I was excited about the new Marie Benedict book but I found the Mitford Affair a bit boring. I am normally a fan of historical fiction but I didn't find this story particularly compelling and I am not sure that I would really recommend it. I fear readers will be disappointed.

Thank you @netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of The Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict. I typically like Marie Benedict's historical fiction, but I did not finish this one. I did not like the characters, and the depiction of their interest in the Nazi party was tough to read as well. It is possible I'll go back to this one at another time, but it was not for me right now. I'm sure it's a great book overall. #themitfordaffair #mariebenedict #bookstagram

I could not finish it. I hated the characters and their actions. To be fair, it's a testament to the skills of the author to honestly depict these real-life people. They just aren't people I want to spend any time with.

Benedict continues her run of tremendous storytelling with the Mitford Affair. Interestingly, in her author's note, she mentions that her interest in writing about the Mitford sisters was peaked when she was writing about their cousin, Clementine, Winston Churchill's wife. Similarly, after reading Lady Clementine, I went down a deep Google rabbit hole, reading about this fascinating family.

With the Mitford Affair she does a superb job of what I imagine was a difficult task - helping you understand how Unity and Diana fell under the spell of Hitler and nazism - portraying him as a person they had lunch, watched movies, and connected with - compared to the monster he was. I wish there had been a bit more about Decca (Jessica) and her love of communism, just as such a great balance to Unity and Diana - with Nancy, the rational voice in the center.

Overly long and plodding, without any likable characters. I held on hoping it would turn around, but now I kind of wish I had DNFed it.

I learned so much in this fascinating, fun book. Benedict is a great historical novelist and this may. E her best yet.

Thank you to #NetGalley, #sourcebooks #Marie Benedict for the free eARC.

I love historical fiction and Marie Benedict is one of my favorite authors. I try to ever one of her books. This book did not disappointment. The research was done well and included many details that felt gleaned from quality research. I love the story of how the author became interested in the Mitford Sisters. I had not heard of them prior to reading this book.

I liked the characters. Each one had their own distinct personality, ideas, inspirations, and goals for the political endeavors. All the while dealing with the lemons they had been given, how different they were, I often wondered if the family could survive the turmoil with their relationships intact especially since they were so politically divided.

I also liked the fact the chapters were short . Each chapter a sister gave their story adding that led me to like them more and more or not so much. I did like the characters, but also wondered if the sisters were believable in their storytelling.

I would recommend this book for those who like WWII, sisters and family relationships, fascism, communist, drama, being involved in the war, relationships with war leaders,, and dealing with trauma.

This was an easily readable historical fiction told from the perspective of 3 sisters. Well, not really the perspective because it was all third person POV, but each chapter followed one sister's story at a time in a different point in the year. The story was told chronologically even though each chapter followed a jump in time.

I think I found Unity's story the most interesting to follow for the sheer fact that it was ludicrous. To me, at least. However, it's important to remember that during that time, it was not at all unbelievable to imagine women becoming besotted and infatuated with Hitler. Even today, we hear stories of celebrity stalkers who seem completely out of touch with reality. I think this is a perfect parallel of Unity - someone who wants to impress someone else so much that they're is no shred of themselves left to hang onto. At the end, who was Unity other than a Hitler groupie he used as propaganda to appeal to the citizens of Great Britain?

Although I enjoyed this story, I found myself bored with Nancy's story, even though that's who I should have been rooting for. Her inaction to move against her sisters and her unwillingness to get out of a terrible marriage made her such a passive character that it was hard to like her. I understand she's a real person in history and that acting against family you love must be difficult, but it doesn't change the fact that her chapters bored me. Hence the 3 stars.

I hadn't heard of the Milford sisters before this and I'd be curious to read some nonfiction about them. Such division in a family - socialism, communism, fascism, Nazism - is fascinating.

Thank you to the publisher for my copy - all opinions are my own.

I really deeply enjoyed this story, and it remined me why I love reading historical fiction when it is this well done. Everything about this book is wonderfully crafted from the dynamic and fascinating characters, to the beautifully descriptive surroundings and the drama of the plot in the middle of it all.

This is one not to be missed by historical fiction lovers.

I wanted to like this book, but I finally gave up about halfway through. While the premise is good, and I usually find historical fiction fascinating. In addition, this book covers a time period and topic that I had not learned about -- the rise of Fascism and communism in England between the World Wars. Unfortunately, the plot is rather boring and the characters are confusing. I had a great difficulty identifying and relating to the characters, in part because each of them had several names often used interchangeably. There are several sisters, each with a distinct name and then a distinct nickname. Add to that all the family members and colleagues who also have names and nicknames, I just lost interest with the effort to distinguish between the characters. Plus, nothing really happened much. There was one incident of a near riot at a rally, but most of the narrative seemed to be exposition and political rhetoric. I have other books waiting, so I've just put this one aside.

I have rarely met a book where I could not like at least one character. The Mitford Affair is a rarity. None of the sisters, as portrayed by the author, are lovable or even likeable.
You get to hear their stories. You might end up hating them all and each one in turn.
A very interesting take on the whole family.

I always enjoy reading about the Mitford family and Marie Benedict's writing and storytelling is immersive and engaging.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this digital ARC.

i usually enjoy Benedict’s books, but this one was tough for me. i think it was the lack of connection i felt to the main characters, aristocratic sisters from England, a few of who are Nazi sympathizers in the 1920s and 30s. i did like the drama and scandal aspects but it was just meh for me.

The Mitford Affair is written by one of my favorite authors, Marie Benedict. It is a historical novel about a topic and family I had never heard of before. So that combined with the fact that it is just written to pull the reader in, the subject material is also fascinating.

The Mitford family lives in Britain in the 1920-30s. The Mitford sisters are well liked and are part of the best social circles. The oldest sister, Diane is beautiful and married to a very important and wealthy man. Then she divorces her husband and gets involved with a fascist leader. Unity is the most quiet and plain sister, with questionable political views. She becomes enamored of the German chancellor rising to power, Adolf Hitler. Sister Nancy is clever and an author, who watches her sisters becoming more and more involved in the atrocities happening in Germany. She writes a novel using her sisters and their friends in a thinly veiled call to action.

This novel shows the power of words to hold sway over people. Also the need for love and attention to draw people together and pull them apart. A look at how the people were drawn in by Hitler and Mussolini.

This book was extremely dull. I did not find a good connection to the characters and felt that it dragged. This has to be Marie Benedict's worst book.

The six Mitford sisters are used to the English spotlight, but when one sister divorces her husband to marry a fascist leader between the World Wars the family becomes entangled in the Nazi party. It's up to another sister to try to save her family, and work to end the second World War.

I have read other works by Marie Benedict but The Mitford Affair is my least favorite. I enjoy Benedict's writing style and her absolute dedication to research as she creates the world that swirls around her characters. It's hard to fault her for my dislike of this novel.

However, the subject being the Mitford Sisters was just too difficult to overcome. I think Benedict choosing to have three different POVs for each of the three main characters made the flow challenging. These three perspectives did allow insight into why these women made such abhorrent decisions in supporting miscreants and evil leaders. The one sister who had the possibility of showing some redemption for this treasonous family came across as weak and not admirable in the least.

If you are curious about this family known to support communism and fascism - and Hitler himself - then by all means, please pick this up. However, if you are simply interested in reading one of Benedict's historical fictions, choose the Personal Librarian or The Other Einstein.

I give this 2.5 stars but rounded up as I do think Marie Benedict is a skillful writer who tackled an automatically unlikable family to be the subject of her novel.

English high society, international political intrigue and WWII are the backbone of this latest work of Marie Benedict. Overall, an interesting family drama concentrating on the lives of three wealthy sisters who after the Great Depression have to learn self reliance rather than leaning on their family's legacy. There's also a strong contrast between the emergence of fascism and communism across Europe and the impact it has on the family. We also see the changes mirror what we see in society as a whole then and really-also now. For that reason, this work of historical fiction feels somehow fresh and brings lessons that apply to the present.

Thank you Netgalley, SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, Sourcebooks Landmark and Marie Benedict for free e-ARC in return of my honest review.

"The Mitford Affair" is a captivating historical fiction novel set between the World Wars, focusing on the lives of the six Mitford sisters. This eccentric and influential family dominates the English political, literary, and social scenes, but their lives take a dramatic turn when Diana divorces her wealthy husband to marry a fascist leader, and Unity follows suit, even going as far as to incite rumors of a relationship with Hitler himself.

As the Nazis rise to power, Nancy Mitford, a talented novelist, becomes increasingly suspicious of her sisters' frequent visits to Germany and their association with high-ranking fascists. The novel delves into the torrid political climate of the time, exploring how seemingly sensible individuals can be drawn into radical actions. Nancy's journey becomes a battle to prevent the Nazis from taking over Great Britain, forcing her to confront the difficult choices between personal relationships and political duty.

The strength of "The Mitford Affair" lies in its ability to transport readers to a tumultuous era in history. The author skillfully captures the atmosphere of the interwar period, immersing readers in the political tensions and social dynamics of the time. The Mitford sisters, with their distinct personalities and unconventional lives, are brought to life with vivid detail, making them both fascinating and relatable characters.

The plot is well-paced, with a perfect balance between historical accuracy and fictional elements. The author's meticulous research is evident, as the narrative seamlessly weaves together real events and the imagined experiences of the characters. The suspense builds steadily as Nancy uncovers alarming conversations and disquieting documents, creating a sense of urgency and keeping readers engaged until the very end.

One of the novel's strengths is its exploration of the complexities of personal and political choices. Nancy's internal struggle between her loyalty to her family and her duty to her country is portrayed with nuance and sensitivity. This theme adds depth to the story, making it more than just a historical account but a reflection on the moral dilemmas faced by individuals during times of crisis.

While "The Mitford Affair" is a compelling and well-written novel, there are moments when the pacing slows down, particularly during the extensive descriptions of the sisters' lives and relationships. However, these moments are outweighed by the overall strength of the story and the author's ability to transport readers to a fascinating period in history.

In conclusion, "The Mitford Affair" is a captivating historical fiction novel that delves into the lives of the influential Mitford sisters during the turbulent years between the World Wars. With its well-researched backdrop, engaging plot, and complex characters, this book offers a thought-provoking exploration of personal choices in the face of political upheaval. Fans of historical fiction and those interested in the interwar period will find this novel both entertaining and enlightening.

This novel is set just before world war II, drawing on the real family of the Mitfords. The book is told through the eyes of the three eldest sisters in alternating chapters. It explores their political views and the allegiance to their country and one another.

The Mitford sisters have always interested me so this was a fascinating read.