The Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict
Summary
Between the World Wars, the six Mitford sisters — each more beautiful, brilliant, and eccentric than the next — dominate the English political, literary, and social scenes. Though they've weathered scandals before, the family falls into disarray when Diana divorces her wealthy husband to marry a fascist leader and Unity follows her sister's lead all the way to Munich, inciting rumors that she's become Hitler's mistress.
As the Nazis rise in power, novelist Nancy Mitford grows suspicious of her sisters' constant visits to Germany and the high-ranking fascist company they keep. When she overhears alarming conversations and uncovers disquieting documents, Nancy must make excruciating choices as Great Britain goes to war with Germany.
Probing the torrid political climate in the lead-up to World War II and the ways that seemingly sensible people can be sucked into radical action, The Mitford Affair follows Nancy's valiant efforts to stop the Nazis from taking over Great Britain, and the complicated choices she must make between the personal and the political.
Book Setting: England, Germany, France, Italy, Austria
Cheyne Walk
Biddlesden Park
Eaton Square
Swinbrook House
Batsford Arboretum and Garden Centre (Batsford Mansion)
Asthall Manor
Asprey
The Savoy Hotel
St John's Smith Square
Rutland Gate
Strand-on-the-Green
Royal Albert Hall
Olympia London
Blenheim Palace
Ludwigstraße
English Garden
Osteria
Hatchards
The National Gallery
Posillipo
The Bell & Crown, Chiswick
Chartwell House
Wootton Lodge
Girton College, University of Cambridge
Port de Saint-Jean-de-Luz
Hotel Kaiserhof
Hotel Imperial
Inch Kenneth
Perpignan
Bayreuth Festival Theatre
129 Grosvenor Road
Old Mill Cottage
Savay Farm
Reviews
"An in-depth exploration of the complications and bonds of sisterhood. Benedict perfectly captures the anxiety and uncertainty of England's interwar years and serves as a timely reminder of the dangers of enigmatic autocrats. Fast-paced and eye-opening."
― Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Magnolia Palace
"In her latest book The Mitford Affair, Benedict plunges readers into a world of glamorous, charismatic young British debutantes and then turns that shiny world on its head. I was blown away--learning this true story of the Mitford sisters and the roles they played for and against the Nazis was nothing short of astonishing. Benedict delivers with all that readers have come to love and expect from her: nuance, elan, and the most delicious storytelling."
― Allison Pataki, New York Times bestselling author of The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post
"Benedict delves into the Mitford family’s fatal attraction to fascism and Hitler in her captivating latest... This engaging tale of genteel spies shifts easily between the sisters’ perspectives and provides timely insight on British fascists and supporters of appeasement. Benedict’s silky-smooth page-turner is sure to please her fans."
― Publishers Weekly