The Mitford Affair

3.75 (rounded up to 4) - I always get excited when I see a new Marie Benedict book. She always picks such interesting (and perhaps lesser-known) women to write about.

Set between World Wars, the book follows three of the six Mitford sisters: Unity, Diana, and Nancy. A prominent family at the time, they were well known for their support of the Communist, Fascist, and Nazi parties. If these sound like uncomfortable characters to read about, they are. And yet, Marie Benedict manages to humanize them (although that's not to say they're easy to love).

I applaud the research and the writing that went into this book. I don't think I could have stomached writing Unity's storyline in particular. And yet, the discomfort I felt is what I enjoyed most while reading. It was challenging, unsettling, and yet impartial. It was an intimate look at this family who may or may not have known what was to come in the next war.

The story itself didn't engage me as much as the other books I've read by the author. I'm sure a lot of this has to do with not finding the characters likable or their politics and outlooks agreeable. While I can't say it's a book I thoroughly enjoyed, I did appreciate reading something that brought me out of my comfort zone in this way. Unlikableness aside, these characters made for a thought-provoking read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing a free digital ARC to read and review.