I love Marie Benedict’s historical fiction books and her newest release (comes out next month) is wonderful as well. I think what I love most about her writing, is she takes some part of history that is not well known and tells the story beautifully.

This one is about The Mitford Sisters. It is told through the eyes of three of the them on the eve of WWII. They are all part of a wealthy British family (relatives of Winston Churchill). Two of these sisters land on the side of Fascism and one catches the eye of Adolph Hitler (the other was secretly married while Hitler was one of the few guests). I almost couldn’t believe that this part of history escaped me-but I spent quite a bit of time researching these sisters and a Benedict does a great job capturing them.

The third sister is torn between loyalty to her country and loyalty to her family.

My favorite line in the novel is “Does it matter as long as we think we are acting on the side of right and truth? Or must we be on the actual side of right?” This is a question that we as humans must constantly ask ourselves. And so often, we get it wrong.

Highly recommended this one.

I think I must have slept through my high school history classes, either that or the Mitford family, all seven siblings, just weren't very important when discussing the events that may or may not have affected England's entry into War World 2. Had my history classes discussed people like the Mitfords, maybe I would have stayed awake. It was interesting to me to read about this aristocratic family, cousins of the Churchills, and their relationships with each other and Hilter in the 1930s and 1940s. What was confusing was that the siblings, Tom, Nancy (Naunce), Pamela (Pam), Diana (Nard), Unity (Bobo), Jessica (Decca) and Deborah (Debo or Boud) had names and nicknames. I had to write them all down to keep them straight and remember who is who. Other than that, it is very interesting how close family sisters can develop such different political views for various reasons, so different in fact that one sister might have to disclose things about another that might get them jailed.

I was so very disappointed that I didn't enjoy The Mitford Affair! I was interested to get a glimpse into the life of such a famous family, but it felt like the reader was at such a distance. We only follow the stories of three out of six Mitfors sisters, and they all blend together and are rather bland. Social event, political gathering, over and and over. There wasn't much character development or contemplation. I also felt like the plot was leading to a dramatic climax, but the book more or less ended with a quiet whimper than a bang. So disappointing, especiallh because I have seen what high ratings and glowing reviewd Marie Benedict books usually get.

What a fascinating book. I usually avoid WWII books, but I like Benedict's writing and thought this would be interesting - and it was. The story centers on several of the infamous Mitford sisters, their relationships with each other, and their differing views on Hitler, fascism, and communism. Two of the sisters, Diana and Unity, were especially maddening, because they fully supported Hitler and believed every word that came out of his mouth. Although none of the sisters was very likeable, it did make for a fascinating story - and led my down a Wikipedia rabbit hole looking for information on the family. Many thanks to NetGalley. Ms. Benedict, and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC of this title.

When I started reading this I had to stop and go back and look at the title. I swear I have read this book once already! It is exactly the same as “The Mayfair Bookshop” and when I say the same I mean it is almost word for word the same, some of the passages are exactly like some in the Mayfair bookshop. It is weird, I have had to force myself to quit second guessing myself because I know I haven’t read this one yet. But I have read the same story before and it is almost exactly the same. So, that being said, I find it very hard to give an honest review. Needless to say I am disappointed. I expected something different not the same story that has already been told, especially from author Marie Benedict, whom is one of my favorite authors, I love her books and was really looking forward to this one. I couldn’t wait to see how she would portray the Milford’s. So disappointed to read the same book with a different name. I thought maybe it was only the beginning and would change but the more i read the more the story stayed the same.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and to Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.

The infamous socialite Mitford family must be one of the most interesting families to read and learn about, Six privileged debutante sisters and one brother all had very different personalities and varying political views. Scandal and intrigue followed them wherever they went, some more than others. The Mitford Affair takes place just before and during WWII, mostly in London. Accustomed to luxury, the Mitfords lost their financial footing when markets crashed and the siblings sought to earn their own way, whether through marriage or work. Politics, fascism. family, love, loyalty, obsession and secrets are hallmarks of this fascinating and at times infuriating family.

Compelling author Marie Benedict writes with incredible passion, sharp clarity and originality. Here she highlights the lives of three of the sisters, namely Nancy, Diana and Unity as they navigated life during devastating times. Writer Nancy wrote to earn money but also to escape and make sociopolitical points. She was aghast knowing her sisters Diana and Unity were impassioned Nazi sympathizers. Unity was star struck and obsessed with Hitler and develops a personal relationship with him which is impossible to comprehend. Diana, the most beautiful and scandalous of the family, also made her Nazi alliances known and openly had affairs while married. All of the family members were known for their intelligence and cleverness but their lives were not exempt from angst and tragedy.

Historical Fiction fans ought to prioritize this and the author's other novels. When you open a Marie Benedict novel you are stepping into another world!

My sincere thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this astoundingly fabulous book. Unmissable!

I am going to give this 4 stars because this story is so amazing, yet a difficult read for me because of the historical accuracy. The 6 Mitford sisters were very well known in pre WWII England.
2 of them became famous writers. Jessica who is not featured in this book as much, was a communist who came to America with her husband after a disastrous time in the Spanish Civil War.
She wrote an expose of the funeral industry and is probably the most well-known to Americans.
The book is told mainly from the point of view of Nancy, a relatively successful novelist who watched 2 of her sisters become fascists and then ardent Nazi's.
That is the difficult part of this book as we follow Diane and Unity to Germany as they are enamored of Hitler, and we watch the rise of Hitler through their eyes.
Winston Churchill plays an interesting roll, as his wife Clementine is a cousin of the Mitford's. (Benedict has written a book about her)
As I read the book, I kept googling the sisters to find out what happened to each of them.
Another major character in this book is Oswald Moseley, who was a famous British fascist. I have come across him in other books, and he is very difficult to read about in light of today's political atmosphere.
Be sure to pay attention to who is narrating each chapter, as the characters change with each chapter.
This may be a perfect book for our times as we see how some leaders can become powerful in their followers' minds and can sway them to their views. Unity's story and her absolute worship of Hitler is the most difficult to read. I had to put the book aside several times out of sheer anger.
Benedict writes historical fiction that is quite accessible , but the reader must remember the dialogue is invented.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the EARC. I will be recommending this to people.

Marie Benedict continues to write amazing historical fiction shedding light on strong and interesting women. This time she focuses on the six fascinating Mitford sisters during the 1930's leading up to World War II. I didn't know much about the Mitford family going into this book, but I learned so much in this book that made me want to delve deeper into their stories.

The book gives voice to three of the six sisters: Nancy, the oldest, who may be the most well known due to her published novels and biographies; Dianna, who married Sir Oswald Mosley, leader of the British Union of Fascists and a fan of Hitler; and Unity, who was virtually obsessed with Hitler. Dianna and Unity would eventually be an integral part of Hitler's inner circle, which made their perspectives both interesting and mind-boggling.

The story is told as rotating among the three voices, so we see political events and family drama through three sets of eyes. Although the three sisters had widely varying personalities as well as political views, they had a certain amount of loyalty to one another and to their country. It was enlightening to read each one's perspective, especially as they experienced the same events in different ways. As the story led up to World War II, we knew to some extent what would happen, but to see how the sisters' lives were impacted by the war and each other was completely engrossing.

I will recommend this widely to readers who appreciate historical fiction that deals with strong women, politics and family issues.

Many thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

An entertaining and highly-readable novel, told by Nancy, Diana, and Unity Mitford in alternating chapters, of the lead-up to the Second World War, Diana and Unity's close ties with Hitler, and Nancy's ambivalence about reporting their seditious activity to their cousin, Winston Churchill. Along the way, we see what familial and marital relationships might have been like amongst the family. We also get a peek into Nancy Mitford's possible process and motivation for writing her novels, particularly the ones relating to fascism: Wigs on the Green, Pigeon Pie, The Pursuit of Love, and Love in a Cold Climate.
Quick take:
An entertaining introduction to the lives of the unique Mitford sisters, likely to make readers hungry for more information about this privileged, plagued family.

This historical " fiction" novel deals with a family that I had heard of, but really didn't know that much about in a time period that I knew little about. I really wasn't aware that there was a nazi sympathizer group in England and that two of the Mitford sisters were part of it. But I think what surprised me most was the "humanizing" of Hitler which showed how he charmed some people to follow him and eventually convinced the German citizens that his way was the right way. Ms. Benedict captures the glittering time between the wars with country homes, city flats, and debutante balls with the contrast of diminishing fortunes, blackout curtains, and political intrigue. This book has made me want to find out more about the Mitford sisters (and brother), what happened to them and the lasting effects of Diana's encounter with Nazism. As usual Marie Benedict has taken some little known figures and made them interesting and human.

Interesting fictional account of the Mitford family of England during the time leading up to and including WWII. Very well researched as usual by Marie Benedict, the story mainly surrounds three of the sisters, two of whom are drawn into the fascist realm that leads to Hitler and the Germans as WWII commences. This puts them in conflict with the other sister, Nancy, who is true to England and their cousin Clemmie, who happens to be the wife of Winston Churchill. Nancy is the writer in the family and tries to convince her sisters that the fascists are up to no good and will not be good for England, but they have other ideas, mostly romantic ones in their idyllic fascist dreams.

Marie Benedict, in my mind a 5 star author, doesn't seem at her best with The Mitford Affair. I have to wonder, did I really not so much care for this storyline, or have I been so spoiled by her wonderfully pleasing novels thus far, that it's hard to compete..

Ms. Benedict has always taken female characters who struggle their ways through adversity to come out as strong, independent heros. This was not the case in The Mitford Affair.

This time around I found the 3 leading ladies shallow, weak, and selfish. I was unable to relate to the 3 sisters and their drive toward political power, let alone 2 sisters in full support of Hitler and his regime. Their beliefs, relationships, and behaviors were for the most part dry, greedy, and shameful Their personalities were not likeable and their relationship as sisters lacked in terms of familial cohesion and respect.

Although I would not necessarily recommend this book, I will stand by every other release by Ms. Benedict. They can't all be perfection. I'm already looking forward to her next novel.

Thank you to Netgally for the opportunity to read and review this title.

#netgalley #themitfordaffair

It's been a bit since I've read a historical fiction book, and picking up a book by Marie did not disappoint! I love her writing style and how she tells a story.

Marie Benedict does it again! Another wonderful read centering on three of the six Mitford Sisters, Diana, Unity and Nancy. Before the start of World War II, these English debutantes embark in a world of politics and the decisions they make will cross family and country lines. We are taken into the the English high society with the famous Mitford sisters and how they live, the men that influence them and the choices they make. Is it their standing in society which lures them into fascism and fascination with Hitler or is it sister envy? The author takes us into the culture of the time. It is unsettling to know the extent of Unity's fascination or love for Hitler, the drive of Diana for her fascist lover and Nancy who tries to determine where her loyalty lies.. Rife with romance, mystery and true events will have you reading from start to finish. I highly recommend this book.

I love reading Marie Benedict's historical fiction and The Mitford Affair didn't disappoint. This time she takes on the real life Mitford sisters from England in between World Wars I & II.

Nancy is the oldest sister and is a novelist who writes light-hearted family comedies somewhat based on her own family and the socialites they spend time with. Diana is married with two children and a well-known entertainer in London up until she falls for the head of the Fascist movement in England. She chooses Tom Mosley over her husband and in the process becomes a big fan of Hitler. Their sister Unity is such a huge fan of Fascism and Hitler that she finagles a way to move to Munich in order to be closer the the man she adores.

Their are three more sisters and a brother who have smaller roles in this book, although the sister who is a fan of communism makes for interesting family get-togethers. It is Nancy's internal conflict that carries through the book. She knows things about her sisters' lives and actions that could be a help to the British Government but she is unable to pass that information on until after war has been declared against Germany.

I found it difficult to read the sections on Unity and to a smaller degree Diana. They both knew Hitler on a personal basis and thought him charming, no matter how he treated other people. Their undying support of Hitler reminds me of some people today who are willing to blindly follow a leader no matter what they say or do.

I recommend this book, it is important to try to understand how history happened so we can hopefully not repeat it. It is also amazing what these strong women were able to accomplish, even if I can't agree with it all.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for this honest review.

Pub date: 1/17/23
Genre: historical fiction, books about sisters
One sentence summary: The Mitford sisters are front and center as England prepares for war with Hitler and Germany, with Unity and Diana on the side of the fascists, and novelist Nancy suspicious of their dark plans.

I love historical fiction, and Marie Benedict is one of my favorites! I had heard of the Mitford sisters and the controversy surrounding them, but I had no idea how deep the rabbit hole went. It was unsettling to read how Unity and Diana became obsessed with fascism, Unity through Hitler's cult of personality and Diana through her relationship with British fascist leader Oswald Mosley. I think Benedict handled these unsympathetic characters well - she didn't excuse their deplorable actions, but she did allow the reader a view into their heads.

The book switches among the three sisters' perspectives, and the short chapters helped the plot move forward quickly. Benedict did a great job building the sense of foreboding as England got closer to war, and once I got close to the end, I couldn't stop reading.

I think WWII historical fiction fans will enjoy this one. 4+ stars!

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Review scheduled for January 12/23]
Marie Benedict has another historical fiction novel for us, this time focusing on three sisters, Nancy, Diana and Unity Mitford.

For those not familiar with the Mitfords, they were a family of six daugters (and a son, Tom), cousins of Winston Churchill by marriage, who made a splash in their day. Youngest sister Deborah (Debo) became the Duchess of Devonshire!

But this novel focuses on the years leading up to WWII as Diana and Unity claim more than a passing affinity for fascism; Diana via her relationship with the English fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley and Unity via hers with Adolf Hitler. Nancy tries to figure out how seriously she should take their attraction to fascism as Great Britain faces war with Germany.

Like her previous novels, The Mitford Affair is written in short chapters on certain dates, making it easy to read in short sittings although I would have preferred to read it in longer chunks of time. I felt like I was losing the emotional threads Benedict was weaving because it was easy to jump in and out of the book at natural pauses. When I had time to read it in a more significant stretch of time, I was struck by the emotional nuance of Nancy's relationship to their mother in particular, as well as the complicated dynamics within all sister relationships, even ones not muddied by differing ideologies.

So the really uncomfortable part of this novel for me (and for the author as well as she makes clear in her Author's Note) was being so up close and personal with Hitler as he's playing the part of gentleman for Unity and the beautiful, poised Diana. Unity in particular is obsessed with him in a romantic sense and it was just ick to read that even though I know that that's what the real Unity likely thought.

Still, when I gave myself the time with this one, I really enjoyed it. Marie Benedict proves once again that she is adept at giving voice to women in history, even less than savoury ones in this case.

Like all good historical ficton novels, this one will without a doubt send you down a Google rabbit hole as you'll want to know what happened to the sisters after the book ends in the early days of the war. If you're looking for a nonfiction companion book to read with this one, I can recommend Sisters: The Saga of the Mitfords by Mary S. Lovell.

Thanks to SourceBooks via NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Mitford Affair is the continuation of the 6 Mitford Sisters known as "The Bright Young Things." This was my first opportunity to read a book about the sisters, and I'm not sure that it worked in my favor. While I enjoyed the style of writing from the author, Marie Benedict, I had a hard time with the storyline and somewhat lack of plot. I found the majority of the characters to be quite unlikeable at times and the story often got overlooked by the telling of events, rather than a plot line. I do wonder that if I read the books in order if I would have a better understanding of the sisters and if they would be more likeable, but I'm not sure that would help this particular book.
I did enjoy the historical aspect of the story. I'm always a sucker for WWII stories, and love stories of loyalty and allegiance, so that quickly hooked me in. I'm definitely interested in reading some of the authors previous stories about the sisters, but for now, this one was a pass for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC. The review and opinions are my own

The Mitford Affair takes a different approach to World War II writing from the perspective of a British family with Nazi supporters and ties to Winston Churchill. Told in alternating perspectives of three of the Mitford sisters, we learn about the two Hitler fans and the one who tries to help them open their eyes to the truth.

Although I normally like WWII novels, and I’ve read and enjoyed several Marie Benedict novels, this one fell flat for me. It wasn’t until the last third of the book where small acts of subterfuge finally created momentum that I got to the point of can’t put the book down. The first two thirds of the book was a bit tedious for me. I realize I am in the minority with my opinion, so perhaps its just me.

Thank you to Netgalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and of course Marie Benedict for the advanced copy of the book. The Mitford Affair is out on January 17th. The Other Einstein still reminds my favorite Marie Benedict novel. All opinions are my own.

If you are a fan of World War II fiction, but what something different than many of the novels out there, then The Mitford Affair will be an excellent choice. Marie Benedict crafts the story of the six Mitford sisters, and their various lives during WWII. The ties of family are tested as the lead character, Nancy, decides where here loyalties should lie--with country or with family. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance e-galley.