A "marvelous 'what if' novel"(THE BOOKSELLER) about the daughter abandoned by the Duke of Windsor. Winner of the W. H. Smith "Thumping Good Read" Award.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
What if Edward Windsor and Wallis Simpson, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, had conceived a child, born in 1936 before her divorce, who was unfeelingly cast away just as Edward gave up his crown? This is the question posed by Luard (The Old World Kitchen; Marguerite) in her sprawling story of the unfortunate birth and fabulous life of Emerald Fitzwallace. As a baby, Emerald is shuffled off into the care of the duke's former mistress, Iona Fergusson, and her husband, Freddie. When WWII threatens London, Emerald and her foster brother, Callum, are evacuated by ship. A storm wrecks the boat, but both children survive and are washed ashore on a Scottish island. For a few years, after Iona and Freddie are killed in the war, the children are raised by the islanders. Then Emerald is spirited away from the island; over the course of her transformation from abandoned child to international starDshe ultimately becomes a Parisian model and a successful business womanDshe is watched over by the duke's machiavellian courtier and is chased by a sadistic reporter who has known Emerald since childhood and is dedicated to destroying what he cannot have. Titillating but relatively chaste, this glamorous tale of European high society, it will appeal to readers who find Jackie Collins a little too risqu and will feed the enduring American fascination with the British monarchy's dirty linen.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Though it features characters who really existedAthe Duke and Duchess of WindsorAthis novel speculates on whether Edward VIII and Mrs. Wallace Warfield Simpson issued forth a child whom they abandoned. This book was a huge hit in England when it was released in 1994 but has enough of the soap opera about it to please American readers as well.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a story!,
By "aschneid1" (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Emerald (Paperback)
This book poses and ponders the question: What if the Duke of Windsor (the ex-Edward VIII) and Mrs. Simpson had an illegitimate child...what would her life have been like?Emerald's story is beautifully told, engrossing, and on occasion heartwrenchingly sad. The plot has enthralling twists and turns and is refreshingly unpredicatable. There is a surprise lurking around every corner! The characters evoke strong emotional reactions, a sure sign of the author's tremendous storytelling ability. A plethora of full-bodied, three-dimensional fictional creations and non-fictional characters inhabit this wonderful story, all possessing their own unique strengths and weaknessess. All had reasons for their actions and even the most disagreeable of characters was understandable. The author's possession of a vast wealth of knowledge is apparent in her ability to write convincingly about topics ranging from the lives of the English aristocracy, to clandestine operations during the Second World War, to various facets of Mexican culture, high fashion in Paris, and the reproductive biology of insects! This is a very impressive book and a truly incredible and entertaining read. Highly recommended!
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Well written first novel,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Emerald (Paperback)
This is Elizabeth Luard's first novel. An English writer who has either done a lot of research or has unusual knowledge of British history. This work is about the Daughter of The Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Obviously fiction, but with the past romances and knowledge of the Dukes Many mistresses and so on one has to wonder if there were some hidden children? The story well ploted and written is about this Fictitious Daughter, "Emerald." However the facts and background about the Duke and his Love, "The Duchess" is seemingly factual. This background highlights this novel and holds your interest to a point where it is difficult to put this book down. Definitely worth reading and one that will make you wonder and think long after it is over.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A book that stays with you,
By
This review is from: Emerald (Paperback)
I read this book a few months ago. I was intrigued by the premise---the Duke of Windsor and Wallis Simpson have a child and they give it away. This is the story of a love that brought down a king.Emerald is the unfortunate child. Although Wallis believes her dead (in a freak storm), Emerald lives her life trying to find out who she really is. She is manipulated by the adults around her, adn runs away to become a model in Paris. She is successful, but runs into Wallis Simpson--who is shocked that her daughter is alive. Although there is never a touching Mother-Daughter reunion, I got the feeling that maybe in the back of her mind Wallis loved Emerald. That being said, I loved this book. The characters, although they were loosely based in reality, became clear to me. The Duke & Duchess are portrayed as whiny, self-indulgent people who can't see anything beyond their own wants, but of the two the Duke is marginally more tolerable than Wallis. I don't know how accurate the portrayals are, but you can tell the book was well researched. This is a good read and is highly recommended.
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