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There are currently 45 member reviews
for The Woman Before Wallis
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John A. (Austin, TX)
A Pleasant Diversion
The Woman before Wallis was an entertaining, escapist read about a cast of characters who were particularly prominent in the first half of the twentieth century. The majority of these people were neither particularly likeable nor admirable in their behavior, but the story was still readily digestible. I would have liked a more detailed epilogue, but a quick visit to Wikipedia resolved that shortcoming. If you need a vacation from all the problems of today, you might find this book to be a pleasant diversion.
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Pam S. (Wellesley, MA)
The sad but fascinating lives of the rich and famous
This book is a must read for anyone fascinated with British royalty and the aristocracy during the period between the two world wars. There are three interwoven stories - that of Lady Thelma Furness who was the mistress of Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), the wild and scandalous life of her twin sister Gloria Vanderbilt, and the New York custody trial over Gloria's daughter "Little Gloria" in 1934. While I found it hard to admire many of these characters, the author brought them to life and has written an unputdownable novel. The custody trial over 10 year old Gloria Vanderbilt was a tragedy for the "poor little rich girl" who overcame her difficult early years to become Gloria Vanderbilt, the socialite, artist and jeans designer. The descriptions of her mother's life on the French Riviera brought to mind Fitzgerald's Tender is the Night. I was so engaged by this book that I immediately read the recent memoir by Gloria Vanderbilt and her son Anderson Cooper. It was so interesting to read her reflections on her early years and lifelong search for love and caring from her mother.
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scgirl
Great Historical Fiction
If you've ever wondered about David, King Edward VIII prior to Wallis Warfield Simpson, this is the book for you. In The Woman Before Wallis, Bryn Turnbull places you in 1930's England and introduces you to Thelma, Lady Furness.
Thelma, the twin sister of Gloria Vanderbilt, was a Morgan by birth. She eloped at age 17 and had a difficult marriage for 3 years when she was finally divorced. Thelma then went to California where she became involved in motion pictures, albeit not successfully.
Visiting her sister in Paris, she met and fell in love with Duke Furness. She had a comfortable, mostly happy life until she became aware of her husbands many affairs. While she was advised to ignore them, she also found herself being pursued by David, the Prince of Wales.
Turnbull puts you there for every joy, sorrow, passion, and betrayal of Thelma's life. Her history is mostly accurate, the storytelling extremely compelling.
I recommend this book for anyone who wants an inside look at this pre-Wallis time period.
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Melanie B. (Desoto, TX)
A Fateful Set of Affairs
This is well-written historical fiction imagining the difficult family history of Thelma, Lady Furness, and her affair with the Prince of Wales. Through a series of sometimes confusing flashbacks, Thelma Morgan remembers the most crucial events of her life, starting with her fateful request of Wallis Simpson to look after the Prince of Wales while Thelma returned to the United States for a family concern. The author portrays Thelma as an interesting, passionate and courageous woman of her time and place. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy a bit of romance and royal intrigue.
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Florence K. (Northridge, CA)
Money and Happiness Don't Always Coincide
A glimpse into the life styles of the "other half" - the rich and famous - lived in the 1930's comprises the essence of this book. While the world was wallowing in the Great Depression, these characters were taking luxurious and leisurely trips, had servants to do their bidding, partying and drinking. The Woman in the title was Lady Thelma Morgan Furness, a twice-divorced socialite who captured the fancy of the playboy Prince of Wales with whom she carried on a torrid relationship. It makes one wonder how the course of history would have changed if Edward VIII had not abdicated the throne to marry Wallis Simpson who was a friend of Thelma Furness. The book is well written, well researched, and a very good product from a debut author.
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Amy P. (Boulder City, NV)
The Women of a Gilded Age
A cast of characters of privilege and wealth, whether born into or married into; I found the societal decadence of the gilded age unsettling, but more so the lengths these people went to maintain social appearances. That said, I loved the writing! I believe this book to be well researched and the story just flows! Ms Turnbull's writing transported me back to the times and places, and gave me a little more insight to the story we all thought knew. I loved the details, politics, and ultimately the insight into the human need for love, acceptance and survival. Recommending this to my book club when published!
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Dorothy H. (Folsom, CA)
"Royal" Historical Fiction
I liked the book, easy to read and will be a great Book Club selection. I learned about Thelma Morgan (Gloria Vanderbilt twin sister) who is the woman before Wallis Simpson who later married Prince of Wales after he renounced the Crown.
Lots of scandal involving the Prince of Wales , wealthy titled English and Vanderbilt's. Back story to the major trial of Gloria Vanderbilt trying to obtain full custody of her daughter also named Gloria Vanderbilt.
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