The Mitford Affair: A Novel

by Marie Benedict

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Marie Benedict has returned to us with a propulsive historical fiction thriller that is un-putdownable. Illuminating the hold fascism can have on individuals, The Mitford Affair is a story of sisterhood, loyalty, and patriotism during the 1930s. This fascinating read will bring to you new facets of history in the time leading up to World War II, and it’s a must-have for any historical fiction fan.

"Plunges readers into a world of glamorous, charismatic young British debutantes and then turns that shiny world on its head...the most delicious storytelling." —Allison Pataki, New York Times bestselling author of The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post

From New York Times bestselling author Marie Benedict comes an explosive novel of history's most notorious sisters, one of whom will have to choose: her country or her family?

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.

Also By Marie Benedict:

The Other Einstein

Carnegie's Maid

The Only Woman in the Room

Lady Clementine

The Mystery of Mrs. Christie

Her Hidden Genius

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781728282091
Publisher:	Sourcebooks
Publication date:	09/05/2023
Pages:	416
Sales rank:	14,726
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Marie Benedictis a lawyer with more than ten years’ experience as a litigator at two of the country’s premier law firms and for Fortune 500 companies. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Boston College with a focus in history and art history and a cum laude graduate of the Boston University School of Law. Marie, the author of The Other Einstein, Carnegie’s Maid, The Only Woman in the Room, and Lady Clementine, views herself as an archaeologist of sorts, telling the untold stories of women. She lives in Pittsburgh with her family.

Editorial Reviews

10/03/2022

Benedict (Her Hidden Genius) delves into the Mitford family’s fatal attraction to fascism and Hitler in her captivating latest. Set in 1930s England before WWII, Diana, the middle child of six sisters and a brother, is a famous beauty who is married to Bryan Guinness, heir to the brewing fortune. Diana, 22, leaves Bryan for “fascist gadabout” Sir Oswald Mosley, founder of the British Union of Fascists. Diane later teaches her children the Hitler salute, and her connections to elite Nazis keep Mosley’s BUF afloat until the political tide turns against them when WWII looms. Younger sister Unity, 18, hoping to help Great Britain prevent war with Germany, is a fierce Nazi sympathizer and antisemite, and her obsession with Hitler leads her to join his inner circle—a decision followed by dire consequences. When the oldest Mitford sister, 29-year-old novelist Nancy, grasps the precise nature of her sisters’ visits to Germany, she sleuths out Diana’s and Mosley’s treasonous scheme to start up a radio station for spreading Nazi propaganda, and outs them to her cousin Winston Churchill. 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. Agent: Laura Dail, Laura Dail Literary Agency. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

"A striking novel... The saga of the Mitfords is one of the most gripping subplots of the Second World War." — The Globe & Mail

"Before Harry and Meghan were the six Mitford sisters, a glamorous, powerful family of beautiful women...a Downton Abbey meets The Crown epic." — Zibby Owens for Good Morning America

"Truth, it's often said, is stranger than fiction. The Mitford Sisters could put that idea to the test...this new novel by Marie Benedict takes one of the most fraught moments in the family's history and uses it as the basis for a fun, compelling, and deliciously mannered saga. It might not be actual history, but we certainly don't mind." — Town & Country

"Benedicts turns [The Mitfords’] remarkable story into made-for-Masterpiece historical fiction…just try to stop reading." — Booklist

"Captures the mood of a certain element of upper-class England in the years leading up to World War II. Appearances by historical figures like Winston Churchill and Evelyn Waugh round out the story. Fans of World War II historical fiction will be fascinated." — Library Journal

"This engaging tale of genteel spies shifts easily between the sisters’ perspectives and provides timely insight...Benedict’s silky-smooth page-turner is sure to please her fans." — Publishers Weekly

"Timely and suspenseful, The Mitford Affair is an immersive, spellbinding novel that illuminates the terrible allure fascism holds for some, as well as the courage and moral clarity that enable others to resist even when beloved friends and family succumb." — Jennifer Chiaverini, New York Times bestselling author of Resistance Women

"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

"Marie Benedict brings to life a dark chapter of World War II. Through grit and perseverance, three sisters – each more dazzling and intelligent than the last – work their way into the highest echelons of power. What happens when one no longer recognizes the siblings she was raised with? When caring turns to callousness? When love turns to rivalry? When the only choice is willful blindness or whistleblowing? One woman must decide whether to betray her sister or her country in this meticulously researched page-turner. Masterful." — Janet Skeslien Charles, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Library

"Benedict unflinchingly peels away the giddy facade, revealing the tragedy beneath the one-liners in this close look at the Mitfords' darkest hour: the family's embrace of fascism and flirtation with treason in the face of World War II." — Lauren Willig, New York Times bestselling author

From the Publisher

08/01/2022

Benedict's latest (Her Hidden Genius) explores the world of the eccentric Mitford sisters, real-life British aristocrats whose stylish young lives in the 1930s made them particularly well known. In chapters told in each of their voices, Unity and Diana become devoted to fascism (Unity becoming particularly obsessed by Hitler), and novelist Nancy struggles with her marriage, her childlessness, her work and, especially, the political beliefs of much of her family. At the same time, Nancy's fiction, which satirizes a lightly disguised version of her family, raises the Mitfords' ire. The aristocratic but nearly penniless Mitford parents and the other siblings make appearances as England heads to war, and quick-witted Nancy grows from a jaded observer of society to a woman working for her country. In doing so, she has to decide whether family loyalty trumps all. VERDICT Benedict captures the mood of a certain element of upper-class England in the years leading up to World War II. Appearances by historical figures like Winston Churchill and Evelyn Waugh round out the story. Fans of World War II historical fiction will be fascinated.—Terry Lucas

Library Journal