Three girls fates intertwine when they are young girls in the early 1920's attending school at a strict convent. Two of the girls were friends, and one was a few years younger but aspired to be like the other two. We follow them from early adulthood to decades later as their lives revolve each other through similar social circles. Maureen was a troublemaker in school and got discovered and became a household name in Hollywood. Vivian married young but wasn't cutout for the life of a mother and housewife, and went from an actress in the West End, to landing the role of a lifetime as Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With the Wind, and cementing herself as a legend in Hollywood. Sonia who struggled for years but in the ended ended up as George Orwell's wife and the one who protected his legacy. All three woman experienced immense loss and grief, but also had dazzling careers and accomplished so much.

Going into this novel I was not aware that the 3 women this novel centered around were real people. Although this was a fictionalized exploration of the lives of these icons as the author admitted in her author's note, she also did immense research and it was so wonderfully done. The writing was right up my alley, and it did a decent job of keeping my attention the whole way, it did start to feel tedious cause I could not empathize with the characters. The author wrote the characters too flowed in my opinion, I hated them the whole time and just got exhausted of how they complained about the lives they chose to live.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

The Socialites by Caroline Lamond is a captivating historical novel that transports readers through the glittering highs and tumultuous lows of the 20th century’s cultural evolution. Following three extraordinary women from their shared beginnings at a strict convent school to the far-reaching stages of Hollywood, literature, and theatre, this book offers an intoxicating blend of glamour, ambition, and drama.

Maureen, Sonia, and Vivien are vividly drawn protagonists whose stories intertwine yet remain distinct. Lamond does an excellent job of weaving together their individual triumphs and tribulations while highlighting the complexities of their friendship. Each woman’s narrative feels equally compelling, and their journeys are a fascinating lens through which to explore the societal shifts and challenges of their era.

Maureen’s rise as a groundbreaking movie star is a standout thread. Her portrayal of Tarzan’s Jane redefines cinema and defies censorship, but it’s her personal battles behind the scenes that truly resonate. Her struggle to navigate fame while maintaining her sense of self is both heartbreaking and inspiring.

Sonia’s journey, from aspiring writer to George Orwell’s wife and literary guardian, adds depth and poignancy to the narrative. Her role in preserving Orwell’s legacy is as compelling as her own creative aspirations, and Lamond captures the tension between being overshadowed by a famous partner and carving out one’s own place in the world.

Vivien’s career as a stage and screen actress is iconic, with roles that evoke the magic and weight of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Her performances as Cleopatra and Scarlett O’Hara are matched by her off-stage persona, a mix of fiery ambition and vulnerability. Her story is a reminder of the sacrifices often demanded by fame.

The historical settings—from the Bloomsbury literary circles to the glamorous chaos of Hollywood and the bohemian cafes of Paris—are richly detailed, creating a sense of time and place that feels both sweeping and intimate. Lamond’s writing shines in her ability to evoke the glitz and grit of these worlds while never losing sight of her characters’ humanity.

Favorite moments? The women’s reunion years after their convent days is a highlight, brimming with bittersweet nostalgia and unspoken tension. It’s a scene that underscores how far they’ve come while acknowledging the strains on their friendship. The behind-the-scenes glimpses of Maureen’s groundbreaking role and Vivien’s commanding stage presence are equally unforgettable.

If there’s a critique, it’s that the ambitious scope of the novel sometimes leaves certain aspects of the characters’ lives underexplored. Sonia’s narrative, in particular, could have delved deeper into her internal conflicts and literary pursuits. Additionally, the pacing occasionally falters, with some transitions between decades feeling abrupt.

Themes of ambition, friendship, and the cost of success run throughout the book, making it as introspective as it is glamorous. Lamond deftly explores how these women navigate a world that often demands they sacrifice pieces of themselves to achieve their dreams.

Final verdict? The Socialites is a sweeping, glamorous novel perfect for fans of historical fiction, Golden Age Hollywood, and stories of fiercely ambitious women. Caroline Lamond has crafted a compelling tale of friendship, fame, and the price of greatness. This book captures the spirit of an era while celebrating the resilience and complexity of its unforgettable heroines.

As a fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid I was very excited to read this book. I have read a few historical fiction books and have always enjoyed them. That being said I DNF'd this book pretty early on. It just was not holding my attention. I was trying to force my way through but once I got to chapter with the letters to a brother back home I just didn't want to pick the book up anymore. I think some people may enjoy this book, but it just wasn't for me.

Brilliany, engaging blend of fact and fiction charting three famous women and their cobtributions to the arts as they emerge from elite school together. Gripping on a Taylor Jenkind Reid level. Highly recommend.

In this book we discover how three Holywood legends Maureen O’Sullivan , Sonia Brownell and Vivian Leigh left a last impression on history.

The three legends met whilst at convent school in 1920’s London each one making their own way into lives filled with uncertainty, glamour, adoration and fame,

The novel spans four decades and helped us glimpse into their lives which on the outside were glittering and inspiring but underneath the hidden tragedies, addictions and infidelities were also present..

I do love historical fiction but I struggled to connect with the characters as I sometimes got lost between them. I would not discourage others from reading this book as this may not be the case for others,

In this classical mix of fact and fiction, Caroline Lamond, cleverly introduces the reader to the early lives of three well-known Hollywood legends, Maureen O'Sullivan, Sonia Brownell and Vivian Leigh.

Each of these women is a legend in their own right:
O'Sullivan's (apparently) racy role in the early Tarzan films, had a lasting impact on censorship rules in Hollywood
Brownell safeguarded and helped to build the legacy of Orwell as we know it today
Leigh was truly one of the early icons of Hollywood, and known for her relationships, as much as her performances on screen.

We meet each woman as a young girl, and even then, they stand out for their strength and determination. Yet, no one could imagine the tribulations they would face in the years to come as they faced the world media.

The Socialites is an epic tale of endurance, where historical fiction and fact combine to create a compelling story.

The Socialites is a masterful fictional retelling of the lives of three women whose careers left an indelible mark on history. Set against the backdrop of a strict convent school in 1920s London, this captivating book follows Maureen, Sonia, and Vivian—three young girls who form a bond during their formative years in an oppressive environment, later stepping into lives filled with glamour, heartbreak, and extraordinary achievements.

Maureen O'Sullivan rose to fame as Tarzan’s Jane, breaking cinematic boundaries and redefining censorship rules in Hollywood. Sonia Brownell, who became George Orwell’s wife, played a pivotal role in safeguarding his literary legacy. And Vivian Leigh, whose spellbinding performances in Gone With the Wind and A Streetcar Named Desire solidified her as an icon of the silver screen, navigated a life filled with triumphs and personal struggles, including her tumultuous marriage to Sir Laurence Olivier.

The book captures the glitz and scandal of Hollywood, the intellectual fervour of Bloomsbury, and the vibrancy of Parisian cafés and New York stages, spanning four decades and weaving together the trials and tribulations of these three fascinating women. While their careers were marked by success, their lives were shadowed by lies, infidelities, alcoholism, and tragedy, painting a vivid picture of the sacrifices and complexities of fame.

Blurring the line between fact and fiction, the narrative offers readers an intimate glimpse into the lives of these women, exploring the dynamics of their friendships and the pressures they faced as they navigated personal and professional worlds.

With its rich storytelling and evocative prose, The Socialites is a compelling epic that will resonate with fans of historical fiction, biographies, and stories of resilience in the face of adversity. This captivating reimagining ensures that the legacies of these three extraordinary women continue to inspire and intrigue.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

An interesting take on a mix of fact and fiction around the lives of three eminent women. Can be difficult to follow at times.

Thanks to the author, publisher and netgalley for the copy 💕

For me I just don't think it was really my type of book that I'd enjoy, but I did give it a go and for the most part it was good enough for me to keep going. I really liked reading about the different dramas the women had in their lives as well as how it showed the reader their lives from childhood onwards.

The Socialites is an ambitious historical novel that brings to life the intertwined fates of three remarkable women whose careers spanned across the worlds of cinema, literature, and theater. Set against the backdrop of 1920s London, the story follows Maureen, Sonia, and Vivien, who leave the strict confines of a convent school and go on to change the course of history in their respective fields.

Maureen, the film star whose portrayal of Tarzan’s Jane redefined cinema, Sonia, George Orwell’s wife and literary executor, and Vivien, the legendary actress known for roles like Cleopatra and Scarlett O'Hara, are all fascinating figures. Wilson does an excellent job of capturing the complexities of their lives—of glamour and tragedy, success and scandal—without resorting to mere celebrity gossip.

The novel offers a sweeping view of their careers, from the intellectual circles of Bloomsbury to the glitz of Hollywood and the bohemian cafés of Paris. The pacing is mostly engaging, though at times, the sheer breadth of the narrative can feel overwhelming. Still, Wilson’s prose is vivid and evocative, transporting the reader across continents and decades.

While the book is deeply rooted in historical events, it doesn’t shy away from portraying the personal and often tumultuous lives of its protagonists. The intersections of their careers with pivotal moments in history—cinema censorship, political upheaval, and wartime challenges—add layers of depth to their stories.

The Socialites is a captivating read for those interested in the dramatic lives of women who left a lasting legacy in their fields. Wilson’s portrayal of these complex, flawed, and extraordinary women is both heartfelt and unflinching. The book earns a solid 4/5 for its ambition, depth, and narrative scope. It’s a breathtaking epic that successfully blends history, personality, and drama into one unforgettable read.

Such an interesting, entertaining read, and I really had so much fun with it. I found all three stories to be very fascinating, and the writing made it so easy to read; whenever I picked it up, I really couldn't put it down. It felt a little disjointed and confusing at times, but it was always easy enough to slip back into the story and fully enjoy it. I do think there was so much to tell that it makes the pacing feel a little weird at times, as if we're rushing through certain things just so we can get to others. Overall, I really loved diving into these three women's stories and watching how each of them carved their paths in ways that were so similar, yet so incredibly different; and as someone who is very interested in both literature and cinema/theater, it was a really interesting insight on those world as well, especially with Maureen and Vivien, whose stories I found myself gravitating towards more.

This novel follows the story of three women, Maureen, Vivian, and Sonia. Truth be told, this book was simply okay. The beginning of the story was the most compelling part. I enjoyed Vivian and Maureen’s silly school girl antics, but once they were grown their stories were just okay. I wouldn’t tell someone to not check it out, but I would tell them to not expect anything crazy and compelling.

Wow. What a great read. Three strong women who just happened to be at convention school together. Whilst I’d obviously heard of Vivienne Leigh and Gone with the Wind the rest of her story was new to me. Beautifully written.

The story follows the lives of three girls, who meet at a strict convent school & we follow them through to their adulthood, following four decades.
They are all different but so similar.
We learn of their experiences, struggles
success & fame.

I feel it was sometimes difficult, to connect the characters, due to three P.OV's.
The reader gets fully emmersed in one story, for it to then, quickly move onto the next persons story, in the next chapter.
The connection between them all comes together in the end, leaving the reader wanting more.

Thankyou to Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Socialites by Caroline Lamond is a treat for any fans of the Golden Age of Hollywood, inspired as it is by the lives of actresses Vivien Leigh and Maureen O' Sullivan as well as Sonia Brownwell who was the second wife of novelist George Orwell. When the author learned that these three women attended the same school for several years it became a jumping off point for her to follow them over the course of their lives and careers from girlhood through career successes and personal triumphs and tragedies. Well written and with fascinating source material to work with, it is no surprise that I very much enjoyed reading about these women. From boarding school pranks to Hollywood glamour and scandal the author certainly kept my attention and I enjoyed the writing style very much indeed. I found that Vivien's and Maureen's chapters held my interest more that Sonia's did and at first I thought it was because I knew a little about them before picking up the book, but as I read on I realised it was because the friendship between them and their similar careers meant that their stories were more intertwined while the chapters from Sonia's perspective almost felt like a detour from the main story and that disconnect meant that I was always eager to get back to the other perspectives. It is a shame because there is no doubt that Sonia had an interesting life of her own but it just did not fit quite as neatly into the overall narrative of the book. All that being said I think the author had a great idea and executed it well and I would have no hesitation in recommending it to readers who enjoyed books like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, or in picking up another book by this author.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

3.5 stars. Kinda bored about the continuous stories about Hollywood but this one was quite good. Was pretty well written.

In 1922, three young girls are students at a catholic convent of the Sacred Heart in Roehampton, London, Vivian Hartley, Maureen O’Sullivan and Sonia Brownell.

The narrative is about the lives of actresses Vivien Leigh and Maureen O'Sullivan and Sonia Orwell an aspiring writer and the widow of George. Their childhood friendship, what happened to them after they left the convent school and one of them was expelled, and it covers their careers as budding actresses, getting a movie contract in Hollywood, their successes and disappointments, what it was like the be famous and the pressure put on older screen sirens, marriages and infidelity, their struggles with fame and fortune, tragedy and loss.

You really get a sense of what it’s like to be an actress in Hollywood, of course I have watched Gone with the Wind and yet I didn’t know a lot about Vivien Leigh and Maureen O’ Sullivan was Irish and starred in the early Tarzan movies and preformed with Laurence Oliver and Greta Garbo. Sonia was the second wife of George Orwell, she was born in Calcutta, and she worked as an assistant to Cyril Connolly who started the magazine Horizon and that's how she met her husband.

I received a copy of The Socialites from NetGalley and HarperCollins UK in exchange for an honest review. Caroline Lamond writes about three women who all went to the same convent school as children and became famous in their own right and the ups and down of their lives.

I really enjoyed the first three quarters of the historical fiction book, but found my concentration and enthusiasm was waning by the last quarter of the novel and I think the issue was it was simply too long. Set in London, Hollywood, Paris and New York and I really enjoyed reading about Vivien Leigh and her life and four stars from me and loved Ms. Lamond's previous book Well Behaved Women.

Thanks to OneMore Chapter for my ARC

We follow the lives of three girls at a Catholic boarding school. Two of them became famous actresses in Hollywood and on the London stage, while the third mingled with notable literary and art circles in London. The book provides thoroughly enjoyable insights into their lives and fame, revealing connections I didn't know existed. I have found this to be a very interesting read and have enjoyed following the girls on their journeys. My f
favourite part of the book has to be the letters.
#BookReview #Hollywood #LondonStage #CatholicBoardingSchool #LiteraryLife #ArtCircles #FascinatingRead #ARC #OneMoreChapter #Letters

A compelling, fascinating look into the lives of two iconic actresses and the wife of George Orwell. This book is mainly about the lives and tragedies of Vivien Leigh and Maureen O'Sullivan. Vivien Leigh eventually married Sir Laurence Olivier, Maureen O'Sullivan Married John Farrow, and Sonia married George Orwell.

Maureen, Vivian (the original spelling of her name), and Sonia meet in a harsh convent school in England and become good friends, or so it would seem. Remember that this is a fictional retelling of their lives.

This book deals with the trials and tribulations of two up-and-coming actresses: one who goes on to win an Oscar for Gone With the Wind and the other who makes a career out of playing Jane in the Tarzan series.

Their lives were filled with lies, booze infidelities, and tragedies.

It is a captivating read, though a little boring in places. It will pull you in, especially if you like books about strong and famous women.

*ARC was supplied by the publisher One More Chapter, the author, and NetGalley.

The Socialites is about three girls in a very strict convent school in the outskirts of London. These three girls share their teenage years, and the story follows them through adulthood. These three girls, become the women we know as Hollywood legends: Maureen O'Sullivan, Vivian Leigh, and Sonia Orwell. Caroline Lamond fantastic writing brought these women to life and left me research more about their stories!

Thank you NetGalley and One More Chapter!