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Glorious Guinness Girls #3
The Other Guinness Girl: A Question of Honor
2022. First Edition. 452 pages. Signed by the author. Green paperback with gilt lettering. Clean pages with firm binding. Mild wear to spine, cover edges and corners. Minor soiling to covers, with sticker to front.
464 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2022
About the author
Emily Hourican
16 books100 followersEmily Hourican is a journalist and author. She has written features for the Sunday Independent for fifteen years, as well as Image magazine, Condé Nast Traveler and Woman and Home. She was also editor of The Dubliner Magazine.
Emily's first book, a memoir titled How To (Really) Be A Mother was published in 2013. She is also the author of novels The Privileged, White Villa, The Outsider and The Blamed, as well as two bestselling novels about the Guinness sisters: The Glorious Guinness Girls and The Guinness Girls: A Hint of Scandal.
She lives in Dublin with her family.
source: Amazon
Emily's first book, a memoir titled How To (Really) Be A Mother was published in 2013. She is also the author of novels The Privileged, White Villa, The Outsider and The Blamed, as well as two bestselling novels about the Guinness sisters: The Glorious Guinness Girls and The Guinness Girls: A Hint of Scandal.
She lives in Dublin with her family.
source: Amazon
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 22, 2022
I really enjoy this authors novels about the Guinness girls. This is my 2nd and another one comes out next year.
Honor is a shy, non sophisticated lady. She is very different from her cousins. She meets an American man “Chips” who brings out her personality and they marry and become quite the social couple. They even encounter Prince Wales and Mrs. Wallis Simpson.
We also learn about Honor’s best friend Doris who is making her way in London. It’s the 30’s and as Germany is changing she is in danger. Her mother is a Jewish-German. Doris is looking to keep her family safe with a suitable man.
A story about friendship and what they each endure during those difficult times.
#hachettebooksireland, #audiobook, #bookreview, #bookstagram, #booksconnectus, #stamperlady50, #emilyhourican
September 28, 2022
My Rating ~ 4.5*
‘Over the years of their marriage she had learned that really, what he meant was politics where he was at the centre, change that brought something glittering to him. How long it had taken her to understand.’
The Other Guinness Girl: A Question of Honor by Emily Hourican published September 22nd with Hachette Ireland. It is described as ‘a dazzling new novel charting the lives of one of Ireland’s most fascinating families’. I have read and loved the previous two books in this series, The Glorious Guinness Girls and The Guinness Girls: A Hint of Scandal so I was delighted with the opportunity to delve deeper into the lives of this most intriguing family.
The Other Guinness Girl: A Question of Honor shifts from Aileen, Maureen and Oonagh Guinness and introduces us to Lady Honor Guinness. Born into a family of great wealth, Honor struggled socially. She was always very much aware of her inadequacies compared to the glamour and glitz of her three cousins. Idle gossip wasn’t her forte and she endured, as opposed to enjoyed, any social events. She lacked confidence in conversing and stayed in the background where possible. Honor was a practical girl assisting her mother, Lady Iveagh, in charitable works when the need arose. She had a positive relationship with her mother and was never forced into making that perfect match. She was considered plain and had accepted that she would never draw attention entering a room yet was also hopeful.
The one constant in her life was her closest friend Doris. Doris had one objective and that was to find a husband of stature. She was looking for a man who would provide her with the security she craved. Doris was beautiful, alluring and attracted many suitors but none that considered her marriage material. In a society which focused very much on titles and family name, she struggled to find a suitable partner.
Doris was very secretive about her family. Her mother was German-Jewish and, as the 1930s rolled on, Doris became more attuned to the nasty comments in certain quarters. Doris and Honor plotted together and thoroughly enjoyed each other’s company. Honor was very low-key, almost oblivious to the wealth of her family, making her a great friend for Doris.
An unexpected gathering brought Honor into contact with Sir Henry “Chips” Channon. Chips Channon was an American social climber whose attention was very much turned, at all times, toward the British aristocracy. He had many acquaintances among the Café Society scene of the time, spending his days shopping and gathering tittle tattle. He used this gossip to propel himself further into the circle of the top tier of society. He courted Honor, possibly seeing an opportunity of a brighter future for himself. Her wealth was known. Her lack of relationships was known. She was ripe picking. From the outset, Doris knew something was amiss with Chips
“The first time she met Chips, Doris recognised in him the very same watchfulness she knew in herself. No matter where he was, or what he did, no matter how absorbed he seemed in conversation, diner, dancing, he was always – as she was – intensely aware of what went on around him. Who came and went, how they were greeted, what they wore and who they spoke to. And she thought, he was easily as clever at it as she was. More.”
Chips asked for Honor’s hand and, in speedy fashion, they married. Life wasn’t quite as joyous as Honor had hoped and imagined it would be. She soon found Chips’ insatiable need to be on the cusp of everything and attending every social event exhausting. Chips had ambition and was prepared to do anything to get where he wanted.
Through all these years society was going through huge changes. Honor was somewhat removed from it all, not reading the papers and living a rather subdued life. Her husband, Chips, always needed to be in the centre of the highest echelons of society and did manage to develop a close relationship with the then Prince of Wales, Edward, and Mrs Wallis Simpson. He courted Edward, soaking up his words and generally found an ally regarding their views on fascism and Nazi Germany. Chips had big plans for his future, but all were dashed when Edward abdicated.
Emily Hourican yet again carries the reader back in time with opulent descriptions and cinematic portrayals. It is impossible not to go online and research more about these enigmatic individuals whose lives continue to captivate and intrigue.
During the 1930s Europe was in flux and society was changing. With another war on the horizon, the populace was restless. Following the abdication of Edward, the attitude of Chips and his friends was considered vulgar and dangerous. This meant that Chips had to rethink his position. Through his life Chips Channon kept diaries that later were published and caused quite a sensation. The contents revealed lots of colourful and salacious details about various renowned socialites from those years.
The Other Guinness Girl: A Question of Honor is another splendid and highly enjoyable read from Emily Hourican. Using a mix of fact and fiction, it captures the essence of the 1930s and is immersive in its descriptions. All the individual characters are very much brought to life, encouraging readers to further explore the history of this extraordinary family. I know I’ve said it before for the previous two books, but I’ll say it again, The Other Guinness Girl: A Question of Honor is perfect reading for all who enjoyed Downton Abbey and The Crown. It is a truly enchanting read.
‘Over the years of their marriage she had learned that really, what he meant was politics where he was at the centre, change that brought something glittering to him. How long it had taken her to understand.’
The Other Guinness Girl: A Question of Honor by Emily Hourican published September 22nd with Hachette Ireland. It is described as ‘a dazzling new novel charting the lives of one of Ireland’s most fascinating families’. I have read and loved the previous two books in this series, The Glorious Guinness Girls and The Guinness Girls: A Hint of Scandal so I was delighted with the opportunity to delve deeper into the lives of this most intriguing family.
The Other Guinness Girl: A Question of Honor shifts from Aileen, Maureen and Oonagh Guinness and introduces us to Lady Honor Guinness. Born into a family of great wealth, Honor struggled socially. She was always very much aware of her inadequacies compared to the glamour and glitz of her three cousins. Idle gossip wasn’t her forte and she endured, as opposed to enjoyed, any social events. She lacked confidence in conversing and stayed in the background where possible. Honor was a practical girl assisting her mother, Lady Iveagh, in charitable works when the need arose. She had a positive relationship with her mother and was never forced into making that perfect match. She was considered plain and had accepted that she would never draw attention entering a room yet was also hopeful.
The one constant in her life was her closest friend Doris. Doris had one objective and that was to find a husband of stature. She was looking for a man who would provide her with the security she craved. Doris was beautiful, alluring and attracted many suitors but none that considered her marriage material. In a society which focused very much on titles and family name, she struggled to find a suitable partner.
Doris was very secretive about her family. Her mother was German-Jewish and, as the 1930s rolled on, Doris became more attuned to the nasty comments in certain quarters. Doris and Honor plotted together and thoroughly enjoyed each other’s company. Honor was very low-key, almost oblivious to the wealth of her family, making her a great friend for Doris.
An unexpected gathering brought Honor into contact with Sir Henry “Chips” Channon. Chips Channon was an American social climber whose attention was very much turned, at all times, toward the British aristocracy. He had many acquaintances among the Café Society scene of the time, spending his days shopping and gathering tittle tattle. He used this gossip to propel himself further into the circle of the top tier of society. He courted Honor, possibly seeing an opportunity of a brighter future for himself. Her wealth was known. Her lack of relationships was known. She was ripe picking. From the outset, Doris knew something was amiss with Chips
“The first time she met Chips, Doris recognised in him the very same watchfulness she knew in herself. No matter where he was, or what he did, no matter how absorbed he seemed in conversation, diner, dancing, he was always – as she was – intensely aware of what went on around him. Who came and went, how they were greeted, what they wore and who they spoke to. And she thought, he was easily as clever at it as she was. More.”
Chips asked for Honor’s hand and, in speedy fashion, they married. Life wasn’t quite as joyous as Honor had hoped and imagined it would be. She soon found Chips’ insatiable need to be on the cusp of everything and attending every social event exhausting. Chips had ambition and was prepared to do anything to get where he wanted.
Through all these years society was going through huge changes. Honor was somewhat removed from it all, not reading the papers and living a rather subdued life. Her husband, Chips, always needed to be in the centre of the highest echelons of society and did manage to develop a close relationship with the then Prince of Wales, Edward, and Mrs Wallis Simpson. He courted Edward, soaking up his words and generally found an ally regarding their views on fascism and Nazi Germany. Chips had big plans for his future, but all were dashed when Edward abdicated.
Emily Hourican yet again carries the reader back in time with opulent descriptions and cinematic portrayals. It is impossible not to go online and research more about these enigmatic individuals whose lives continue to captivate and intrigue.
During the 1930s Europe was in flux and society was changing. With another war on the horizon, the populace was restless. Following the abdication of Edward, the attitude of Chips and his friends was considered vulgar and dangerous. This meant that Chips had to rethink his position. Through his life Chips Channon kept diaries that later were published and caused quite a sensation. The contents revealed lots of colourful and salacious details about various renowned socialites from those years.
The Other Guinness Girl: A Question of Honor is another splendid and highly enjoyable read from Emily Hourican. Using a mix of fact and fiction, it captures the essence of the 1930s and is immersive in its descriptions. All the individual characters are very much brought to life, encouraging readers to further explore the history of this extraordinary family. I know I’ve said it before for the previous two books, but I’ll say it again, The Other Guinness Girl: A Question of Honor is perfect reading for all who enjoyed Downton Abbey and The Crown. It is a truly enchanting read.
May 13, 2024
Set during the political and social upheaval of 1930s London, The Other Guinness Girl tells the story of Honor Guinness, cousin to the Glorious Guinness Girls depicted in the first two books.
Honor is a shy, timid wallflower, much unlike her glamorous cousins; I would say though that she is the most likable of all the Guinness girls. In 1933 she marries an ambitious American, Henry ‘Chips’ Channon, and soon finds herself surrounded by the scheming aristocracy she had always tried so hard to avoid.
By her side throughout the novel is her best friend, Doris Coates, whom Honor met in boarding school. Doris’ one goal in life is to make a desirable marriage; however, she has secrets she is determined to hide, particularly the fact that her mother is a German-born Jewish woman.
Honor is somewhat removed from the political fervor that is taking place around her, relying on Chips - who seeks a place in British government and a close friendship with the future king- for information. However, as Doris becomes more and more aware of the anti-Semitism displayed by many of the aristocracy, she encourages Honor to pick up a newspaper and decide for herself. It is then that we really see Honor’s growth as a character begin.
I’ll be honest, it wasn’t always easy to like Honor or Doris, particularly in the beginning, but I did find myself rooting for them as they both showed tremendous growth. I particularly enjoyed their devotion to each other and the many ways in which they each protected the other. The epilogue left me wanting more of Honor and Doris’ story as the world is now on the brink of WWII and Doris is set to play an important role in it.
Honor is a shy, timid wallflower, much unlike her glamorous cousins; I would say though that she is the most likable of all the Guinness girls. In 1933 she marries an ambitious American, Henry ‘Chips’ Channon, and soon finds herself surrounded by the scheming aristocracy she had always tried so hard to avoid.
By her side throughout the novel is her best friend, Doris Coates, whom Honor met in boarding school. Doris’ one goal in life is to make a desirable marriage; however, she has secrets she is determined to hide, particularly the fact that her mother is a German-born Jewish woman.
Honor is somewhat removed from the political fervor that is taking place around her, relying on Chips - who seeks a place in British government and a close friendship with the future king- for information. However, as Doris becomes more and more aware of the anti-Semitism displayed by many of the aristocracy, she encourages Honor to pick up a newspaper and decide for herself. It is then that we really see Honor’s growth as a character begin.
I’ll be honest, it wasn’t always easy to like Honor or Doris, particularly in the beginning, but I did find myself rooting for them as they both showed tremendous growth. I particularly enjoyed their devotion to each other and the many ways in which they each protected the other. The epilogue left me wanting more of Honor and Doris’ story as the world is now on the brink of WWII and Doris is set to play an important role in it.
January 26, 2024
Two stars at the very best, ugh. At the beginning of the book I continued reading because I was hoping it would get better. It didn’t, and then I was too stubborn to give up so I finished it. Nothing really happened until half way in, shallow and underdeveloped characters, not an interesting or consistent plot…just boring and the book doesn’t stand out. Honor is flat, doesn’t stick up for herself and just get thrown around by Chips. Chips straight up sucks and become more unlikable as the book continues. The only interesting thing this book had going on was Doris, Envers and Bertie. Would not recommend and will not be reading any other books by this author.
December 1, 2023
My favourite of the books so far. Chips is a perfect character - complex, charming, snobbish and believable. His true vileness doesn't become clear until the very end, when it is revealed quite shockingly but also seamlessly. Honor is Hourican's most sympathetic character so far of the Guinness Girls. Not nearly as glamorous and confident as her cousins, who form the subjects of the first two books, her character sits back and observes, thereby providing possibly more insight to the realities of life at the upper echelons.
October 22, 2022
Disappointing. I had hoped it would be as glittering and believable as the previous two Guinness books, but Honor is not as outgoing or as attractive as her cousins. But somehow, her very dowdiness and frumpiness isn’t conveyed in a convincing way. The introduction of the fictional Doris completely outshines her, but that character’s infatuation with the “rat” Envers becomes much too irritating in the end.
May 5, 2024
Really enjoyed this book as it's mostly true - life in the upper realms of London society in the 1930s - with the rise of fascism in Europe very much as a backdrop. It was fascinating - I was only sorry I wasn't aware of the previous 2 books author has written on the Guinness girls as would like to have read them in order! But I'll still read them.
February 6, 2023
I am so disappointed!
Such a slow book. Dislikable characters aside from Doris.
All very pompous and very little happening.
I recognize start of the century fiction isn’t my preferred era but sadly I won’t read any of the other Guinness girls books.
Such a slow book. Dislikable characters aside from Doris.
All very pompous and very little happening.
I recognize start of the century fiction isn’t my preferred era but sadly I won’t read any of the other Guinness girls books.
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December 22, 2022I have enjoyed this whole series, the setting and timing appeal to me.
December 9, 2023
I struggled to get into this particular genre !! I really tried but the novel really didn’t live up to my expectations.
Read
June 18, 2024Lovely book nice storyline.
August 13, 2024
An easy enough read although I would not describe it as memorable. The best character was Doris, Honor was frustrating to read and Chips just got nastier as the book progressed.
December 6, 2025
I love this series and this authors has a lovely style that makes these large, complicated casts of characters easy to follow.
October 19, 2022
It bit far fetched not as good as other two trading on the name maybe?
July 12, 2024
This is the 3rd and final book in this series (even though everything I have seen says there is a 4th one, but when I bought it, it's exactly the same as the 2nd so I don't know). Anywhoooo this one was about a Guiness cousin, Honor, and her marriage to a completely unlikeable, selfish man Chips. Even his name is enough to bring on the cringe. Poor Honor wants to be married and thinks she found the one in Chips but quickly realizes he only married her I think for her fortune and title. And to get closer to royalty. Even after she has their child, Honor can't connect with her husband or the baby. Sad. All in all I did enjoy this series, but it got a bit long winded for sure for me.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews