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The True Story of Maddie Bright
The bestselling author of In Falling Snow returns with a spellbinding tale of friendship, love and loyalty
In 1920, seventeen-year-old Maddie Bright is thrilled to take a job as a serving girl on the royal tour of Australia by Edward, Prince of Wales. She makes friends with Helen Burns, the prince's vivacious press secretary, and Rupert Waters, his most loyal man, and is in awe of Edward himself, the boy prince.
For Maddie, who longs to be a journalist like Helen, what starts as a desire to help her family after the devastation of war becomes a chance to work on something that matters. When the unthinkable happens, it is swift and life changing.
Decades later, Maddie Bright is living in a ramshackle house in Paddington, Brisbane. She has Ed, her devoted neighbour, to talk to, the television news to shout at, and door-knocker religions to join. But when London journalist Victoria Byrd gets the sniff of a story that might lead to the true identity of a famously reclusive writer, Maddie's version of her own story may change.
1920, 1981 and 1997: the strands twist across the seas and over two continents, to build a compelling story of love and fame, motherhood and friendship. Set at key moments in the lives of two of the most loved and hated figures of the twentieth century, in Maddie Bright, a reader will find a friend, and by novel's close, that friend's true and moving story.
In 1920, seventeen-year-old Maddie Bright is thrilled to take a job as a serving girl on the royal tour of Australia by Edward, Prince of Wales. She makes friends with Helen Burns, the prince's vivacious press secretary, and Rupert Waters, his most loyal man, and is in awe of Edward himself, the boy prince.
For Maddie, who longs to be a journalist like Helen, what starts as a desire to help her family after the devastation of war becomes a chance to work on something that matters. When the unthinkable happens, it is swift and life changing.
Decades later, Maddie Bright is living in a ramshackle house in Paddington, Brisbane. She has Ed, her devoted neighbour, to talk to, the television news to shout at, and door-knocker religions to join. But when London journalist Victoria Byrd gets the sniff of a story that might lead to the true identity of a famously reclusive writer, Maddie's version of her own story may change.
1920, 1981 and 1997: the strands twist across the seas and over two continents, to build a compelling story of love and fame, motherhood and friendship. Set at key moments in the lives of two of the most loved and hated figures of the twentieth century, in Maddie Bright, a reader will find a friend, and by novel's close, that friend's true and moving story.
504 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2019
106 people are currently reading
3980 people want to read
About the author
Mary-Rose MacColl
14 books176 followersMary-Rose MacColl is an Australian writer whose first novel, No Safe Place, was runner-up in the 1995 Australian Vogel literary award. Her first non-fiction book, The Birth Wars, was a finalist in the 2009 Walkley Awards. In Falling Snow (October 2012), Mary-Rose's fourth novel, tells the largely unknown story of a small group of Scottish women who ran a field hospital for France in World War I in an old abbey. MacColl holds degrees in journalism and creative writing and lives between Brisbane, Australia and Banff, Canada with her husband and son.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
March 25, 2019
A truly wonderful book, I took my time reading this one as I never wanted it to end!
We follow the story of Maddie Bright, correspondence secretary to the Prince Of Wales during his 1920 tour of Australia. Maddie is just a young naïve girl when she joins the tour, really sweet actually, and so the corruption around the Prince's tour affect Maddie in a way that she ends up carrying for a lifetime. She ends up writing a best selling book, Autumn Leaves, in the aftermath.
Fast forward to another young naïve teenager in 1981, Lady Diana Spencer, as she becomes betrothed to the current Prince Of Wales, Charles. Then we move to the events surrounding her death in 1997, as told by London journalist Victoria Byrd. Victoria is then invited to Australia by reclusive author M.A. Bright to cover the possibility of a sequel to Autumn Leaves after all these years.
The True Story Of Maddie Bright is an ambitious tale, as it covers three timelines, but it works and you never have to wonder which timeline you are in. Maddie herself is a marvellous character, with a strong mind and sense of right, so to be caught up in the events that she does, and how she deals with them, is awe inspiring. I wasn't able to put this book down, and then there was the surprise of a nice little twist at the end. I highly recommend this book to all lovers of Historical Fiction.
My thanks to Allen & Unwin for an Uncorrected Proof to read and review. The opinions are entirely my own.
We follow the story of Maddie Bright, correspondence secretary to the Prince Of Wales during his 1920 tour of Australia. Maddie is just a young naïve girl when she joins the tour, really sweet actually, and so the corruption around the Prince's tour affect Maddie in a way that she ends up carrying for a lifetime. She ends up writing a best selling book, Autumn Leaves, in the aftermath.
Fast forward to another young naïve teenager in 1981, Lady Diana Spencer, as she becomes betrothed to the current Prince Of Wales, Charles. Then we move to the events surrounding her death in 1997, as told by London journalist Victoria Byrd. Victoria is then invited to Australia by reclusive author M.A. Bright to cover the possibility of a sequel to Autumn Leaves after all these years.
The True Story Of Maddie Bright is an ambitious tale, as it covers three timelines, but it works and you never have to wonder which timeline you are in. Maddie herself is a marvellous character, with a strong mind and sense of right, so to be caught up in the events that she does, and how she deals with them, is awe inspiring. I wasn't able to put this book down, and then there was the surprise of a nice little twist at the end. I highly recommend this book to all lovers of Historical Fiction.
My thanks to Allen & Unwin for an Uncorrected Proof to read and review. The opinions are entirely my own.
March 18, 2020
I am DNF-ing this at the 30% mark. Life is too short to waste any more of my time on mediocrity. I chose this book because the topic of Princess Diana is woven into the storyline. However, there are three dueling time periods which leave me very disoriented and I don't find myself invested in any of the characters, much less their stories.
December 26, 2019
The True Story of Maddie Bright is a beautifully written story told over three time periods. This is one of those stories that pulls you in right from the start and holds your attention all the way to the very last page.
A really moving story of friendship, secrets and love, all of which makes for a brilliant read and one that I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in highly recommending.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin AU for my uncorrected proof ARC copy to read and review.
A really moving story of friendship, secrets and love, all of which makes for a brilliant read and one that I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in highly recommending.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin AU for my uncorrected proof ARC copy to read and review.
April 1, 2019
Seventeen-year-old Maddie Bright was a naïve young woman whose choice was to help her family after the devastation of war. Her father was a changed man, her eldest brother hadn’t made it home. Her mother was struggling to make ends meet with her brothers, plus Maddie and their parents to feed and clothe. When the 1920 tour by the Prince of Wales arrived at Australia’s shores, Maddie was delighted to be offered a job as serving girl aboard the train which carried the prince and his entourage. She became friends with Helen Burns, press secretary and Rupert Waters, the prince’s right-hand man, and Edward himself had Maddie in awe.
Events which Maddie could not have foreseen occurred and changed her life and the direction of her future forever.
In 1997 Maddie was in her nineties and living in Brisbane, Australia. A reclusive writer whose fame as M.A. Bright was renown, Maddie, through her agent, contacted London journalist Victoria Byrd with the promise of an interview – one no one had been able to write over the decades since her novel had been written. Victoria was filled with curiosity and perhaps a little awe…
Set in three timeframes – 1920, 1981 and 1997 – The True Story of Maddie Bright is a fascinating read which is well based on fact. The story of Edward, Prince of Wales; the people who surrounded him; then much later Princess Diana’s arrival into the royal family, culminating in her as the people’s Princess – with Maddie’s narration pulling all the threads together beautifully. Maddie was an intriguing character, well written and easy to love. Aussie author Mary-Rose MacColl has produced an enthralling picture filled with heartache, love and friendship which covers decades. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin AU for my uncorrected proof ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Events which Maddie could not have foreseen occurred and changed her life and the direction of her future forever.
In 1997 Maddie was in her nineties and living in Brisbane, Australia. A reclusive writer whose fame as M.A. Bright was renown, Maddie, through her agent, contacted London journalist Victoria Byrd with the promise of an interview – one no one had been able to write over the decades since her novel had been written. Victoria was filled with curiosity and perhaps a little awe…
Set in three timeframes – 1920, 1981 and 1997 – The True Story of Maddie Bright is a fascinating read which is well based on fact. The story of Edward, Prince of Wales; the people who surrounded him; then much later Princess Diana’s arrival into the royal family, culminating in her as the people’s Princess – with Maddie’s narration pulling all the threads together beautifully. Maddie was an intriguing character, well written and easy to love. Aussie author Mary-Rose MacColl has produced an enthralling picture filled with heartache, love and friendship which covers decades. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin AU for my uncorrected proof ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
March 18, 2019
The True Story of Maddie Bright is the sixth novel by Australian author, Mary-Rose MacColl. In August 1997, journalist for Knight News, Victoria Byrd is about to head to Paris to try to write about the awful tragedy that has ended the life of the most loved and hated princess that Britain ever had, Diana. And to come to terms with the part her profession has played in it. Her relationship with American movie star Ben Winter has given her a personal taste of hounding by the press.
But first, a lunch with Finian Inglis, of the tiny, ailing Barlow Inglis Publishing House, publishers of M.A. Bright’s first novel, Autumn Leaves, some seventy-five years earlier. Fin explains that he has correspondence from someone representing the author, and the first chapter of a long-awaited and much-anticipated sequel. If it’s real, it could save his business. M.A. Bright lives in suburban Brisbane and Victoria’s editor has agreed to fund her trip to interview this reclusive writer.
Back in 1920, Maddie Bright was thrilled to find herself on Prince Edward’s Royal Tour of Australia, working as the Prince’s correspondence secretary. In her role, she felt truly honoured to represent H.R.H the Prince of Wales, drafting answers to the many thousands of letters that Australians wrote, and to spend time with the young Prince.
Maddie’s father was a poet, and she dreamed of being a journalist like Helen Burns, the Prince’s Publicity Liaison Assistant for the tour. Meanwhile, she watched and listened and took notes: there was definitely something between Helen and Rupert, the Prince’s batman and Maddie was sure it would make a great story.
Sixty-one years later, Maddie watches the TV news in dismay as young Diana Spencer is engaged to Charles: she has seen, first hand, what a close association with royalty can do. If only she could save this poor young girl.
This novel tells several stories, set in different time periods, but all inextricably linked. The three main narrative strands are supplemented by extracts from M.A. Bright’s novels, snippets that make it abundantly clear whose stories they tell. While some of what happens may be fairly easy to predict, there is an excellent twist that will surprise even the most astute reader.
MacColl has a talent for describing characters: “She was a person for whom the entire field of italics was invented, the way she stressed certain words. I was in no doubt that she stressed that word ‘successful’ to make it clear that it and me were a long way apart.” and “He is like the sun, making everything around him more bright, including my worst moods, which seem to flow out to him and pass away.” Maddie is the star, but many among her support cast are also genuinely appealing.
MacColl gives the reader an intimate look at what happened on Royal Tours in the early twentieth century. Of course, as she states in her Writer’s Note, her Prince of Wales is fictional, but the man she depicts, stuck in a life he did not choose, is so very human and therefore believable: under great pressure, basically insecure, often incredibly generous but, perhaps as a product of his station and his upbringing, at times shockingly selfish.
The sacrifice made by those who serve royalty is highlighted, while domestic violence, loyalty, abuse of privilege, and the toll of war on families all feature. This is a beautifully told tale, with humour and heartache, guilt and grief, secrets, but also love and hope. An utterly entrancing read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Allen & Unwin
But first, a lunch with Finian Inglis, of the tiny, ailing Barlow Inglis Publishing House, publishers of M.A. Bright’s first novel, Autumn Leaves, some seventy-five years earlier. Fin explains that he has correspondence from someone representing the author, and the first chapter of a long-awaited and much-anticipated sequel. If it’s real, it could save his business. M.A. Bright lives in suburban Brisbane and Victoria’s editor has agreed to fund her trip to interview this reclusive writer.
Back in 1920, Maddie Bright was thrilled to find herself on Prince Edward’s Royal Tour of Australia, working as the Prince’s correspondence secretary. In her role, she felt truly honoured to represent H.R.H the Prince of Wales, drafting answers to the many thousands of letters that Australians wrote, and to spend time with the young Prince.
Maddie’s father was a poet, and she dreamed of being a journalist like Helen Burns, the Prince’s Publicity Liaison Assistant for the tour. Meanwhile, she watched and listened and took notes: there was definitely something between Helen and Rupert, the Prince’s batman and Maddie was sure it would make a great story.
Sixty-one years later, Maddie watches the TV news in dismay as young Diana Spencer is engaged to Charles: she has seen, first hand, what a close association with royalty can do. If only she could save this poor young girl.
This novel tells several stories, set in different time periods, but all inextricably linked. The three main narrative strands are supplemented by extracts from M.A. Bright’s novels, snippets that make it abundantly clear whose stories they tell. While some of what happens may be fairly easy to predict, there is an excellent twist that will surprise even the most astute reader.
MacColl has a talent for describing characters: “She was a person for whom the entire field of italics was invented, the way she stressed certain words. I was in no doubt that she stressed that word ‘successful’ to make it clear that it and me were a long way apart.” and “He is like the sun, making everything around him more bright, including my worst moods, which seem to flow out to him and pass away.” Maddie is the star, but many among her support cast are also genuinely appealing.
MacColl gives the reader an intimate look at what happened on Royal Tours in the early twentieth century. Of course, as she states in her Writer’s Note, her Prince of Wales is fictional, but the man she depicts, stuck in a life he did not choose, is so very human and therefore believable: under great pressure, basically insecure, often incredibly generous but, perhaps as a product of his station and his upbringing, at times shockingly selfish.
The sacrifice made by those who serve royalty is highlighted, while domestic violence, loyalty, abuse of privilege, and the toll of war on families all feature. This is a beautifully told tale, with humour and heartache, guilt and grief, secrets, but also love and hope. An utterly entrancing read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Allen & Unwin
April 21, 2019
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
A magnificent journey seeping decades and continents, The True Story of Maddie Bright is the sixth novel from Australian author Mary-Rose MacColl. In this ambitious and sprawling new tale, Maddie Bright’s incredulous life dazzles in a tale of ambition, success, love, friendship, motherhood and trust. I really loved this book, it definitely challenged me, but I adored the experience.
It is always the way, when you really love a book it is often hard to find the words to express just how much the novel made an impression on you. For me, The True Story of Maddie Bright is one of my favourite novels of the year and it is exactly what I look for in a novel. I have a weakness for multi time frame, historical crossed with contemporary fiction novels with an air of mystery. On first glance I was a little apprehensive about MacColl’s ability to link all the parts of her novel together. With four different timelines, covering 1918, 1920, 1981 and 1997, it did seem like Mary-Rose MacColl was a little zealous. However, with much concentration and investment in this book, I was rewarded so many times over, this was a stunning novel!
There were many aspects that I adored about this novel. One main highlight was the book within the book. We are treated to extracts from a successful war based love story, Autumn Leaves, and its sequel, Winter Skies. The extracts included in the narrative were breathtaking, I would have loved to have read these books as an entire full length novel! MacColl sets up a wonderful air of mystery around this thread of the novel, which occurs in the very beginning of the book and is carried through the whole piece. I loved the mystery around M.A. Bright, the reclusive author, who the reader and pivotal protagonist Victoria Byrd, must unveil. The mystery aspect of the book elevated The True Story of Maddie Bright to another level.
Another key element of the novel that I connected to was the royalty focus. This interest was further strengthened when I learnt of the author’s loose family link via a journalist uncle, who covered many pivotal royal events, including royal tours and the abdication of Edward VIII. This personal inspiration really ignited narrative. MacColl represents David, also known as Edward the Prince of Wales, in both a familiar and unfamiliar light. Having read some previous literature around his character I was surprised by his behaviour. In some respects he was spoilt, entitled, indulged and he suffered from poor social etiquette. On the other hand, he could be incredibly empathetic, apologetic and full of feeling. The gratitude and regret he displayed by talking to the families of many soldiers who lost their lives in the war, really left an impression of me. MacColl also does an excellent job of outlining the comings and goings of a royal tour, the roles taken on by staff and the often gruelling process of being on show to the public. I loved the nod to WA in the Perth based aspects of the Australian royal tour!
We see the ugly side of being the ‘People’s Prince’ or in Diana’s case in the 19981/1997 storyline, being absolutely dogged by the public and paparazzi. This is outlined well in the Victoria Byrd aspects of the novel. Diana is represented from a distance and we see the tragic fallout of a life spent in the public eye. A sense of nostalgia washed over me as I read these sections of the novel. MacColl took me right back to this defining time in our world history and that of the British monarchy. This plays out against Victoria, the other main protagonist in this novel’s experiences as she battles a difficult relationship. MacColl uses this aspect of the narrative to explore the impact of domestic abuse, which is handled with a great deal of sensitivity.
How all the seemingly unrelated strings of this novel come together in one cohesive and satisfying end absolutely amazed me. Mary-Rose MacColl is a storyteller that I hold in the highest regard, to pull this novel off without a hitch is quite a feat, but she achieved it! A last minute twist to the tale contributed to my complete enjoyment of this novel, from the opening to the close. I experienced no dips in attention, despite the weight of the novel. For a five hundred page novel, what a success!
I cannot recommend this novel enough, you do need to set aside both the time and effort but the rewards you are able to reap in terms of the narrative, characterisation, setting and the central mystery is just sensational. The True Story of Maddie Bright is one of those rare books that I didn’t want to bid adieu to, it was simply ravishing.
*Thanks extended to Allen & Unwin for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
The True Story of Maddie Bright is book #51 of the 2019 Australian Women Writers Challenge
A magnificent journey seeping decades and continents, The True Story of Maddie Bright is the sixth novel from Australian author Mary-Rose MacColl. In this ambitious and sprawling new tale, Maddie Bright’s incredulous life dazzles in a tale of ambition, success, love, friendship, motherhood and trust. I really loved this book, it definitely challenged me, but I adored the experience.
It is always the way, when you really love a book it is often hard to find the words to express just how much the novel made an impression on you. For me, The True Story of Maddie Bright is one of my favourite novels of the year and it is exactly what I look for in a novel. I have a weakness for multi time frame, historical crossed with contemporary fiction novels with an air of mystery. On first glance I was a little apprehensive about MacColl’s ability to link all the parts of her novel together. With four different timelines, covering 1918, 1920, 1981 and 1997, it did seem like Mary-Rose MacColl was a little zealous. However, with much concentration and investment in this book, I was rewarded so many times over, this was a stunning novel!
There were many aspects that I adored about this novel. One main highlight was the book within the book. We are treated to extracts from a successful war based love story, Autumn Leaves, and its sequel, Winter Skies. The extracts included in the narrative were breathtaking, I would have loved to have read these books as an entire full length novel! MacColl sets up a wonderful air of mystery around this thread of the novel, which occurs in the very beginning of the book and is carried through the whole piece. I loved the mystery around M.A. Bright, the reclusive author, who the reader and pivotal protagonist Victoria Byrd, must unveil. The mystery aspect of the book elevated The True Story of Maddie Bright to another level.
Another key element of the novel that I connected to was the royalty focus. This interest was further strengthened when I learnt of the author’s loose family link via a journalist uncle, who covered many pivotal royal events, including royal tours and the abdication of Edward VIII. This personal inspiration really ignited narrative. MacColl represents David, also known as Edward the Prince of Wales, in both a familiar and unfamiliar light. Having read some previous literature around his character I was surprised by his behaviour. In some respects he was spoilt, entitled, indulged and he suffered from poor social etiquette. On the other hand, he could be incredibly empathetic, apologetic and full of feeling. The gratitude and regret he displayed by talking to the families of many soldiers who lost their lives in the war, really left an impression of me. MacColl also does an excellent job of outlining the comings and goings of a royal tour, the roles taken on by staff and the often gruelling process of being on show to the public. I loved the nod to WA in the Perth based aspects of the Australian royal tour!
We see the ugly side of being the ‘People’s Prince’ or in Diana’s case in the 19981/1997 storyline, being absolutely dogged by the public and paparazzi. This is outlined well in the Victoria Byrd aspects of the novel. Diana is represented from a distance and we see the tragic fallout of a life spent in the public eye. A sense of nostalgia washed over me as I read these sections of the novel. MacColl took me right back to this defining time in our world history and that of the British monarchy. This plays out against Victoria, the other main protagonist in this novel’s experiences as she battles a difficult relationship. MacColl uses this aspect of the narrative to explore the impact of domestic abuse, which is handled with a great deal of sensitivity.
How all the seemingly unrelated strings of this novel come together in one cohesive and satisfying end absolutely amazed me. Mary-Rose MacColl is a storyteller that I hold in the highest regard, to pull this novel off without a hitch is quite a feat, but she achieved it! A last minute twist to the tale contributed to my complete enjoyment of this novel, from the opening to the close. I experienced no dips in attention, despite the weight of the novel. For a five hundred page novel, what a success!
I cannot recommend this novel enough, you do need to set aside both the time and effort but the rewards you are able to reap in terms of the narrative, characterisation, setting and the central mystery is just sensational. The True Story of Maddie Bright is one of those rare books that I didn’t want to bid adieu to, it was simply ravishing.
*Thanks extended to Allen & Unwin for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
The True Story of Maddie Bright is book #51 of the 2019 Australian Women Writers Challenge
February 6, 2024
Why the actual heck is the Prince of Wales a rapist in this book ?!!! DNFING as I speak because this is not based on actual facts and I am greatly disturbed that this is a plot device on behalf of the British Crown.
January 27, 2019
This was an intricately crafted novel in which four different timelines wound an elaborate and deeply engrossing story around me as I read.
In the 1920's of Australia young Maddie Bright is accepted as a 'tea girl' for the Australian tour of Edward, Prince of Wales. She is so young (16? I think) and in the position of needing to earn money for her family, but that was the reality for many of the post war years. Her father has returned from the war... changed, where before he was a poet now he struggles with the most basic things. Maddie embarks on a tour of Australia with the prince and his entourage - a bewildering (for her) swirl of individuals, society and intrigue that is initially beyond her understanding. This portion of the book is fascinating; the Australian obsession with the prince of Wales is an echo of royal watching today and the complexities of the interactions are deeply interesting to anyone curious about Edward's eventual abdication. While this reads like a fascinating novel, to anyone intrigued by historical writing there is also the feel of good solid research; I think there can be no doubt that the Prince of Wales tour of Australia was a very well researched segment.
Then we have Brisbane, in the 1980's. Paddington in fact, right next to my recent stomping grounds, where old Maddie Bright is living. This part is also fascinating but in a different way. Here the internal landscape of Old Maddie is the fascinating part, there are brief sketches of 80's Brisbane as well, but what her daily life has become is the main focus here. She has written a book, a very famous and successful book back in the day, which still brings in royalties. Autumn leaves was the heroic story of two people in the war, an ambulance driver and a wounded soldier and we slowly come to realise that the novel grew out events and people which she learned about on the prince's tour. Maddie is writing another book, a sequel whose contents are a mystery to us as readers but which are obviously deeply emotional to her. She is writing to the publishers in London, where the first one was published...
Then we have London 1997, where Victoria, a journalist is caught up in the death of princess Diana and is offered the chance to fly out to Australia to interview an aging novelist who may have one more great novel... The vibrancy of the more modern setting is an excellent foil for the older settings in the story. Victoria herself is engaging and her story is absorbing as she is starting to develop a bit of a moral crisis over the role of journalism and the effects it has on the people it follows. This is of course, a question that was incredibly topical at the time, with Diana's life death being a case in point.
For me, books that skip between times can be hit or miss. If the author is not right on the ball I can find myself very tempted to 'read ahead' on my favourite timeline, ignoring the others. Though I rarely give in to temptation it can make me tetchy. In this book, I never had the slightest urge to do so. It's a miracle!
The different characters and time lines blend and follow from each other so beautifully that the flow of the story completely carried me along with it. The actual writing itself was beautiful, so that even when there was no a lot of action happening - as with the internal musings of old Maddie Bright - the writing utterly engrossed me. The mysteries, and there are a few, are so adeptly handled that they unfold unexpectedly in perfect sequence I actively burned to know what the endings would be and I was not disappointed. Initially I was a bit critical of the 1920's segment, the people on the princes tour were too many, too confusing, too indistinct and I was a little annoyed. Then, I realised that it was kind of point-of-view; this was young Maddie's experience, she was equally confused and lost and once I stopped trying to remember the different people and just read along, I found that the author was allowing us to come to know the whole troupe in a very organic fashion, as a newcomer to the party would.
Beautifully written, flawlessly planned and executed, with one of the most satisfying novel endings I have read recently, I thoroughly recommend this book.
Many thanks to the publishers, Allen & Unwin who provided me with this Advance Reading Copy in return for an honest opinion. I feel very privileged to have had the advance read of this excellent book.
In the 1920's of Australia young Maddie Bright is accepted as a 'tea girl' for the Australian tour of Edward, Prince of Wales. She is so young (16? I think) and in the position of needing to earn money for her family, but that was the reality for many of the post war years. Her father has returned from the war... changed, where before he was a poet now he struggles with the most basic things. Maddie embarks on a tour of Australia with the prince and his entourage - a bewildering (for her) swirl of individuals, society and intrigue that is initially beyond her understanding. This portion of the book is fascinating; the Australian obsession with the prince of Wales is an echo of royal watching today and the complexities of the interactions are deeply interesting to anyone curious about Edward's eventual abdication. While this reads like a fascinating novel, to anyone intrigued by historical writing there is also the feel of good solid research; I think there can be no doubt that the Prince of Wales tour of Australia was a very well researched segment.
Then we have Brisbane, in the 1980's. Paddington in fact, right next to my recent stomping grounds, where old Maddie Bright is living. This part is also fascinating but in a different way. Here the internal landscape of Old Maddie is the fascinating part, there are brief sketches of 80's Brisbane as well, but what her daily life has become is the main focus here. She has written a book, a very famous and successful book back in the day, which still brings in royalties. Autumn leaves was the heroic story of two people in the war, an ambulance driver and a wounded soldier and we slowly come to realise that the novel grew out events and people which she learned about on the prince's tour. Maddie is writing another book, a sequel whose contents are a mystery to us as readers but which are obviously deeply emotional to her. She is writing to the publishers in London, where the first one was published...
Then we have London 1997, where Victoria, a journalist is caught up in the death of princess Diana and is offered the chance to fly out to Australia to interview an aging novelist who may have one more great novel... The vibrancy of the more modern setting is an excellent foil for the older settings in the story. Victoria herself is engaging and her story is absorbing as she is starting to develop a bit of a moral crisis over the role of journalism and the effects it has on the people it follows. This is of course, a question that was incredibly topical at the time, with Diana's life death being a case in point.
For me, books that skip between times can be hit or miss. If the author is not right on the ball I can find myself very tempted to 'read ahead' on my favourite timeline, ignoring the others. Though I rarely give in to temptation it can make me tetchy. In this book, I never had the slightest urge to do so. It's a miracle!
The different characters and time lines blend and follow from each other so beautifully that the flow of the story completely carried me along with it. The actual writing itself was beautiful, so that even when there was no a lot of action happening - as with the internal musings of old Maddie Bright - the writing utterly engrossed me. The mysteries, and there are a few, are so adeptly handled that they unfold unexpectedly in perfect sequence I actively burned to know what the endings would be and I was not disappointed. Initially I was a bit critical of the 1920's segment, the people on the princes tour were too many, too confusing, too indistinct and I was a little annoyed. Then, I realised that it was kind of point-of-view; this was young Maddie's experience, she was equally confused and lost and once I stopped trying to remember the different people and just read along, I found that the author was allowing us to come to know the whole troupe in a very organic fashion, as a newcomer to the party would.
Beautifully written, flawlessly planned and executed, with one of the most satisfying novel endings I have read recently, I thoroughly recommend this book.
Many thanks to the publishers, Allen & Unwin who provided me with this Advance Reading Copy in return for an honest opinion. I feel very privileged to have had the advance read of this excellent book.
March 31, 2019
Three and a half stars.
17 year old Maddie Bright applies for a job as a serving girl on the 1920s Royal Tour by Edward, Prince of Wales. Except she ends up with quite a different job after meeting Press Secretary Helen Burns, the prince and the prince’s loyal man Rupert Waters. Told in different time frames, the 1981 sections has the aged Maddie living in a ramshackle house in Paddington Brisbane. An unexpected letter and a news item disrupt her. The third time frame is from 1997 when journalist Victorian Byrd is given the job by her editor of tracking down the elusive M. A. Bright, author of the war novel Autumn Leaves. It appears that the author has now, written a second novel. Victoria, despite her engagement to an American movie star and his disapproval, travels to escape Australia following the story.
Spanning two continents and the various timelines, the author manages to weave an intriguing tale that also brings in historical lives of the prince Edward and also that of Princess Diana, her engagement and wedding to Prince Charles and then her death.
I have read and enjoyed two other novels by this author, which is why I was thrilled to receive this uncorrected proof from Allan & Unwin. Thanks Allen& Unwin. Maybe my expectations ran ahead of me, as I didn’t enjoy this one as much as I expected to. I enjoyed Swimming Home and In Falling Snow by the same author a tad more than this one. Perhaps those with a fascination for royalty and their stories may find it more fascinating. While I enjoyed Maddie and Victoria’s stories, some of the stories concerning royalty figures left me less than impressed. Sometimes the tale seemed to drag a bit.
However, it is still worth reading and the way the various strands and time frames are drawn together is cleverly done. A story of love, friendships, deceit and secrets this is an interesting read that I am sure many people will enjoy.
17 year old Maddie Bright applies for a job as a serving girl on the 1920s Royal Tour by Edward, Prince of Wales. Except she ends up with quite a different job after meeting Press Secretary Helen Burns, the prince and the prince’s loyal man Rupert Waters. Told in different time frames, the 1981 sections has the aged Maddie living in a ramshackle house in Paddington Brisbane. An unexpected letter and a news item disrupt her. The third time frame is from 1997 when journalist Victorian Byrd is given the job by her editor of tracking down the elusive M. A. Bright, author of the war novel Autumn Leaves. It appears that the author has now, written a second novel. Victoria, despite her engagement to an American movie star and his disapproval, travels to escape Australia following the story.
Spanning two continents and the various timelines, the author manages to weave an intriguing tale that also brings in historical lives of the prince Edward and also that of Princess Diana, her engagement and wedding to Prince Charles and then her death.
I have read and enjoyed two other novels by this author, which is why I was thrilled to receive this uncorrected proof from Allan & Unwin. Thanks Allen& Unwin. Maybe my expectations ran ahead of me, as I didn’t enjoy this one as much as I expected to. I enjoyed Swimming Home and In Falling Snow by the same author a tad more than this one. Perhaps those with a fascination for royalty and their stories may find it more fascinating. While I enjoyed Maddie and Victoria’s stories, some of the stories concerning royalty figures left me less than impressed. Sometimes the tale seemed to drag a bit.
However, it is still worth reading and the way the various strands and time frames are drawn together is cleverly done. A story of love, friendships, deceit and secrets this is an interesting read that I am sure many people will enjoy.
January 19, 2019
Having read the blurb on the back cover I was quite excited to be given the chance to read and review this book. And what a long book it was. For me maybe too long! A book of many parts and eras, many people and lives, many lies and tales. Sometimes to the point where you get a bit lost trying to keep up.
Taking pieces from history and turning them into a fictional story such as this makes an interesting and enjoyable read but I felt some of the stories just didn’t really gel. I really enjoyed Maddie and Victoria’s lives and how they entwined but found some parts unnecessary and long winded. I understand the author Mary-Rose MacColl was probably trying to cover all bases but for me it didn’t work.
I enjoyed reading it for the most part, loved the tales of friendship, family relationships, love, loss and hope. It really did hit home that in life we don’t always control our destiny to the full; power, money and loyalty all come in to play. The characters were perfect, their lives were interesting. This is what made the book worth reading.
A good but long-winded read.
Taking pieces from history and turning them into a fictional story such as this makes an interesting and enjoyable read but I felt some of the stories just didn’t really gel. I really enjoyed Maddie and Victoria’s lives and how they entwined but found some parts unnecessary and long winded. I understand the author Mary-Rose MacColl was probably trying to cover all bases but for me it didn’t work.
I enjoyed reading it for the most part, loved the tales of friendship, family relationships, love, loss and hope. It really did hit home that in life we don’t always control our destiny to the full; power, money and loyalty all come in to play. The characters were perfect, their lives were interesting. This is what made the book worth reading.
A good but long-winded read.
April 6, 2019
This is an outstanding book - but I may be biased because I love history, and I love the royals! MacColl blends the history and the fiction so well, that I caught myself thinking "Yes, this could have really happened!" which is the sign of a great writer and a great hook reeling me into the story. Her dialogue was fantastic and authentic, and the flow of the story worked really well. It was helped by the strong characters and MacColl's exquisite capturing of their inner workings as well as the external action happening around them. There were some signposts in there as to where the novel would end up, but it still had shocks and delights for me at the climax. The resolution was a little weak, but easily forgiven, because I was captivated by this work and didn't want it to end. Thanks to Allen & Unwin for sending me an advanced copy. I thoroughly look forward to reading more novels by this author. 5 stars!
May 18, 2019
I know I’m completely on my own with this review as everyone else found it amazing. I found it completely unappealing .I couldn’t connect with either of the main characters in either timeline, and just wasn’t hooked in to the story at all. Abandoned after mandatory 100 pages! ( I’m too old to persevere with what I’m not enjoying!)
April 26, 2020
I was excited to read this book as it had received great reviews. Clearly I was missing something. I found most of the story irrelevant and unnecessary. The book jumps around to three different times, Maddie Bright as a young girl working on Prince Edwards train during his 1920’s visit to Australia, Maddie, as an elderly lady in the 1980’s and Victoria Byrd, a rag magazine writer who has been assigned to report in the 1997 death of Princess Diana.
I found most of Victoria’s story to be irrelevant. Although the death of Princess Diana certainly brought back unhappy memories, I have yet to determine its relevance. Even the end “twist” to the story was too unbelievable for me.
As for Maddie, her character was never developed for me. Was she strong, weak, naive, senile or all of those at different times?
I felt the ending was rushed. After 300 and some pages, the whole ending is over within three or so pages.
The the emergence in popularity of The Crown, books about the Royal Family are becoming more popular. I have a few, this is not one I would recommend.
I found most of Victoria’s story to be irrelevant. Although the death of Princess Diana certainly brought back unhappy memories, I have yet to determine its relevance. Even the end “twist” to the story was too unbelievable for me.
As for Maddie, her character was never developed for me. Was she strong, weak, naive, senile or all of those at different times?
I felt the ending was rushed. After 300 and some pages, the whole ending is over within three or so pages.
The the emergence in popularity of The Crown, books about the Royal Family are becoming more popular. I have a few, this is not one I would recommend.
April 11, 2019
It has been a long time since I read a book that I desperately felt the need to discuss after finishing, but this is one. A definite 5 stars from me, I was engrossed in the three timelines right until the final page. This novel covers three timelines; Maddie in 1920 working with Prince Edward VIII on his tour around Australia and 1981 when Prince Charles marries Lady Diana and then Victoria’s story in 1997 when Lady Diana passes away in a tragic accident. Of the three timelines, I definitely felt more drawn to Victoria’s story and the death of Lady Diana. This would be because it is an event I lived through myself and I could understand the responses that were going on in this timeline. Halfway through the book the events happening in 1920 with Prince Edward and his entourage became totally engaging, eliciting many emotions from this point on, both positive and negative responses due to the events that occurred during Maddie’s time on the tour. For Maddie, this tour changed her whole life as well of the life of Helen her friend who took her under her wing. Watching Maddie’s character grow from naïve and childlike to strong and more knowing about the ways of the world, was encouraging and heartbreaking. Maddie in 1981 is a wonderful character who made me laugh with her directness and way of being. This book had themes of dreams, hope, power, guilt, regret, loyalty, misuse of power, family and friendship. It covered some important themes of abuse and the way people deal with this, both then and now. It was a story that will stay with me for a long time.
February 13, 2020
It looks like the title of this book has changed from "The True Story of Maddie Bright
by Mary-Rose MacColl" so you might have read this already - don't be fooled.
This book has some trigger issues that may bother some readers: rape, assault, cancer.
I must agree with another reader that said that this book would have made a perfect trilogy. And I think it would have made a BETTER trilogy. I invested a lot of myself into reading this and felt a tad cheated at the end-fuller length stories, books or even novella might have given me that little something that my heart missed.
Both women deserved to have a fuller story told; a less rushed and somewhat confusing conclusion.
This book did hold my interest after the first few chapters -and the first chapter does resonate and really stay with you throughout the entire novel.
I had wished that the characters grew a little more, but I see that there really wasn't enough time for them to do so.
I do think that it was a very emotional novel and an interesting look into the early 20th-century royalty.
*ARC supplied by the publisher.
December 18, 2019
The True Story Of Maddie Bright is a wonderful book set in three different time periods: 1920, 1981 and 1997. Even though it was rather long and there were many characters to keep track of I still really loved this book. I enjoy stories about the Royal Family and this was no exception. Thanks to Allen & Unwin for my paperback copy of Mary-Rose MacColl's book.
August 27, 2020
Not what I expected
dnf
March 12, 2020I've listened to an hour, and it's definitely not bad but it hasn't grabbed my attention.
May 20, 2020
Historical fiction fans are in for a 'royal' treat with this spellbinding novel.
Following three extraordinary women, generous of heart, motivated and determined to succeed, tragedy soon strikes them all. Transcending key moments in time from Edward, Prince of Wales' 1920's Australian tour, to Princess Diana's and Prince Charles' engagement, through to Diana's death in 1997, MacColl masterfully weaves the plot lines together.
The powerful themes of World War, royalty, grief, remorse, guilt, power play, regret, the media circus and post-traumatic stress are layered with friendship, family, duty, love, perfectly throughout the story. Featuring undertones of humour and history set amongst the backdrops of quintessential Australia and London, "The True Story of Maddie Bright" is a beautifully balanced tour de force.
It is a breath of fresh 'heir' to discover an author with an unique voice that captivates you with a clever tale full of mystery, intrigue and twists.
#BRPreview
Following three extraordinary women, generous of heart, motivated and determined to succeed, tragedy soon strikes them all. Transcending key moments in time from Edward, Prince of Wales' 1920's Australian tour, to Princess Diana's and Prince Charles' engagement, through to Diana's death in 1997, MacColl masterfully weaves the plot lines together.
The powerful themes of World War, royalty, grief, remorse, guilt, power play, regret, the media circus and post-traumatic stress are layered with friendship, family, duty, love, perfectly throughout the story. Featuring undertones of humour and history set amongst the backdrops of quintessential Australia and London, "The True Story of Maddie Bright" is a beautifully balanced tour de force.
It is a breath of fresh 'heir' to discover an author with an unique voice that captivates you with a clever tale full of mystery, intrigue and twists.
#BRPreview
October 17, 2021
Alternating timelines in novels annoy me tremendously but I've had to learn to cope with them because they are so very common now days. When the content of a book is worthy, I try to put my annoyance aside. However with Lost Autumn, I found a tremendous lack of depth. The novel is akin to a poorly written soap opera. I felt cheated. I am fascinated with the history of England and its Royalty so I was hoping for depth here but it didn't happen. It took an inordinate amount of concentration to follow the story line in this book with this pattern: The first ten chapters alternate thus: 1921, 1981, 1997 1981, 1981, 1997, 1920, 1971, 1997, 1920 . Additionally the locations alternate as well. OMG.
August 12, 2021
The first chapter sucked me into the story then everything was lost and confusing. I read three chapters and ditched it, then I read the back of it and made up my mind to see it through. The novel is made up of 95 percent dialogue, with most of that being unnecessary to the story. I started to speed read and getting the gist of the story as I bypassed pages. I became frustrated with the endless conversations and read faster. The 1981 timeline was interesting with Maddie and Andrew Shaw. But everything else was so long winded. I cannot understand how so many people liked this book. I do not recommend it.
June 22, 2021
Wish could give it half a star. Hated this. Started so well. But omggggg it draaaaaagged. And then of course the requisite boring same old story that ends in a bay *yaaaawn* Was really hoping for something interesting and new. Bitterly disappointed.
January 18, 2019
Very easy to read, hard to put down.
The story of a writer, a journalist, Edward the Prince of Wales while he toured Australia in 1920.
The story of a writer, a journalist, Edward the Prince of Wales while he toured Australia in 1920.
Read
August 13, 2020DNF'd @ 43%
Story moved too slow for me, at least at the time when I was reading it. I might go back to this some other time, but...this just wasn't what I was looking for right now.
Story moved too slow for me, at least at the time when I was reading it. I might go back to this some other time, but...this just wasn't what I was looking for right now.
March 11, 2019
Look, I've got to be honest. I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. I'm far from a Royal watcher, but the blurb was intriguing enough that I wanted to give this a go.
The True Story of Maddie Bright is essentially the story of 3 women (or maybe that should be 3?). Maddie Bright, in 1920 and 1981, and Victoria Byrd in 1997, their stories linked by the British Royal Family.
In 1920, 17 year old Maddie Bright gets a job working for Prince Edward during his tour of Australia. She is wonderfully innocent and naive and believes in the power of love.
In 1981, elderly Maddie Bright is preparing to watch the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana, but her past causes her to see engagement and celebrations in a different light.
In 1997, journalist Victoria Byrd is sent to Paris in the aftermath of Princess Diana's death.
Their stories are interspersed with excerpts from the 1922 novel written by M.A.Bright, a novel which chronicles a romance during WWI.
Telling in a story in so many strands can be messy and confusing, however this book is a perfect example of how to do it. Every character had a unique voice, it was easy to differentiate between the different stories. Despite the fact they were spread across different years and different continents they blended together flawlessly in a way that was truly special to experience.
The words had a lyrical, almost poetic feel to them. I was absolutely sucked into their beauty, I couldn't put it down.
If I had to have a complaint, it's that there was all this wonderful story leading up to the climax, but then the ending felt rushed and not fully explained. Perhaps reading Helen's letter would have helped round the story out?
An absolutely beautiful, engrossing read, one I'm glad to have had the pleasure to read.
**I received an ARC of this book from Allen & Unwin in exchange for an honest review**
The True Story of Maddie Bright is essentially the story of 3 women (or maybe that should be 3?). Maddie Bright, in 1920 and 1981, and Victoria Byrd in 1997, their stories linked by the British Royal Family.
In 1920, 17 year old Maddie Bright gets a job working for Prince Edward during his tour of Australia. She is wonderfully innocent and naive and believes in the power of love.
In 1981, elderly Maddie Bright is preparing to watch the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana, but her past causes her to see engagement and celebrations in a different light.
In 1997, journalist Victoria Byrd is sent to Paris in the aftermath of Princess Diana's death.
Their stories are interspersed with excerpts from the 1922 novel written by M.A.Bright, a novel which chronicles a romance during WWI.
Telling in a story in so many strands can be messy and confusing, however this book is a perfect example of how to do it. Every character had a unique voice, it was easy to differentiate between the different stories. Despite the fact they were spread across different years and different continents they blended together flawlessly in a way that was truly special to experience.
The words had a lyrical, almost poetic feel to them. I was absolutely sucked into their beauty, I couldn't put it down.
If I had to have a complaint, it's that there was all this wonderful story leading up to the climax, but then the ending felt rushed and not fully explained. Perhaps reading Helen's letter would have helped round the story out?
An absolutely beautiful, engrossing read, one I'm glad to have had the pleasure to read.
**I received an ARC of this book from Allen & Unwin in exchange for an honest review**
February 16, 2020
This is a complex novel set in three different time periods beginning in Australia in the 1920s and ending in 1997. It follows Maddie Bright through her beginnings in poverty and needing a job in order to help support her family and ends her travels through life once again in poverty. In between those two events, Maddie was transported into worlds she could have only imagined as a seventeen-year-old who applied for a job as a serving girl, but who ended up on the cross-Australia tour of Edward, the Prince of Wales.
Telling a story set in three different timelines with two very different characters can be hit or miss. While many authors don’t make the cut due to lack of research, lack of continuity, one character being underdeveloped, or simply lack of skill, in this book McColl has done it right.
If you love a well-written historical saga spanning multiple decades, then this is the book for you. It definitely deserves to be on your to-be-read list.
Thanks to Putnam and Edelweiss for an eARC.
Telling a story set in three different timelines with two very different characters can be hit or miss. While many authors don’t make the cut due to lack of research, lack of continuity, one character being underdeveloped, or simply lack of skill, in this book McColl has done it right.
If you love a well-written historical saga spanning multiple decades, then this is the book for you. It definitely deserves to be on your to-be-read list.
Thanks to Putnam and Edelweiss for an eARC.
December 24, 2018
Richly detailed and meticulously researched, The True Story of Maddie Bright reads beautifully and definitely tugs at the heart strings.
Told over three time lines (Prince Edward’s 1920 tour of Australia, the 1981 announcement of Diana and Charles’s engagement and the tragic 1997 death of Princess Diana) with two main characters, Maddie and Victoria, you become invested in this story. It is at once romantic and heartbreaking, full of lies and deceit, but also hope and promise for the future in all three time lines.
There were some characters I disliked intensely, particularly from the 1920 timeline but for the most part I was charmed. Maddie and Victoria obviously were favourites but I also developed quite a character crush on Helen Burns, Rupert Waters and Andrew Shaw. Mary-Rose makes you care about her characters in a way that can be so rare these days.
If you are looking for a book about love and loyalty and regret and long-hidden secrets this is the book for you. I am now keen to read Mary-Rose’s other seven novels. She is an engaging writer and this book is full of warmth and depth.
Thank you to Better Reading Preview and Allen & Unwin for this ARC.
Told over three time lines (Prince Edward’s 1920 tour of Australia, the 1981 announcement of Diana and Charles’s engagement and the tragic 1997 death of Princess Diana) with two main characters, Maddie and Victoria, you become invested in this story. It is at once romantic and heartbreaking, full of lies and deceit, but also hope and promise for the future in all three time lines.
There were some characters I disliked intensely, particularly from the 1920 timeline but for the most part I was charmed. Maddie and Victoria obviously were favourites but I also developed quite a character crush on Helen Burns, Rupert Waters and Andrew Shaw. Mary-Rose makes you care about her characters in a way that can be so rare these days.
If you are looking for a book about love and loyalty and regret and long-hidden secrets this is the book for you. I am now keen to read Mary-Rose’s other seven novels. She is an engaging writer and this book is full of warmth and depth.
Thank you to Better Reading Preview and Allen & Unwin for this ARC.
January 23, 2019
An engaging book that captures your imagination from the first chapter. A truly compelling story told over three time periods that interrelate and connect the now reclusive author Maddie Bright - from her involvement in the 1920 Prince of Wales visit to Australia to her life in Brisbane in 1981 and the tragic death of Diana in 1997.
Family, friendships, lies, regrets, memories, loyalty and love. This book really covers all the emotions. The characters are beautifully developed and you become invested in Maddie’s life and her life decisions. I couldn’t help but fall in love with Maddie Bright; she may appear to be a cantankerous old woman struggling to write a sequel to her famous ‘Autumn Leaves’ book but she has a wonderful story to tell and has a heart of gold.
Thank you @BetterReading and @Allen & Unwin for an ARC. I thoroughly enjoyed ‘The True Story of Maddie Bright’.
Family, friendships, lies, regrets, memories, loyalty and love. This book really covers all the emotions. The characters are beautifully developed and you become invested in Maddie’s life and her life decisions. I couldn’t help but fall in love with Maddie Bright; she may appear to be a cantankerous old woman struggling to write a sequel to her famous ‘Autumn Leaves’ book but she has a wonderful story to tell and has a heart of gold.
Thank you @BetterReading and @Allen & Unwin for an ARC. I thoroughly enjoyed ‘The True Story of Maddie Bright’.
January 23, 2019
Enjoyed reading this book about Maddie and Victoria’s life during some Royal historical times.
If you like a book that’s easy to read about love, family, friendships, regrets and secrets……and of course Royalty, this is a book for you. Oh and the twist at the end was good.
This is my first Mary-Rose MacColl book and did enjoy reading it, especially because I knew the time periods she based the book on through the 80s and 90s. Plus, I knew a bit about Prince Edward. I am now looking forward to reading some of her other books.
I loved Maddie as the young lass that found a job on the train replying letters for Prince Edward during 1920 and her as an old lady in 1981. She was an interesting character with a strong personality.
Victoria was interesting too, a journalist/writer.
I really liked how MacColl has managed to use major parts of our history that changed the way the Royals were seen by the public and made them into an enjoyable fictional story to read. The story was based in three different time periods.
1. 1920 Prince Edward of Wales, Australian tour.
2. 1981 Prince Charles engagement to Diana.
3. 1997 Death of Princess Diana.
In real history Prince Edward abdicated his kingship to marry a divorced American Wallis Simpson ……… wasn’t Prince Charles in love with Camila before he was engaged/married to Diana. Both Princes have always been told what they can and cannot do and both were Princes waiting to be Kings.
I also enjoyed being able to visualize the Diana events because that was the period I grew up. I still clearly remember the engagement announcement and her always being chased by the media until the night she died in that horrific car accident. I liked how MacColl put Victoria (a tabloid journalist) on the receiving end of paparazzi when she got engaged to a high profile guy (Ben).
The poverty and hardships that people faced after WW1 were also mentioned in the book especially with returning soldier’s families. I think this is important that people read about because the War. More and more books are coming out with this theme.
Just to finish…. anyone else that has read the book. I kept thinking of Maddie being very similar to Harper Lee. Both recluses. They both wrote one book that schools read and then many, many years later a follow up book came out.
If you like a book that’s easy to read about love, family, friendships, regrets and secrets……and of course Royalty, this is a book for you. Oh and the twist at the end was good.
This is my first Mary-Rose MacColl book and did enjoy reading it, especially because I knew the time periods she based the book on through the 80s and 90s. Plus, I knew a bit about Prince Edward. I am now looking forward to reading some of her other books.
I loved Maddie as the young lass that found a job on the train replying letters for Prince Edward during 1920 and her as an old lady in 1981. She was an interesting character with a strong personality.
Victoria was interesting too, a journalist/writer.
I really liked how MacColl has managed to use major parts of our history that changed the way the Royals were seen by the public and made them into an enjoyable fictional story to read. The story was based in three different time periods.
1. 1920 Prince Edward of Wales, Australian tour.
2. 1981 Prince Charles engagement to Diana.
3. 1997 Death of Princess Diana.
In real history Prince Edward abdicated his kingship to marry a divorced American Wallis Simpson ……… wasn’t Prince Charles in love with Camila before he was engaged/married to Diana. Both Princes have always been told what they can and cannot do and both were Princes waiting to be Kings.
I also enjoyed being able to visualize the Diana events because that was the period I grew up. I still clearly remember the engagement announcement and her always being chased by the media until the night she died in that horrific car accident. I liked how MacColl put Victoria (a tabloid journalist) on the receiving end of paparazzi when she got engaged to a high profile guy (Ben).
The poverty and hardships that people faced after WW1 were also mentioned in the book especially with returning soldier’s families. I think this is important that people read about because the War. More and more books are coming out with this theme.
Just to finish…. anyone else that has read the book. I kept thinking of Maddie being very similar to Harper Lee. Both recluses. They both wrote one book that schools read and then many, many years later a follow up book came out.
January 8, 2020
I really like the way Mary-Rose MacColl writes but for me I found this story a bit of a struggle. It is a big book for starters and I have never been a fan of books that have different eras where each chapter is set in a different time. I found the reading a bit tedious at times and would get lost in what is going on. The stories all come together at the end though.
Set in 1920 young 17 year old Maddie Bright becomes a correspondent for Edward Prince of Wales while on tour in Australia. Then we meet the aging Maddie Bright in the 1980's to 1990's who is a famous author and living her life in Brisbane. She is a bit of a recluse but reaches out to a journalist Victoria in London to come interview her on the pretense she has written the sequel to her first book. And finally we meet Victoria, a journalist in London in 1997 during the time of Princess Diana's death. Victoria is in an abusive relationship with a popular actor and she eventually gets to Australia to interview Maddie.
So very cleverly the author intertwines these three stories. Its a story of friendship, sadness and tragedy due to war, and love. Although the story was good and easy to read I just found there was too much going on and I kept losing track of who was who.
Set in 1920 young 17 year old Maddie Bright becomes a correspondent for Edward Prince of Wales while on tour in Australia. Then we meet the aging Maddie Bright in the 1980's to 1990's who is a famous author and living her life in Brisbane. She is a bit of a recluse but reaches out to a journalist Victoria in London to come interview her on the pretense she has written the sequel to her first book. And finally we meet Victoria, a journalist in London in 1997 during the time of Princess Diana's death. Victoria is in an abusive relationship with a popular actor and she eventually gets to Australia to interview Maddie.
So very cleverly the author intertwines these three stories. Its a story of friendship, sadness and tragedy due to war, and love. Although the story was good and easy to read I just found there was too much going on and I kept losing track of who was who.
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