The Darkness Of Wallis Simpson

by Rose Tremain, Gareth Armstrong (Narrator), Jilly Bond (Narrator)

Wallis Simpson, the twice-divorced American woman for whom Edward Vlll abdicated in 1936, ended her life as the prisoner of her lawyer who would not allow anyone - friend, foe or journalist - to visit her in her Paris flat. Rose Tremain takes this true story and transforms it into an imaginative and ironic fiction. Her thesis is that Wallis, gaga and bed-ridden, has forgotten the king who gave up an empire for love of her.

The other stories in this magnificent collection range over a variety of themes, equally original and unexpected. An East German border guard, redundant after the Berlin Wall comes down in 1989, imagines that he might still have a purpose in life: he tries to reach Russia by bicycling across the hostile wastes of Poland. A jilted man gets his revenge. A baby grows wings. A character in an Impressionist painting escapes from his 'frame' - or does he? And there's a Christmas story set in a seedy hotel...

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Historical Fiction, British Literature, Audiobook, 21st Century

Audiobook

First published December 19, 2005

About the author

Dame Rose Tremain is an acclaimed English novelist and short story writer, celebrated for her distinctive approach to historical fiction and her focus on characters who exist on the margins of society. Educated at the Sorbonne and the University of East Anglia, where she later taught creative writing and served as Chancellor, Tremain has produced a rich body of work spanning novels, short stories, plays, and memoir. Influenced by writers such as William Golding and Gabriel García Márquez, her narratives often blend psychological depth with lyrical prose.
Among her many honors, she has received the Whitbread Award for Music and Silence, the Orange Prize for The Road Home, and the National Jewish Book Award for The Gustav Sonata. She was shortlisted for the Booker Prize for Restoration and has been recognized multiple times by the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction. In 2020, she was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her services to literature. Tremain lives in Norfolk and continues to write, with her recent novel Absolutely and Forever shortlisted for the 2024 Walter Scott Prize.

Reviews

[Petra X · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't read the book. I listened to the radio play preparatory to reading That Woman: The Life of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor. I was impressed by the script, less so by the story. This is just a brief review because the words of the author on her own book illuminate this strange, dark play better than I can.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tv...

Since she and her husband, the King Edward VIII who abdicated for her (the only king to have ever abdicated by his own free will in the UK) were best mates with Hitler and Edward was to be restored as (the puppet) king when Hitler rolled in triumphant to the defeated UK, I think the whole entire world got served best by his abdication. She was just a money-hungry adventurer, and the entire mystery lies in what this plain woman had that attracted so many men, so much money and created so much scandal.

[Bettie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Description: Wallis Simpson, the twice-divorced American woman for whom Edward Vlll abdicated in 1936, ended her life as the prisoner of her lawyer who would not allow anyone - friend, foe or journalist - to visit her in her Paris flat. Rose Tremain takes this true story and transforms it into an imaginative and ironic fiction. Her thesis is that Wallis, gaga and bed-ridden, has forgotten the king who gave up an empire for love of her.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00wwbzj

BBC's description: A play imagining the last days of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor, the woman for whom King Edward VIII gave up the throne of England in 1936. Wallis is now 79 years old. Edward has been dead for fourteen years.

The play pivots upon a single dramatic conceit: that Wallis, now entering the darkness of approaching death, has forgotten every single thing about Edward. Her entire part in what an American journalist once called "the greatest story since the Resurrection" has completely gone from her mind. Other moments in her life she can vividly recall, but the world-shaking events at the heart of it are lost to her - apparently forever.

She lies bedridden in her house in Paris. A lawyer friend, Maitre Suzanne Blum has taken charge of her care. But, believing that Wallis has deliberately chosen to forget her "role in history", Blum is determined to force her to remember this vital bit of the past, before she dies. Original Music by David Chilton

It seems that summer 2015 has been full of loving that which others find iffy and being ambivalent over the treasured. Truly not trying to be contrary but Hey Ho!, here I go, again:

Tremain's vilified Wallis is great surface fun though we must never forget that if it hadn't been for this woman, the United Kingdom of Great Britain would have been saddled with an extremely unstable and inappropriate monarch. Kudos to the author for outing the mostly unsaid.

[Nigeyb · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the brilliance of 'The Gustav Sonata' (2016) and 'Sacred Country' (1992) (which has rocketed into the list of my all time favourite books), I am keeping the Rose Tremain express rolling along with this collection of her short stories....

The Darkness Of Wallis Simpson (2005)

...which contains 12 short stories.

The first one, ‘The Darkness of Wallis Simpson’, gives the collection its title and it's a brilliantly told short story about the last days of Wallis Simpson.

Wallis is confused and suffering from dementia, and bullied by her French lawyer Suzanne Blum.

In Rose Tremain’s skilful hands, the dementia becomes a brilliant device for a slowly unfolding narrative as Wallis recalls fragments of her life: her abusive first husband; her life in London married to second husband Ernest Simpson; recollections of meeting Hitler; and her confused memories of a little man who is, of course Edward, Prince of Wales.

All of the stories are remarkable and detail characters who are in decline, or feel unfulfilled. The diversity is extraordinary. The only thing they, and her other books really have in common, is the brilliance of her storytelling. Uniformly bleak and depressing, most writers would struggle to make these stories readable. Perhaps describing them as stories is slightly misleading, vignettes is probably more accurate. It is Rose Tremain's ability to weave wonderful prose about the fragility of the human condition, often in an unlikely era or place, that make this collection so compelling.

The other stories in this magnificent collection range over a variety of themes, equally original and unexpected. An East German border guard, redundant after the Berlin Wall comes down in 1989, imagines that he might still have a purpose in life: he tries to reach Russia by bicycling across the hostile wastes of Poland. A jilted man gets his revenge. A baby grows wings. A character in an Impressionist painting escapes from his 'frame' - or does he? And there's a Christmas story set in a seedy hotel...

More literary magic from Rose Tremain.

4/5

[Faye · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read: November 2018
Overall rating: 2/5 stars

This is the most depressing book of short stories I've ever read. Someone dies or commits suicide in almost every story!

The darkness of Wallis Simpson - 2/5 stars
How it stacks up - 3/5 stars
The beauty of the dawn shift - 2/5 stars
Death of an advocate - 3/5 stars
Nativity story - 2.5/5 stars
The over-ride - 2/5 stars
The ebony hand - 2/5 stars
Loves me, loves me not - 2/5 stars
Moth - 3/5 stars
The Cherry Orchard, with rugs - 2/5 stars
The dead are only sleeping - 2/5 stars
Peerless - 2/5 stars

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

From BBC Radio 4 - Afternoon Drama:
A play imagining the last days of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor, the woman for whom King Edward VIII gave up the throne of England in 1936. Wallis is now 79 years old. Edward has been dead for fourteen years.

The play pivots upon a single dramatic conceit: that Wallis, now entering the darkness of approaching death, has forgotten every single thing about Edward. Her entire part in what an American journalist once called "the greatest story since the Resurrection" has completely gone from her mind. Other moments in her life she can vividly recall, but the world-shaking events at the heart of it are lost to her - apparently forever.

She lies bedridden in her house in Paris. A lawyer friend, Maitre Suzanne Blum has taken charge of her care. But, believing that Wallis has deliberately chosen to forget her "role in history", Blum is determined to force her to remember this vital bit of the past, before she dies.

Original Music by David Chilton

Producer: Gordon House
A Goldhawk Essential production for BBC Radio 4.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00wwbzj


4* Restoration
3* Trespass
5* The Colour
2* Music & Silence
2* Merivel: A Man of His Time
2* The End of Love
3* The American Lover
2* The Road Home
3* The Darkness Of Wallis Simpson
TR Sacred Country

[Jemidar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very hard for me to rate. I'm sure this collection of short stories was technically very good, it just didn't really appeal to me.

[Laureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Rose Tremain's writing; especially her wit and turn of phrase. The Darkness of Wallis Simpson is a novel of short stories which I am not in the habit of reading. I prefer large novels (if they are good) and hate it when they finish. However this collection of short stories was cleverly written as usual but the stories were very dark unlike her Merival character, as in Restoration abd its newer sequel, which was everything - witty, entertaining and dark in places but not to be taken so seriously. However, I love that Rose can write so engageingly in any genre and I love her for it. Her books ooze the story emotionally and picturesquely.

[Karen Mace · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book in a library sale and the title immediately intrigued me! It was only when I opened up the book that I found it's a collection of short stories - the Wallis Simpson story is the first one and the longest at around 46 pages long and it sets the tone for this collection of weird, sometimes wonderful, and sometimes flat short stories.

Beginning with Wallis it's a fascinating concept that she's forgotten who she is and swears at people who called her Duchess. There were so many glimpses of what could have been a wonderful longer story of a woman struggling with identity and illness, but it just fell a little flat for me in that it tried to do too much in such a short space of time. I would have loved to have read more of this one and done without some of the other much shorter stories!

The others in the collection were a mixed bag of the often very weird, quite dark and some instantly forgettable! One of the more fascinating stories was one of the shortest - Death of an Advocate - of a character in a painting who is viewing over the scene that surrounds him and wondering why he's cold and everyone on the picnic rug is seemingly oblivious to his concerns.

Moth was also another intriguing story - very dark and set in a trailer park and centred around Pete who lived there with her 2 children and was always known for her crafting. And then strange things start happening to one of her children. Very bizarre but very readable and slightly heartbreaking too!

I think the problem with a lot of short story collections is that some of the stories don't always grab you and that can put you off reading more. But this collection has enough to keep you turning the pages, I loved the darkness of them (there is swearing in some of the stories so watch out if you're offended easily!) but it did make for an interesting and imaginative reading experience!

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really admire Rose Tremain's writing and was not disappointed with this collection of short stories. The first one being, of course the best. Sympathy for Wallis is easy to feel as she croaks and stumbles through the last days of her life though every memory in her life comes with shards of glass; nastiness and the self-regard she was famous for. By the end though you feel you've spent time with her the good and the bad bits.

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brief glance at reviews on Goodreads revealed the inevitable concentration on the historical figure upon which one of the characters in one of the short stories was based, comparisons usual detrimental to this collection, to other novels by Tremain and in the light of such fatuous nonsense I don't think I can say anything useful except:

1. Rose Tremain is a brilliant writer

and

2. This collection of stories is a display of her writing at its height

If you have never read anything by Tremain, and like short stories, then this collection is a splendid place to begin exploring her oeuvre. If you don't like short stories then try her novels, I loved 'The Gustav Sonata' but all her novels are unique in subject matter and I recommend exploring their various plots and story lines as are easily found on Goodreads and Amazon and try whichever one appeals. It would be a far more useful way to spend your time then reading most of the rubbish on Goodreads.

[Jacki (Julia Flyte) · Rating 3 out of 5]

An uneven collection of short stories: three or four were brilliant, a few more were quite good and a few should never have been included. The overall theme is darkness - in almost every story someone dies or a character is irrevocably affected by an early tragedy in their life. I do enjoy the way that Tremain writes and how she catapults you into quite different settings so quickly and easily.

[Poornima Vijayan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant book! Tremain writes cruelly, with a cruelty that's honest and necessary. Not with the intent to shock. At least that's what I felt. The stories are each so very beautiful and perfect.

I love short stories and I love finding a complete collection that's amazing. This is one such book.

[Mariele · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having recently read Tremain's "The Colour", I was impressed by her skill to conjure complex characters out of thin air. However, this collection of short stories left me unimpressed. There was not a single story that I liked.

Normally, I enjoy historical fiction, but here, I thought that those historical / geographic extrapolations didn't suit Tremain very well. My prime example, of course, is the story about the East German border guard, which sounded terribly contrived and overloaded.

If I were a professional author, I don't think I would take it upon myself to write a piece about a time and a place that I know nothing about, that I can't even do research on because I don't speak the language. For example: I have never been to Japan. Would I want to write a short story about a servant of a Japanese emperor after having seen some pictures on Wikipedia of the imperial palace in Tokyo? I wouldn't dare.

I believe that sometimes it's better to stick to your last.

Perhaps I am being unfair, since I don't like the short story genre much anyway, as I don't see that the format normally allows enough room for the characters to develop to the extent that I am interested in.

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've listened to this in the car over the last week, it was beautifully read by Stephen Greif and Eleanor Bron in perfect (to my ear) accents. Listening to an audio book is a very different experience from reading it oneself and I believe the narrator makes a vital contriution to its success or otherwise.

These short stories are varied, surprising, sad and sometimes strange. The main and longest story is The Darkness of Wallis Simpson - it imagines her final days, living in seclusion and suffering with alzeimers. Whilst recalling details of her first two marriages she has forgotten her third love - Edward, the man who abdicated the throne in order to marry her. It is a brilliant story and my favourite. To that story I would have given 5* rating.

Of the other stories, all were entertaining and I found many to also be thought provoking. It is a good collection and well worth reading, this is the first time I've read Rose Tremain and I am inclined to read further.

[Steven · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sentimental apologism for Nazi-sympathizer Wallis Simpson and her socialite ways ...

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

By far I liked the Moth best. The Ebony Hand was depressing and hard to follow. The story of Wallis Simpson was pretty engaging and I would very much like that screened. Good read, though!

[Natalie Awdry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really excellent collection of dark and emotive short stories. I did find that a lot of themes were repeated, for example dissatisfaction with marriage, however that's to be expected when each of these were published separately and independently and have only recently been brought together.

It's hard to just pick one stand out story, but for me it would be the east German soldier travelling away from the fear of the new capitalist Germany to the Communist motherland in Russia. I have no idea how Tremain manages to make traditionally horrific subjects such as incest intriguing, interesting, and even understandable. Tremain has a way to make me empathise with people who would normally revolt me.

I could spend far too long reviewing each of the tales, but suffice to say that this collection is human nature at its most base, delicate and raw, conflicting and consoling.

[Huw Rhys · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a massive Rose Tremain fan, I really do think she's one of our greatest contemporary authors - the way she can transport us to a world of completely believable and developed characters, splashed with humour, not a little intrigue and usually a little salaciousness just to add a bit of spice.

But maybe the longer form, where she has the opportunity to develop a sense of place in time, where her characters are fully formed, and we can get to know their nuances is where her strengths lie.

Few of these stories grabbed my attention - most were entirely bland.

I'll certainly be finishing off the last couple of her novels that I haven't yet read - and will look forward avidly to her next one. But I shan't be rushing to read any more of her short stories I'm afraid.

[Mbuye · Rating 4 out of 5]

The much vilified Wallis Simpson at the end of her life was a total recluse, and in the care of her doctor, who also assumed powers of attorney on her behalf. With her mind bringing back occasional dim memories of other men – Hitler, Ernest, her husband, she has absolutely no recollection at all of the man who gave up an Empire for her sake. A collection of grim and poignant stories, with the occasional flash of tenderness that is the Rose Tremaine trademark, these are stories that might shock you into horror, touch your heartstrings the next and then make you sing with joy, despite the overall darkness in all of them.

[Raimo Wirkkala · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exceptional collection of short stories with a common thread running through all of them; the "darkness" mentioned in the title story. Sometimes the strength of the human spirit provides sufficient light, but sometimes it does not.

[Anita · Rating 2 out of 5]

This looked rather intriguing ,but in the end didn’t grab me and hold my interest. This was a collection of short stories - the later stories were more interesting . I’d give this 2 1/2 stars but since that’s not an option I’m just going to give it a basic 2.

[Marianne · Rating 2 out of 5]

These short stories are well written but far too disparate- it's a struggle to read them from start to finish! The main characters tend to be disatisfied- and have something lacking in their lives. This can make them difficult to engage with as a reader.

[Trina Hollis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry but this book just didn't appeal to me, very dark and I found it a bit disturbing.

[Mandy Setterfield · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was a bit disappointed to realise this is a book of short stories not a novel. It was ok. The story that lingered longest was the depressing one about the German soldier.
Hum.

[Cath · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unusual premise. Interesting

[Jmolentin]

I didn't know it was a book of short stories. There is not a hint anywhere. But, I read it and enjoyed it. I'll try this author again.

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book of short stories. Some are rather unusual. Overall an interesting read.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rose Tremain is a superb writer and can convey more in a 10 page story than most authors do in a novel.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great collection of short stories, expertly written.
These are not happy stories, most of them center around the theme of broken families and difficult relationships. I didn't mind that at all, as the stories had a very profound impact on me that was not necessarily a sad one.
I'm now very keen to read more by Tremain.

[Graceann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess I'm just not a short story person. Perhaps they were ruined for me by too many forced readings of "The Rocking Horse Winner" during my school days. If I like a short story, I'm disappointed in it because it doesn't continue to novel-length. If I dislike it, I feel like my time has been wasted.

I had a little of each of those feelings in reading The Darkness of Wallis Simpson. I purchased it because, at first, I was under the misapprehension that it was a novel about Wallis Simpson's final days. This is my own fault, for not paging through and seeing what I was getting. The story about the dying Duchess alone and abused in her final days, is dark and interesting, but was too short to be developed sufficiently.

Thereafter followed several stories that just didn't merit the ink. I'm sure it isn't the author's failing, but mine, that I don't see the point of How it Stacks Up or The Beauty of the Dawn Shift. And let's just say that in Death of an Advocate, death isn't necessarily a bad thing.

I found myself drawn to Loves Me, Loves Me Not for it's "Heiress" qualities, and Peerless was a charming finish to the book, but all in all, I would have much preferred 215 fully-developed pages of a novel about The Duchess of Windsor. What you get out of this book will hugely depend on the expectations and interests you bring to it, and I obviously did not bring the correct ones.