Bright Young Things discussion

This thread is to discuss chapters 1 - 6 of

The Viceroy's Daughters: The Lives of the Curzon Sisters by Anne de Courcy

I'm really enjoying this book. It seems that George Curzon was quite a force to be reckoned with. I guess this was fairly usual for the period.

I really haven't taken to Curzon - even when setting him within his own times - I find him overbearing. As indeed did his children it seems. I find his management of their money reckless and self-indulgent - I don't blame Irene for attempting so many times to set out on her own.

I even found his treatment of the women in his life to be rather mercenary. Particularly in his treatment of Elinor Glynn. I find the differences between a public and private morality difficult to comprehend.

...and I don't feel that his health problems and chronic pain in any way mitigate his behaviour and personality. I fear, reading between the lines, that his colleagues in government also saw some grave failings in his behaviours and opinions to have had such a detrimental effect on his career!

Its intriguing how much Influence Nancy Astor had in the lives of the young Curzon girls...and Tom Mosely is already a really interesting addition to their lives.

I should finish this book today and as I don't know how far through you are I don't want to say too much and spoil it for you. However, I think you are right; Tom Mosely is a very interesting character and had an amazing influence over the lives of all three sisters in different ways. I guess as leader of the British Union of Fascists he was probably a charismatic man who knew how to influence people and carry him along.

I agree George Curzon's behaviour was rather extreme in many ways. Interesting how in some ways the lives of the sisters echo his character. They are strong and independent minded women much like their father and certainly Baba's libido was not dissimilar to her father's.

I have read this one before but it was a good few years ago now - I remember loving it at the time and I'm really enjoying the re-read.

I finished the book last night and enjoyed it very much. I particularly enjoyed reading the portrayal of Prince Edward and Wallis Simpson. Not the romantic version that we usually get and great to get a different perspective.