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The Mitford Affair
The Mitford Affair: A Novel | Marie Benedict
21 posts | 16 read | 19 to read
"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 bestselling author of The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post From New York Times bestselling 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 sisterseach more beautiful, brilliant, and eccentric than the nextdominate 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
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AmyK1
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this one. I had never heard of the Mitford family before this and I had to Google all the things while reading 😂

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Kimberlone
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Late post for my final January #bookspin. I did finish my BookSpin (The Mitford Affair) but not my DoubleSpin. Still very proud that I finished 10 books last month!

KristiAhlers That's awesome! 10mo
TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Fantastic month!! 10mo
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Kimberlone
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Panpan

I 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.

TheBookHippie I cannot stand this author 😂😵‍💫🤷🏻‍♀️ but I‘m in the minority. 10mo
Kimberlone This my first by the author, but I‘m aware she is a prolific historical fiction writer. I will definitely not be seeking out anything else by her. How could a book about spying and Nazis be SO boring???? It took me over a month to finish this! 10mo
Karisimo This author‘s books always sound so good but then never deliver. I‘ve tried a few, but don‘t want to waste time on more. (edited) 10mo
See All 6 Comments
Kimberlone @Karisimo yeah so disappointing…if I hadn‘t bought it on kindle I probably would have DNF‘d 10mo
ChaoticMissAdventures Agree with @Karisimo I read the summary of her books and they always sound so good but she does not deliver for me, always too light on facts and the writing is too boring. 10mo
Karisimo @ChaoticMissAdventures glad to know I‘m not alone! 10mo
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Kimberlone
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January #BookSpin! I really fell off last year during the spring/summer, but I am excited for a blank slate this month!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Looks fantastic!! 11mo
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Maggie_Reads
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Pickpick

Written 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.

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Maggie_Reads
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Pretty sure all my TBR books still on my bookshelf are peeved now. #libraryhaul #itsstillhotoutside

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tpixie
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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.

DivineDiana I too am fascinated by the Mitford Sisters. My books are non fiction. These look like fun. Adding them all to my TBR. Just posted a memoir of Deborah Mitford! 1y
tpixie @DivineDiana ohh! I‘ll have to look! I‘d like to read some of their books as well as nonfiction. I haven‘t looked at the back of Marie Benedict‘s book, but Eliza Knight in the back of her book has great ideas for their books they wrote and non-fiction books. 1y
DivineDiana So would I. At this point, I only read one. It was a short Christmas themed story. Sadly, it was disappointing. Possibly, it was my frame of mind at the time. 🤷🏼‍♀️ (edited) 1y
tpixie @DivineDiana moods can certainly affect how we like a book. And sometimes older writing styles are hard to get used to. 1y
tpixie @readingjedi here are a few of the novels I read featuring Nancy Mitford. 9mo
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kspenmoll
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Pickpick

This 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.

Roary47 I really like that the book matches your background you put it on. Such a great color. 🥰💛 1y
kspenmoll @Roary47 It is a great color & cover!!! 1y
tpixie Great summary! Fun photo! 1y
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Sharpeipup
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Luckily the view made up for the disappointing read. ✈️

JamieArc Stunning 😍! 2y
AmyG Wow! 2y
Read4life Gorgeous! 2y
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KathyWheeler
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Pickpick

Marie 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.

jlhammar Sounds good. I have a collection of their letters to each other that is really fascinating. I also enjoyed this nonfiction 2y
KathyWheeler @jlhammar Thanks. I‘d like to read more about them. 2y
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KathyWheeler
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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.

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janeycanuck
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Pickpick

I 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!

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Aims42
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My top January read 💗💖💗

Thanks for the 2023 bracket @chasjjlee

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Aims42
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If 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….)

Aims42 I think I felt almost every emotion ranging from compassion to rage and so many others in between. Once you start (and after you write a sticky note to keep all their nicknames straight 🙄) you‘ll be hooked!! 2y
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angieinwonderland
Pickpick

Kudos 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.

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Aims42
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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!!

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Pretty 💜🤍 2y
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KristiAhlers
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Pickpick

I 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.

Aims42 Can‘t wait for this one! 🙌 2y
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okthislooksbad
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Pickpick

My 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. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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kspenmoll
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#300KBirthdayGiveaway
Thank you Lynn for your generosity! I would love to receive the tagged book.
Happy Birthday! We share this birthday month!

wanderinglynn Thank you! And thanks for entering! 2y
dabbe @wanderinglynn I just discovered you through @kspenmoll, so I just started following you. What an accomplishment on Litsy, Happy Birthday, and how lovely for you to celebrate with other Littens. Here's looking at a great 2023 in the community of reading! 😊 2y
wanderinglynn Thanks @dabbe 😘 2y
bnp Happy birthday! 2y
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kspenmoll
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#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...

Andrew65 All look good. 2y
DieAReader 🤓📚🥂♥️ 2y
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swishandflick
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I hope I'm right about this guess for the final #Aardvark clue because this book sounds so good! 🤞🏽

Breanne1 Ooooh I really hope you‘re right bc this one has been on my wish list for ages! 2y
swishandflick @Breanne1 Damn, I got this one way wrong! (edited) 2y
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