The Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict

Marie Benedict is known for bringing readers the fascinating stories of the lives of real women throughout history. In The Mitford Affair, she brings us into the lives of the Mitford sisters, prominent British socialites in the years leading up to World War II. Two of the five sisters are infamous for being close friends of Adolph Hitler, publicly sympathizing with the Nazi party prior to the outbreak of war. Benedict focuses on three of the six Mitford sisters: Unity, who moved to Germany to be close to her hero, Adolph Hitler; Diana, who divorced her wealthy husband to be with the leader of the fascist movement in Great Britain, Oswald Mosley, and Nancy, who wrote dimly veiled caricatures of Unity and Mosley, among others, in her novels.

Chapters alternate between Unity, Diana, and Nancy. I was quickly able to distinguish between the two sisters and despite there being many characters, never felt confused about who was who. I do find it odd that while Unity and Diana’s chapters are in third person, Nancy’s chapters are written in first person. Nancy is obviously the most sympathetic of the three: after a brief flirtation with the fascist party, she quickly decides she is not a fascist and is appalled as she watches her two sisters become close friends with Hitler. Perhaps Benedict wrote her character in first person because it is easier to see her point of view than to put one’s self inside the head of an admirer of Hitler. It was still jarring though to go from third person writing to first person writing and always took a moment to get used to switching back and forth.

I first learned about Unity Mitford when she made an appearance in one of the novels of Sulari Gentill’s excellent Rowland Sinclair series, Paving the New Road. I was very curious about her and so was delighted to find that Marie Benedict had told her story. I enjoyed this book but am left with a lot of curiosity about the Mitford sisters, I particularly would have liked to hear more about Jessica, “Decca”, who was a communist and volunteered in Spain before moving to the US. She was also the sister that was apparently closest to Unity despite their opposite political views.

It’s really interesting to read about real life women who chose to support abhorrent political views and to see them still portrayed as relatable in ways. Diana was a devoted wife and mother with a brilliant mind. Unity was perhaps a restless young girl who felt out of place in British society and found a purpose in her obsession with Nazism. There is no forgiving their views but a discussion of how they came to them in the form of this novel makes for a compelling reading experience. This book made me want to delve further into the lives of the Mitford sisters, it left me wanting more in what I consider a good way.

The Mitford Affair is a historical novel with even more real life historical characters than you might normally expect. Marie Benedict has obviously researched this book thoroughly. The book opens with the Mitford Sisters participating in a ball that befits their status and the times in early 1900 English society that they live in. Some of the sisters, as history confirms, become fervent admirers of Hitler and his teachings. Benedict does an admirable job of guiding the reader, to understand how this might happen.

Thank you to Net Galley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a sumptuous cover... it's lush, and vivid, and if it were a cake in a bakery, this would be the cake I would purchase.

The six Mitford sisters were the Bright Young Things of their time, and fixtures in British society during the interwar period. Their eccentric upbringing meant that they were largely left to their own devices, developing into strong-minded individualists with a tight bond, which would later be ripped apart due to warring ideologies. They served as inspiration to the artists of their day, who immortalized them in paintings and poems, and they continue to remain a source of fascination - just look at the number of biographies, historical fiction novels, movies, documentaries, and series centered around (or inspired by) them.

The Mitfords were both celebrated and reviled throughout their lives, and described succinctly by journalist Ben Macintyre as "Diana the Fascist, Jessica the Communist, Unity the Hitler-lover; Nancy the Novelist; Deborah the Duchess, and Pamela the unobtrusive poultry connoisseur" (good old Pamela #nodrama).

Marie Benedict always does a wonderful job capturing the mood and spirit of a time and place, and brings the interwar period to life in vivid detail. Given how much ground there is to cover in a book about six people whose collective lifespan spanned a century, and included the most recognizable names and events of that century, Benedict smartly keeps her scope manageable by focusing on a tight timeframe (the years preceding WWII) and just three of the Mitford sisters: Diana (wife of Britain's Fascist Party leader), Unity (Nazy groupie and Hitler's maybe-mistress), and Nancy (peacemaker). The historical research is sound, and will be easy to digest for those with no prior knowledge of the subject matter, but is still satisfying enough for history buffs familiar with the sisters and time period. This is a character-driven novel, so if you're looking for plot, you may be frustrated in this regard.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this ARC.

The Mitford Affair reimagines the lives of the Mitford sisters who dominated the English political and social scenes between the World Wars. The family starts struggling to keep up the good image when one marries a fascist leader and another is rumored to be Hitler’s mistress.

Due to the worldwide economic crisis, the family loses the money that would give the six sisters some cushion. Now, they have to find their own way in the world.

The story is driven mainly by three sisters. Nancy is a novelist who tries to mend the bridge with Diana and Unity who fall out of grace with the family. Diana makes a scandal with her divorce to a Guinness tycoon, whom she leaves for a leader of the British Union of Fascists. Diana, with her sister Unity, shares the same vision of joining the BUF. They see it as the bright future for Britain with so many unemployed people. Diana is ambitious in her dreams of building up the BUF to becoming the prominent governing political body in Great Britain; and uniting Great Britain with Germany in this common political cause.

Unity is an ardent Nazi and obsessed with Hitler. She moves to Munich to study the German language and its culture. After cozying up to Hitler, she receives a flat that is procured by the Nazis from a Jewish family who most likely is sent to a concentration camp.

There is a believable presentation of how people are lured into believing Hitler’s ideology. And the decision Unity makes after Hitler invades Poland begs a question - was she fooled as many others?

Decca is a drastic contrast. She chooses to serve in the press corps in the Spanish Civil War. She stands with the people who are being oppressed and violently attacked by the fascists only because they have communist inclinations.

The story of the Mitford sisters weaves two clashing ideologies of fascism and communism, which further create fractions within the family. Not only that the personal interests and fears drive some of their decisions. There is one who is not afraid to point to the hypocrisy within the family, and stands for what she believes is right, but the others strongly believe in their good cause, too.
It is a fascinating and sad example of family who falls into the dismay because of politics. It is an example that is relevant to present time.

As with previous books by Marie Benedict, this story is character-driven and told with crisp prose. It is intriguing and engaging. It involves a view of two sides and a subject that brings a conversation to the table.

Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com

The Mitford Affair, based upon the real Mitford family of England opens ones eyes to how vulnerable England was to being ruled by Hitler. With many of the English aristocracy embracing his political views and marveling at how he managed to pull his country back from the brink of ruin after World War I,England's future under Chamberlain's guidance was in real trouble. Two of the Mitford sisters, Diana and Unity become obsessed with the politics of Nazi Germany. Diana for how it could benefit her current husband's political career, and Unity for finally being accepted as a golden child when she was barely tolerated by her parents and siblings. Nancy, the only sibling who questions her sister's allegiance to Hitler and who is a writer, tries to warn both her family and the English people through her novels about the future designs on England by Hitler. Thoroughly researched, each sister is afforded her own chapters in which she explains her actions, motives and ultimate goals. One can't help but pity Unity and her childish infatuation with Hitler, wonder at the audacity of Diana in her climb up the political social ladder and urge Nancy into finally taking action. A behind the scenes look at how the war affected families with members on both sides of the conflict. A slice of English history that few know about which casts the historical events leading up to WWII in a much more personal light.

Oof! Wow, this was a really tough read. I have read various books about or including the Mitford family over the years, but this was a real eye opener. The extent to which fascism infiltrated their lives is both frightening and heartbreaking. The cultish circumstance that propelled Diana, Unity and their parents into the realm of Hitler and the Nazi regime is mind blowing. Unity had been a fascist for many years, Diana due to her fascination with Oswald Mosley. Diana in fact encouraged her sister in a very underhanded manner so that she herself could get close to Hitler in order to support Mosley ‘s BUF in England. She flirted with and wooed Hitler in every way but physical. It is horrifying to read. The only two family members that seemed to escape the clutches of fascism and the Nazis were Nancy and Deborah (Jessica was a staunch Communist, so while she is not included, she had serious issues of her own, which included living in squalor which lead to the death of her young daughter). Nancy, in fact took copious notes on Unity and Diana and eventually turned them over to their cousin, Winston Churchill. Marie Benedict is a very gifted author and very thorough in her research. This is probably as accurate account as you will read about the Mitfords and their Nazi affiliations, but not for the faint of heart and eerily close to our current political climate. Thank you @ NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

Marie Benedict does not disappoint again. I like her writing style and the subjects that she chooses. I knew the story of the Mitford sisters and have read some of Nancy's novels. I can't say I learned anything new but it's certainly an interesting title for book clubs in this current political and economic times..

Another fascinating story by Benedict. Delving into drastically differing political opinions ahead of ww2. Where would your loyalty lie?

This book is a historical fiction story of the Mitford sisters who were an integral part of England's society between WW1 and WW2. This particular story focuses on Diana, Unity and Nancy. Diana brings some scandal when she somewhat flippantly decides to divorce her husband and instead begins to follow and eventually marry a different man who is a facist leader. Younger sister Unity becomes enamored with Hitler and finds herself planning "run-ins" with his schedule so that she is visible to him and his supporters. Sister Nancy is a novelist and walks the thin line between the two politically active sisters and the rest of the family.
This story demonstrated the volatile nature of political situations and relationships, especially on the brink of war. It was interesting to learn more about this time in history and given me some additional topics to research on my own.

Marie Benedict feeds my love of history, my thrill at glamour, and my need for suspense--once again! Each of the Mitford sisters is unique and independent while remaining dependent on each other or are the rivals for attention, affection, and adoration? What lengths will they go to attain their due? What secrets will they hide or share to maintain their status? What country and family will they betray to rule? Delve into the time between the wars to learn how they navigated countries, men, family, and lives to attain their goals.

A fascinating fictional look at the 3 oldest Mitford sisters and their differing political alliances. Did they all truly believe in the side they took or were they swayed by the men they loved? And we're their choices worth it in the end?

This story about allegiance and loyalty has been put in the very capable hands of a trusted author, Marie Benedict. I loved The Other Einstein, Her Hidden Genius, and The Only Woman In The Room and was anticipating this great read about the famous Mitford sisters.

I’d never heard of these siblings before, so I hunkered down to learn something from Benedict. I was held captive by the six formidable girls and the society to which they belonged. As I got wind of the rumour mill churning out accusations of one of the siblings being Hitler’s mistress, my curiosity was piqued. My inner sleuth was engaged alongside Nancy as we took note of hushed conversations and incriminating documents and was shocked at the discovery that it’s possible to underestimate and not recognize someone you’ve been close to your whole life. War is a great separator, isn’t it? I was engaged in the inner struggle Nancy faced, torn between her loyalty to Great Britain and her allegiance to the Mitford family. When someone mentions the Mitford sisters again, I’ll know to whom they are referring this time!

Can Hitler be stopped? What was she willing to do to make it happen? Can one lose oneself in pursuing an obsession?

I thoroughly enjoyed a peek into the inner world of the Mitford sisters and the far-reaching effects of political ties. I was dazzled by Benedict's vivid descriptions and my inner history buff was more than satisfied with wartime references. I was left with a warning to be careful of my choices and my choice of alliances lest they mold me into someone unrecognizable.

I wouldn’t rank this one as inspiring and engaging as Her Hidden Genius, but, considering the differences in topic, it was still enjoyable.

I was gifted this copy by Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

As far as a historical fiction about 3 sisters impacting the rise of Hitler, it succeeds in romanticizing their actions but it’s missing a lot of depth. We follow Nancy, Diana, and Unity (3 out of 7 Mitford siblings) as the alternating POVs. Two of the sisters, Diana and Unity become seduced by fascism as 1 sister, Nancy, is torn between her country and her family. One would think a story about impressionable youths being radicalized would be thrilling, but for me, the author wasn’t able to deliver. Where is the intrigue, the cultish promises? As the reader we need to feel why these women would so willingly agree to the Nazi agenda.

What the book does right is Nancy’s point of view and her struggle between her beliefs and her family. Her hesitations and motivations rang clear throughout. It was truly upsetting.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second fiction book I have read featuring the Mitford asisters this year, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The narrative is split between three of the six sisters and explores their thoughts and actions as WW2 approaches.

Nancy, the writer is witty and sociable, part of the Bright Young Things. She wants to marry and have children and write.

Diana is the family beauty. Marrying into the hugely wealthy Guinness family she causes a scandal when she divorces her husband and becomes the mistress of Sir Oswald Moseley, leader of the British Facists.

Younger sister Unity is socially awkward and looking to find her place in the world. She aligns herself with fascism and takes her obsession with Hitler to Germany where she is determined to meet him.

The book explores the complex relationships between the family as their political views and actions threaten to tear them apart.

What is fascinating is the extent to which Diana and Unity embrace fascism and the lengths to which they are prepared to go in their support of Hitler and the Nazi party.

Diana, far from being the young mistress, comes across and highly intelligent and capable. Her utter devotion to Moseley and his cause leads to acts of treason that ultimately lead to her imprisonment.

While Nancy goes on to have success with her writing, Unity’s ending is much more tragic.

The lives of the Mitfords are well document, not least by themselves in letters and autobiographies. But Benedict still finds a way ti give the sisters distinctive and unique voices that imagine their inner most thoughts and bring them to life in fiction.

This is a compelling and interesting read that would make a great choice for a bookclub as there is much to discuss.

Thank you Netgalley for my gifted advanced copy of The Mitford Affair.

So many sisters! So much drama! No one writes like this author which becomes more evident with each book. Wonderful! Loved it and great book club book.

This book was everything I wanted it to be. It had me turned pages without even realizing. It was so good!

I went into The Mitford Affair not realizing that the Mitford sisters were real life people, so thank you Marie Benedict for teaching me something!
That said, I personally struggled through this book. There were way too many characters to keep track of for my liking. On top of that, many had nicknames so figuring out who is who was even more challenging. There were so many smaller plots involved in this book that I didn’t feel like any of them were really detailed or in depth. This book is told from three different perspectives, which wouldn’t normally throw me off, but Nancy’s perspective was told from the first person point of view while Unity and Diana’s were told using third person. I just wasn’t a fan of that.

Right from the beginning I was put off by the use of the present tense. It simply isn't my favorite.

It was a struggle to get through the middle third. I could see what was coming, and it was like waiting for the other shoe to drop. There were enough little surprises about family relationships to make it a bit interesting but you just know this isn't going to end well. The last third held my interest more but still, the ending was too predictable.

This was the first time I've ever read anything regarding WWII that was told from the point of view of Nazi supporters and it took some getting used to. I just kept shaking my head and wondering what they were thinking.

I enjoy Marie Benedict's writing style so I can't go down to one star. I just wish there was more substance to the story.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Marie Benedict for an ARC of this book.

I love a good historical read and this book had such rich details that you could not help but be intrigued by. World War II, Hitler and Churchill provide a spectacular backdrop. It was a little difficult to get into at first, but once each sister stepped into her place in history you could not help but be pulled in. The choices that they make are difficult. Do you choose to side with your sister or your country? Nothing can prepare you for some of their decisions but you definitely understand why the make them.

Admittedly, I had never heard of the Mitford sisters prior to reading this book, but I enjoy a good historical fiction and Benedict’s, “The Personal Librarian” was one of my FAVORITE books last year. It seems like there’s been a plethora of WWII stories lately but I haven’t read any from these perspectives, which made this fascinating and intriguing and astounding at times. It did drag a bit for me, but it was worth seeing it through.

Thank you NetGalley & Sourcebook Landmark for sending this book for review consideration.