That Woman by Anne Sebba

Today we are talking about a novel called That Woman by Anne Sebba. "That Woman" followed the life of Bessie Wallis Warfield. Not many may recognized that name. She was better known as Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor. She is not one of the better known members of the royal family. She is known in history as the woman that King Edward VII abdicated the throne for.

King Edward VII was the son of King George V and brother to King George VI (Queen Victoria's father). King Edward is known as the only King to ever abdicate the throne for. Many people (in that time) saw his marriage to Wallis Simpson as a disgrace to the throne because of her marital statues.

Wallis Simpson was a twice divorced American and as King, Edward was ultimately the Church of England. It was frowned upon to marry a divorced woman (whose two husbands were still living) but to do so as the head of the Church of England was impossible. Ultimately, Edward abdicated and the throne passed on to King George. Since 1937, Wallis Simpson was known as the woman that costed the nation a king.

This book is a very historical book. Anyone interested in history, the royal family or just biographies in general should enjoy this book. You can also see her story touched upon slightly in "The King's Speech". If that movie, or "The Queen" or "The Crown" interest you, you should enjoy this book also.