Exploring the World of The Woman Before Wallis

Step into the 1930s London with bestselling author Bryn Turnbull. Bryn will discuss her debut novel, The Woman Before Wallis, which tells the story of Thelma Furness, a lover of Edward VIII and twin sister of Gloria Vanderbilt.    Thelma's story has not been well known, and in bringing it to life with her novel, Bryn offers an intimate and lively picture of Thelma's romantic and family relationships, and how they were affected by larger sociopolitical forces.   The novel is at the centre of our May 2024 tour to London and Windsor, led by Bryn and Classical Pursuits director Melanie Blake. Through its lens we will experience the glamour of favourite haunts like the Ritz and Windsor Castle. But we'll also seek to better understand the full complexity of this period in England, marked by artistic innovation, political unrest, and changing social norms.