Gone with the Windsors: A Novel

by Laurie Graham

Book Overview

"[A] witty and un-catty insight into British pre-war high society, as Wally and Maybell rise and shine while the storm clouds gather over Europe." --IndependentA wicked comedy about the romance of the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060872721
• Release Date: June 2007
• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Length: 409 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 1.1" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

Sharp as Diamonds

At a time when so many novels choose a narrow scope this story of how Wallis Simpson snared the emotionally needy Prince of Wales offers both wicked fun and historical insight. It's written in the form of a diary by Maybell Brumby, a wealthy young American widow who joins her two sisters in London and attempts to find her own way into British society. She's loaded so that's not too hard. And through her deliciously vacant mind it's easy to see the way the rigid pomp of British upper crusty society warped the emotional lives of children, especially one who grew up to be king. And it's easy to see too how a poor American girl sent as a charity case to a ritzy American private school might have inhaled a desire to rise up that was powerful and ruthless. It brings up other questions too, in a thoughtful and thought-provoking way. This is pure reading pleasure--laughs with substance. I loved it and will immediately order another book by Graham.

Light and sweet but also surprisingly moving

The narrator of this novel, Maybelle Brumby, is quite frivolous but has a sweet sense of humour, making her a delightful companion on this tale of the events surrounding the infamous Wallis Simpson and her hapless King Edward. Written in first person diary form, it's hard to get into at first, especially with rapid references to historical names, places, and events. But once you get used to Maybelle's speaking style, you fall into the rhythm of it, and the story really unfolds in a dramatic way. I found it difficult to put down this book despite it being very dense. I have to admit the beginning starts off rather slow unless you're a big fan of British Royalty. But once Hitler is introduced and World War 2 comes on the horizon, those who find this era history fascinating can't help but be swept along. I found myself Wikipedia-ing dozens of characters in this book, some real and some it turned out not. Many famous historical figures make brief cameos in this book and it's a testament to how well Maybelle's character is written that now I'm convinced that they must have been in real life exactly how she depicts them.

Fast Times with the Duke and Duchess

This book is a lot of fun, especially if you've read all the factual accounts, from the dignified Edward VIII by Frances Donaldson to the entertaining/trashy The Windsor Story and Duchess. The author throws enough actual people into the story and gets most of the facts and details right to lend it credibility, although the narrator is a fictitious former schoolmate of Wallis Warfield's from Baltimore, whose two sisters have relocated to London. Maybell is no great shakes as an intellectual, talking about Pluto's Republic and Edna Piaf, but she proves herself a more genuine and loyal friend than many of the other hangers-on in the Windsors' circle. The total selfishness of the Duchess and the immaturity of the Duke are brought out very well. The whole 1930s cafe society scene also comes to life in excellent detail. Fans of Gosford Park will love this. The one jarring note that I found was that everyone, including the Duke, called Wallis "Wally" throughout. I dont think anyone but the American tabloids called her this in real life, and I dont think she would have liked it. Her real name actually was Bessiewallis (one word) after her aunt Bessie Merryman (who in real life played a much greater role in the story) and her father, T. Wallis Warfield. Apart from that, the characterization is perfect. Hitler is storming across Europe and the Duchess is upset she didn't get a particular diamond pendant for her birthday. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth were also shown as they really acted, treating their older brother very shabbily, especially during the war. The book is close enough to the real thing that readers who haven't delved into the background will get the picture. Highly recommended.

Delightful!

This is the delightful story of Wallis Simpson and Edward VIII's romance as told through the eyes of Wally's close friend, Maybell. Written in diary format, Maybell arrives in London as a widow in 1931 and settles herself into the upper crust circles, detailing the parties and lives of the friends and family she knows. We see Edward VIII meeting and falling in love with Wally, and we watch as events force his hand for the woman he loves. Maybell is unflagging in her friendship for both, and she's a wonderful gossip with a flare for fashion and friendships. Mostly humorous, we see not only the subtle shifts in the Windsors' relationship, but in Maybell's relationships as well. Graham has a wonderfully breezy style that makes Maybell leap off the pages, and into our hearts. Excellent story and great fun as well. Highly recommended!

Edwardian Society at its Wittiest (4.5 stars)

Gone with the Windsors is a novel written through a series of entries in Maybell Brumby's diary from 1932-1939. Maybell is a somewhat dim-witted socialite widow who moves from Baltimore to London, bringing along with her a vast amount of money. We get an intimate look into her full calendar of lunch with friends, family drama, long trips to exotic European locales, and her friendship with the (in)famous Wallis Simpson. Soon after arriving in London, Maybell meets up with her old school chum Wally (aka Wallis Simpson), and life takes an exciting twist. Maybell has the money and Wallis has the ambition, and the two set out to win over London society, their coup culminating successfully when Wallis ropes in the Prince of Wales. The Prince is portrayed as a lonely and dull man (he is described by nearly everyone as being a 12-year-old in man's clothing) who is easily led astray. Enter Wallis Simpson, social climber extraordinaire, and the rest, as they say, is history. But history is much more fun when told from Maybell Brumby's point of view. Graham tells her story with a light touch- Maybell is so naive and just so completely ignorant that one cannot help but laugh out loud at her faux pas (such as talking about the brilliant "Alfred" Einstein). Her family drama is fun, too- especially the telling ways in which her neice names and renames her stuffed animals. Graham litters her book with famous cameos- Adolf Hitler and Winston Churchill being two. But for those of you romantics who think that the story of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor is one of true love conquering all, beware! Graham does not portray either the Prince of Wales or Wallis Simpson in a very appealing light. But all of her characters are so delicious and fun that it would be impossible not to enjoy this romp of a book. If you like this book, you might also like Snobs, by Julian Fellowes.