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That Churchill Woman
- A Novel
- Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
- Length: 11 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction
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Summary
The Paris Wife meets PBS’s Victoria in this enthralling novel of the life and loves of one of history’s most remarkable women: Winston Churchill’s scandalous American mother, Jennie Jerome.
Wealthy, privileged, and fiercely independent New Yorker Jennie Jerome took Victorian England by storm when she landed on its shores. As Lady Randolph Churchill, she gave birth to a man who defined the 20th century: her son Winston. But Jennie - reared in the luxury of Gilded Age Newport and the Paris of the Second Empire - lived an outrageously modern life all her own, filled with controversy, passion, tragedy, and triumph.
When the 19-year-old beauty agrees to marry the son of a duke she has known only three days, she’s instantly swept up in a whirlwind of British politics and the breathless social climbing of the Marlborough House Set, the reckless men who surround Bertie, prince of Wales. Raised to think for herself and careless of English society rules, the new Lady Randolph Churchill quickly becomes a London sensation: adored by some, despised by others.
Artistically gifted and politically shrewd, she shapes her husband’s rise in Parliament and her young son’s difficult passage through boyhood. But as the family’s influence soars, scandals explode and tragedy befalls the Churchills. Jennie is inescapably drawn to the brilliant and seductive Count Charles Kinsky - diplomat, skilled horse racer, deeply passionate lover. Their affair only intensifies as Randolph Churchill’s sanity frays, and Jennie - a woman whose every move on the public stage is judged - must walk a tightrope between duty and desire. Forced to decide where her heart truly belongs, Jennie risks everything - even her son - and disrupts lives, including her own, on both sides of the Atlantic.
Breathing new life into Jennie’s legacy and the glittering world over which she reigned, That Churchill Woman paints a portrait of the difficult - and sometimes impossible - balance among love, freedom, and obligation, while capturing the spirit of an unforgettable woman, one who altered the course of history.
Praise for That Churchill Woman:
“The perfect confection of a novel.... We’re introduced to Jennie in all of her passion and keen intelligence and beauty. While she is surrounded by a cast of late-Victorian celebrities, including Bertie, Prince of Wales, it’s always Jennie who shines and takes the center stage she was born to.” (Melanie Benjamin, New York Times best-selling author of The Aviator’s Wife and The Swans of Fifth Avenue)
Critic reviews
“Stephanie Barron cuts through the scandal and rumors surrounding Lady Randolph Churchill to bring us the woman herself in all her complexity: caught between worlds as an American in England, an intimate of princes, a favorite target of the scandal sheets, yet intensely private and fiercely loyal. Barron brings us along with Jennie to a world seething with secrets behind a façade of intricate etiquette and elaborate gowns.... An immense accomplishment from a seasoned author.” (Lauren Willig, New York Times best-selling author of the Pink Carnation series)
“What a subject for a novel! And what a read for anyone interested in the lives of women who have, until now, been largely unexplored. Jennie Jerome, the feisty mother of Winston Churchill, had a luxurious existence that stretched from the upper echelons of American society to Paris and London. Yet this gilded life had more than its share of heartbreak and tragedy. Adored by some and loathed by others, Jennie chafed at the rigid conventions of the Victorian age. Stephanie Barron’s immersive and richly detailed story gives a fascinating glimpse into the lives of society women, as well as the early life of Churchill himself.” (Jane Thynne, author of the Clara Vine series)
“Finely researched, sumptuous.... Presenting a fiercely intelligent, independent version of Jennie, this satisfying book actively pushes back against her historical reputation as a scandalous woman to great, consuming effect.” (Publishers Weekly)
“The perfect confection of a novel... We’re introduced to Jennie in all of her passion and keen intelligence and beauty. While she is surrounded by a cast of late-Victorian celebrities, including Bertie, Prince of Wales, it’s always Jennie who shines and takes the center stage she was born to.” (Melanie Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author of The Aviator’s Wife and The Swans of Fifth Avenue)
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What listeners say about That Churchill Woman
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Nikki
- 15-02-19
Exceptional book & narrator
Interesting and well written book which is beautifully read. This is the first time I have done a review, even though I have listened to some excellent books. Everything about this is excellent.
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- Sharon
- 06-05-19
A must read!
I thoroughly enjoyed this maturely written novel about Jenny Churchill. It's amazing what women will do to save face. What a shame it's like that, but she lived quite the life. Nonetheless, this could very well be one of the top 5 books I've ever read and I'm going to look into other books by this same author.
23 people found this helpful
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- Nicole
- 24-07-19
Excellent Entertaining Historical Romance Novel
An extremely entertaining listen if you set your expectations clear from the start.
This is NOT an educational read on the life of Jennie Jerome Churchill, but historical fiction based upon her life.
The book is more about the spirit of the woman, the brashness she brought to English court as one of the first "American Princesses" and her dutiful yet trailblazing deeds as she fought to keep her American spirit alive within the confines of the British aristocracy. It doesn't dwell on her later years or her son Winston - it captivates and embellishes on the presumed love of her life and of course her complicated relationship with her husband. Like most good historical fiction it has scores of factual events, people and happenings scattered throughout and gives us enough childhood background to understand the character without distracting from the flow of the book.
I absolutely abhor books that start with someone's childhood and works it way through their life chronologically, thank goodness this one is more original.
The fact that the great Saskia Maarleveld is reading this to you brings more romance and charm to an already entertaining novel. Saskia has a unique style that I feel is breathy and seductive for the women, suitable for this type of book, and simultaneously brings the male characters to life with rich unique voices for each. While her accents may not be spot on, her voice brings a warmth and richness to the tale being brought to life through Audible.
If you are looking for light listen with romantic and historical flavors - go back in time with this listen to the 19th Century and enjoy.
21 people found this helpful
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- Kindle Customer
- 15-03-19
Wonderful piece of Historical fiction
Th narrator Saskia Maarleveld makes this book and absolute delight to listen too. The story of Winston Churchill's American mother Lady Randy. I was enthralled by the story and the events in this remarkable woman's life. I hope we see more from this author about the later period of Jennie's life!
13 people found this helpful
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- Juana Dement
- 28-04-19
Very interesting Story
I enjoyed the story and the way it took the listener back through various points in Lady Churchill's life establishing a clearer look at her overall actions. I recommend it.
9 people found this helpful
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- Mimi in McKinney
- 16-05-19
What a story!
I knew nothing about Jennie Jerome and I must admit her story was quite addictive. The narrator is wonderful and I highly recommend this as a summer read. Enjoy!
8 people found this helpful
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- Cynthia
- 30-09-19
So Very Disappointing!
If you like Stephanie Barron's "Jane Austen Mysteries" you will be disappointed with this novel. The writing is adequate, but not good enough for a long listen.
If I did not know this book was written by the same author that wrote the Being Jane Austen.... novels I would never have bought it. Boring and predictable (yes, a history work can be predictable in and of itself) and rather confusing if one doesn't know the real Churchill story. What a shame.
Do try the Jane Austen Mysteries as they are an outstanding read/listen.
6 people found this helpful
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- AmazonShopper
- 22-03-19
Great Book!
I loved this book. Couldn't wait to fined out what Jennie Jerome would do next!
6 people found this helpful
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- Lynn
- 09-02-21
Disappointed but ok
Why was I disappointed? I read a biography about Jennie Churchill by, I believe, Ralph Martin. This novel, to me, does not really add anything to my view of her. I was surprised. I'm a fan of this author, especially her mysteries.
2 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 25-09-19
Trashy Novel
It is historical fiction but it reads like gossip. I couldn't get past the 13th chapter.
2 people found this helpful
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- Mary Smiroldo
- 26-02-19
Weak
Reading and learning about historical figures is something I very much enjoy. I especially like hearing the “back story,” of famous people from the point of view of the wife, daughter, a maid, or other Involved person. “First Daughter,” is an excellent example, relating the role of Thomas Jefferson’s daughter and her influence in his political career. Another is “Jules and Julia,” the wife of Ulysses S. Grant, and her maid.
“The Churchill Woman,” however, is not in the same category. The writing, and especially the narration, fall far short of either of these. The story of Jenny Churchill turned into a cheap characterization of her romantic affairs, and very little about the part she played in the life of her son, Winston. At times, I became confused as to whether the title referred to Winston’s mother or grandmother! If the title had been “The Churchill Women,” it would have been much more appropriate.
In fact, a three part book about his grandmother, mother, and wife, and their influence on Winston’s life would have been much more interesting. Maybe I should write one!
My last comment concerns the narrator. I know Saskia Maarleveld narrates many novels. Fortunately, I have only listened to only two of them. Her voice is raspy and grates on my nerves, but because I wanted to hear the story, I tried to endure it. Her male voices are exactly the same, and, in a word, awful! I usually do not enjoy multiple voices narrating a book, but, in this case, it would have been extremely preferable. I would definitely not recommend this book to anyone.
18 people found this helpful