MEDIA COVERAGE - Wendy Holden
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MEDIA COVERAGE
1
THE GOVERNESS is a novel about the
childhood of the Queen and the unknown
woman whose unique influence helped make
her the world’s most successful monarch.
It takes us right to the heart of the Royal
Family through a crucial period in history,
through the 1936 Abdication, the 1937
Coronation and the whole of World War
II. Ending in 1947 with Princess Elizabeth’s
wedding, THE GOVERNESS is the prequel
to The Crown. Published by Welbeck in
AUGUST 2020, it went straight into the
Sunday Times bestseller list, earned rave
reviews and intense media interest..
2
SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN
3
4
FEATURE COVERAGE
5
The Daily Mail
Feature Link
6
The Mail on Sunday
Feature Link
7
Tatler 8
Tatler
Feature Link
9
Harpers Bazaar
10Sunday Express Magazine
11Sunday Express Magazine
Feature Link
12Saga Magazine
13Saga Magazine
14People Magazine
15Woman and Home
16Woman and Home
17My Weekly
Short Story, Fiction Special
18Daily Telegraph
Feature Link
19BROADCAST COVERAGE
20BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour
Interview
Feature Link
21Sky News
Interview
22BBC Culture
Piece by Hephzibah Anderson on royalty in fiction,
leading with The Governess
Feature Link
23REVIEW COVERAGE
24Good Housekeeping
Bookshelf Top 10 Choice
25Woman & Home
Book Club Choice
26Daily Mail
‘A hugely entertaining,
emotionally satisfying
story of love and loyalty.’
27My Weekly
28Mail on Sunday
‘A poignant, fictional
reimagining of a woman
condemned by history, with
plenty of modern-day echoes.’
29Platinum Magazine
‘Brilliantly researched...
I was completely absorbed
and transported.’ ****
ADELE PARKS
30Woman & Home
Book Club Choice
‘A vivid, irresistible tale of
royal rule-breaker Crawfie.’
WOMAN AND HOME
‘BEST OF HISTORICAL FICTION’
Feature Link
31Womans Weekly Book Club
32Book Trade ‘Books of the Month’
Easons
The Hive
33THE GOVERNESS is published as
THE ROYAL GOVERNESS by
Berkley Press, a division of PRH, in the
USA. It attracted the attention of
major newspapers:
The Philadelphia Inquirer
‘Terrific.’
34The Washington Post
friday, september 18 , 2020 . the washington post EZ RE k
Crazy attention is given to the style
Book World
The nanny who became a royal pain and the mood of Netflix’s ‘Ratched’
BY S TEVE D ONOGHUE The Royal reader’s shoulder and whisper:
Governess Irony, huh? How about that iro- tv review from C1 works won’t mind. “Ratched” reveal it here); the gove
Although perhaps the bulk of A Novel of ny? When we meet the future combines the lushly lurid old- press secretary, Gwen
Wendy Holden’s readers in 2020 Queen King George VI, he’s intently, des- then puzzlingly dull for stretches, school glamour of his FX series Briggs (Cynthia Nixon), tak
won’t recognize the name Marion Elizabeth II’s perately smoking (the king will only to become interesting all “Feud: Bette and Joan” (in which immediate interest in Mildr
Crawford, the main character of Childhood develop lung cancer and die at over again. The show is a fine and powerful women discover that The asylum setting i
her new book, “The Royal Gov- By Wendy age 56). Before she’s even met the flawed example of who Murphy is mutual respect is a byproduct of course, irresistible as a sou
erness,” once upon a time, Craw- Holden little princesses, Crawford makes and what he makes. You can’t their bitter rivalry) with slightly creepiness, as Dr. Hanover tr
ford was a best-selling author and Berkley. 432 a comment about how “James II help but be lured in by it. less grisly aspects of “American improve on methods for lo
the center of a controversy that pps. $26 and Bonnie Prince Charlie lost Behind her steely-eyed men- Horror Story: Asylum” (itself a mizing intractable patient
fascinated readers on both sides their kingdoms.” (She will live ace, the story of Nurse Mildred comment on mental-health-care prescribes other torturous
of the Atlantic. ward VIII for abdicating to marry through the abdication crisis, Ratched (yes, the very one from conditions before landmark revi- ments designed to “cure”
Crawford was governess to Wallis Simpson). while King Edward VIII will lose Ken Kesey’s novel “One Flew Over sions of the Diagnostic and Statis- questionable diagnoses as h
Princesses Elizabeth and Marga- Standing out gloriously even his kingdom.) When precocious the Cuckoo’s Nest” and the classic tical Manual of Mental Disorders, sexuality and teen angst. Th
ret, the daughters of the Duke and from this colorful cast is Queen Margaret flirts with Ambassador film adaptation, played here with featuring Catholic nuns with medicine has a way of feelin
Duchess of York. The girls, who Elizabeth, by far Holden’s most Kennedy’s son John, a character calm and collected determina- warped, Ratched-like control redundant territory in a M
referred to her as “Crawfie,” cher- winning fictional creation in sniffs, “A young man like that will tion by Sarah Paulson) is present- over their patients). drama, given how often h
ished her energy and honesty, and these pages. Marion has no soon- never amount to anything.” ed as a kind of feminist dawning. Six months after the priest his collaborators routinel
she retained her position even er met her than she’s making the It’s an overindulgence, but it’s Nurse Ratched is someone trying slayings, Paulson’s Mildred, al- monize an array of authori
when the duke and duchess be- obvious comparison: “She was this author’s only one. In all other to overcome her own damage and ways dressed to the nines, arrives ure archetypes — doctors, n
came King George VI and Queen like something out of P. G. Wode- respects, “The Royal Governess” demons and, in her demented at a sprawling asylum on the nuns, preachers, elected le
Elizabeth in 1936 and their elder house.” The queen burbles, she is spirited, virtually clockwork way, she wants to make the world Northern California seaside — Hollywood studio bosses, e
daughter, “Lilibet,” was suddenly merrily slings lingo such as “Tin- enjoyment, humanizing the kinder and more just, through the Lucia State Hospital, where the playful, but it has a way of be
heir to the throne. kety-tonk, old fruit,” she slurps Windsor world through the death most painful and manipulative alleged killer, Edmund Tolleson ing a facile harangue agains
Those years are the playground gin at untoward hours and under- of two kings, the ordeal of an sort of caring. (Wittrock) is housed. Although one in charge.
of Holden’s novel, which begins neath it all, as one character abdication and the very real dan- It can take a while for the series the asylum’s director, Dr. Richard That’s why Nurse Ratche
with Marion studying at a teacher observes, she’s as tough as an old gers of a world war. Through it all, to find its way — and often it’s the Hanover (Jon Jon Briones), tells such potential as a cha
training college in her native boot. Whether she’s charming a Marion Crawford is convincingly viewer who will feel as if they are her he has no job openings for study — how she gets o
Scotland and falling in love with a war-wary Ambassador Joe Ken- passionate, respected by every- missing something profound. As nurses, Ratched schemes her way simply taking charge. “One
handsome young communist nedy or bucking up the spirits of body in her glittering new world. a prequel set in 1947, it’s not onto the staff, to the dismay of Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” le
named Valentine, whose impetu- her timid husband, this Queen In the real world, it didn’t last. required that the viewer know Nurse Betsy Bucket, played by motivations vague, which
ous anti-imperialist sloganeering Elizabeth thoroughly steals the The aforementioned controversy much about “Cuckoo’s Nest” or Judy Davis. way of making the viewer f
is the author’s first gesture at show, both from Marion Craw- happened in 1950 when Crawfie even Louise Fletcher’s Oscar-win- This Nurse Bucket is pretty helpless as the drugged pat
foreshadowing but certainly not ford and from the future Queen committed the ultimate act of ning performance as a more pow- much your best reason to give “Ratched,” too, seems to l
her last. Marion gets a job in the Elizabeth, the teenager waiting in lèse-majesté by writing about her erful Ratched in the 1975 movie “Ratched” a whirl, with a splen- sense of purpose get sim
household of Lady Rose Leveson- the wings throughout the book. experiences as royal governess in version, other than the fact that didly sour performance and fogged in, as if the narrativ
Gower and quickly comes to the Here, as in all other books, that a book, “The Little Princesses.” Murphy (working here with Ian much needed drop of comic ten- been slipped a calming sed
attention of Lady Rose’s sister, the other Elizabeth remains stub- The book sold briskly, but the Brennan and creator Evan Ro- sion from Davis — a template and is wearing restraints.
Duchess of York, and finds herself bornly opaque. royal family felt betrayed. They mansky) is among our shrewdest example of institutional cruelty The show’s obsessive atte
installed as governess to the two Of course, a part of the charm never spoke to Crawford again, and most knowing samplers of and caprice that will help create to style and mood begins to
little princesses. of this performance is hindsight; and when she died in 1988 at age popular culture. the Nurse Ratched of lore. Later hallucinatory and sluggis
Once “The Royal Governess” Holden knows that Queen Eliza- 78, neither the Queen Mother, Of course a lot of us will come in the series, Murphy’s diva wor- with Murphy’s other projec
gets to the Windsors, it takes off beth would go on to become the Queen Elizabeth II nor Princess here wanting to know what made ship shifts to Sharon Stone, who Netflix so far (“The Politi
like a grand parade. Holden obvi- nationally beloved Queen Moth- Margaret so much as mentioned Ratched into the sublimely vin- has a ball playing the deeply “Hollywood”), and with
ously relishes bringing to life her er, clad in creamy frocks and that fact in public. dictive control freak of the men- disgruntled and deep-pocketed than one season of his “Ame
famous cast of characters, from feathered hats, smiling and wav- “The Royal Governess” shades tal ward. Audiences have been mother of one of Dr. Hanover’s Horror Story” on FX, the d
the nervous, stuttering Duke of ing to innumerable onlookers un- that tension very neatly into the wondering that for decades. former patients. is strong, but the symptom
York to the tall, imperious Queen til her death in 2002 at age 101. final pages of a very satisfying “That f---ing nurse, man,” Jack The state’s unctuous governor sist. As a viewer, you have n
Mary, to strong-willed daughter Such knowledge gives license to reading experience. It’s doubtful Nicholson’s character said about (Vincent D’Onofrio) is eager to why you’re here or how yo
Elizabeth (who would go on to project that quippy, luminous fig- the queen would enjoy it, but Nurse Ratched. “She ain’t hon- see Tolleson executed so he can here. Nurse Murphy wants i
reign longer than any monarch in ure back into the past. pretty much everybody else will. est.” boost his tough-on-crime profile way.
English history), to her saucy, This can be as much a weak- bookworld@washpost.com The answers provided in during a reelection campaign. hank.stuever@washpo
free-spirited sister, Margaret, to ness as a strength when it’s over- “Ratched” may or may not satisfy Nurse Ratched has come to this
the Duke’s brother David (who done. Holden hardly ever passes Steve Donoghue is a book reviewer that curiosity, but fans of Mur- place because she has an abiding Ratched (eight episodes) avail
would make history as King Ed- up an opportunity to lean on her living in Boston. phy’s previous and provocative interest in Tolleson’s fate (I won’t for streaming Friday on Netflix.
Reporter had received him the host of a podcast about
local transportation matters.
Di Caro continued to work at the
Di Caro should be terminate
cording to emails and interv
Faced with being fired, Di
misconduct warnings station after receiving his second
formal warning for another 18
months. But in October 2017, sexual
resigned in late 2017 instead
circumstances of his depa
were kept confidential, th
harassment complaints against and five months later, he j
‘A very satisfying reading
wamu from C1 final terms. . . .” Yore wrote on prominent men sparked the Bloomberg Radio. Bloom
May 16. “I’d like to push with the #MeToo movement, and Yore be- briefly suspended him in lat
ate and home of the then-widely HR and legal folks on being as clear came concerned that WAMU could after news broke of his a
syndicated “Diane Rehm Show.” as we can that Martin did some face its own scandal, according to misconduct at WAMU. The
During his time there, revenue things that required us to termi- people inside and outside WAMU pany later reinstated him, s
nearly doubled and the roster of nate him. Language along the lines who spoke with him at the time. His it found no infractions duri
regular donors shot up nearly 60 of, ‘Martin Di Caro has engaged in a fears were heightened by the resig- time there. As of this
percent. The station also doubled pattern of activity that threatens nation of NPR’s top news executive, though, Di Caro is no longer
its news and production staff at a the integrity and reputation of Michael Oreskes, who was accused ing for Bloomberg, accordin
experience. It’s doubtful the
time when other local news or- WAMU and American University. of misconduct by two women. person familiar with the situ
ganizations were cutting back. As a result, Martin is no longer After Yore mentioned the issue WAMU has since institute
Di Caro, who had joined WAMU employed by WAMU/AU.’” to subordinates, a WAMU manag- erence and criminal-record c
as a part-time reporter two years But an email sent by Johnson to Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post er who had been unaware of the on all potential hires — a
before Yore’s arrival, doggedly cov- the station’s managers a week later Administrators for American University concluded several times local complaints against Di Caro that was not in place for par
ered the local transportation beat. indicated that the university’s legal that there were insufficient grounds to dismiss Martin Di Caro. volunteered that the reporter had employees when Di Caro join
He also allegedly had problematic office advised that Di Caro receive a similar issues when they both a part-timer, people familiar
personal relationships: In late “final written warning” for what thing” about Di Caro, said Swen- marily to keep an eye on Di Caro. worked at WCBS in New York, its hiring practices say.
Queen would enjoy it, but pretty
July, the news site DCist, owned by administrations deemed a “Level 3 son, who is now with a station in Di Caro responded to a request according to station insiders. Mc- Given the damaging pub
WAMU, documented complaints violation of serious misconduct.” Nashville. “It was clear to me that for comment by stating that Daniel confronted Di Caro with surrounding the Di Caro m
from more than 20 people who Johnson wrote: “The thought here J.J. was frustrated and was unable “American University always this information and got permis- Yore’s future in public radio s
said he had subjected them to is let Martin know that we ‘consid- to get [Di Caro] to leave.” treated me fairly, abiding by due sion to obtain his personnel rec- cloudy at best, and he has ma
inappropriate and unwelcome ered’ terminating his employment The three complaints against Di process” and that “I deeply regret ords from WCBS. And Yore spoke announcement of future c
comments during his five years at so that he understands the serious- Caro were filed between 2014, having made people feel uncom- to Swenson, Di Caro’s former boss plans. Meanwhile, McDanie
the station. When Di Caro re- ness of the situation.” shortly after Yore’s arrival at the fortable in a professional setting.” there, who says he confirmed that former deputy, lost a new job
signed, he told colleagues he want- American University’s chief station, and 2016, according to He added: “How much longer Di Caro had been the subject of the fallout: In May, she was
much everybody else will.’
ed to take a break from reporting; spokesman, Matt Bennett, speak- multiple insiders who detailed must we re-litigate things that complaints around 2004. In one as chief executive at Chicago
there was no public indication ing on behalf of the university and them for The Post. The first, from a were resolved years ago?” case, a woman got a restraining lic Media, but after the Di
that his departure was related to the administrators, declined to staffer for the Washington Metro- Di Caro’s profile and responsibil- order requiring him to keep his news broke in late July, its
harassment. address specific questions about politan Area Transit Authority who ities grew during his time at distance from her, according to launched an investigation
The DCist article was the cata- Di Caro and Yore. But he suggested said he made several inappropriate WAMU. He began as a part-time documents viewed by The Post. last week, she resigned
lyst for a tumultuous staff meet- that it had been Yore’s responsibil- comments to her, resulted in a employee in 2012, but was made (Di Caro declined to comment on pressure, leaving her jobless
ing, during which employees ity, in what he described as a “con- “Level III” warning from the uni- full-time in 2015, as the station this.) Swenson said WCBS severed weeks before her official sta
poured out complaints about sultative process,” to persuade his versity — essentially putting him pushed to limit its reliance on a ties with Di Caro, then a freelanc- date. In a statement, the org
Yore’s management of minority bosses that firing Di Caro was the on notice that he could be fired part-time workforce. In April 2016, er, around 2005, on the advice of tion’s board said it made the
employees as well as demanding appropriate remedy. “While this is after another infraction — and a he was promoted to “senior” re- its corporate human resources de- sion after “deeper research
to know why Yore had tolerated a collaborative process, the super- requirement he take an online sex- porter and given a raise, reflecting partment. the recent turmoil at Andi’s
Di Caro for so long. Yore, who quit visor has authority to determine ual-harassment education course. both his work and a newsroom- Yore presented the information employer, WAMU.”
several days later, said at the time the disciplinary action most suit- A second, in January 2016, from a wide effort to upgrade salaries. A to American University officials — paul.farhi@washpo
that he was prevented from ex- able to the situation, as outlined in female reporter for a local newspa- month later, the station named and this time, they agreed that elahe.izadi@washpo
plaining his actions because of the American University Staff Per- per who declined to participate in a
confidentiality restraints on per- sonnel Policy Manual,” he said.
FLOORING SALE
follow-up investigation, was re-
sonnel decisions. Yore has repeatedly declined to solved when Deadre Johnson, the
Left unanswered at that meet- offer comment, saying last month university’s senior employee rela-
ing were questions about the uni- in an email that the university’s 35 tions director, gave Di Caro an in-
versity’s oversight of the matter. lawyers “have made it clear” that formal warning. So when another
Interviews and emails indicated he is prohibited from doing so. female journalist complained
FREE INSTALLATION ON AL
that university administrators WAMU and Di Caro signed a sepa- about Di Caro in May 2016, WAMU
were involved with investigating ration agreement upon his depar- managers were stunned when uni-
the three accusations against ture that prohibits both parties versity officials issued another
Di Caro, between 2014 and 2016. from discussing his work history. “Level III” warning, again sparingPRAISE FOR THE GOVERNESS
‘A beautifully woven and exquisitely detailed story of strong
upstairs/downstairs women whose lives entwine during some of the
most significant periods of modern British history… I am in awe of
Wendy Holden.’
HEATHER MORRIS, author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz
�
‘I adored this wonderful book. What a great story Wendy Holden
has told.’
JILLY COOPER
�
‘A brilliantly imagined and poignant novel… a story of sacrifice,
deep affection, strained loyalties and divided English society in
the post-Downton Abbey era. Having set herself a huge challenge,
Wendy Holden has triumphed.’
ELIZABETH BUCHAN, author of The New Mrs Clifton
�
‘A great book for escaping into…I loved this!’
KATIE FFORDE, author of A Summer At Sea
�
‘Wendy Holden absolutely delivers in this perfect blend of story
and history. THE ROYAL GOVERNESS is a fabulous read for
not only for devotees of period fiction and the British Royals, but
anyone with a hunger for a well-crafted tale. Lovers of The Crown
series on Netflix will adore this!’
SUSAN MEISSNER, Bestselling author of The Last Year of the War
36‘An intimate view of the royal family at a time of great uncertainty
and change, The Royal Governess is a beautifully written and
richly detailed piece of historical fiction. Marion Crawford’s
dedication to her charges, as well as her passion for education and
reform, shines through the pages. Through her eyes, the reader is
transported back in time and thoroughly immersed in the lives of
the British royal family. A delightful read!’
CHANEL CLEETON, New York Times bestselling author of
When we Left Cuba
�
‘Beautifully researched and captivating… Wendy’s Holden’s tender
and intimate portrait of ‘Lilibet’, the future Queen Elizabeth II, is
masterly.’
RACHEL HORE, author of Last Letter Home
�
‘This is a wonderful book. Masterfully weaving seismic historical
events with one woman’s personal story, The Governess is
cinematic in its scope, and yet always intimate, a moving,
gorgeously written page-turner. We peek behind the Windsor’s
swagged silk curtains - the insider details are a total delight - but
the story’s beating heart belongs to the devoted royal governess,
Crawfie. Holden takes the reader on a glittering, unforgettable
journey. I absolutely loved it.’
EVE CHASE, author of Black Rabbit Hall, The Glass House
�
‘Sensitive, funny and fascinating - this masterful novel gives the
reader fly-on-the-wall privileges into the early life of the Queen.’
FREYA NORTH author of The Turning Point
37TOP TEN BESTSELLER
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