The Woman Before Wallis: A Novel of Windsors, Vanderbilts, and Royal Scandal

The perfect book for anyone enamored with THE CROWN, or the the late 1920s and 1930s. Bryn Turnbull brings a distant era and lifestyle forward with powerful imagery and such deep emotional truth, I often needed to slap myself out of the past. I coveted this story world and longed to meet all the characters, even those I wasn’t particularly fond of thanks to how they mistreated the ones I loved..THE WOMAN BEFORE WALLIS is a story of Windsors, Vanderbilts, and Royal Scandal, but as the author says, at its heart it’s “about the unbreakable bond between sisters”... specifically about Thelma Morgan Furness as she struggles to orchestrate a secure and loving life for herself while her twin Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt’s life falls apart..It’s a story about famous people with wealth, and yet, I needed to continually remind myself of this fact because the characters are as accessible and vulnerable as the people in my own corner of the world..The bonus— THE WOMAN BEFORE WALLIS raises and underscores timely questions about double standards, fact vs. lies, children being ripped away from their mothers; what is happiness— fireworks or inner calm? Thelma’s journey shows how small the world is, how all actions have a ripple effect, so take care, listen closely and love deeply the best way you can..This story will break your heart and mend it back together. Time worthy.

I thoroughly enjoyed, The Woman Before Wallace, the debut novel by Brynn Trumbull. This well researched novel provides a look into high society and royal life, that is quite scandalous.Years and years ago, I remember my mother reading a book about Prince Edward and Wallis Simpson, and the love affair that led him to abdicate the throne, so I was intrigued when I saw this novel about Thelma Morgan, the woman before Wallis. Thelma met Prince Edward while she was married to her second husband, and an affair ensued. Thelma had to leave England to return to the United States, to support her twin sister Gloria during a custody battle for Gloria’s daughter. I still remember the purple cover of ‘Little Gloria Happy at Last’ that I read in the eighties. It was quite the betrayal when Prince Edward took up with Wallis Simpson, Thelma’s friend, while Thelma was away.The story is so intriguing because the lifestyle is so different from that of the average person. These people were all about parties, and leaving their kids with nannies for months at a time. Children were separated from their parents so often, that in one scene, little Gloria was unable to distinguish her mother Gloria, from her mother’s twin sister, Thelma.There is a lot of drama in this story. It is great to read along with modern technology, because if you are anything like me, you will be googling these characters to learn more about them.I have to admit that I was taken aback by all of the open and accepted adultery. I also found it hard to connect Anderson Cooper, Thelma’s great nephew, who seems so down to earth, with his other family members.This is a story of opulence, scandal, love and betrayal. Highly recommended for any historical fiction fan.

I couldn’t put the darn book down. While it often takes me a few dozen pages to really get into a book - if it happens at all - The Woman Before Wallis had me itching to turn pages after the first 10. As someone mesmerized by stories told in The Crown, Downton Abbey, The King’s Speech, etc.I gravitate towards scandalous, romanticpage-turners. Truly, imagining this as a movie in my head while reading was so natural that I barely noticed it at first. Only once I realized that each player had their distinct faces, expressions, and mannerisms in the story played out by my imagination did it dawn on me that I owed this to the author’s incredible ability to transport me to an alternate, highly glamorous reality. I can’t believe this is a debut novel, especially one written by someone so young and modern (clearly with a secret classical / whimsical side). The story felt so real, so beautiful, and for the short week it took me to read it was my favourite escape from a slightly harsher reality. The Woman Before Wallis warms the heart more than a swig if whiskey or cup of tea ever could. I absolutely loved it. Many thanks to the beautiful author for a much-needed and abundantly enjoyed glimpse into the life of Thelma, I can’t wait to read this again in a few weeks!!Trust me: READ IT!!

Loved the book. Delivered on time. Very pleased

Romantic fluff, but interesting to read the story of Thelma - twin sister of Gloria Vanderbilt - who played a role in 2 of the biggest celebrity stories of the 1930s in New York and London. Thelma supported her sister in the Poor Little Rich Girl custody trial in New York and was the longtime lover of the Prince of Wales prior to his short stint as king before abdication. If the book is to be believed, Thelma introduced the prince to Wallis Simpson. The royal portion of the book is a reminder that the monarchy always protects the monarch & heir; 100 years later, that's a lesson Harry The Spare didn't quite learn.Although this is a novel, the portrayal of the society in which the prince moved & his love for creature comforts without responsibility is on target with non-fiction accounts of his character. The story wisely stops w/Thelma's return to New York to be with her sister after the custody trial and leaves the abdication story to many other accounts in books & film.

I found it difficult to relate to the troubles of the highly privileged, morally unanchored protagonists, real as they may be.The Prince of Wales’ disinterest in serving as king is well known, as is the ugly Baby Gloria Vanderbilt custody battle. The book covers both in equal measures through the eyes of Theresa Vanderbilt, mistress to one and aunt to the other.Thoughts and dialog could only be guessed and the author did a credible job. Overall, glad I read it but can’t rave about it.

I'm not normally a fan of historical fiction but Bryn Turnbull has done an excellent job of bringing Thelma alive on the pages. Bryn guided me through an exciting look into real love, and the unreal lives of the ultra rich. It's not just cheap thrills though. The book also served as a discreet eye roll at the patriarchy, making it both modern and nourishing.I read the book with a friend and we spent hours discussing it. Buy a second copy to share because gossiping about the drama and dissecting the substance of the book will bring you hours of fun.

Noioso e troppo lungo, descrizioni insignificanti tirate in lungo per riempire le pagine:I personaggi descritti come se fossero dei provinciali americani e non degli aristocratici.Non sono nemmeno arrivata alla fine e ho saltato pagine inutili

Love this book hard to put down

This is a novel about Thelma Morgan Furness, the real American woman who married a Lord, was a mistress to Edward VIII before Wallis Simpson, and the sister of Gloria Vanderbilt, mother to "Little Gloria", who was the subject of a years-long custody battle that did not end well for anyone. The story focusses on Thelma's years in England, and her relationship with her sister during the custody battle. The story goes back and forth in time, which was confusing at times. That said, I liked the book, which is based on many actual events of the time. The total unsuitability of Edward and other siblings (I'd forgotten about his younger brother George, who passed away in a plane accident) for the crown is apparent - and echoes much of what we have seen of some current royals. The relationship between wealthy parents and their children is so strange when we consider "helicopter" parents of today. The weirdness of the custody battle, and the fallout, is interesting especially when we remember that "little" Gloria, Anderson Cooper's mother, just recently died. What I really wished, though, was to find out what happened to the real sisters, Thelma and Gloria, after they were no longer mistresses and wealthy heirs of the Vanderbilt family. The story of how they went from riches to obscurity should also make a good book.

Loved this book!