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codergrl's review
3.0
This was pretty good, I learned quite a bit about Clementine Churchill and her role in her husband's political career. However, something felt off about it and I can't quite put my finger on what it was. Maybe the first person narrative? /shrug
mkendrab's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
mbenzz's review
3.0
2.5 Stars...This is a tough book to review. While the book is well written, and very well researched, I just did not like Clementine Churchill.
I realize this is a historical fiction book, so I'm not sure how much of this is true, but I can only review the version of Clementine I read here in these pages, and in these pages, she was pretty horrible.
It's one thing to be ambitious and wanting to do everything you can to help your husband succeed in his political career, but Clementine put Winston before everything and everyone...including her children.
No matter how much I may disagree with someone else's parenting style, I don't usually call another woman a 'terrible mother' as that's just so incredibly harsh, and mothering is subjective and everyone parents differently, and what works for one kid may not work for another, blah, blah, blah. However Clementine Churchill was a TERRIBLE MOTHER.
She was selfish and narrow-minded, and had no business having as many children as she did. Even when she lost a child to illness, she STILL didn't change! She still didn't step up and be there for her remaining children, and the child that followed after. Parenting was left to the revolving door of Nannys.
No wonder her kids were so messed up.
Overall, I'd recommend this is you're a fan of the Churchills and enjoy reading about them and this time period (WWI and WWII). Otherwise, I'd say skip it. It's extremely slow going, and I skimmed the last 20% just trying to get through it.
Again, well written, but Clementine was just too unlikable for me to enjoy this.
I realize this is a historical fiction book, so I'm not sure how much of this is true, but I can only review the version of Clementine I read here in these pages, and in these pages, she was pretty horrible.
It's one thing to be ambitious and wanting to do everything you can to help your husband succeed in his political career, but Clementine put Winston before everything and everyone...including her children.
No matter how much I may disagree with someone else's parenting style, I don't usually call another woman a 'terrible mother' as that's just so incredibly harsh, and mothering is subjective and everyone parents differently, and what works for one kid may not work for another, blah, blah, blah. However Clementine Churchill was a TERRIBLE MOTHER.
She was selfish and narrow-minded, and had no business having as many children as she did. Even when she lost a child to illness, she STILL didn't change! She still didn't step up and be there for her remaining children, and the child that followed after. Parenting was left to the revolving door of Nannys.
No wonder her kids were so messed up.
Overall, I'd recommend this is you're a fan of the Churchills and enjoy reading about them and this time period (WWI and WWII). Otherwise, I'd say skip it. It's extremely slow going, and I skimmed the last 20% just trying to get through it.
Again, well written, but Clementine was just too unlikable for me to enjoy this.
ceplutnicki's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Boring, repetitive predictable. Not nearly as great as her other books. Very disappointing
njw13's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
mcathreads's review
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The author was clearly enamored by the subject, Clementine Churchill. I agree Mrs. Churchill is a figure to admire, but the book reads like a long list of accomplishments and how the main character suffered because of her efforts and the limitations put on women in the 20th century.
bargainsleuth's review
4.0
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I've read biographies of Clementine and Winston Churchill, so I knew a bit about the principal characters. That's always a tricky spot when reading historical fiction; read too much on a subject and you can't get over the fiction parts, or tear apart the historical inaccuracies the author needed to employ (changing dates or order of events to help the flow of the story.)
Lady Clementine by Marie Benedict is better than most historical fiction novels that I've read lately. I think she captures Clementine quite well. Not the most affectionate or hands-on mother (most mothers of her class were the same way), working hard in efforts to further Winston's career, frequently being run down and needing rest, etc. That's the Clementine I also got from the biographies I read.
Whatever her faults, Clementine Churchill was essential to Winston throughout his political career and does not seem to get enough credit. In this case, the old adage is true: behind every great man is a great woman. I enjoyed this book well enough that I'll be looking into Benedict's other works as well.
I've read biographies of Clementine and Winston Churchill, so I knew a bit about the principal characters. That's always a tricky spot when reading historical fiction; read too much on a subject and you can't get over the fiction parts, or tear apart the historical inaccuracies the author needed to employ (changing dates or order of events to help the flow of the story.)
Lady Clementine by Marie Benedict is better than most historical fiction novels that I've read lately. I think she captures Clementine quite well. Not the most affectionate or hands-on mother (most mothers of her class were the same way), working hard in efforts to further Winston's career, frequently being run down and needing rest, etc. That's the Clementine I also got from the biographies I read.
Whatever her faults, Clementine Churchill was essential to Winston throughout his political career and does not seem to get enough credit. In this case, the old adage is true: behind every great man is a great woman. I enjoyed this book well enough that I'll be looking into Benedict's other works as well.
chasekj's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I had fun reading this book, but it felt kind of shallow. It’s hard to encapsulate the full personality of a historical figure when writing in their point of view, and Marie Benedict missed the mark for me.
book_concierge's review
3.0
Audible audiobook narrated by Elizabeth Sastre
3.5***
This work of historical fiction focuses on Lady Clementine Churchill, the woman beside (not behind) the man, Winston Churchill. As she has done with other subject, Benedict delves into research to bring this woman, whose role in history was previously unheralded, to light.
The novel follows the couple from their wedding day through several decades. Benedict was privileged to have access to many of the letters Winston and Clementine wrote to one another throughout their lives. This gave her insight into not just the historical facts, but their personal feelings for one another, and about the situations in which they found themselves. Lady Clementine emerges from the pages as a strong woman, with the courage of her convictions and easily able to stand up to (and for) the man in her life, helping Winston Churchill achieve the successes for which he is so well known. She was more than simply a witness to history, she helped to shape history.
I have a hard time, however, leaving behind my expectations of a modern-day woman who juggles career and motherhood with the expectations and restrictions of the era and society in which Clementine Churchill lived. That is my failing, not the author’s.
Elizabeth Sastre does a fine job of narrating the audiobook. She sets a good pace and has clear diction, so she was easily understandable, even when listening at double speed.
3.5***
This work of historical fiction focuses on Lady Clementine Churchill, the woman beside (not behind) the man, Winston Churchill. As she has done with other subject, Benedict delves into research to bring this woman, whose role in history was previously unheralded, to light.
The novel follows the couple from their wedding day through several decades. Benedict was privileged to have access to many of the letters Winston and Clementine wrote to one another throughout their lives. This gave her insight into not just the historical facts, but their personal feelings for one another, and about the situations in which they found themselves. Lady Clementine emerges from the pages as a strong woman, with the courage of her convictions and easily able to stand up to (and for) the man in her life, helping Winston Churchill achieve the successes for which he is so well known. She was more than simply a witness to history, she helped to shape history.
I have a hard time, however, leaving behind my expectations of a modern-day woman who juggles career and motherhood with the expectations and restrictions of the era and society in which Clementine Churchill lived. That is my failing, not the author’s.
Elizabeth Sastre does a fine job of narrating the audiobook. She sets a good pace and has clear diction, so she was easily understandable, even when listening at double speed.