If you read my To-Read Historical Fiction Books of 2023 post, you will recognise this book. I had debated back and forth on whether or not I wanted to read this. However, I decided that I was going to subscribe to Audible for one-month to get the exclusive audiobook. Not only was I able to get the audiobook, I actually got two free Audible credits, so I’ve managed to stick to my book budget thus far! (See my 2023 Book Goals post for more info on that.) I am happy to say that I loved this audiobook, and could not stop listening. Let’s get into this week’s Book Bite: The Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict!
The Mitford Affair, Marie Benedict
Between the World Wars, the six Mitford sisters dominate the English political, literary, and social scenes. Though they’ve weathered scandals before, the family falls into disarray when Diana divorces her husband to marry a fascist leader and Unity follows her sister’s lead, inciting rumors that she’s become Hitler’s own mistress.
Novelist Nancy Mitford is the only member of her family to keep in touch with Diana and Unity after their desertion, so it falls to her to act when her sisters become spies for the Nazi party.
Probing the torrid political climate of World War II and the ways that sensible people can be sucked into radical action, The Mitford Affair follows Nancy’s valiant efforts to end the war and the cost of placing loyalty to her country above loyalty to her family.
Why You Should Read This…
I have to say, I was torn on reading this book. The premise intrigued me, but I found the other two books by this author that I tried to move too slow for my taste. However, switching to an audiobook has proven the answer!
I could not stop listening to this audiobook. The Mitford Sisters are having a moment in culture and history, and it is easy to see why- six aristocratic sisters, two were facists who supported the Nazis, two were socialists who supported communist movements, one was a duchess, and one a popular novelist. (The new Amazon series of The Pursuit of Love, released in 2021, is based on two of Nancy’s novels.)
Benedict has chosen to focus on the sisters in the 1930s, a chaotic and fascinating time in Britain and in Europe. The chapters switch between three of the sisters: Nancy (novelist), Diana (wife of British facist leader William Mosley), and Unity (Nazi supporter). I thought that I might find that a bit difficult to follow but the fear was unfounded- I had no problem figuring out who was who at any point.
While many of these moments and conversations were obviously written by Benedict, some version of them must have happened at some point, and that still leaves me stunned. it is always easier to recognise things with hindsight, but my jaw dropped several times listening to several characters in the book openly supporting the Nazis and Hitler. Benedict has brought a difficult story to life, and left me with several questions to ask.
Is The Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict on your to-read list?
Cheers,
The Historian
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