‘Over the years of their marriage she had learned that really, what he meant was politics where he was at the centre, change that brought something glittering to him. How long it had taken her to understand.’
– The Other Guinness Girl: A Question of Honor
[ About the Book ]
Honor Guinness is rich, aristocratic, shy and awkward — nothing like her glamorous cousins Aileen, Maureen and Oonagh.
But when she marries charming and ambitious American, Henry ‘Chips’ Channon, together they make the perfect couple at the heart of the most elite social circles — including a close friendship with the Prince of Wales and Mrs Wallis Simpson. But within the marriage, all is less than perfect.
Meanwhile, Honor’s best friend, the beautiful, enigmatic Doris, is set on establishing her place in London society. But, as tensions rise in 1930s Europe, Doris, born to a German-Jewish mother, hears troubling accounts from her cousins in Berlin. Will she be able to secure the right marriage to protect her family, and her future?
Set against the rise of Nazism, the abdication of a king, and the slide into World War II, The Other Guinness Girl is a sweeping novel of love, desire, friendship and self-discovery.
[ My Review ]
The Other Guinness Girl: A Question of Honor by Emily Hourican published September 22nd with Hachette Ireland. It is described as ‘a dazzling new novel charting the lives of one of Ireland’s most fascinating families’. I have read and loved the previous two books in this series, The Glorious Guinness Girls and The Guinness Girls: A Hint of Scandal so I was delighted with the opportunity to delve deeper into the lives of this most intriguing family.
The Other Guinness Girl: A Question of Honor shifts from Aileen, Maureen and Oonagh Guinness and introduces us to Lady Honor Guinness. Born into a family of great wealth, Honor struggled socially. She was always very much aware of her inadequacies compared to the glamour and glitz of her three cousins. Idle gossip wasn’t her forte and she endured, as opposed to enjoyed, any social events. She lacked confidence in conversing and stayed in the background where possible. Honor was a practical girl assisting her mother, Lady Iveagh, in charitable works when the need arose. She had a positive relationship with her mother and was never forced into making that perfect match. She was considered plain and had accepted that she would never draw attention entering a room yet was also hopeful.
The one constant in her life was her closest friend Doris. Doris had one objective and that was to find a husband of stature. She was looking for a man who would provide her with the security she craved. Doris was beautiful, alluring and attracted many suitors but none that considered her marriage material. In a society which focused very much on titles and family name, she struggled to find a suitable partner.
Doris was very secretive about her family. Her mother was German-Jewish and, as the 1930s rolled on, Doris became more attuned to the nasty comments in certain quarters. Doris and Honor plotted together and thoroughly enjoyed each other’s company. Honor was very low-key, almost oblivious to the wealth of her family, making her a great friend for Doris.
An unexpected gathering brought Honor into contact with Sir Henry “Chips” Channon. Chips Channon was an American social climber whose attention was very much turned, at all times, toward the British aristocracy. He had many acquaintances among the Café Society scene of the time, spending his days shopping and gathering tittle tattle. He used this gossip to propel himself further into the circle of the top tier of society. He courted Honor, possibly seeing an opportunity of a brighter future for himself. Her wealth was known. Her lack of relationships was known. She was ripe picking. From the outset, Doris knew something was amiss with Chips
“The first time she met Chips, Doris recognised in him the very same watchfulness she knew in herself. No matter where he was, or what he did, no matter how absorbed he seemed in conversation, diner, dancing, he was always – as she was – intensely aware of what went on around him. Who came and went, how they were greeted, what they wore and who they spoke to. And she thought, he was easily as clever at it as she was. More.”
Chips asked for Honor’s hand and, in speedy fashion, they married. Life wasn’t quite as joyous as Honor had hoped and imagined it would be. She soon found Chips’ insatiable need to be on the cusp of everything and attending every social event exhausting. Chips had ambition and was prepared to do anything to get where he wanted.
Through all these years society was going through huge changes. Honor was somewhat removed from it all, not reading the papers and living a rather subdued life. Her husband, Chips, always needed to be in the centre of the highest echelons of society and did manage to develop a close relationship with the then Prince of Wales, Edward, and Mrs Wallis Simpson. He courted Edward, soaking up his words and generally found an ally regarding their views on fascism and Nazi Germany. Chips had big plans for his future, but all were dashed when Edward abdicated.
Emily Hourican yet again carries the reader back in time with opulent descriptions and cinematic portrayals. It is impossible not to go online and research more about these enigmatic individuals whose lives continue to captivate and intrigue.
During the 1930s Europe was in flux and society was changing. With another war on the horizon, the populace was restless. Following the abdication of Edward, the attitude of Chips and his friends was considered vulgar and dangerous. This meant that Chips had to rethink his position. Through his life Chips Channon kept diaries that later were published and caused quite a sensation. The contents revealed lots of colourful and salacious details about various renowned socialites from those years.
The Other Guinness Girl: A Question of Honor is another splendid and highly enjoyable read from Emily Hourican. Using a mix of fact and fiction, it captures the essence of the 1930s and is immersive in its descriptions. All the individual characters are very much brought to life, encouraging readers to further explore the history of this extraordinary family. I know I’ve said it before for the previous two books, but I’ll say it again, The Other Guinness Girl: A Question of Honor is perfect reading for all who enjoyed Downton Abbey and The Crown. It is a truly enchanting read.
[ Bio ]
Emily Hourican is a journalist and author. She has written features for the Sunday Independent for fifteen years, as well as Image magazine, Condé Nast Traveler and Woman and Home. She was also editor of The Dubliner Magazine. Emily’s first book, a memoir titled How To (Really) Be A Mother was published in 2013. She is also the author of novels The Privileged, White Villa, The Outsider and The Blamed, as well as two bestselling novels about the Guinness sisters: The Glorious Guinness Girls and The Guinness Girls: A Hint of Scandal. She lives in Dublin with her family.
Twitter ~ @EmilyH71
I like the sound of these books
Joanne I honestly think you would love them!