The Mayfair Bookshop: A Novel of Nancy Mitford and the Pursuit of Happiness

Eliza Knight

Apr 2022 · HarperAudio · Narrated by Ann Marie Gideon

About this audiobook

One of Hasty Booklist's Most Anticipated Historical Fiction Novels!

USA Today bestselling author Eliza Knight brings together a brilliant dual-narrative story about Nancy Mitford—one of 1930s London’s hottest socialites, authors, and a member of the scandalous Mitford Sisters—and a modern American desperate for change, connected through time by a little London bookshop.

“An absolute must-read!”—Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author The Last Bookshop in London

1938: She was one of the six sparkling Mitford sisters, known for her stinging quips, stylish dress, and bright green eyes. But Nancy Mitford’s seemingly dazzling life was really one of turmoil: with a perpetually unfaithful and broke husband, two Nazi sympathizer sisters, and her hopes of motherhood dashed forever. With war imminent, Nancy finds respite by taking a job at the Heywood Hill Bookshop in Mayfair, hoping to make ends meet, and discovers a new life.

Present Day: When book curator Lucy St. Clair lands a gig working at Heywood Hill she can’t get on the plane fast enough. Not only can she start the healing process from the loss of her mother, it’s a dream come true to set foot in the legendary store. Doubly exciting: she brings with her a first edition of Nancy’s work, one with a somewhat mysterious inscription from the author. Soon, she discovers her life and Nancy’s are intertwined, and it all comes back to the little London bookshop—a place that changes the lives of two women from different eras in the most surprising ways. 

Ratings and reviews

Eliza Knight is an author I have been reading since 2010 when she was a new author. This is my first historical fiction novel I ever read by Ms. Knight that I absolutely loved! It weaves two times and is a dual-narrative about Nancy Mitford and her scandalous family including her two fascist sisters connected to Adolph Hitler. On the Mitford side of this book, this author did a wonderful research getting so much true and accurate information about Nancy Mitford and her family. Now Lucy St. Clair, the fictional character in the current time, was so much fun to read about-working her temporary dream job in London. A place she would like to stay forever! This story is also surrounded by letters, in a mystery with a book inscription to a woman named Iris. Lucy is trying to to find out who it is, as there are several names and things connected to this name. Both women’s lives are set around the Heywood Hill bookstore which is in the Mayfair region of London and both are looking for the pursuit of happiness.A book I can’t recommend enough! I think this is one of my favorite reads of the year! Definitely a book readers don’t want to the miss! Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy and an advance reader copy from the HarperCollins publishers. I voluntarily agreed to do a fair review and blog through netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.

Two stories run in parallel as book curator Lucy St. Clair tracks down the elusive Lily, a person who appears to have featured strongly in the life of Nancy Mitford. Lucy's research leads her to London, an English country estate, and WWII museums, all in the quest for answers to an inscription found in a book belonging to her mother. A combination of extracts of letters and Nancy's story written in the first person, the novel brings to life the heartache, pain, and drama that epitomized the Mitford family, divided by war and ideology. With names of well-known characters from the era being drawn into the story, one receives a fresh perspective of the reality of life in wartime London. Certainly, I found that I was unable to put the book down once I started reading, and at times I felt as if my heart was being torn out of my chest. I received a copy of this semi-biographical novel as a prize in a charity drive to support the current Ukraine War, and I feel privileged to have been able to read this advance copy from the author, received through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

About the author

Eliza Knight is an award-winning and USA Today and international bestselling author of historical women’s fiction. Her love of history began as a young girl when she traipsed the halls of Versailles. As an avid history buff, she’s written dozens of novels including The Mayfair Bookshop, Starring Adele Astaire, Ribbons of Scarlet, A Day of Fire, and Can’t We Be Friends, which have been translated into multiple languages. She is the creator of the popular historical blog, History Undressed, and host of the History, Books and Wine podcast. Knight lives in Maryland and Florida with her husband, three daughters, two dogs, and a turtle.