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Emerald
A 'what if' novel" about the daughter abandoned by the Duke of Windsor.
A story of intrigue, conflict, glamour and romance, featuring Emerald Alexandra Mary Fitzwallace, unacknowledged and abandoned daughter of Edward and Mrs Simpson. It moves from a Scottish island to the intense humidity of Mexico, the high society of New York and the fashion houses of Paris.
A story of intrigue, conflict, glamour and romance, featuring Emerald Alexandra Mary Fitzwallace, unacknowledged and abandoned daughter of Edward and Mrs Simpson. It moves from a Scottish island to the intense humidity of Mexico, the high society of New York and the fashion houses of Paris.
720 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
3 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 25, 2022
One of my absolute favorite books of all time!!!
February 2022
I reread this book this month and it did not disappoint. I love this alternate history where the Duke of Windsor and Wallis Simpson have a child out of wedlock whom is secreted away and never claimed as theirs. The story follows that child, Emerald, throughout the first thiry years of her life. From Scotland to Mexico to the US to England, we follow Emerald's adventures and those close to her. I absolutely adore this story and think it is the epitome of what a historical fiction novel should be. It continues to be one of my favorite books.
February 2022
I reread this book this month and it did not disappoint. I love this alternate history where the Duke of Windsor and Wallis Simpson have a child out of wedlock whom is secreted away and never claimed as theirs. The story follows that child, Emerald, throughout the first thiry years of her life. From Scotland to Mexico to the US to England, we follow Emerald's adventures and those close to her. I absolutely adore this story and think it is the epitome of what a historical fiction novel should be. It continues to be one of my favorite books.
March 18, 2009
Emerald is a 'suck you in' page turning historical fiction. This book has intrigue, sex, adventure - and more twists and turns that keep you reading until the tale is told.
My Mom, a voracious reader, was 78 when she passed it along to me! She tore through a book a day - and enjoyed selecting books (including Emerald) from the now defunct, "A Common Reader" catalog, which arrived in her mailbox each month.
My Mom, a voracious reader, was 78 when she passed it along to me! She tore through a book a day - and enjoyed selecting books (including Emerald) from the now defunct, "A Common Reader" catalog, which arrived in her mailbox each month.
August 9, 2017
Well written, based on the premise that Wallis Simpson and Edward V111 had a daughter before they were married. They didn't want her and shunted her off to a friendly family willing to keep their secret. They certainly came across as a self obsessed selfish couple. Iona raised her as her own along side of her son Callum. The children were devoted to each other. Callum her hero who would always care for her. When they were shunted off to a remote Scottish Island, for safety, during the war and survived a shipwreck their lives changed forever. Emerald had a wonderful childhood there until shunted of to Mexico with her 'Nan'. Her true parents didn't want her and would have been most happy if she had died when the ship went down. Callum's parents had died in the war and the powers that be decided it was time to separate them completely. Emerald was heart broken and set her mind to find her way herself. She grew up a little wild and once her Nan died and a marriage was being arranged she ran away. Hard work, much heartache and misunderstandings, a great love, tough life changing decisions but ultimately success and peace.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2024
This is another book that absolutely got me into reading. I read it quite young after having found it on a bookshelf in my home.
For me as a young (at the time) woman, this book really helped shape the way I viewed feminity. I probably think so fondly of it out of nostalgia over the actual quality of the work, but I still hold it as one of my favourite books. Potential spoilers ahead :)
I loved being able to grow up with Emerald and explore all of the locations she lived with her, it felt true to childhood, and more to girlhood. There's perhaps an undercurrent of the 'not like other girls' mentality, but I was able to look past that. I loved reading about her discovering her love of modelling and those classic girlhood moments of dressing up, though maybe not the parading around for others lol.
I especially loved the chapters where she was pregnant, the way she seemed to settle into herself fully and to be able to do so in the home of her wayward husband and under the watchful eye of her mother-in-law. I will always, always treasure that part of the book, and Emerald's overall countenance will echo in me forever I fear. I even went on the dye my hair red haha!
For me as a young (at the time) woman, this book really helped shape the way I viewed feminity. I probably think so fondly of it out of nostalgia over the actual quality of the work, but I still hold it as one of my favourite books. Potential spoilers ahead :)
I loved being able to grow up with Emerald and explore all of the locations she lived with her, it felt true to childhood, and more to girlhood. There's perhaps an undercurrent of the 'not like other girls' mentality, but I was able to look past that. I loved reading about her discovering her love of modelling and those classic girlhood moments of dressing up, though maybe not the parading around for others lol.
I especially loved the chapters where she was pregnant, the way she seemed to settle into herself fully and to be able to do so in the home of her wayward husband and under the watchful eye of her mother-in-law. I will always, always treasure that part of the book, and Emerald's overall countenance will echo in me forever I fear. I even went on the dye my hair red haha!
April 24, 2025
This was a good drama to read and it had such a vintage feel to it.
The immersion into the story throughout the read was great to experience through her colourful writing and the best part was when Callum & Emerald come together. Beautifully told, though the plot is predictable and cliche.
The immersion into the story throughout the read was great to experience through her colourful writing and the best part was when Callum & Emerald come together. Beautifully told, though the plot is predictable and cliche.
August 17, 2020
A couple of sex scenes that I could have done without, but besides that I felt like this was well written. Good story. You can feel the love, the loneliness, the heartache.
September 7, 2025
Found it boring. After several tries, gave up.
January 4, 2025
I've been trying to read this for 6 weeks and am not even halfway. I'm just so bored with it. I can't be bothered picking it up and when I do I can only get through one chapter before putting it down again out of boredom. I don't understand the rave reviews. What am I missing? Do I bother persevering? If I had something else to read I'd probably give up.
Edit: Couldn't bear it any longer. I found I just wasn't reading at all because I didn't want to pick it up. Skimmed a bit then chucked it. I didn't care about any of the characters least of all Emerald.
Edit: Couldn't bear it any longer. I found I just wasn't reading at all because I didn't want to pick it up. Skimmed a bit then chucked it. I didn't care about any of the characters least of all Emerald.
January 17, 2015
Wallis Simpson and Edward the Eighth have a secret love-child in this alternative history. While the relationship between the two, carried on at country houses, is devoted, they can't openly raise a child who could be a contender for the throne which Edward has to leave. So the girl Emerald is brought up in a home in South America, friendly with locals and away from airs and graces.
The life story and romance of this young woman makes for an entertaining look at the times and while she can never claim her birthright, we see her at the auction of Wallis Simpson's jewellery at the end, and decide that she is better off to have been her own woman. I recommend this read, which is not too challenging, for those who like history and who wonder what if?
The life story and romance of this young woman makes for an entertaining look at the times and while she can never claim her birthright, we see her at the auction of Wallis Simpson's jewellery at the end, and decide that she is better off to have been her own woman. I recommend this read, which is not too challenging, for those who like history and who wonder what if?
October 26, 2009
I think I found this in the sale corner at the library a couple of months ago. I am surprised there is so little discribing it here, and the only thing about the book on the back cover is pretty much the same info you see up there. When I searched the Author, the title didn't appear in her listing. So far, it is a very well written book. It began with the scene of the auction of the jewelry collection from Duke of Windsor to Mrs. Simpson, supposes a mysterious bidder on a particular item, then describes the origins and life of a hidden child of the man who refused a kingdom for the love of a commoner. Just started it, so I will update you soon.
May 11, 2009
Pure story. The concept of the book is that Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson had a baby before he gave up the throne. They didn't, maybe couldn't or wouldn't, raise the child so Emerald was brought up by others. It is an entertaining book but Emerald is a bit tooo perfect.
November 28, 2009
Somewhat of a "guilty pleasure" this was a fun read.
July 12, 2011
read in 1995
re-read 2011
still a "Thumping good read"
re-read 2011
still a "Thumping good read"
February 15, 2013
Page turner for me. Lots of twists and what if history. But basically a great love story!
January 19, 2014
A "read" read. Page turning story. Not my usual kind of book but one of my favorites.
August 12, 2015
I loved her insightful study of women's nature. At times I felt as if I could smell and feel the scents and textures of her descriptions...I definitely want to read more of her work.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews