Friday, August 24, 2018

THE DIANA CHRONICLE by TINA BROWN : MISTRESS MANIFESTO BOOK REVIEW

Want to know more about Camilla Parker Bowles Windsor, who, if Queen Elizabeth dies, will be either Prince Charles' Consort or the Queen of England?  Author Tina Brown's well researched book  focuses on Princess Diana and her relationship with the media, from her "Shy Di" days to an in-command modern woman who manipulated the media.  She doesn't omit the "who is really Prince Harry's father?" controversy.  She takes a stand about Dodi Fayed's Father; was he not somehow responsible for Diana's death?  But you can't know so much about Diana without also understanding Camilla.  



Diana was excellent at being "The People's Princess," as, I believe Prince Harry's new bride, American actress Meghan Markle, will try to be.  But Diana could be a snob, just like her mother and grandmother and if she wanted to, she could pull rank and put someone down.


What I enjoyed about The Diana Chronicle was its occasional laugh-out loud quips.


Camilla understood the Rules of the Aristocracy better than Diana and would've been happy to remain married to her husband and father of her children.  She put up with his infidelities, so it was her turn to disrespect the vows of marriage.  Brown believes she could have remained Prince Charles' Mistress if he remained married to the Princess.  No doubt about it.  She and the future King had the cooperation of their friends and retainers, to carry out their affair, and when it came right down to it, few would choose to continue friendships with Diana after the divorce.


Brown was the editor of Vanity Fair, and she also wrote "the Vanity Fair Diaries," which, if you have been a long time reader, you may remember the 1983-1992 era the book covers, which includes Lady Diana.  I read this book on audio book and there is a snotty sound to Brown's voice, I hate to say it, which turned me off, but I kept on reading because I wanted to learn about Brown's career as a married woman with a child, as part of a 2 career couple, her longing to write again rather than being the one handing out assignments and editing, as well as her insider knowledge of celebrities.  Brown was a success as the magazine's editors and she offers no apologies. She mentions her reactions to events but is not too introspective overall.

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