Despite what many people thought at the time, Wallis Simpson was not a manipulator and was driven by force outside of control. This does not mean that she did not love Prince Edward. I like that this book was a sympathetic look at a woman who was involved in a major change in the line of succession.

Wallis Simpson was one of the most notorious women of the 20th century. She is best known for convincing Edward VIII to give up his crown in order to marry her. However, in the latest biography of Wallis Simpson, Anna Pasternak sheds a different light on this enigmatic duchess. The Duchess of Windsor is largely portrayed as a victim and pawn of Edward VIII. The American Duchess tells the story of a woman locked in an unhappy marriage that was not of her own making and one that she could not escape from.

I have read a few biographies of Wallis Simpson, the most recent by Andrew Morton and Anne Sebba, and have found Wallis to be very unlikable. This latest biography proves to me to be the most sympathetic biography of her, and it is clear that the biography dearly loves her and tries to justify her actions. The American Duchess does not portray the Duchess of Windsor as an ambitious woman that wanted to be Queen of England. Instead, the biography depicts Wallis as a reluctant woman who did not want to receive Edward VIII’s advances. She loved her second husband, Ernest Simpson and did not want to divorce him until Edward VIII’s pursuit of her forced her to have no choice. The American Duchess also tells us that Edward VIII’s abdication was a manipulative way to get Wallis to marry him because after he let go of his crown, Wallis had no choice but to marry Edward. Throughout the biography, Edward VIII is shown as a cunning, manipulative, and obsessive prince who is used to getting everything he wants. Wallis Simpson is unfortunately nothing more than his unwilling pawn.

Overall, I thought this biography did not really do justice to Wallis Simpson. I thought the real Duchess of Windsor was more complex than what was shown in this biography. I think Wallis was more in control of her own life than what this biographer would have us to believe. By trying to defend Wallis’s every action, I felt that it diminished her character because Wallis Simpson was a larger than life figure. I believe that she was ambitious and craved for wealth and power. The American Duchess may bring curiosity to fans of royalty that would want a different perspective of the Duchess of Windsor, but for those that want a detailed and balanced biography, I suggest that they skip this and look elsewhere.

Maybe I just didn't have a deep enough interest in the subject matter to really get into this book, but I found it rather boring and bogged down in minutiae. It is interesting to consider that Wallis was not solely responsible for the situation and maybe wasn't the manipulative schemer that she is usually portrayed as, but ultimately, I couldn't find much sympathy for either party in the affair.

Royals. Love them. I seriously believe it's my 82% Brit roots, according to Ancestory DNA. I continue to love the comings and goings of all of them, and respect their ability to help bring good to things that may not have gotten attention. 

That said, I am obsessed with Wallis Simpson. I have read everything I can on the woman who was hated by Americans and Brits alike. She has been described as a "wanton woman", a "hussy", and a gold digger.  This book continues to dig into the real Wallis Simpson and reveals a different gal altogether. 

The Real Wallis SImpson: A New History of the American Divorcee Who Became the Duchess of Windsor is a compelling book that outlines Wallis and her early history from a troubled family from Baltimore. Being a B'More girl myself, I have actually found the block where she lived, I am so interested in this fascinating story that changed the world.  She grew up in a family who was at one time wealthy and recognized the need to "marry well", by debutante balls and only cavorting with the wealthiest of Baltimore's families. 
So many conjectures about her sexuality, from being asexual, to being involved with women and multiple partners. We probably won't know that part ever, but it leans towards being quite the prude. 
Abused physically and emotionally during her first marriage, Wallis married Ernest Simpson and outwardly appeared to have a lovely marriage built on true friendship. Ernest was wealthy and got invited to events where eventually he and his wife were introduced to the then future King of England. 
It's said that the Prince was immature and emotionally stunted.  He began to obsess on Wallis and invited she and Ernest to his parties and weekend adventures. This book chronicles letters of Wallis and others to state that the King chased her. She wasn't interested in him, but over years, the relationship became obsessive, and Wallis couldn't find a way out. 

I loved this book, as it showed a different side of Wallis, although other books have also given us this interpretation of the whole affair. What is new here, is the way that history was changed, for the better, as Edward was likely a Nazi sympathizer, likely because of being  outcasted from the royal family.
According to this author's research and writing, Wallis made her life  to serve the Duke of Windsor and to make him happy. Even an outcast, they had a happy life together, because of her. 
I give this book five stars for the amazing amount of research and it's ability to lead the story throughout her life. Wallis may have saved England from disaster from siding with Germany, by simply marrying Edward. Maybe we should all start to praise Wallis, rather than think of her as a gold digger that ruined the royal lineage. 

Go buy it!  So worth it. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  #TheRealWallisSimpson #NetGalley

The Real Wallis Simpson by Anna Pasternak is a fantasticically researched read. Thanks to the Netflix series “The Crown”, many of us have a new regained interest in the Monarchy. Wallis Simpson was the woman who fell in love with Prince ‘Edward and eventually is the woman who he left the throne for. This book tells the story different from the popular viewpoint of what is know about Wallis as the villain and showed that it was more Edward as the manipulator or maybe it was just the fate of his line or how how he was raised. It is great to see all the research and documents that went into this book and made it a very interesting read no matter what your finally conclusion may be.

Those new to Wallis Simpson's life story will enjoy this book far more than readers who indulge their passion for this scandal from every direction. There is only so much left to be discovered after so many works about her life and relationship. I did enjoy the facets of Wallis writing and rewriting her own history to obscure some of her not-so-admirable choices and expressions. This story carries many themes that are especially fiery and relevant today, which is likely why people have such a passion for these characters in history. It's a bit slow, but you'll find some gems within.

I enjoyed this book. Pasternak' extensively researched her subject. She quotes personal letters, interviews with close friends of Wallis and Edward, news reports, letters from government officials, royal letters, documents, etc. . I came away with a better sense of who they were both individually and as a couple as well as their underlying motivations for their actions.

Pasternak did not convince me that Wallis Simpson was a victim or that she was forced to marry Edward as she contends in the book. I now view Edward as more of a victim of his parents and the monarchy than I did previously. If you have an interest in British or royal history, and how these events changed the history of England, you will enjoy this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Farce or Tragedy?

Prince Edward and Wallis Simpson. Either a Shakespearean farce or a tragedy from beginning to end.
I have always held some skepticism and admittedly a few prejudices towards Wallis and Edward and their so called fairytale romance. The man who gave up his kingship for the woman he loved.
Pasternak paints a different picture from what I was used to and I must admit to being touched, particularly at Wallis' last days and the pettiness of the court in not letting her be referred to as HRH in those latter years.
Embattled on all sides, determined to marry Wallis, Edward steamed ahead and to some extent his bluff was called. I did shed some tears at the end struck by the misery that Wallis, a perectionist was forced to endure. And I did admire that Edward refused a morganatic marriage. He wanted to be honest with his subjects and true to his idea of marriage. Pasternak won me a tad more to Edward's side with that revelation.
The abdication seems to entail a complexity of situations, missed opportunities, and misjudgement on all sides. As it's told, Baldwin didn't want Edward to be king and the intelligence community also had their doubts about him. Winston Churchill wanted him to hang in there. The royal courtiers are blamed as are the Queen Mother and Queen Elizabeth for the continued angst and pettiness towards the couple. I understand why the Royal Elizabeth's were cross enough to cut Edward off the Christmas list, and why Wallis was obviously 'that woman.'
So Pasternak had me examining my feelings towards Wallis and Edward, and even the idea of them being Nazi sympathizers was questioned, although being self absorbed was not! From Pasternak 's point of view they were just being used. And yet they were close friends of Diana Mosley and the Mitford sisters, met with Hitler and some of his henchman. In fact Edward delighted in the way he and Wallis were treated royally on their visit to Germany. And it seems Edward really only wanted to speak German. He admired them and apparently even after the generosity of the French Government towards the couple, Edward still mostly spoke in German. Edward just doesn't come across as being empathetic to the times and occasions. Self absorption is a way of life.
However the normal man in the street loved him. They felt understood by him. The reports of his meetings with the workers paint an admirable picture.
I still maintain that if Wallis was as canny as indicated, she would have known what was going on, or did Wallis and Edward live too much in their own little cocooned world with its secretive language and endless letters. And oh my, the money Edward spent on jewelry for Wallis!
Wallis however still remains an enigma. Did she really just go along for the ride until she found herself in so deep she couldn't get out?
I must say though I was enthralled by the fashion discussions. Anything cut on the bias always says sleek and stylish to me, and Wallis was definitely a fashion diva.
There's some great reported throwaway lines by the couple.
In this day and age their actions wouldn't have turned a hair. But back in the 1930's they scandalized the rest of the world, and the English nation, when the press finally stopped being gentlemanly.
So where am I? I still don't like them, but I had moments of being sorry for them and the choices they made. Choices that dug them into a hole a little deeper each time.
Am I glad Edward didn't remain as king. Yes, despite Pasternak's well researched presentation. Do I have more sympathy with, and understanding of Wallis Simpson despite still not really liking her, Yes!

An Atria Books ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars for the research but I DNF at 35%. I wanted to love this book, and the writing and research is phenomenal. I was very curious to learn more about Wallis Simpson and her role in Edward's abdication. I lived in the same neighborhood that she did in Baltimore. However, and this is NO fault of the author, I couldn't stand to read about their lackadaisical approach to marriage and commitment. I know this book was written in defense of Wallis, but there was nothing endearing about her, Mr. Simpson, or Edward. Wallis's husband was equally to blame.

I gave this book a 5 out of 5 star review. It was an enjoyable and I would recommend. to others. Generously provided to me through NetGalley

A well written book that I became completely absorbed by. Well sourced, new interviews, lush new details about the Duchess's proclivity for jewels, French couture, lavish dinner parties and facelifts. Colorful details about the lifestyle she and the Duke pursued as they lived in exile from the UK. It came to haunt them and a laminated grief became their face mask. Vodka assuaged their angst in later years. It was a lonely life and bitter end.
The author tries to convince the reader that Wallis was really the victim here but on multiple occasions she could have walked away from the Duke's intoxicating partying and royal lifestyle.
It seemed like a no-win for both of them.
Buy it, read it.

The story of Wallis Simpson's infamous affair with the Prince of Wales in the 1930s that led to Edward VIII abdicating the throne after only 326 days as King of England has been told again and again. Simpson has been portrayed as everything from a gold digger to a whore to even a Nazi spy. Wallis Simpson was not a saint...she was a twice divorced American and an independent woman with a strong personality in a time where that was not fashionable. In The Real Wallis Simpson, Anna Pasternak strives to dig past gossip and media spin to get to the real woman. What was Wallis Simpson really like? Why did she get involved with Edward? Was their relationship really the romantic story it has been portrayed to be?

According to Pasternak, Wallis Simpson did not really want to marry the Prince of Wales. The situation got out of control and she was forced into a divorce and marriage she didn't really want. Pasternak, and other historians, now believe that the affair was pushed into marriage by the royal family and others because Edward's immature behavior, reckless spending, and lack of attention to responsibility made him a poor king. Getting him to abdicate and marry Wallis Simpson passed the crown on to his brother, who was a more stable choice. But, it left Wallis Simpson stuck.....she missed the husband she was forced to divorce and was forced into exile with an often moody, immature Edward.

Kinda changes the story a bit doesn't it?

I will admit I believed the decades of gossip. I always believed Simpson was a twice-divorced sex pot who set her eyes on the Prince and wheedled her way into his head til she got what she wanted. But after reading this book, I have to change my mind. I believe Simpson was flattered by the attention and liked the dinners, gifts, parties, and social position it gave her to be recognized as a friend/companion of the Prince of Wales. She expected the attention to continue until Edward got tired of her....then he would move on to another interest and she could return to her life and her marriage. But that didn't happen. Edward became obsessed with her....spending more and more money on her, demanding more and more of her time, calling multiple times a day, demanding her attention...... The situation rapidly got out of control, became a public scandal, and then there was no way for Wallis to get out of it. She played a game with very powerful people and she lost. It doesn't change the fact that she was willing to play the game....she was married,but carried on a very public relationship with Edward anyway. She loved the money and the social standing. So, she was no saint. But she wasn't a complete devil woman either. She was portrayed that way because at the time women were not supposed to be strong, intelligent, or independent.

I enjoyed this book. Pasternak definitely did a lot of in-depth research. She quotes news reports, personal letters, interviews with friends of Wallis, Edward and others, letters from government officials, royal letters and documents, etc. At one point she quotes a member of the royal family as saying that it wasn't Simpson they despised, but Edward.

So interesting! I'm going to read it a second time, and then re-watch some documentaries I've seen on the affair and the aftermath, and come out with a much more informed, fair opinion on Edward's abdication. I feel guilty for believing that Simpson was a horrid person who jumped above her class and nearly toppled the monarchy....that was unfair and uninformed. I'm not sure I'm willing to believe that Edward was a complete weak-willed, narcissistic ninny though until I read more and weigh out the facts. I do realize now that Simpson might have been a pawn in a much bigger game and didn't realize it until it was too late....then she had to follow through.

I'm definitely going to read more by this author. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Atria Books via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

Wallis Simpson is reviled as the woman who seduced/bewitched/charmed the king of England into marrying her so she could be queen. Nothing could be further from the truth, according to author Anna Pasternak.
Wallis believed she was Edward’s flavor of the month. He would soon find someone else and leave her behind. In the meantime, she enjoyed his attention and her fling in high society. Then she would be content to return to a quiet life with her husband, Ernest Simpson.
Edward was captivated by the direct way she spoke to him, and the genuine interest she showed in his life as Prince of Wales. When he insisted on marrying her, and abdicating if that was the only way, she urged him not to. She didn’t want to marry him, but he was determined.
Edward was self-absorbed, immature, and reckless. The British establishment had doubts about him being king. Even his father felt his second son, Bertie, had better prospects. Yet when Edward abdicated, they attacked Wallis, a twice-divorced American. She certainly didn’t deserve their cruelty.
She wasn’t guiltless, though. She was a married woman who had no business fooling around with the king. Her husband was supposed to be okay with it, proud as any husband would be that his wife was singled out by the Prince of Wales. And Wallis divorced Ernest, clearing the way for Edward to marry her. She should have left England.
Edward believed their exile would be short-lived. Within a year, they’d be back in England, living as genteel aristocracy living a leisurely life of house parties and shooting parties. He would take his place alongside his brothers, supporting Bertie as King George VI and performing royal duties. His wife, naturally, would be made Her Royal Highness.
It didn’t happen.
Their lives in exile lacked purpose. Had Edward known how useless he’d become, would he have abdicated? His devotion to Wallis never failed. She grew to love him and sought to make him happy. After reading of all their foibles, one word comes to mind: pathetic.