The Shadow Queen

Edward & Wallis #2

by Rebecca Dean

Two lovers. Two very different lives. One future together that will change history.

When debutante Wallis Simpson is growing up, she devotes her teenage daydreams to one man, the future King of England, Prince Edward. But it's Pamela Holtby, Wallis's aristocratic best friend, who mixes within the palace circle. Wallis's first marriage to a dashing young naval pilot is not what she dreamt of; he turns out to be a dominating bully of a man, who punishes her relentlessly. But her fated marriage does open a suprising door, to the world of Navy couriers – where navy wives are being used to transport messages around the world. This interesting turn of fate takes Wallis from the exuberant social scene in Washington to a China that is just emerging from civil war. Edward in the meantime is busy fulfilling his royal duties – and some extra-curricular ones involving married women. Until the day, just before he ascends the throne as Edward VIII, he is introduced to a very special married woman, Wallis Simpson.

Was Wallis Simpson really the monster the royal family perported her to be? Or was she an extraordinary woman who led an unimaginable life? A dramatic novel, that crosses continents and provides a unique insight into one of history’s most charismatic and multi-faceted women.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Romance, Book Club, British Literature, Unfinished

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Margaret A. Hudson was born on 10 April 1943 in Bradford, Yorkshire, England, UK, of German extraction. She was daughter of Kathleen (Ramsden), an artist, and George Arthur Hudson, an architect. Married with Londoner Mike Pemberton, they have five grown children, today she lives with her husband and four small dogs in Whitstable, Kent. Apart from writing, her passions are tango, travel, English history and the English countryside.

Published since 1975, she is a bestselling romance writer as Margaret Pemberton, and under the pseudonyms Carris Carlisle, Maggie Hudson and Rebecca Dean. Having travelled extensively, her novels are set in different parts of the world. She was the fifteenth elected Chairman of the Romantic Novelists' Association (1989-1991), she has also served on the Crime Writers' Association Committee.

Reviews

[Lolly's Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

You're telling me I went through all that and at the end, Wallis and Edward have only just met? Excuse me? I thought this was "A Novel of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor," not "The First Novel of How Wallis Simpson Grew Up, Married and Divorced, and Then, Two or Three Books Down the Road, Became the Duchess of Windsor." Grrr. Yes, I am disappointed. I figured the book would focus a little bit on Wally's childhood, devote a bit more to her first two marriages, but spend the bulk of the book on the courtship and romance between her and Edward. Instead I find myself slogging through pages and pages of Wallis's life without really getting to know her as a character, beyond the fact she was proud of her lineage and struggled throughout her life with poverty (stuff I knew from already from biographies). And when I reached the end of the novel, I find that Wallis has only just met the prince and, thanks to reports by other reviewers, that their story will continue in a sequel. Talk about bait and switch!

Don't get me wrong, the writing is well done: it keeps you involved in the story, the characters are well-drawn, and the dialogue is realistic. What annoyed me was how the characters were drawn, in particular Wallis. I get it: This is a historical fiction novel written by a romance novelist, but this was not the Wallis I expected. I was looking for a warmer side to the “cold fish” represented in history; I was not expecting a perpetual victim, a woman who resignedly accepts the abuse heaped upon her as being her due because she wasn't a “real” woman (according to the set up provided by Dean, which I'll get into later). I was not expecting, nor did it seem realistic, a Wallis who was simply looking for her Prince Charming and sighed with unhappiness every time someone else found their perfect man. Ick.

There are other issues with the novel. The first is Dean's habit of repetition, which can take a few different forms. The first is in her descriptions of Wallis: “her greyhound sleek body,” “her trim, athletic frame,” “her lithe body,” “her boyish, small breasted figure.” Alright, enough already, we get that she looks like a boy! Although it does go a long way towards explaining why the gay Prince Edward was attracted to her. Not only does he get a woman who looks very little like a woman, because of her sexual deformities (at least according to Dean), he doesn't have to deal with her nasty female nether regions, the thought or sight of which terrifies gay men. For that matter, vaginae terrify many straight men as well. What's up with that? Ooh, I think I'm digressing.... Back on point: Dean's repetition. She also has a tendency to use the “As you know, Bob” method (see the wonderful blog entry by Susan Higginbotham for an explanation: http://www.susanhigginbotham.com/blog...). Or, should I say, overuse; it seemed like every time I turned around, I was being introduced to information I was already well aware of. It's not as if the novel is that long or that convoluted, and while I admit readily that my memory is horrible, I think I can keep up with the fact that Corinne is married to a man named Henry Mustin or Pamela's friend Lily sculpted a bronze bust of Edward and was allowed to call him David. And I'm pretty sure other readers can do the same.

Lastly, and once again I realize this is a historical fiction novel, which means liberties can be taken with the historical record (as long those changes are pointed out/explained by the author at some point), but it just seems that what's left out or changed is... silly. Especially when it comes to the later parts of the book, where meetings or interactions have been left out. Why? Wouldn't they add to the story? I mean, Wallis and Thelma Furness became friends in 1930, before the dinner party Thelma and Prince Edward attended where Wallis met the prince for the first time, yet Dean has Wallis angling to become Thelma's friend after said party. Again I have to ask why; wouldn't them knowing each other beforehand deepen the connection Dean's trying to set up? And Dean left out completely Wallis's court presentation. Once again, why? After all, Wallis struggled and stressed over that as she tried to get the paperwork from her divorce in order in time and only managing to do so in the nick of time (and that only because she played fast and loose with the law). Wouldn't that whole scene have added to the Wallis character Dean has created, showing just how eager she was to meet the prince and possibly dance with him? Then again, I can see why other bits have been left out, those about Wallis and her many lovers, because they don't mesh with the vision Dean has created of Wallis, that of a frustrated virginal woman, who's simply looking for true love; a victim of poor choices and poor lovers/husbands. Not to mention a Wallis who, instead of being frigid as she was called by her contemporaries, had a legitimate reason for not engaging in typical sexual intercourse. According to Dean, Wallis suffered from a medical condition called a DSD (disorder of sex development) which would explain her rather masculine features and the hints she supposedly gave about her sexual activities, or lack thereof, with Win Spencer and Ernest Simpson. Now, Dean herself said that this was only a theory of hers, based on her research, but that, if it were true, it would explain a lot about Wallis. I don't have a problem with this; it's theoretically possible, though it doesn't jive with what I've read about Wallis. But it's certainly a unique diagnosis.

Bottom line? Like the blurb on the back cover states, the novel mixes fact with fiction (with more emphasis on fiction, I believe) to create an engaging novel, and although the book is technically well-written, even with its faults, I just can't rate it any higher, for the mere fact that I was sold a bill of goods upon which the book didn't deliver. Nowhere did the novel state that this was only the first book in the tale of Wallis and I feel rather ripped-off that, if I wish to continue with the tale Dean has created, I have to wait until the sequel comes out. That's not what I signed up for when I got this book.

[Misfit · Rating 2 out of 5]

This review will freely discuss events that are known historical fact. In the event that there might be someone who hasn't heard about Wallis Simpson and her history, consider this a spoiler warning.

"A novel of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor" says the cover, so you'd think this book would be about Wallis when she is the Duchess of Windsor, wouldn't you? Well guess what, there's a second book planned, so this one only covers Wallis during her school years, her disastrous first marriage to Win Spencer with a tiny bit at the end for marriage #2 and her first meeting with the Prince of Wales. If you know your history you've got a fair idea what this novel entails, and if you don't - then I'm not going to spoil it with things you don't want to know prior to reading it. I'll save every one's time and just talk about the reading experience.

*YAWN*

Unfortunately, I don't think there is enough story potential in Wallis' school years and first marriage to fill a 400+ page book, I'd have preferred a quick recap of these *early years* and then get to the meat of the story. Perhaps it's just me, but I don't find endless tea and cocktail parties all that exciting, YMMV. This book had far too much foreshadowing with predictions for Wallis' future, along with her endless fascination with the Prince of Wales. I'm not sure if the trip to China actually happened, but boy that trip sure ended fast once the author got in what she wanted - a meeting with an ancient Chinese fortuneteller just to tell us readers of What. Is. To. Come. Lastly, while I understand this is a fictional imagining of Wallis' life, this reader felt there was far too much imagining going on with too many fictional characters. Library only, then buy it if you love it, although it appears I'm very much in the minority on this one.

[Maureen Grigsby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an extremely interesting look at the early life of Wallis Simpson through her first two marriages and her meeting with Prince Edward, heir to the British throne. A very sympathetic view of Wallis Simpson.

[Meg - A Bookish Affair · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Shadow Queen" is the story of Wallis Simpson, who became the Duchess of Windsor and is most well known for upending the British monarchy. Her falling in love with Prince Edward, heir to the British throne, changed the whole course of history. This led to Prince Edward abdicating the throne and giving his throne up to George, the father of the current queen, Elizabeth. Wallis Simpson is still an incredibly divisive figure in history. There are some people who like her for her independence and who are fascinated with the love story between to her and Edward. There are other people who hate her for her brashness and think that Edward should've never married her in the first place. This book covers Wallis' earliest years and we get to know who she was before she became the woman who disrupted the throne of Britain.

Like I said this book covers the time before Wallis becomes the said shadow queen. I think that while it was interesting to know her background, it felt like the most interesting part of the story was left out. Without the whole thing with Edward, Wallis Simpson may have just been another rich socialite from Baltimore. At the end of the book, Wallis and Edward have just met which makes this story arc of this book feel a little more like a line and not an arc. I did enjoy learning more about Wallis but again, what makes her compelling is her connection to the British throne and that isn't really there at all. I wish there had been more because what we're left with is the narrative of a woman whose story we know how it eventually turns out but it'd be nice to see how she got there.

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 My favorite part of this book was the cover. There is nothing overtly wrong with the writing or the story but more that I felt it was just a rehashing of biographical data. Also there was a problem with the pacing of this story, so much time was spent on her youth, first marriage and the abusive relationship that she had with that husband, that the historical info that I found of interest such as the flight school, her role as an oversea carrier, was given short shift. I think if I would have read what Wallis thinks one more time I would have screamed, there was quite a bit of repetition and a very heavy handed foreshadowing going on throughout the novel. As you can see this novel was not for me. Rhyming, oh my, silly but true.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

So.... here's the thing. I love well written historical fiction, especially relating to British royalty in some way. Unfortunately the Shadow Queen didn't quite cut it for me.

When I pick up historical fiction I'm always hoping that it will give me a sense of what is was like to have really been there at that point in history. This book falls a bit short in that regard. Details are very sparse except in relation to each character's appearance (especially gowns) and cocktails. Trying to reconstruct the story in the mind's eye is a bit difficult when there is zero sense of atmosphere.

There's also a lot of unnecessary repetition. For example, we are often reminded that Wallis thinks such and such up to three times per page.

The pacing is also a bit off. For example, Wallis takes a visit to war torn China at one point in the novel. She plans to visit the particularly dangerous city of Peking. Could be a good chance for some interesting drama right? However, right before she leaves, the books skips forward several years after all is said and done. Then we are right back to gowns and cocktails again.

The novel also feels slightly unnecessary. It ends (as other viewers have noted) right after her meeting Prince Edward. The rest of the story is apparently planned for a sequel. A bit of background to Wallis's life before her fated romance is fine, but The Shadow Queen doesn't seem insightful enough to warrant an entire book.

Overall, I was underwhelmed.

Received a free copy through Goodreads First Reads.

[Tara Chevrestt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first heard of Wallis Simpson when I watched The King's Speech, a move about Edward's younger brother and his stuttering problem. I said, "Wow. That woman made a KING abdicate his throne!!! What in the world did she do?" And I was fascinated.


So when this book popped up, I could not wait to get my hands on it. And first, I'd like to say it was extremely well-written. I was riveted in the beginning even though I was a touch put off by Wallis's obsession with society, class, finding a husband.


At the halfway point, I started to get irritated. Wallis just expects everything handed to her. She's absolutely worthless, can't work, won't work, just has to get married asap. And though I realize this was the norm, it didn't make me like her. She thinks she entitled to everything from the wedding of the season to an allowance she doesn't earn. Did I mention she also tries to seduce her own cousin?

Full review on Book Babe: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2012/...

[Shirley Revill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook version of this book. The narration was really good and held my interest right till the end.
This was a very interesting story and I learned a lot about Wallis Simpson growing up and her earlier marriage's and romantic encounters.
However I would have liked the book to have covered her later life and her marriage to the Prince of Wales.
Really enjoyed and hope there is a part two to this book. Recommended.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. The author, Rebecca Dean, totally takes the reader into the head of Wallis Simpson, as well as into the times in which she lived - so much so that one better understands the motives for her actions (and, of course, admires the strength and determination that helped her to survive some terrible life situations). It was a diffiicult time for a woman, whether in America or in Britain (the 2 setttings for the story). To divorce, even from a brutal marriage, was societal suicide. And Wallis, because she had grown up living under financially insecure circumstances -her uncle provided the "charity" of supporting her, since her widowed mother had no income despite the dead husband's family's wealth and her own well-appointed ancestry. Once I'd finished reading the novel, I was happy to read that Dean is at work on a sequel, since THE SHADOW QUEEN ends just after Wallis' meeting Prince Edward and hints of a formidable and deep connection are already evident.

Dean lists which main characters are real historical people at the end of the book and, in her Author's Note, clarifies which prominent characters were invented for the sake of story. What I like is that she's uses the fictional ones to best advantage, allowing a better view into Wallis' inner life, a life resulting from personal and societal influences and pressure of the times, including her place in a straight-laced, snobbish Baltimore world of wealth, status and "unspoken" yet rigidly strict rules of conduct. A modern woman reading this novel might become frustrated and even angry with Wallis' behaviors, especially when she seems to be adhering to "rules" which ultlimately could destroy her, both mentally and physically; but I found the writerr's handlling of both history and fiction mixed perfectly, allowing even a longtime feminist such as myself to resonate with Wallis' decision-making.

[Helen Davies · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a light novel. The writer took a famous person before she was well known and applied all the usual cliches that you get in a certain sort of woman's novel. It was a fun diversion and made me curious about what motivated this person. I also enjoyed reading about my hometown San Diego between the two World Wars!

[TyAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating and a quick read. You are instantly drawn into Wallis’s most unusual and fascinating life. So often made out to be a villain, this novel provides an insightful glimpse into her life that leaves you with a greater understanding, and even sympathy, for the choices she made.

[Natasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite the subtitle, this isn't really a novel about "Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor," as it focuses on her early life, long before she takes on the title of "Duchess of Windsor." In fact, she is only "Wallis Simpson" for the last 10% or so of the book, after she meets and marries her second husband Ernest Simpson. She only meets Edward in the last two chapters. Lest you worry that this meeting won't take place, Dean foreshadows the living daylights out of it, with Wallis seeing Edward in a photo, hearing his name in conversation, or, in one instance, having their relationship foretold by a fortune teller. She is constantly musing about meeting royalty or dreaming about being swept off her feet by a prince. The foreshadowing is constant, heavy-handed, and, frankly, annoying.

The book crawls at a snails pace, in part because Dean intersperses chapters featuring fictional characters, sometimes with no mention of Wallis. These chapters not only don't add to Wallis's story, but often detract from it by bogging down the novel with unnecessary side plots (I'm looking at you, Chapter Twenty-Seven).

A tedious book about a subject who deserved more.

[Elizabeth Berger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm sorry but...I loved this! The author imagines the details of Wallis Simpson's early life, her first two marriages, and her eventual auspicious introduction to Prince Edward -- heir to the British throne at the time. I enjoyed all the additions Dean made to round out known biographical information (fictional characters, etc) and found the end result incredibly captivating. Fans of The Crown, or juicy royal history in general, should definitely pick this one up!

[Riya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway quite some time ago and embarrassingly, it is only now that I have gotten around to reading and reviewing it - not the book's fault, of course, but rather too many ARCs that I received all at once, making me feel rather overwhelmed.

I was intrigued to read this book because:
1.) Historical Fiction is not a genre that I usually read, but since so many people seem to enjoy it, I decided to give historical fiction another try.
2.) I knew nothing about Wallis Simpson and was therefore curious about this controversial lady that has been a bigger part of history than I previously thought.

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Wallis is not a woman that I would consider to be traditionally beautiful, but she had a very unique personality and great charm. I love reading about the great seducers in history and I believe that Wally was one of them - to have King Edward fall so madly in love with her that he would abdicate his royal throne and marry this woman that everybody warned him against (she was twice divorced, after all, which was VERY scandalous back in those days).



I enjoyed reading this book because Wallis is a very fascinating person but I did feel the book was a tad bit too long (300 pages would've been just fine) and too detailed in some parts (I get that this fiction novel is based on a historical person but I just get so tired of reading about all the small details that really did happen but I think would've been better to be included in a Nonfiction Biography, rather than a novel, that is supposed to be entertaining, and not necessarily completely historically accurate. Some parts just really bored me).

I do think that fans of historical fiction and people that enjoy reading books about royalty will immensely like this book. I, for the most part, liked reading this novel but I believe that others will enjoy this much more than I did. It's just me, guys! Not the book!

[Gigi Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting novel. It is about Wallis Simpson's life growing up in Baltimore, Maryland, her two marriages, her weddings, her rich uncle Sol, who supported her until her first marriage. It included accounts about the 'high society' class. It seems to me that the so called 'high society' class set their own rules. So what if someone has a mistress, it comes as no surprise to most of them, and it seems that they were proud to be someone's mistress. But as I was reading this book I had to keep reminding myself that it is a novel, not a biography. A note from the author, Rebecca Dean says:

"The Shadow Queen is a novel and, though it is based on the factual elements of Wallis's life, the fact is mixed with fiction. (Pamela, John Jasper, and the Houghtons are all fictional characters.) The freedom that comes with being a novelist and not a biographer has enabled me to come to my own theory about Wallis's sexuality, and I based it on things Wallis is quoted as having said, and on the surmises of some of her many biographers."

The Shadow Queen ends in 1931. In 1934 Wallis had become the great love of Prince Edward's life. In January 1936 he succeeded his father as king of the United Kingdom. On December 10, 1936, Edward abdicated from the throne. Faced with the choice of remaining king or of marrying the woman he loved, He choose Wallis, the woman he loved.

Was Wallis Simpson really the monster the royal family perported her to be? Or was she an extraordinary woman who led an unimaginable life? A dramatic novel, that crosses continents and provides a unique insight into one of history’s most charismatic and multi-faceted woman.

I understand there is to be a sequel to this book, and I enjoyed this book enough I will probably read it as well.

[kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book; much more than I expected to. Initially the book caught my interest because it is about Wallis Simpson, the woman King Edward gave up the throne for. That is really all I knew about her, so I thought this was a good way to learn more, but when I didn't read it immediately, I lost interest. But I needed a book to add to my ereader and it was available, so I decided to try it. I'm so glad I did.

The book follows the story of Wallis Simpson from the time she was a young girl, through two marriages (see, I didn't know was into her second marriage when she met the Prince of Wales, so I did learn something!). The book was a quick read and I really enjoyed the descriptive language used. I got a real feel for the styles worn in the 20s and could picture my family members having dressed that way! It was also interesting to read about the air base in Pensacola just a few years after the flight of the Wright brothers and the danger to pilots of that era!

There were two 'downsides' to me, and neither was a very big negative. I didn't learn of them until the end of the book, so they did not affect my reading of the story. The first was that the author explained that Wallis' best friend in the story, Pamela, was entirely fictional. While I am really happy that the author explained this it made me a little sad to know that there was not a 'Pamela' in the real story.

The second was that, as others have mentioned, this book ends just as the friendship of Wallis with Edward is beginning. That would probably really annoy me if the author's notes had not mentioned that she is at work on a sequel to The Shadow Queen. I am looking forward to that one!

[Petra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wallis by Rebecca Dean
I like historical fiction, but did not like this book. Perhaps Wallace was not an interesting person and perhaps nothing much was happening in her life (till she married Edward), but since it is fiction Rebecca Dean could have chosen to make the plot exciting or at least interesting.

I consider this book “yawn material”. The writing is plain, simplistic and repetitive. Wallace and other female characters in the book seem to be too occupied with getting themselves in the right setting to meet a man, preferably one with power and/or fame and as a bonus the future husband might have money.

This could appeal to some readers; however the readers need at least a believable plot that is well paced and exiting. And this book fails on all accounts.

“Since she wasn’t beautiful or curvaceous like Corinne, anything that set her out from the crowd was worthwhile, no matter what.” And when talking (again) about gowns and dresses: "But it makes you a little noticeable, honey.” ”That is the idea, Corinne. Being noticeable is something else I like.”

The characters are stick-man/woman, one dimensional. The lack of depth starts to irritate. When I had read 50 pages I was tempted to give the book a miss, but decided that I would quick- read instead. I might have missed some details but I did not waste too much time on this book.

I don’t think I will bother with the sequel. I would much rather read the “Joyous Earth” of Philippa Gregory again, as it is an outstanding book in the historical fiction category.

[Kathleen McFall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Formal history has not been kind to Wallis Simpson. Her story is well-known but only sketchily and in ways that immediately reflect poorly on her. Divorced. Treasure-hunter. Haughty. Seductress. But these are words typically used throughout history by the patriarchal illuminati with the explicit goal of tarnishing certain categories of strong women. Hence, I was eager to read The Shadow Queen to get to know the "real" Wallis, even in a fictionalized context. Indeed, it seemed like fiction was an ideal narrative device to reveal her story and reconstruct her voice - an approach used successfully in other recent fiction focused on restoring important female figures (The Paris Wife, for example). While I came away from this book more knowledgeable about Simpson, the book was not what I expected. Facts and events were a ghostly backdrop to what is, in essence, a romance novel loosely based on Simpson's story, with her as the tragic heroine. Further, to my mind, the degree of speculation about Simpson stretched the boundaries of the genre of historical fiction. The book ends abruptly, presumably as a set-up for the next chapter of Simpson's "life." However, putting aside my expectations of what this book should have been to focus on the book itself, the writing is solid with good pacing. The characters are ably drawn if not richly so. I recommend this book for readers seeking historical romance without the bother of too much history.

[Laurel-Rain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like a true-to-life fairytale, "The Shadow Queen: A Novel of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor" portrays the early life of Wallis Warfield Simpson, the woman who captivated the King of England, leading to his abdication from the throne.

Early childhood was one in which she was the "poor" relative dependent upon the largesse of a wealthy uncle, whose rules and expectations often led to times of doing without. Perhaps having to charm those in control of her destiny helped create the lively companion she became throughout her early and later life.

I loved this story, richly detailed with the fictional imaginings that made it spring to life and morph into a true fairytale. The real-life outcome for Wallis lent an extra magic to the story.

I was disappointed that the ending of this book occurred before Wallis and Prince Edward, who would be King, actually united. What the story did show us was the very special and magical connection between them.

While it was difficult to tell how much was fiction, the factual aspects drew me in. Now I want to know more about this historic love match. Four stars.

[GinnyP · Rating 2 out of 5]

Given the title, I thought I'd be reading about her life leading up to meeting Edward, maybe teen years and beyond, and then their life together. This book began with her childhood, dwelled a looooong time on school years, then on to her early adult years when she met many men including her first two husbands. Most disappointingly, over half of the pages were spent on two fictional characters who never existed yet who the author chose to be a large part and play a continual role in Wallis's life. I learned enough to know she was quite the flirt (and a successful one at that), set her sights on Edward early in life (whether that part is true, who knows?), and forever had to rely on others to provide for her. She came from a demanding family who, except for her own mother, expected Wallis to marry well, have children, and be content to live the privileged life of the very wealthy. She made poor marriage choices her first two times out, she could never have children (the novel presents an unproven explanation), and ENDS WHEN SHE MEETS EDWARD! The author 'is planning a sequel.' Mediocre writing and too much surmised conversations and fictional events.

[R J Mckay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone knows Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor, but not many know young Bessie Wallis Warfield. Rebecca Dean does a wonderful job of introducing the reader to the earlier days of Bessiewallis. Dean mixes fact and fiction, as she recreates the life of young Bessie, a girl born into a prominent Southern family, but left at the financil mercies of her Uncle Sol. A young girl who dreamed of meeting Price Edward. Her first husband was an abuser. Toward the end of this marriage, and following a disasterous affair with Felipe Espil, she was approached to carry top-secret documents to China. This opened a world of excitement for Wallis. It wasn't until her second marriage to Ernest Simpson, that she was to fulfull her childhood dream of meeting with Prince Edward.

It was a fun book to read. Many thanks to Rebecca Dean.

[Julie Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Make no mistake this is a novel, but much is based on fact and real events. Shadow Queen tells the story of Wallis Simpson from childhood to her meeting with Edward, Prince of Wales. I understand there will be a sequel novel about her life as the Duchess of Windsor.
The author writes a compelling tale of penury on the periphery of Baltimore's society and an abusive first marriage on a naval air base in Florida. Dean engages her reader on an emotional level and keeps the pages turning.
Although as an ex-Brit I was not brought up having any sympathy with the woman who caused the uncrowned king of England to abdicate, I admit that the author made me fascinated with the subject and I enjoyed the craft in this book.
I also enjoyed the author's decision to make some careful deductions into Simpson's sexuality and actions. I felt they were possibilities.
A good read!

[Sharon Huether · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Shadow Queen: A Novel of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor by Rebecca Dean Thank you Goodreads, I have wanted to read this book for a long time. This book is masterfully written. I wanted to read more about this fasinating woman I used to see in magazine many years ago. Wallis was a strong willed child; proud of her heritage. Her Uncle was always there for financial help since her father had died. The book emphasied her loyality to friends, love of family and striving for the best. The British Royals were always in her mind. Her dream came true, she met the Prince, they were fast becoming friends.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not been able to put this book down (at least every time I have a chance to pick it up)! This fictional account of a future member of royalty's life is so riveting. However, I am not sure which parts are factual and which are fictional. For instance, are all the people Dean writes about real? I looked for a foreword to explain it, and there wasn't one. Perhaps that could be an improvement.

[Sara G · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent read, but I think it is mistitled. It focuses on Wallis's early life and first marriage, and ends not long after she marries Mr. Simpson. She's not a very sympathetic person, in my opinion, but the author does a good job of making her relatable. And of course, I loved the scenes at Pensacola NAS, as a former resident of the city!

[Sue Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating book.

[Sharon Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like many other readers, I was disappointed that this book ended when it did. I wanted it to continue further. However, the author’s epilogue is well-written and provides some biographical resources that I do plan to read, to push the story further.

I did enjoy the book — this is one of the greatest love stories of all time and most people think of Wallis Simpson only after her marriage to Edward. This book focused on her life before, and I now have a deeper opinion of Wallis and the historical time frame in which her story takes place. I do appreciate the author’s summary of characters, to shed light on which ones are historical and which ones were fictional. She even addresses one of the main themes in the book, explaining that, while it is fact-based, the way this particular element was addressed was through her own conclusions. The prologue was actually a very nice and informative section of the book.

I found the writing to be somewhat stilted at times, for the author seems to write in run-on sentences, sentences that were too long for reading ease. I often had to stop and mentally dissect the sentence, to fully understand it, because of the multiple phrases and plethora of commas. Overall, however, the book is enjoyable and I do recommend it as a way of opening the door to the early life of Wallis Simpson.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book and I enjoyed reading it. It covers the life of Wallis Simpson from her Baltimore childhood up to the time that she meets Edward, the Prince of Wales and later Edward the VIII. The book definitely portrays Wallis in a sympathetic light which seems to not be the usual approach to her life. One of the books strengths is it's creativity in imagining Wallis's life because much of the Duchess's life is not really known. After finishing this book, it has made think about what Wallis might have been like in person since there are so many differing stories of her.

I did not realize when I picked this book up that the author is also a romance novelist or I might have reconsidered. Even though the book is mostly well done, there are parts where the romanticism is too heavy, the biggest thing being Wallis being portrayed as someone who was always infatuated with the prince, even when she was married. By the end of the book, it appears that Wallis is fated to meet the king and it does not feel plausible to me. I also could have lived without the fictional friendship of Pamela--it doesn't do much for the book especially because the Duchess is pretty interesting in her own right.

[Valaree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bessie Wallis was her birth name —and I never liked her. I have always considered Wallis Simpson within the frame of “what if...” Such as...WHAT IF the King of England had not abdicated the throne to marry her...Would Diana Spencer still be alive today? But alas, true historians cannot play the “what if” game.

As I read “Shadow Queen” I better understood, appreciated, and even respected Wallis Simpson a bit more. Because the author is a novelist, not a biographer, she is allowed the freedom to develop her own theories about Wallis & intertwine them with historical fact and social norms of the era. Granted, Wallis had a tough life, but triumphantly, she was a survivor.

On the eve of her second marriage, Wallis is quoted: “No longer Mrs. Spencer, but now Mrs. SIMPSON. It’s a very ordinary name. I doubt that anyone in the world but me is ever going to remember it.”
We do remember it, Wallis. WE DO.

The prospect of a twice divorced brazen American woman marrying a British king & becoming his “queen”(consort) was her dream. But it was absurd & violently opposed by government, church, and family. If you are a “royal watcher,” or like history, or appreciate a tale of a strong 💪🏼 woman, you will certainly enjoy “Shadow Queen.”

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, I will start by saying I did enjoy this book. The writing was decent and the story fairly interesting. But, so much of this account of the early years of Wallis Simpson were so completely imagined by the author that I will have to read a biography to get the real story. There were prominent characters who never existed. How did she really meet the Prince of Wales without the intervention of the completely fictionalized character of Pamela? I know that historical fiction includes imagined conversations by and thoughts of the subject but this one was the most far fetched example I have ever read. Intimate details of her first marriage, what she thought of this and that - just too much fiction and not enough fact for me. Still, as I said at the beginning I did finish this book and enjoyed reading it. I finally clued in that it was not going to take us to her marriage and even her romance with the Prince of Wales when, with only a short section left, the author had not even reached her second marriage. If a reader wants to learn about Wallis Simpson through an historical novel (something I like to do) - I would not recommend this one.