Daisy: The Life and Loves of the Countess of Warwick

by Sushila Anand

Frances Evelyn “Daisy” Maynard was a renowned beauty when at the age of 18 she married Lord Brooke, heir to the Earl of Warwick. It was the wedding of the year, and what followed was a tempestuous and scandalous lifestyle lived in the uppermost echelons of society. This colorful biography draws on much of Daisy's correspondence and family papers to depict the astounding life and magnetic personality of possibly the greatest beauty of the Victorian era. It reveals how—soon after her marriage—Daisy embarked upon a passionate affair with the notorious Charles Beresford followed by an eight-year stint with his close friend, Edward Prince of Wales. Daisy’s skill as a hostess and lavish parties were surpassed in fame only by her sudden conversion to socialism and political activism in the early 20th century. This is a stylish and fully updated look at a life lived in luxury and decadence, illustrated by new, never-before-seen photographs.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History, 20th Century, Historical, British Literature

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 27, 2008

Reviews

[Sarah u · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book from the gift shop at Warwick Castle following my third visit, after I had finally been able to see the Secrets and Scandals of the Royal Weekend Party display (during my first visit I ran out of time; during the second my children, my niece, my in-laws and I were preoccupied with the fun Halloween activities the castle had put on for the half term holiday). Anyway, the display really is wonderful, and the book was pretty much impossible to resist afterwards. I also love reading biographies of people from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. They lived through so much, which almost always makes for a great book.

This book tells Daisy's story well, using her own correspondence as often as possible to examine Daisy's life as an heiress, her relationship with the heir to the Earl of Warwick, and her well-known affairs. Her political career and conversion to socialism is also examined; setting up schools, feeding poor children, and running for parliament in post-war Britain. The writing is lovely and smooth, discussing these themes well and presenting them in an easy to understand way. The pace is great, and the two sets of photographs are a lovely addition to the book.

I do think this biography could have been improved by Anand discussing some of her own ideas about Daisy within her work. While this is a good story about Daisy, we never really gain any insight into why she did the things she did, why the men in her life fell in love with her, and of course what went wrong between her and Francis Greville ('Brookie'). I think discussing some ideas and analysing the source material rather than simply telling a story may have made this book stronger; why did Edward, Prince of Wales keep Daisy for almost a decade as his mistress, and hold her in high regard afterwards? Why didn't Daisy attract more controversy, and why didn't the 5th Earl divorce her?

There were also several digressions later in the book: discussions about Millie, Duchess of Sutherland and Lady Angela Forbes' roles during the Great War, and the career in a nutshell of Daisy's son-in-law Basil Dean. Yes, these parts were interesting, but they didn't really feel right in a biography about Daisy. Having said that, this is a minor gripe.

In summary, I really did enjoy this book. From the pages we see an impulsive, passionate, and occasionally selfish lady with a real passion for love, politics, and life. This might not be the last word on Daisy Warwick, but it's a great story and well worth a read.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

The most disappointing history book I've read for a while. She is such a fascinating character, but you wouldn't really know it. The book doesn't give any context for her life, barely mentions her husband who was unusually supportive of his wife, her affairs and the children she had who weren't his. No discussion about how within one year she didn't love her husband anymore despite seemingly in love before marriage. Also the author never mentions Daisy's opinions on women's suffrage, not even when the vote was given and she stands as a MP. I didn't really learn a huge amount, there had to be a better book on this subject.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first became interested in Daisy during a trip to warwick castle in the summer,she now seems well known for her love affairs and the fact she bore 4 children to 2 different lovers but remained married to her husband until his death! There is so much more to her character, i veered between not liking her as she was a rich heiress in her own right but seemed to be used to having her own way and didnt matter who's life she could destroy as long as she got what she wanted, she used her looks and charm to get by in life. At the same time she was very forward thinking and was the first to realise education as a weapon to help the poor get out of the cycle of poverty and used her own money to set up secondary schools and agricultural schools, and was also instrumental in setting up free school meals as some children would go days without food in poor areas. I could not understand if she had married for love as she had seemed to do and had turned down an offer of marriage from Prince leopold, why within a couple of years did she start an affair with a married man and bear him 2 children. She then became the Kings mistress for 10 years and then fell in love with an out and out bounder and had a further 2 children by him, yet all the while her husband remained by her side and no scandal ever seemed to touch her, why did he remain with her ? she was besotted by her last lover and although he ended up marrying another women he seemed to spend his life alternating between the 2 of them, and she remained besotted by him for the rest of her life. she became interested in socialism and was often at meetings and giving lecturers but then had no qualms about going back to one of her stately homes and throwing a party to end all parties !! Then towards the end of her life she obviously became interested in animal charities and photos are shown of her surrounded by horses, and dogs.This book shows an age when things started to change, she definately was not a women content to sit at home and look pretty, she wanted to get involved in all the changes, she definately was a character of the 19th,early 20th century.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

In a word, BORING. How could a book with such an enticing title be so unbelievably dull? This reads like a textbook, with lots of valid points made, but none of them of any interest. Although I read 280 pages about Daisy, I really feel like I never got to know her at all. It was as if all the personal (and juicy!) points on her life were neatly trimmed away before publication.

[Thea Jessen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Extremely interesting to read about this magnificent woman! Fun to learn about how life was back when she lived, especially as a lover of the King of England.

[Katherine B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this! I always put off biographies thinking they are going to be boring, just to realise that a lot of people's lives aren't as boring as my own.

Daisy's definitely wasn't!! But she was frustrating! I found myself banging my head against the wall (metaphorically speaking) many times throughout this book. Oh daisy daisy daisy!! She just keeps causing trouble. Just love your lovely, loyal husband for Christ's sake!!!

I would've liked to have known more about her relationship with Brookie and what went wrong.

But it sounds like young Daisy knew she was stunning and knew her power, so she used it while she could. I can't fault her for it. But the issue with Joe is something else!!! Such a powerful, intelligent woman felled by such a 'meh' man.

Her life seems full of contradictions - not just politically. Her position as mistress to the Prince continues to confuse me....again not judging...just doesn't seem to fit the character painted in this book.

I could go on about this book forever. I would've liked to have known such an incredible woman. Upon closing the book, I already miss her.

Ps I would have given it 5 * but there was ALOT of politics that is tough to get through in the second half of the book. First half, faultless!!

[Cheryl Giesinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fascinating life Daisy did lead. While I purchased the book for $1 merely for the similarity of my daughter's name to the titular character, and having been born in Warwick myself, I learned a great deal about this beautiful woman who was not only capable of charming any man alive, including the Prince and eventually King of England, but also for fighting for fair wages for the working man, education for children until age 16, fighting against child labor, and making sure that children were provided meals at school as most were starving without it. With her faults, and there were several, not least being her endless affairs and children with married men while being married herself, she also believed in pacifism and the importance of equality. I could never fault her for that. Now to find a book on the Sutherland sisters who resided at a castle I absolutely loved in Scotland called Dunrobin.

[Crystal Sissons · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great historical read after reading The American Adventuress - Jennie Jerome and others from that book are mentioned in this one as they all ran in the same circles. It is a very interesting read as you see her evolve over time, always staying an aristocrat on one level but also very much adapting to her times and embracing socialism etc.

[Claire Biggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating read into the life and times of a lady who lead an interesting life both privately and publicly, the ups and downs she endured for herself and her family made sure her life was never dull

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost done. A few amazing discoveries in this book. One: for a person of her class and distinction, she was very indiscreet in her private life. I found that shocking because there usually are social penalties for that. Interesting how she managed to avoid that.TWO : her political leanings were intense. All in all, it is a history book more than a novel or biography. The upheaval in Britain with labour and unions changed many things. If you like this sort of book, you will like this.

[Bodine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Daisy was an interesting character. Having been to Warwick Castle her story feels way more recent than already a 100 years ago.

I am disappointed in the bearly touched on "very public liaison with Edward Prince of Wales", though. It's mentioned but nothing interesting about it said.