Another world

The little known tale of Henry Asquiths incredible affair with socialite Venetia Stanley evokes a world of privilege and entitlement which takes the breath away. The arrogant entitled world of the ruling classes eclipses what we think are the excesses of today’s elites to the extent of them being beyond any scrutiny and gen above the law.
Asquith comes across as a petulant, selfish baby. Venetia is marginally more likeable but by a thin margin. The whole shower of aristocrats are despicable people blundering along in their bubble.
I liked the character of the detective, a decent man, he provided a foil to the revolting masters ruling the country. I would have liked to have had some post novel intelligence of him; was he killed in the war? What happened to his brother? There was also a tantalising hint of attraction between him and the German speaking Swiss maid which would have been an interesting vignette. I am aware Deemer was a fictional character.
I thought the book was well researched, well written and very engaging. I kept volunteering to take the dog out so I could listen to it in peace. Samuel West was a perfect choice narrator in every way, he stormed it.
A good story well told.

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10 people found this helpful

Superb narration

I could listen to Sam West read out the telephone directory he’s that good. Great story though hard to like the main characters.

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1 person found this helpful

Stunning write up of a disastrous affair.

I enjoyed the creation of the other side of the love affair. Venetia Stanley kept PM Asquith’s letters to her and Harris successfully recreates her letters to him. Half fiction half reality, this book is the catalogue of an affair during the build up and the beginning of WW1 when Asquith has clearly lost all sense of reason and responsibility. His behaviour is flabbergasting but very revealing. I was hooked.

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Great read

A great read , beautifully crafted and all the more addictive as based on facts and the recently uncovered letters that reveal the principals human concerns at a time of utter catastrophe .

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Historical faction at its best

I learnt more about the circumstance surrounding WWI than any A level history lesson I sat through. The recklessness of HH Asquith is absolutely phenomenal. He puts a teenage-like infatuation way in front of any obligation to the country as its Prime Minister.
In fact, the whole class divide is no more apparent than the casual way in which official documents are just thrown out of the window or sent through the post with no security - that assumption that anyone who isn’t of their social standing has anything of consequence to offer/say.
I found the excruciating one-way obsession to be fascinating to read. Venetia must have felt swamped and suffocated by the bombardment of letters and attention, yet at a loss on how to extricate herself.
The casual way that the establishment recruited and sent to the slaughter so many men,young and old. Only worrying about casualties when their own officer-class relatives were involved.
The novel trips along at Robert Harris’ usual pace. Impeccably researched and put together for our total entertainment
Highly recommended

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Excellent historical novel

I enjoyed the depth of research that comes throughout the story. A gripping historical, political novel. Well written and narrated.

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Absolutely loved it

Learned so much about this period, Asquith and upper class life. Enjoy the way Harris weaves fact and fiction to create a riveting story. Excellent narration too.

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Stylish, Addictive, Excellent

This was so much more impressive than I expected. It feels more artistic than other Harris novels. I got it as a Christmas gift and couldn’t put it down; listening concurrently. Samuel West, as ever, was a sublime narrator.

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Excellent writing illuminates the intertwining of history and private personal passion.

Superb performance and great writing bring history to life and powerfully spotlight how human passions intertwine with responsibility and duty in history. The book provides a fascinating sketch of how different were the times and how different lives contrasted; so the servants and drivers who must have seen so much and yet are mostly invisible and the wealthy whose lives seemed to be mostly dinners, drinks and endless leisure. Like all great writing there is precision and clarity and yet it feels deep and rich.

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A superb and surprising story

I absolutely loved this book. I was so shocked to learn about how Asquith had revealed so much and was so distracted at such a pivotal moment in our history. Samuel West’s narration was also just superb and I was completely engrossed. One of my favourite Harris novels.

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