist Diana,& Hitler lover Unity.The backdrop is the time in between the 2 World Wars(1932-40).Political allegiances & choices deeply affect their sister love as each one defines & defends her stance. Betrayal,espionage,treason, imprisonment,& suicide tests their love in a world turned upside down.
Luckily the view made up for the disappointing read. ✈️
pickMarie Benedict tells the stories of 3 of the 6 Mitford sisters in this novel — Nancy, Diana, and Unity. Unity and Diana were fascists and Nazis. Unity can be accurately described as a Hitler fangirl, and it is her story that I find the most difficult to comprehend, and Benedict said it was difficult for her to write. Diana is a bit more mercurial and devious. Ultimately, with Nancy, the novel asks us to think about where our loyalties lie.
Today is a rainy, lazy, reading day for me. I know little about the Mitfords except that some of them espoused Nazi and fascist views.
pickI really enjoyed how Benedict started out by rotating through the three sisters‘ perspectives on the same day. She also does a really good job of working in the historical details you need to know without feeling like she‘s spoon-feeding you the info. A great read!
My top January read 💗💖💗
Thanks for the 2023 bracket @chasjjlee
pickIf you want a character-driven novel that will fascinate you and force you to think, “What would you do for your sister?”, this book is IT! This beautifully crafted book walks the line perfectly of introducing this crazy family to new readers, but also making it satisfying for history buffs familiar with their antics (continued in comments….)
pickKudos to this amazing author for being able to write from these difficult and opposing points of view in such a trustworthy way. I learned things I did not know about the Mitford family in history in a way that exposed very complicated family dynamics. She explored the idea of a political divide in a family in such a way that really makes you think. I think it was good but I didn't love it like her others.
So excited for Marie Benedict‘s latest book, “The Mitford Affair” 💖💕💖 💕💖💕💖💕💖
It‘s cold and damp in the Chicagoland area (but with zero snow, unlike my family in Iowa, so no complaints from me 🤐), so I‘m looking forward to snuggling up with this tonight!!
pickI have to admit this one was slow to start. Slow with a capital S. But I stuck with it as it‘s Marie Benedict and sometimes this is the case with her books. However I was familiar with these women and let me tell you this book when it does find its stride does so with enthusiasm. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read. This title will be available in a few weeks.
pickMy last read of 2022 was... an experience.
The first 30% were slow, so slow I very nearly DNF'ed several times - doesn't help that I went in blind with no prior knowledge of the Mitfords, because that family is... a lot. It picked up, however, and I really enjoyed the last half. Spanning the years 1932-1941 and told from three perspectives (Nancy, Diana and Unity), these are just some very unlikeable characters doing very unlikeable things. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
#300KBirthdayGiveaway
Thank you Lynn for your generosity! I would love to receive the tagged book.
Happy Birthday! We share this birthday month!
#winterreadathon #winterreadathondailychallenge
I could not choose just one book I am looking forward to reading in 2023, but I had to stop. Another pick is I am Black So You Don‘t Have To Be, by Colin Cape. All chosen from The Guardian‘s list, except for The Mitford Affair.
I am so excited Deborah Crombie is publishing a new book in this fabulous series!
https://amp.theguardian.com/books/2022/dec/31/2023-in-books-highlights-for-the-y...
