HistoryNerd

A View of the 20th Century

Revisado: 10-30-24

As an Anglophile, I’ve run across Pamela Churchill Harriman’s name more than a few times. With marriages into two prominent families—one British, one American, it’s clear that she lived a fascinating life. The tragedy of Pamela Harriman is that if she had been born in the 21st century, no one would have blinked an eye at her sexual exploits. The fact that she turned sexual commerce into political commerce was farsighted and smart. Was she purely selfless? Of course not, but who is? Did she sleep around in advantageous manner? Of course, but how else could a woman in her position maintain a life that included a child? She lived her life, a fascinating one, and she made a contribution, many in fact. It’s about time that Harriman received her due.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A Slow Burn…

Revisado: 10-17-24

A very enjoyable read, part historical fiction, part gothic mystery. I hope to read more from Jen Wheeler in the future.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Completely Bingeworthy

Revisado: 07-16-24

I’m a long time fan of Beatriz Williams. I particularly enjoy her mid-20th century/modern dual period novels and “Husbands and Lovers” is no exception. I was enthralled by the plot and Williams is one the rare authors who can truly keep me guessing about where the characters are going to end up. At times I was more interested in Mallory’s story than Hannah’s, which I found a little difficult to follow since it bounced back and forth a bit. To be honest, Hannah’s story really deserves a standalone novel. It is certainly complex enough! At times, I felt like it was too glossed over to allow for full character development. The ending being what it was, I do wonder if there will be another book in the future featuring Hannah.
I would totally read it even though I generally have WWII fatigue.
I definitely recommend “Husbands and Lovers” which will appeal to both historic fiction and women’s fiction fans.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

The Original Bada** Mamas

Revisado: 03-12-24

A fabulous yarn about a tight knit Italian clan making their way through the lower echelons of the mob in mid-20th century New York. At times predictable and yet totally surprising, “The Godmothers” features four strong women forced to stand in for the men when war and tragedy descends on the family. A must read for lovers of women’s fiction and 20th century historical fiction.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Jennie Gets Her Due

Revisado: 05-14-23

Considering one of earlier American “Dollar Princesses”, Jennie Jerome is a fascinating character. Known best for being the mother of Winston Churchill, she gets relegated to the history books as a footnote. But she is an important example of the power, both socially and politically, that women held in the late 19th century. She truly lived and loved how she wanted to and while she certainly was scandalous, she still managed to retain her position in England’s aristocracy until her death. I didn’t know what to expect from a male author writing about a woman, but Gortner does an amazing job of it. I will definitely look for his other historical fictionalized bios in the future.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

A Ballsy Look at the Gloriously Madcap Mitfords

Revisado: 02-26-23

I have to give Ms. Benedict a round of applause. Diana and Unity Mitford have been derided for generations, and many authors would be too afraid to give them a platform outside of a biography. Too many readers these days can’t seem to get over whether or not a character is likable or has some redeeming qualities. Personally, I prefer the anti-hero or anti-heroine, though in this case, I’m not sure there is anything heroic about two of the three sisters documented in this book. But Benedict does manage to do with “The Mitford Affair” is provide a voice for these women despite their questionable and horrendous beliefs. Thinking people will enjoy this book because it gets into the heads of Diana and Unity Mitford. What made these two women tick?

For Diana, she was clearly in thrall to her lover and later husband, Oswald Mosley, so much so that she threw away her picture perfect but boring life to be with him. Her characterization is probably the most nuanced of three sisters documented in the book. She is at first seduced by Mosley’s charisma and sexual prowess (as many women were) and then shifts to using him a vehicle to gain prestige and political power. She definitely becomes the woman behind the man.

For Unity, being beloved is the impetus to her madness. She may have always been mentally unbalanced. While Hitler managed to seduce many with his charisma and charm, Unity’s obsession pushes her to places that many wouldn’t have dared. It’s sad really, that her devotion was so misguided and when Hitler ultimately betrays her, she really loses everything. Of the three sisters, Unity is the hardest to relate to given her obsession with Hitler and willingness to do anything to be near him.

Then there is Nancy, the sister who becomes a prolific writer and eagerly used her real life experiences as plot points. She becomes a willing traitor in hopes of opening her sisters’ eyes, and her anguish over committing the act that condemns her sisters is well written.

I’ve previously read two different biographies on the Mitford sisters so I was fully aware of the the scary political beliefs Diana, Unity, and to some extent Jessica (Decca) adhered to. Ultimately I really enjoyed the fictionalization of their lives and ultimately their thoughts.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Disappointing…

Revisado: 11-22-22

The story of Ann Woodward was appealing as I have not come across a full telling of the events surrounding the murder of her husband. However, the addition of Truman Capote to the story was not compelling, particularly as the link between the two was tenuous at best. I don’t know if the author or the publisher thought that it would bring better recognition to the book but it backfired. Especially given that the recently published “Capote’s Women” by Laurence Leamer expertly handled Truman Capote and his “swans”.

Ann Woodward’s life could have easily filled a book had a proper context of her life and times had been included. It’s sad because she deserves a full book, especially given her sad life.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

Dramatization of a Defiant Princess

Revisado: 11-05-22

“An Indiscreet Princess” is an interesting look at Princess Louise, the Duchess of Argyll. I’ve read Lucinda Hawksley’s “Queen Victoria’s Mysterious Daughter,” a biography on Princess Louise, that really opened my eyes to the scandalous life she lived. One of the primary issues that Hawksley encountered was the unavailability of Louise’s correspondence and other papers relating to her life. It was that author’s supposition that Louise’s life had been carefully guarded by the powers that be. However conjecture is a bane for a historian but a boon for an author.

Georgie Blalock’s rendering of a roughly ten year period in Louise’s life is competent. She captures the difficulties of living with a mercurial monarch and mother such as Queen Victoria. Louise, however, comes off as more whiny than rebellious at times. Many of her diatribes are repeated throughout the novel, and she doesn’t really “learn” anything until the very end of the book. I also feel that the author “played it safe” in terms of how she depicted Louise’s life. I don’t know if this was the result of heavy editing, but at times, it made for puzzling reading. For instance, when Louise and Edgar finally consummate their love for each other, it’s not even depicted. What should have been a pivotal moment in the book was reduced to a passing conversation between characters. I even backed up the book to see if I had missed something and I had not. It just seemed like a strange and anticlimactic way to handle the situation.

I do wish there had been an author’s note at the end discussing what is known about Louise’s life versus what is speculated as well as what came after the book’s end. Louise got caught up in a scandal involving Edgar Baume’s death, for instance, and it is largely due to period references to her involvement that inform us of her affair with the artist. I definitely encourage interested readers to seek out Hawksley’s biography of Louise as it is fascinating and well written.

As for this novel, it is good enough, which seems to be what passes for fiction these days. And I’m happy to read anything not involving World War II spies or resistance fighters which seems to be current trend. I’ve read Blalock’s other novels and have enjoyed them so she is definitely an author that I return to when her new releases are announced, and that’s largely due to her interest in writing about the female experience in different time periods. So I will continue to look for her books in the future.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Fascinating and Heartbreaking

Revisado: 08-21-22

Well crafted (and researched) story that is in turns both fascinating and heartbreaking, with a bittersweet ending. I also enjoyed the era (late 18th century) as it seems that historical fiction is dominated by WWII at the moment, and that’s not my cup of tea. The characters are all well drawn and distinct, which is also something that a lot of historical fiction novelists struggle with. I appreciate that the author included the sad and debauched chapter of Louis XV’s life where he went from being a hero amongst his people to being a middle aged roué and predator, even though young girls matured faster and often married sooner than they do now. Madame Pompadour’s culpability in the scheme is also disturbing—it’s sad to behold what people will do in order to maintain power.

Despite the weighty subject matter, there is triumph over adversity and while the ending is bittersweet, it is fitting and satisfying. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Stachniak’s work.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

Sophomore Slump?

Revisado: 08-09-22

I greatly enjoyed Ms. Blalock’s “The Other Windsor Girl” and so I was happy to see “The Last Debutantes” pop up in my recommended feed. Sadly, I didn’t find it as enjoyable as the author’s first effort. It wasn’t until the author’s note at the end that I discovered why. While the protagonist Valerie was a real person, very little is known about her, which is unfortunate given the momentous events she must have observed. But it also hinders her character development and the plot line as the author only had a few details and the dates. Being able to invent and embellish the only known details of a historical personage’s life would be a boon for many authors but Ms. Blalock’s narrative suffered as a result. Valerie was not a very compelling heroine. In fact, she could be downright whiny and obsessive. While her origin story was sad, the fear that her supposedly dark secret would be discovered was ridiculous and overwrought. In the end, Valerie was overshadowed by more dynamic and interesting historic figures. There were many times I had to push through this one because the plot was just boring.

I have not given up on Ms. Blalock. Her next book is due out in September and features the Princess Louise, the rebellious daughter of Queen Victoria. Hopefully with a character that is better documented, her third book will be the charm.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona