THE MITFORD AFFAIR by Marie Benedict (The Personal Librarian, Carnegie's Maid and more) is a historical fiction study of the Mitford sisters, six aristocratic English women who held definite political views and were not afraid to express them, especially in the 1930s and 1940s. Although the sisters find much to debate on the relative merits of fascism, socialism, and communism, there is a sense of entitlement and selfishness that pervades their thoughts and actions. In fact, it is difficult to find empathy for a sister who adores and stalks Hitler and for another who divorces (leaving her children) in order to spend time with her married lover. Booklist described this text as "Downton Abbey with Nazi sympathizers;" and, while perhaps not the widely popular Benedict’s best effort, THE MITFORD AFFAIR is a LibraryReads selection for January. Looking for more? Marie Benedict listed her thoughts on the five best books on sibling rivalry recently in The Wall Street Journal:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/five-best-books-on-sibling-rivalries-11674232510

NOTE: I assume in writing this that many readers are generally familiar with the lives of the Milford family l and of the period covered by this novel in particular. For those who have not heard much about them, this review has some spoilers.

The Milfords of the 20th century, an aristocratic British family with six daughters and a son remain fascinating to us long after the deaths of the original players. In this historical fiction novel, Marie Benedict initially takes us to a time a few years before the start of WWII, as some members of the family increasingly became attracted to the growth of fascism in Germany and Italy. Much of the story is told from Nancy Mitford's point of view. She was the eldest child and some years older than the other two sisters who are the focus of this novel, Diana and Unity. While this period in the lives of the family was generally known to me, through reading about them in articles and a biography, Benedict's wonderfully researched telling of the political turns taken by some of the family provides more detail and context to what seems like political madness, but can easily be viewed as a very contemporary tale. She shows how a family with some propensity toward fascist views could spawn activists who worked hard to promote and seek change in British governance toward fascism even after the war commenced.

In 1932, Diana Mitford was still married to the heir to the Guinness fortune, with two young sons and all the material things she could dream of. But her focus was on the very married Sir Oswald Mosley, a well known British fascist who founded the British Union of Fascists. We learn a lot about this organization and Mosley's work in this novel, including that it was initially funded by Mussolini and later by Hitler. Mosley appeals to Diana's political and social views. They are lovers and Diana is poised to leave her loving husband for Mosley.

Unity Mitford, Diana's younger sister, is tall, gawky, socially awkward and devoted to the Nazi cause. Over the next few years, as the political climate becomes more charged, Unity goes to Germany to study language and to essentially stalk Adolph Hitler until she becomes part of his inner circle. Diana in fact leaves her husband and fiercely supports Mosley in his work. Nancy watches with concern as she also seeks to learn more about what her sisters are up to. Their parents, (Muv and Farve) start to align politically with Diana and Unity and even dine with Hitler. Ultimately, Muv continues with her fascist sympathies. Farve rejects them. It destroys their marriage.

When war is declared between Germany and Great Britain, Diana and her husband (Mosley) are incarcerated for treason, albeit with fairly decent treatment. Unity is seriously brain damaged when she attempts suicide and lives her life in her mother's care.

These bones of the story are well known, but Benedict brings out the feel of the times, taking us to pre-war Germany and the rise of Hitler as well as pre-war England, where many did not see Hitler as their problem or as a threat at all. Benedict gives us a credible sense of how Hitler's inner circle interacted and where Unity and Diana fit in. Winston Churchill's wife was Farve's cousin. The Churchill and Mitford families were close. Benedict brings him into the picture before he becomes prime minister, when his concerns about Hitler's rise are generally considered overwrought. In Benedict's story, Churchill connects with Nancy to discuss his concerns about Unity and Diana, seeking soft information from her. This, too gives Benedict a chance to highlight the views of Chamberlain and his accolades who believed England dodged war through appeasement of Hitler. We even get a sense of Adolph Hitler as a "friend" to these British sisters, Unity in particular since she is in Germany more than Britain during most of the mid-1930s.

Benedict is an engaging writer and tells a story so well that it is fresh and riveting, deftly putting us into the minds of the players and the historic events during the ten years or so she covers. This is an interesting and very worthwhile read whether you are a Mitford fan already or new to the family. It taught me a lot. These are fascinating characters brought to life in a memorable, readable way.

I have enjoyed Marie Benedict's other books and while it had a slow start I really enjoyed it. It was a perfect historical fiction read that was well written and that I could not put down.

Overall, I did enjoy this book. In the beginning it felt like there were way too many characters to keep track of, but after two or three chapters, it became evident that the storyline was going to focus on just 3 of the sisters and the remaining characters would only be mentioned here and there. The story of the Mitford family and their political activities during the lead up to World War II is based on fact. Two of the sisters were quite close with Hitler and several of the family members were quite involved with the fascist movement in Great Britain, and one of the sisters is a communist. This was definitely one of those books that had me brushing up on some of my history! I will definitely recommend this title to patrons who enjoy historical fiction.

Ho.Ly. Mo.Ly.

I was first introduced to Mosley and his mistress, Miss Mitford while watching Peaky Blinders as their passion of fascism and the dangers their black coats posed to the British people.

Never did I imagine a network of families-Churchill’s family by marriage-who were so invested in not only fascism but Hitler’s inner circle.

The story is reminiscent of today with families arguing their political allegiances and hints of socialism and fascism permeating the news cycles and airwaves.

Having Hitler as a character in a novel made me quite uncomfortable ….and then he in the sisters were a train wreck. I could not look away from.

What would you do to protect the world from fascism if that meant protecting them from your family?

Marie Benedict is the master storyteller. It is a wonderful story. She describe scenes and setting with great detail.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for my copy of The Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict in exchange for an honest review. It published January 17, 2023.
Once again, Marie Benedict sheds light on little-known women through history. I'd heard of Nancy Mitford's writing, but I knew absolutely nothing about her relation to Clementine Churchill, nor anything about her family. I found this book to be so informative.
Another aspect of this book that I found interesting, was getting in the heads of her sisters. I've never been able to understand why anyone would agree with fascism. So I found it helpful to learn a little bit about what could lead down that dark path. I found the history portions to be well-researched and presented, and I loved the changing characters perspectives.

Another intriguing story from Marie Benedict. This time the focus is on the Mitford Sisters. The sisters have all of the usual family drama and jealousy, but throw in pre WW2 fanaticism with Hitler, Facicsm and Communism. Marie writes a great story told mainly from 3 of the sisters viewpoints.

Thanks NetGalley and Sourcebook Landmark for this marvelous advanced copy.

I have some difficulty reviewing this because I do not find the sisters admirable or likeable. We're talking about Nazis, here (and to be fair, the author had the luck to have this book published at the same time as the last season of Peaky Blinders that featured Diana Guiness as a fairly main character - and she was awful.) But there's nothing wrong with the writing and many people will find this story fascinating.

This book was confusing but, interesting at the same time. The chapters were short and each one dealt with a different character which if you didn’t pay attention will confuse you. The story was good on the whole but the writing was very long-winded with long words and sentences. I did struggle with this one. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

The Milford’s had six daughters and one son. The parents were scare and they children grew up with nannies. A complicated family full of intrigue, political ambition, privilege, high society and complex relationships.

This novel follows three of the sisters, Unity, Diana and Nancy during the 1930s. Diana is married to Brian Guinness of the famed Guinness and after their divorce a scandal is divulged. She was having an affair with Sir Oswald Mosley. He is the leader of the British Union of the fascist. She is following his beliefs.

Unity is fascinated with Hitler beyond obsession. So much so she moves to Germany and joins the Nazi party so she can meet Hitler.

Nancy has published novels. She marries Peter Rodd with hopes to start a family. Her sisters beliefs are tearing them apart. With war looming Nancy must decide to choose between her beliefs and country or loyalty to her sisters.

To say these women were complicated is an understatement.

Benedict always leaves us with a well researched novel. The details, descriptions and fascination with this family has been written about over the years, but Benedict finds a new way to present a historical fiction novel that keeps us intrigued to read more. I highly recommend all her books. I loved having an early copy. 💕

Thank you @netgalley, @mariebenedict and @sourcebookslandmark for this advanced copy. She is an auto-buy for me. Out now!

I received this book from the publisher for my honest review. I really liked this book and it’s unique perspective on some English and how they felt during WWII. The book focuses on three sister who were cousins of Clementine Churchill, who was Winston Churchills wife. It’s very interesting seeing the war in the eyes of English people who were in support of hitler. If you like historical fiction and especially WWII fiction I think you would enjoy this book!

As many historical fiction books set during this time period discuss politics, this one describes how politics divided a family, The Mitford siblings were a close bunch until some showed differing views on the war. I have to admit that I felt uncomfortable reading about one of the sister's infatuation with the Nazis and Hitler! I enjoyed the interaction between the sisters and how their lives evolved once their differences were aired. I knew very little about this family and their societal impact and found myself jumping online to learn more. The author obvioulsy did her research and really brought this family to life.

An engrossing novel set during the lead up to WWII, the book tells the story of the Mitford sisters and the roles they played in both Germany and England. At times I wanted to shake my kindle at the craziness of some of the sisters, their staunch support of Hitler and how they came to be in his inner circle. A family torn apart by opposing loyalties, I couldn’t stop reading and then hopping over to Wikipedia to read more.

I tend to steer clear of WWII novels because I felt they’ve been overdone but honestly, I’m so happy I read this one and learned about the Mitford family (and reading about it from the timeframe of before the war started was new for me.)

Having long been a fan of Marie Benedict’s writing I was eager to read The Mitford Affair, based on the lives of the Mitford daughters in the years prior to WW2. Benedict focused on the three older daughters, Diana, Nancy, and Unity with each telling their story in alternating chapters. I had heard of the daughters before but did not realize why they were so well known. Benedict brought the three women, along with Diana’s husband, Mosley, into focus. Her descriptions of life within the Mitford home and life in England during the years leading up to the war. I enjoyed the passages that included their cousin, Winston.
Remaining skeptical about Hitler’s supposed magnetism, I was appalled to read about the impact he had on the lives of Diana and Unity, as well as the entire Mitford family. They, along with thousands of others, fell under the spell he cast. The divide Hitler caused within families, towns, and countries was devastating and told by Benedict very convincingly.
Nancy’s dilemma was the pivotal part of the book for me personally. So many layers of jealousy of her sister Diana, I was reading furiously to learn of her decision.
My favorite parts of this book were those dealing with the rivalry between sisters. Benedict’s written descriptions so clearly depicted those conflicted feelings.
This was not my favorite book by the gifted Marie Benedict, but still an enjoyable read which broadened my knowledge of the Mitford family as well as prewar England and their political tumultuous times. Three and a half stars.
Many thanks to Marie Benedict, Sourcebooks Landmark, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to read an arc of this just published book.

Marie Benedict tells the compelling story of the Mitford sisters and their involvement in politics at the lead up to World War II. They are British socialite sisters, 1930s it-Girls, whose politics and antics in the 1930s made their family name infamous. The sisters have widely differing political viewpoints with two of them supporting fascism and the Nazis openly, while two others became staunch opponents of the ideology. Two of the sisters also became well known authors. In the years leading up to World War II, the glamorous Mitford sisters are the talk of high society. The book centers mostly on three of the six famous sisters, Nancy, Diana and Unity. Nancy Mitford, a novelist, becomes alarmed at the politically extreme actions of two of her sisters: one divorces her rich aristocratic husband to become the lover of a leader of the British fascist movement, and another, infatuated with Hitler, moves to Germany to ingratiate herself into his inner circle. When Nancy learns the true extent of her sisters' choices, she's faced with a dangerous choice to either betray her family or betray her country.

What I struggled with in this book was sympathy for the characters. As a reader I found Diana and Unity’s behavior appalling - for Diana even more so seeing that even in later interviews there was no remorse, while Unity came across as more misguided and ultimately pitiable. Even Nancy was not the most likable of characters. Did I still enjoy the book ? Yes, just like with other Marie Benedict books this book taught me about women in history that I had mostly missed (I knew the name not much more) and sent me on google deep dives to learn even more something I love about well done historical fiction.

Unfortunately I did not find this likable. I wanted to finish it to know what happened but I have read much more engaging historical fiction

This book was challenging to read. I usually adore Marie Benedict’s books mostly because she takes historical women figures, who have been relegated to the back burner or “disappeared” for their achievements, which history often attributes to some historically significant male. But this book asked too much of me.

I found I had to read in small spurts because the Mitford sisters’ (Diane and Unity’s)fascination with hitler was too much to stomach. Those chapters were plain awful to read. Painting him as someone with good manners and a gentle nature was not okay with this reader. With the ongoing rise of white supremacy and popularity of fascists leaders, I found that I couldn’t stomach reading any chapters where the devil himself was literally revered. What could the author have been thinking when she decided to write about these sisters? Sure, Nancy eventually did “the right thing” but even I found her character to be lacking the strong feminist qualities that Benedict often champions.

Her author’s note at the end at least acknowledged the glorification of hitler was hard for her to write about, but that wasn’t enough for this reader. This book was too much. In this climate, with the rise of extreme right wing politics, I have no reader’s empathy for any of these historical women nor do I want to read about them. I really thought this was going to be a spy novel where Nancy offered a great contribution. The plot just did not deliver.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first book by author Marie Benedict. I love historical fiction and wanted to read one of her stories. The Mitford Affair did not disappoint. Though I felt it started out slow for me, it soon drew me into the lives of six sisters who lived in England and their activities in the 1930’s prior to WWII. While there is some romance and personal family drama, the focus is mostly on their political views and activities and what seemed to drive them. There was tremendous conflict and varying views within their family and it was so interesting to learn about them. Whether or not you have heard of the Mitford sisters or not, you will enjoy this book. I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Having previously read a non-fiction book about the Mitford sisters, my attention was grabbed by this new historical fiction by Marie Benedict. I loved how she stayed true to what I already knew of the sisters and to their role around the years of World War II.

The sisters were from an old wealthy English family, all were debutantes and the goal for their futures was that they marry well. Their father had fought in WWI and was not a fan of the Germans. Surprisingly, two of his daughters became enamored with Hitler and his politics, to the point of seriously damaging their reputations among their peers.

Nancy, the eldest Mitford sister was the most prominently focused of the sisters. She was an author and some of her books stirred animosity within the family. She was also the one who tried to steer her wayward sisters away from their unpopular politics.

Of the six, Unity had the most controversial and saddest life. One might even assume she suffered from mild mental illness even before meeting Hitler. Diana, the most beautiful of the sisters, was also cool-headed and intelligent. She had a daring most women of her tie did not possess. This is evident in her decision to divorce her husband and have an affair for years with a fascist fanatic named Oswald Moseley.

The Mitford sisters exemplify the phrase that “truth is better than fiction” because their lives were most certainly fitting of tabloid headlines in today’s world. I really enjoyed the book, even though I already knew the ending and I highly recommend this to readers who enjoy history and daring women.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.