Two women who challenged the Crown.
Divided by time. Bound by a secret...
1911
At the age of fifteen, carefree Mary Kirk and indomitable Wallis Warfield meet at summer camp. Their friendship will survive heartbreaks, separation and the demands of the British Crown until it is shattered by one unforgivable betrayal.
1997
Rachel's romantic break in Paris with her fiancé ends in tragedy when the car ahead crashes. Inside was Princess Diana. Back in Brighton, Rachel is haunted by the accident, and intrigued to learn the princess had visited the last home of Wallis, Duchess of Windsor, only hours before the crash. Soon, the discovery of a long-forgotten link to Wallis Simpson leads Rachel to the truth behind a scandal that shook the world...
I only discovered the wonderful author Gill Paul the year before last when I read No Place for a Lady. Then last year along came the brilliant The Secret Wife and now she is back once again with another intriguing, interesting read - Another Women's Husband. This new book again blends historical fact with fiction with a focus on Wallis Simpson and Princess Diana. The subject matter of this story is very timely considering the imminent 20th anniversary of Princess Diana's death. It still feels like only yesterday that the momentous event shook the world and everybody can remember where they where or what they were doing when the heard the news that caused a huge outpouring of grief.
I love historical fiction, it's one of my favourite genres, but what sets this author apart from others is the fact she uses a true story from the past which we are all familiar with and alongside it comes a more modern fictional story with the elements interlinked with the character in the present uncovering some secret or mystery to do with the past. Normally when I read a book in this genre I would have had no experience of the event as it would have occurred long before I was born as in World War Two etc so it was different for me to read about an event I had lived through. People have their own opinions and feelings around the circumstances of Princess Diana’s death and of the women herself so it must have been challenging for the author to write with a well rounded viewpoint and not have the book become overly sentimental. But she pulls it off perfectly. Also the fact she was writing about Wallis Simpson, a woman like Diana steeped in controversy whom many have formed strong opinions on, I think she had to stand back and portray all sides of the story in the way the reader was free to make up their own minds.
Another Women's Husband is told from two perspectives that of fictional character Rachel in 1997 and also that of Mary Kirk from 1912 right up until her death many years later. I really enjoy books that slip between the present and the past and although Rachel's storyline is set twenty years ago it felt as if it could be happening now. Rachel is on a break with her partner Alex in Paris. They are returning to their hotel after a night out where Alex has proposed. The couple are happy and looking forward to getting back to England to share their good news with their friends and family. Whilst in a taxi entering a tunnel in Paris they are held up and the reason for this will change their lives dramatically. There has been a crash and as Alex gets out to investigate he discovers the princess is in the car. Alex's instincts as a TV producer kick in but not before he shows some compassion. But as we all know the events do not have a happy ending and in later weeks Alex embarks on producing a documentary that he believes will uncover the truth of that fateful night in Paris. But Alex took something from the scene, an item which he believed held no significance, but it could be a connection to a woman in history who caused plenty of scandal.
The more modern element of the story focused on Rachel and how what she had witnessed impacts on her life and also her relationship with Alex. Back in England she runs her own vintage shop but on her return it has been burgled and all her hard work down the drain. The reader could see Rachel had put her heart and soul into creating her collection and with one fell swoop it was gone. Yet if this event hadn't occurred I doubt she would have connected with Susie Hargreaves and embarked upon uncovering a dramatic story fuelled by passion and love.
I felt Rachel and Alex became very disconnected for the majority of the book as Alex was often away researching for his documentary. He wanted answers and in a way so did Rachel but she went down a different path, one which she wanted the least upset as possible. I felt she had such compassion as well as determination and her interest was genuinely sparked by her wanting to uncover connections. Whereas Alex seemed more ruthless as it was his career and professional reputation at stake if things went wrong. I think they drifted apart in ways but then in others their love for each other was still there to see. I think both of them had to go on their own journey before they could come together with what they had discovered. I did enjoy the parts of the book set in 1997 but I think the chapters told from Mary Kirks's perspective and the long time period were even more fascinating and filled with so much rich detail of a world in the past that might not often be replicated.
There was a fear that the story of Wallis and her friend Mary, who she first meets in America in 1912 at a summer camp for girls, could begin to read like a history book we would have used in school. In the fact it could just have been listing of facts and the various relationships that the women have over the course of their friendship. This aspect of the book could have become very stilted and formal but instead Gill Paul weaves a masterful story that makes you feel you are right there back in the time of Wallis and Mary as they emerge from their teenage years and journey to womanhood. I knew very little of Wallis Simpson prior to reading this book bar the fact Edward abdicated from the throne in order to marry her. It was fascinating to delve deeper into her personal history and telling the story from Mary's perspective was very clever.
Mary seemed very innocent as opposed to Wallis. She took everything at face value whereas Wallis appeared to have the world at her feet and she was well able to play games. She presented a façade to the outside world but beneath it all there was a woman who had a difficult background and upbringing which must have affected how she wanted her life path to go. Sometimes I liked Wallis and at other times I really disliked her. I felt although her friendship with Mary was genuine when they first meet as Wallis became more worldly she left Mary behind and Mary was very much used. It came across as if Mary was only a plaything to be brought out every now and again when Wallis was bored before she found the next object of her affection. Wallis did the same with men. She fell deeply in love with a man and if she couldn't have him she would do everything in her power to get him. I felt she walked all over the feelings of Mary who had her own struggles too. Yes they did initially have a solid friendship but it disintegrated over the years in which the book is focused because of the actions of Wallis.
Wallis flitted from place to place, from man to man, from friend to friend, never seemingly able to settle. What she thought she wanted once she achieved it never gave her satisfaction and she was always on the lookout for the ultimate prize and it didn't seem to matter if she hurt Mary or other people in the process. The way she ingratiated herself into the life of Prince Edward was fascinating and given divorce at the time would cause huge scandal anyway the fact royalty was involved proved even more headline making. Even now having finished the book I'm not sure of my opinion of Wallis. She certainly led a very colourful life and she made her mark on history but it's perhaps Mary I felt the most affinity to in the story. She struggled witnessing everything Wallis was partaking in and although I don't necessarily agree with what Mary did too I do think she was looking for love and was more sincere in the way she went about it. Mary and Wallis were two very contrasting woman but there was a thread that held them together for a very long time before it was irrevocably cut.
I wondered how the two parts of the book would eventually tie together. It is only as we come near to the end that I felt a sense of urgency as Rachel races to uncover the truth and it was a bitter-sweet connection that tied the elements together but one with a satisfying ending. Gill Paul has once again written another stunning book. Books which focus on Diana and even Wallis could tend to be sensational and over the top but here the author has dealt with the subject matter with sensitivity and respect and shed light on a scandal and a love story which deserves to be read by many. There is a depth and honesty to the story which gives a real insight into the inner workings and feelings of the characters.
Another Woman's Husband proved to be a fascinating read which made me lose several hours to this story. I have no hesitation in recommending it and am keen to see what time in history Gill Paul will turn her hand to next.
Many thanks to Headline for my copy of Another Women's Husband to review via NetGalley and to Sharon for having my review on the blog.
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