Whom You Know: READ THIS: UNTOLD STORY by Monica Ali

Monday, July 11, 2011

READ THIS: UNTOLD STORY by Monica Ali

You know we are a bit into what goes on on the other side of the pond, so we were quite curious about Untold Story. With twists and turns that will keep you on your toes from the first page, this work of fiction is both entertaining and thought provoking. As it weaves through time and characters rapidly, you cannot forget person A to person Z because as you know the world is far smaller than one would think...but you do know that. You are a Whom You Know reader!

What if, what if, what if...we all ask ourselves that in many aspects of life. Especially in regards to how life would be different if people that have passed were still here. This book is a narration of what if. We must emphasize that you have to remember it is a work of fiction! We wonder if any in the royal family have looked at this and what they think...

We were totally unfamiliar with this work and with Monica Ali, but will be sure to keep tabs on her in the future. Simon and Schuster does great work - especially Melissa over there who told us about Charles Kipps's books last year which are our FAVORITE.

For a great beach read, pick up Untold Story. You'll be so into it you might even end up with a sunburn. Don't say we didn't warn you!

***

What if Princess Diana hadn’t died? That’s the question that inspired Monica Ali’s new novel, UNTOLD STORY (Scribner, June 28, 2011, $25.00.) ‘I wanted to explore the cost of celebrity,’ says Ali. ‘I also wanted to examine the possibility of reinventing a life. Above all, by taking my fictional princess completely out of her old context, I was interested in, as always, the nature of identity: what makes us who we are.’

Diana’s life and marriage were both fairy tale and nightmare. Adored by millions, in her personal life she suffered heartbreak and betrayal. Within a world of privilege, she frequently felt trapped and alone. Constrained by protocol and precedent, she refused to follow the rules.

UNTOLD STORY takes the life of the world’s most famous woman as a point of departure, examining the past and imagining a future. The fictional princess who is the novel’s heroine is at breaking point and, believing that the Establishment is plotting her assassination, she makes an irrevocable decision: to stage her own death and begin a new life under an assumed identity.

After a period of intense upheaval, Lydia (as she is known) settles in a small town in the American midwest and establishes a fragile peace. It is threatened by thoughts of what she has lost: not the glamour and glitz of royalty but that which is most precious – her children. Ten years after her ‘death’ she feels, at last, safe in the knowledge that her secret will never be uncovered.

But then a chance encounter with a member of the paparazzi robs her of that certainty. Will he recognize her? Should she flee or pretend calm? Is there anyone she can trust and turn to, or will she inevitably be betrayed? UNTOLD STORY is a brilliant new novel about family and friendship, intrigue and obsession, the meaning of identity, and the peculiar calamity of fame. It is also an inspired pairing of subject and author and a very dramatic read. Already hotly debated in the U.K., UNTOLD STORY is certain to be one of the most talked about novels of the summer.

About Monica Ali:

Monica Ali has been named by Granta as one of the twenty best young British novelists. She is the author of In the Kitchen, Alentejo Blue, and Brick Lane, which was shortlisted for the National Book Critics Circle Award, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and the Man Booker Prize. She lives in London with her husband and two children.

ABOUT SCRIBNER

Scribner is an imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc., part of the CBS Corporation. Simon & Schuster is a global leader in the field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed, electronic and multi-media formats. Its divisions include the Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, Simon & Schuster Audio, Simon & Schuster Digital, and international companies in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit our website at www.simonandschuster.com.

Recent Testimonials by Brand Ambassadors on their Experience with Whom You Know

"I work with Peachy Deegan because she's prolific at what she does. She's a hard worker, she's thoughtful and she's tasteful at what she writes which is very important. Peachy gets the facts correct, and just that alone is worth its weight in gold."

-Edward Tricomi, Master Stylist and Owner of Warren-Tricomi
https://warrentricomi.com/

"No one has yet to express their taste for our cuisine better than Peachy Deegan on Whom You Know. Thank you for transforming our flavor into words, unlike any other before.
Sometimes WHOM YOU KNOW, really makes a difference and Ammos Estiatorio is grateful to know Peachy Deegan!"
-
Dimitris Nakos, Founder and Owner of
Ammos Estiatorio
https://ammosnewyork.com/

“Whom You Know has done an amazing job of featuring our company over many years [seven]. Peachy has worked tirelessly to create a well-curated selection of topics and brands that are clearly of relevance to her growing audience of readers. Her articles are filled with great insights based on first-hand experience. She does her research, knows her business and is a pleasure to work with!”

-David Sasuga, Owner of Fresh Origins Microgreens
www.FreshOrigins.com

"Peachy Deegan has the pulse of the nation and highlights exceptional opinion leaders in more than 23,000 inspiring and entertaining posts. Her 100,000 twitter followers are a true testimony to Peachy’s ability to inspire, motivate and entertain. She is a feminine force to be reckoned with and an exemplary example of an influential voice in today’s world."

-Mica Mosbacher, author of the new book The Hurricane Factor: Stormside Patriots and tv political commentator

"It was an honour to be chosen for Movers and Shakers by Peachy Deegan. The questions in the interview were intelligent and insightful and I thoroughly enjoyed answering them. The reaction to the interview has been overwhelmingly positive and has helped bring my art practice to a wider audience."
-Damien Flood, Internationally Acclaimed Artist
http://www.damienflood.ie/

"We were so fortunate to hit Peachy’s radar. Her review of our Warmies was spot-on and came at a great time in our company’s early history.
Peachy has such a strong relationship with her readers. She provides honest and real comments; she is truly a trusted source in a very large circle
of consumers."
-Scott Wehrs
President
Intelex U.S.A.
http://www.intelexusallc.com/

"We at Primola love working with Whom You Know and are proud to have been a highly-ranked Manhattan restaurant by Peachy Deegan since 2012, and are featured seasonally. We appreciate the fantastic work Peachy does highlighting our cuisine with her sublime writing style and the whole neighborhood of the Upper East side. Also, we are glad that she has started a Made in Italy column! If you have the opportunity to be considered for review, we'd highly recommend working with her."
-Giuliano Zuliani, Owner of Primola Restaurant
https://www.facebook.com/Primola-Canaletto-restaurants-NYC-135616799831091

"
Peachy Deegan is a gem. She is wonderful to feature our Irish brands in 'Whom You Know'! The articles are beautifully and passionately presented, bringing products and brands to life, making both relevant and fun for her many faithful followers to read. I am immensely proud for our hand-crafted products to be included in this venue!"

-
Bill Follett
President, Belleek Group North America
www.Belleek.com

"As you know from my past features, Peachy Deegan and I were in the same class at Boston College prior to either of us becoming entrepreneurs. When we played together on the BC Alumni softball team in Central Park years ago, she mentioned she could not find a great dentist in Manhattan and could often be found networking on her phone in the outfield hiding from the ball. She was my second patient ever in 2006 when I opened my dental practice; I was one of the first sponsors on Whom You Know and the first Mover and Shaker featured in 2009 and have worked with her continuously since. She's even talked her friends that are doctors into being my patients, and they subsequently send their hospital colleagues. I don't know anyone that is as great of a networker and writer as Peachy, nevermind that she is upstanding and always good for her word. Cosmopolitan Dental is so happy to be in the company of the caliber of major brands she works with today, and although she will tell you a million ways to get your teeth dirty between Peachy's Picks, Terrific Takeout and Peachy's Pantry, Peachy Deegan will tell you there is only one way to get your teeth clean!"
-Dr. Garo Nazarian, Founder and Owner of Cosmopolitan Dental
http://cosmopolitandental.com/