Play Book Tag discussion

Lady In Waiting – Anne Glenconner
Book on CD narrated by the author
3.5***

Subtitle: My Extraordinary Life In the Shadow of the Crown

Glenconner has spent her life as an intimate friend of the royal family. As a child she played with Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, her family estate (one of the grandest in England) being next door to the Royal Family’s country retreat, Sandringham. She served as a Maid of Honor for Elizabeth II’s Coronation, and as Lady in Waiting to Princess Margaret.

Her life has been full of ups and downs, including a broken first engagement, followed by marriage to Colin Tennant, Lord Glenconner who exhibited violent outbursts, engaged in extramarital affairs, and bought an island on a whim. That was Mustique, which became THE place where Jet-Setters escaped in the 1970s – ‘80s. Despite the volatility of her marriage, Anne stayed by her man; it was what was done in their set.

This is quite the autobiography, and Glenconner reads the audiobook herself. It took me a bit to get used to her delivery, but I cannot imagine anyone else (well, maybe Maggie Smith) doing a better job of it.




LINK to my review

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this one too-I won it in a giveaway

Joanne wrote: "I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this one too-I won it in a giveaway"

I would not have pegged this book as one you'd like, Joanne. Surprise, indeed.

haha! There is an old "grandmama"(think Dowton Abby)living inside of me, per my daughter. I love British history

I was amazed how dysfunctional upper class families are. The children had nannies who they bonded with and were traumatized when they left. Often nannies were sacked on a whim by a parent. Some of the nannies were cruel, such as Anne's own nanny who tied her arm to the bedpost at night. And Charlie's replacement nanny.

Her husband and 3 sons cared nothing for her. One son became a heroin addict. Another went to South America and crashed his motorbike, despite her pleading with him not to motorcycle. The last one came out as gay and went on a sex spree ending up with AIDS despite her pleading with him to use protection.

She however was a very caring person. Much more than I would have been under the circumstances. She was used by them and by Princess Margaret. I wouldn't have wanted her life.

It is interesting to find out things like this, Andrew. You find out that "having it all" does not mean being happy.