Lady Clementine
4.4
24
5
1
USD
21.59
$21.59
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781492666905 |
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| Publisher: | Sourcebooks |
| Publication date: | 01/07/2020 |
| Pages: | 336 |
| Sales rank: | 608 |
| Product dimensions: | 6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.40(d) |
About the Author
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Lady Clementine
4.4 out of 5
based on
0 ratings.
24 reviews.
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This is the second book I’ve read by Marie Benedict and I could not be more impressed. She is one great author. Once I finish her books, I feel like I’ve had a wonderful and enjoyable history lesson. I wish high school could have used this venue in history class. I had also previously read a novel covering Winston Churchill’s mother and this story continued the saga.
This novel is not just about Lady Clementine, it also covers Winston’s life, accomplishments, tenacity and challenges, but most importantly, it shows their true love for each other. The author has such a way of storytelling that you get to know Clementine, so many of her self-doubts when raising her children, her accomplishments and political views but also her caring for the English people. Her devotion to Winston was remarkable. I absolutely recommend this book for anyone who would enjoy a great book on Clementine and Winston Churchill. The book covers many years from their first meeting, marriage, raising children, good times, hard times and then WWII, so well done.
I was given the opportunity to receive this book from Sourcebooks Landmark through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. This one gets the highest 5*****’s. An awesome book.
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Lady Clementine, by Marie Benedict, is an engaging narrative of the relationship of Winston and Clementine Churchill and the vital role she played throughout the better part of the 20th Century. As with her previous work, Benedict brings to the forefront the contributions of a woman whose work has been marginalized or otherwise bereft of the recognition it deserves. This book is told by Lady Clementine in a series of flashbacks, dating from her first meeting with Winston to the end of World War II. It is her memories, conflicts, and emotions that color the story.
I think it is well recognized that this couple had a warm, loving, and successful marriage and a partnership that included Winston’s reliance on Clementine’s judgment and advice. Like her wartime counterpart, Eleanor Roosevelt, Clementine also served as her spouse’s eyes and ears and took on huge projects to help the British people through the Depression and World Wars. What was unsettling was the degree to which she needed to be needed and devoured recognition from her husband and outsiders. I don’t know whether this was a function of the novel’s structure, the author’s speculation, or historical fact.
I enjoyed this book, and I learned a great deal of the British experience during WWII. Thanks so much to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Lady Clementine , such a great read! Marie Benedict gave the perfect voice to Clementine Churchill. (Yes that Clementine). This story took you from the time Clementine and Winston met and thru WWI and WWII. Frankly, I could have kept going. She made this historical fiction book seem like a true history lesson, and that made me love it that much more!! 4⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for letting me review this ebook!
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Thank you NetGalley for my ARC. Fascinating story of Clementine Churchill. Many people praise Winston for his talents but don’t know that his wife played a major part. She helped write, practice and support all of his speeches. She worked with Red Cross to create safe anti raid shelters and find help for people that have lost their homes. All the while, creating a family. Great read!
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How does someone stand out apart from such a character as Winston Churchill? Lady Clementine is a detailed look at the life of Clementine Churchill, wife of Winston Churchill.
Clementine Churchill did not let her marriage to the most recognizable Prime Minister define her as being “just the PM’s wife”. Instead, she used the position to rally women during wartime and gave them purpose. She would also help Winston with speeches, and smoothing his rough edges.
The format of the book was a bit unusual to me at first, but I one I saw it as more a collection of vignettes about Clementine’s life, the book flowed more easily for me. I want to learn more about Clementine now, because she seems like a fascinating person to learn about.
If you love WWII history, particularly about the London Blitz or the European front, and if you enjoy reading about real women in history, this is the book for you, I love all the above, so this was a perfect read. I only wish that this book came with a list of resources Marie Benedict used to research Clementine so I could do more reading.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC copy of Lady Clementine in exchange for an honest review.
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This is the little known story of Clementine Churchill, wife of Winston Churchill. The story begins on her wedding day and then it goes back as if she is telling us the entire story.... from their courtship until the end of the World War II. She made so many contributions but was given so little credit. This book was fascinating to read and was written so well that I actually felt like I were there beside her watching it all unfold. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it for all of those historical fiction fans.
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Rating: 4 stars
Marie Benedict’s latest offering is a historical fiction account of Winston Churchill’s wife, Clementine. (Pronounce the name like ‘Josephine’. This was helpful information for this American reader who prior to reading this book pronounced the name ‘klem-un-tine’ like a fork tine.) The story starts on the eve of Clementine’s wedding to Churchill in 1908, and ends at the end of World War II. This was a power couple before the coining of that term. Benedict’s portrayal of Clementine is of the unsung hero who saved Churchill’s bacon on many occasions, and who was the power behind that throne.
What struck me in details of their story was how much Clementine had to work extra hard to stay in her proper place behind the scenes, but still be the sounding board and helpmate that Winston heavily depended on. She was his ‘Cat’, and he her ‘Pug’. Together they had five children, weathered two World Wars, and bobbed upon the vicissitudes of British politics. They were often short of money, and apart for large amounts of time. Clementine kept the stiff upper lip and carried on as best she could through it all.
However, her carrying on as best she could was not without a personal toll. Like her husband, she suffered from depression. Unlike her narcissistic husband, she could not lean on him. More than once, she went away for a rest cure. She often left her children for long periods of times, even taking a months-long cruise with friends but without the children or Winston. I was reminded what a different era that was where it was considered socially acceptable to leave young children in the care of a nanny or governess for months at a time.
This was an engrossing looked at both the private and public sides of Clementine Churchill. After reading this, I feel like we owe as much a debt of gratitude to her as we do her celebrated husband for working so hard to ensure victory during WWII. This was a woman of mental substance who helped shape Churchill’s public speeches. She also provided invaluable political acumen during Churchill’s ongoing battles to stop Germany’s overrunning of Europe in both of the World Wars.
After finishing this book, I was compelled to read more about the Churchill family and view their photos on Wikipedia. I read about the Churchill children, and more about both Winston and Clementine. To my way of thinking, that is a sign of a successful work of historical fiction.
‘Thank-You’ to NetGalley; the publisher, Sourcebooks Landmark; and the author, Marie Benedict for providing a free e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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What a great read about a strong and powerful woman, especially one who had her own mental health challenges. I very much enjoyed learning about Clementine and the work she did. The time hops were a bit disorienting, but it moved the pace along well so that all aspects from marriage to end of WWII could be covered. I would have preferred to have a blurb about what she did after the war was over and throughout the rest of her life as well.
I was provided with an ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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First, thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for providing me an e-ARC copy of this incredible book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I normally don't like books about politics but this is the story, told from Clementine Churchill's point of view of her life married to Winston Churchill and the behind the scenes influence that she had on his career, her struggles with motherhood, her inner struggles and her balancing her strong personality with the times. It is a definite page turner and it goes through all the significant political events without being boring, at least to me. It outlines their financial and political struggles and how she had to hold this all together. It's not easy being a woman!
This author is wonderful and I am going to read her other books as I love her writing style. I couldn't put this book down it is that great. I highly recommend it!
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Lady Clementine by Marie Benedict is a novel told in the first person by Clementine Churchill, the wife of Winston Churchill. It seems very bold for the author to speak for Lady Clementine. However, the writing is so believable at times it read more like an autobiography instead of a novel. It is apparent that in-depth research went into the writing of this very interesting story of a complex woman.
Clementine Churchill, through her close relationship with her husband, was one of the most influential behind the scenes people during World War I and World War II. It was rare for Winston to give a speech without her editing and approval. She tried to ensure his speeches spoke to all British citizens, not just those with an education. She was a fierce proponent of Women's Suffrage and also was not afraid to make her own mark on the world without Winston's invitation.
Lady Clementine's biggest failure seemed to be parenting. She was raised by a bohemian mother, and she also was not a nurturing parent. She thought nothing of leaving her children in the care of nannies for long periods, including one trip for four months which left right before Christmas. Her toddler daughter Marigold became terminally ill while in the care of a nanny. The novel contains many disparaging statements about the three oldest children, especially her son Randolph. The youngest child, Mary, was clearly her favorite, but her parenting was done by a cousin who was the child's full-time nanny.
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Fans of Melanie Benjamin’s “The Aviator’s Wife” and Paula McClain’s “A Paris Wife” are going to love Marie Benedict’s latest novel, “Lady Clementine.”
Clementine is the wife of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. One of the many things I learned about is that the pronunciation of her name rhymes with “Josephine.”
When Clemmie and Winston first meet, it is love at first sight. She becomes his “Cat” and he her “Pug,” and they refer to their children as their “kittens.” It is a sweet love story set among the backdrop of two world wars and countless other strifes. They marry in 1908.
Readers will get to know a Winston Churchill as we have never known him before: sensitive, insecure, a neglected child that lurks below the surface, a man who depends on his wife in so many ways, especially politics. In the political arena, Clemmie often reminded me of Mary Todd Lincoln. It was heartbreaking to read. Clemmie shares those same traits and experiences. He suffered from fatherly neglect and an overprotective mother; she from motherly neglect and and absent father. And if the rumors were true, the father she barely saw wasn’t her father at all. But when they are with each other, they find they can be their true selves.
Winston admires Clemmie for her assertiveness, her willingness to speak her mind and to learn about the politics he so greatly enjoys. The novel is written in first person from Clementine’s point of view, but Winston is rarelu out of the picture. it is truly a novel about the woman behind the man.
We watch Clemmie struggle with her alcoholic and promiscous mother, with her own motherhood as she lacks maternal instincts, with the ups and downs of her most unusual marriage, the death of a child, Winston’s adoration of his mother, her need to prove herself worthy in everything she does, and the feelings of failure that haunt her.
A remarkable story of a remarkable woman that history, or at least American-told history, has chosen to virtually forget. That’s a shame. Therefore, “Lady Clementine” receives 6 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.
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Wonderful book, I never wanted it to end, I just loved being inside this couple's life.
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In 1908, Clementine Hozier married Winston Churchill and it's the start of one of history's greatest unions. Clementine was expected to be a Winston's wife, a mother to his future children and support his political career. Clementine Churchill was more than the wife of England's most powerful men, she was his friend, his confidant, his greatest supporter and together they made a formidable couple.
Not long into their marriage, Clementine saved Winston's political career after the his idea to attack The Dardanelles during WW I was an utter disaster, he was a demoted from the admiralty, she though of a way for Winston to redeem himself and it worked.
Her life wasn't an easy one, she had troubled childhood, her marriage to Winston was at times hard, trying to be a good mother to her five children, while being a busy politicians wife and of course living in England during the two world wars was difficult.
Both she and Winston had issues with " The Black Dog " as they called depression back then, the pressure of being in the public eye, loss of a child, juggling so many different roles and WW II. This took it's toll on both of the Churchill's mental health and of course their marriage.
Clementine was a very strong woman, she was smart and she was determined that her husband's time as England's Prime Minister was a success. During WW II, not only was she her husband sounding board for his famous speeches, she encouraged him to change the wording, Winston used big complicated words and the average English working class person wouldn't understand what he meant!
Clementine, put her husband first, she struggled with terrible guilt regarding the lack of time she spent with her children while they were growing up and her life wasn't easy. But she was dedicated to her husband, she loved him, she supported her country and it's people. She went out herself to witness the terrible damage the German bombs had done to London, she noticed the bomb shelters had issues, she discovered while they did protect women and children from harm? They lacked basic things, like somewhere for families to sleep, decent toilet facilities and she made changes.
She was involved with the Red Cross, she also added her name to the fire spotters list, at night they sat on roofs of buildings for 8 hours shifts watching with binoculars fixed on the sky, they reported incoming German planes and also if any fires had started. Mrs Churchill was also was an excellent hostess, she made do with what food was available due to rationing and she remembered the famous dinner guests favorite dishes.
Lady Clementine, is a story about a strong, brilliant, ambitious woman who stood beside her husband, during England's darkest hour and in her own way she helped her country defeat the Germans.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, opinions expressed in this review are my own, I gave Lady Clementine 5 stars and I really enjoyed the book.
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In this novel I found that Benedict uses her straightforward and uncompromising literary style to focus this novel mostly on Clementine’s life starting from when she met Winston in 1904, through 1945. That means the book encompasses both world wars. Think about it… to put 41 (very eventful) years into just under 340 pages is no small accomplishment. To achieve this, Benedict did some very careful picking and choosing, so that the events that got into the book were almost only those where Clementine’s involvement was either obvious, or should have been much more discernible. For example, Benedict describes the open secret that Clementine helped Winston write most of his speeches and had a large hand in editing his writings. Benedict also shows Clementine meeting with international heads of state, even in situations where she was the only spouse in the room. There’s also the relationship with Eleanor Roosevelt, the famously heavy-handed and highly influential wife of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was the US President during almost all of WWII. The parallels Benedict drew between these two women was probably my favorite part of this novel, since they were truly the proverbial “two peas in a pod”! Think about it – FDR had his debilitating Polio (albeit before he became president), and Winston almost died of pneumonia while he was PM during WWII. These wives nursed their husbands, knowing full well that their husbands’ political careers would take front and center the moment they were once again physically able.
I think what impressed me the most about this novel was how Benedict succeeded in making all of it – even the places where Clementine wasn’t playing an instrumental part – truly Clementine’s story. That doesn’t mean that she ignored Winston here, but rather that we saw it all through Clementine’s eyes, through her emotions, through her feelings, and through her own actions (or inaction, as sometimes the case might have been). Benedict also suggests that Clementine was very self-aware regarding her own inadequacies and ineffectiveness, and in fact more than implies that Clementine suffered from no small amount of emotional distress that might have had an impact on her mental health. I don’t know if this is factually correct, since my copy of the ARC didn’t have any author’s notes included, but it certainly sounded plausible to me.
What I’m saying here is that essentially, with the tiny exception to the title of this novel (which I suspect may have not necessarily been Benedict’s first choice), this is precisely the type of novel that I look for in women’s, biographical, historical fiction. Benedict’s precise, practically surgical selection of events shows Clementine as not just a strong supporter of her husband, but a tough, intelligent, leader of a woman in her own right, and one who doesn’t hesitate to take action, even when its controversial, or when failure is lurking in the shadows. Clementine isn’t simply a bystander or witness, because she’s practically on the front lines of every battle, even when she’s behind the scenes pulling her own strings. It seems very strange for me to say this of the first book of 2020, but I must give this novel a full five out of five stars. Benedict has outdone herself here, and I cannot recommend this book warmly enough.
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Marie Benedict is a bestselling author about the forgotten women in history. In this novel, she chose to write about Clementine Churchill, from her wedding day to the end of WWII.
Unfortunately, the author did not bring her subject to life. Clementine remained amorphous and nearly lacking a personality. The writing, too, was lack luster. Nevertheless, the reader, if she can plow through the mediocre writing, will, undoubtedly, learn something new about the Churchills.
This is no page-turner and it won’t keep you up reading into the wee hours of the morning, but if you’re wanting to add to your knowledge of WWII Britain, this book might just be your cup of tea.
My thanks to Sourcebook and NetGalley for an eARC.
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Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this ARC.
This book was very interesting all the way through. For someone who enjoys learning about history, it was a nice change to read about a strong female involved in so much history.
Some parts of the story surprised me and made me want to keep reading.
I already know people I will be recommending and buying this for!
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I have read many books about WW2, specifically from the point of view of England and Winston Churchill. I've watched Dunkirk and Darkest Hour and, in none of these books and movies do I recall hearing about Mrs. Churchill, Clementine. I know more about Winston's secretaries than I do about 'Clemmie' before reading this book. I am now questioning that, if Clementine played such an important role in Winston's life, politics, and behavior, then why haven't any of the other books and movies portrayed this? I really enjoyed reading about a totally different perspective involving the history of England and Churchill's reign through the 1920s, 30, and 40s and feel a little duped by what I've read/seen about this time period in the past. A good book makes you pause, think, and even look up how to play 'Bezique.'
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Great writing, but the book would have been improved with better choices in the treatment of Lady Clementine’s life.
I have enjoyed several books by Marie Benedict, for instance Carnegie’s Maid, and as I knew nothing about Clementine Churchill, I decided to read this author’s latest historical novel, Lady Clementine.
I enjoyed the writing. As usual, Benedict’s style is very flowing and she’s good at recreating the ambiance of an era, with great descriptions.
From the very first sentence, she managed to present Lady Churchill as someone unique, with a very specific mission in life, something unheard of to that degree in her time (like for instance being part of the war cabinet discussions).
Mrs. Churchill’s interests totally fit those of the man she ended up marrying and supporting all her life, even saving his life a couple of times.
It was fascinating to read about all that she did during both wars to support her country and help all those who suffered.
The author also highlighted some important elements in Clementine’s life, like her difficulties when she realized her husband maybe liked her more for what she was doing for him, for how she was supporting him and helping him in so many ways, than for who she was as a person.
Another important element in the book is her not being the mothering type.
As I mentioned above, I really knew nothing about the Churchills. So, as I remembered being a bit disappointed by Marie Benedict’s treatment of Hedy Lamarr’s life when I read another book on this artist, I thought it might be important to learn more about Clementine Churchill. So I watched a few documentaries on her.
I discovered she lived twelve more years than Winston. He died in 1965 and she in 1977. As her life’s focus had so much been her husband’s support, including preparing his speeches together, to give just a tiny detail, I think it would have been very interesting to prolong this novel (it ends in 1945), and show how Clementine’s life evolved after her husband’s death.
As for the mothering type, I was shocked to discover that one of her daughters, Diana, ended up dying of an overdose in 1963. I think this is a major element, and the book should definitely talk about Clementine’s later years and this tragedy.
So once again (see my review of The Only Woman in the Room), I like Marie Benedict’s style, but I disagree with some of her choices in the treatment of the lives of the women she decides to feature.
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Lady Clementine is a wonderful historical novel and one that I highly recommend. As can be seen from the title, it is the story of Clementine Churchill, wife of Winston. The story is told in Clementine's voice and Ms. Benedict inhabits that so well that, while reading, I truly felt that Clementine was telling her story. The book focuses quite a bit on WWII but there was much before that in Clementine's biography and these earlier times merit also captured the author's attention.
Readers learn that Clementine's childhood was rather insecure and find out why this was so. The losses she experienced and her opportunities to marry before meeting Winston are detailed.
Clementine and Winston had many years together prior to WWII. Readers experience the ups and downs of their relationship, Winston's political and military woes and their significant family tragedy. Winston's neediness and strong need for Clementine to be available become quite clear. Readers also witness Clementine's mental health struggles and the challenges that she faced as a mother. Throughout there is the lens of Clementine finding her own voice and her desire to be appreciated and recognized for the incredible woman that she was.
I give this novel 5 stars, something that I rarely do. I recommend it that highly.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for this read in exchange for an honest review.
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I found this book very insightful as to the relationship between Clementine and her husband Winston Churchill as well as the happenings around World War I and World War II. It is obvious that Winston was not the easiest man to live with. Very set in his ways. For example: only English standard food for meals, two baths a day with water at specific temps and at exact times, and specific shirts at certain times. He was also very much a "my way or the highway man" which often caused conflicts in his marriage as well as his position in the British government.
Clementine obviously loved him very much and tried to make things easier for him. But at the same time, as a very intelligent, strong, independent woman, she was not bashful about making her own opinions known which often paved the way for Winston to accomplish more for his country. It saddened me that it wasn't until her children were nearly grown that she had much of a relationship with them, and the continuing change of nannies/governesses didn't help the situation either especially the first 3 children.
Although this was historical fiction, it is obvious that Benedict did an enormous amount of research. It definitely shows throughout the story.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Sourcebooks Landmark through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.
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The author has a great writing style--the book is over 300 pages, but flows swiftly. Clementine Churchill deserves more recognition in history, and hopefully this book will correct this oversight. In reading this novelization of her life, you fall in love with this character. She was a strong and gracious person throughout a life that was often difficult.
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for a digital ARC.
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Lady Clementine by Marie Benedict is a delightful and enthralling historical fiction/biography of the incredible Clementine Churchill.
It encompasses how they met, what she was thinking during this courtship, as well as their early years of marriage through the end of WWII. While I would have loved to read about the remainder of her life, I feel that the book ended on a romantic and satisfying point in her life, and it was fitting for this novel.
I have to say I have always been a huge fan of Ms Benedict and have read, and enjoyed, all of her novels. This one did not disappoint.
I have so much respect for Ms Churchill, and learned so much more about her through this story. The author clearly did her research and brings nothing but respect and has created a wonderful piece that does justice to an amazing and classy woman.
I think I like Clementine so much because she is imperfect. Yes, she is strong, passionate, caring, selfless, intelligent, and fiery, but yet she has her weaknesses (an imperfect mother, bouts of anxiety), but she is impressive enough to call herself out on these issues and honestly does what she can to better herself.
I will read more on Clementine because this novel has created that inspiration for me to find out as much as I can. That is a huge compliment to the author.
5/5 stars enthusiastically
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Lady Clementine will both inform and entertain its readers. The author presents a story not only of the tumultuous times the world suffered through two world wars, but also a story of an unbreakable bond between a husband and wife. Winston Churchill’s contribution and place in history is secure. What is presented in this story is how significant the contribution of his wife was to his success. She tempered his brashness, assisted with his speech preparation, provided another set of ears to conversations her husband had with other world stage leaders, all while maintaining a household and giving birth to five children. This reader appreciates the extensive research the author did on her subjects and therefore the fictional conversations have the ring of truth. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.
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I loved Carnegie’s Maid and was excited to receive an ARC of Lady Clementine. Marie Benedict did not disappoint. The book was a little slow at first but picked up quickly. Benedict did a great job showing how Clementine was a good helpmate to and for her husband while showing her weaknesses as a mother. I think this will make a good bookclub choice and provide for good discussion. This book was well-researched and I learned a lot. My thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this ARC in exchange for an honest review,
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