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Dianaworld: An Obsession
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Expected 29 Apr 25For more than forty years, Diana, Princess of Wales, has been mythologized to the most extraordinary degree. Adored and lionized by some, ridiculed and traduced by others, Diana has always commanded a cultural presence unmatched by any other member of the royal family.
In Dianaworld, Edward White offers both a portrait of the princess and a group portrait of those who existed in her orbit—from her royal in-laws, her servants, and the dilapidated ranks of the British aristocracy from which she rose, to drag performers, artists, Britain’s ethnic minorities, and the Gen Z superfans who maintain her status as a cultural icon.
Drawing on a wide array of sources and perspectives, many never used in books about Diana or the royal family, White vividly recreates the world Diana lived in, explores the growth of her global reputation, and illuminates her lasting impact on the world she left behind.
In Dianaworld, Edward White offers both a portrait of the princess and a group portrait of those who existed in her orbit—from her royal in-laws, her servants, and the dilapidated ranks of the British aristocracy from which she rose, to drag performers, artists, Britain’s ethnic minorities, and the Gen Z superfans who maintain her status as a cultural icon.
Drawing on a wide array of sources and perspectives, many never used in books about Diana or the royal family, White vividly recreates the world Diana lived in, explores the growth of her global reputation, and illuminates her lasting impact on the world she left behind.
416 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication May 6, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 10, 2025
Thank you to Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ for gifting me this ARC.
I'm not going to go into great detail about this book. I enjoyed it, but I initially thought it would read more as a biography. Instead, this reads like an academic textbook at times. With that said, due to the format, it took me longer to read than I would have liked, but I enjoyed the material.
I'm not going to go into great detail about this book. I enjoyed it, but I initially thought it would read more as a biography. Instead, this reads like an academic textbook at times. With that said, due to the format, it took me longer to read than I would have liked, but I enjoyed the material.
January 29, 2025
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.*
Dianaworld details the phenomenon behind Princess Diana. She has been idolised by many and seen as an icon as well as one of the most memorable members of the royal family. Dianaworld describes who Diana was and her legacy whilst also discussing the press, the Royals, the British aristocracy, the ethnic minority community and the LGBTQ+ community.
This was really good and I enjoyed reading it. I’m giving this 4.5 stars rounded up to a 5. Personally, I was born after Princess Diana died so I never understood why people loved her so much but after reading this book I do. It’s clear now that people project what they want onto the image/legacy of Diana. I really enjoyed the parts about the press and the political sections. The truth is Diana was part of an aristocracy and we can never know what she would think of certain events/communities. This book makes a great point that Diana was someone who wanted a traditional conservative family. She did many great things but we can never know how she would be perceived in today’s society if she was still alive. This book touched on conspiracy theories (and effectively debunked them) and I really liked how balanced this felt. It wasn’t against Diana/the royals but it also wasn’t for them. This was a great read and I think an important one when you consider the place of the Royal family today. This book also had pictures in it which I liked and had never seen before.
Favourite Quotes:
“Diana's greatest ambition was not to tear down the monarchy but to future-proof it, which in her role as mother to the future king she had the capacity to do. It all goes to demonstrate that Diana is a crossbench emblem, proudly claimed by left and right, progressives and conservatives, who all see in her a reflection of themselves, and a means of accessing the critical issues.�
AND
In truth, most Americans with a fascination for the Crown can submit themselves to it secure in the knowledge that it will never be anything more than fantasy. As Katharine McGee puts it, "Amer-icans hate having to pay for anything, and we don't have to pay a dime for the upkeep of the British royal family, so therefore we can enjoy it completely guilt free."
Dianaworld details the phenomenon behind Princess Diana. She has been idolised by many and seen as an icon as well as one of the most memorable members of the royal family. Dianaworld describes who Diana was and her legacy whilst also discussing the press, the Royals, the British aristocracy, the ethnic minority community and the LGBTQ+ community.
This was really good and I enjoyed reading it. I’m giving this 4.5 stars rounded up to a 5. Personally, I was born after Princess Diana died so I never understood why people loved her so much but after reading this book I do. It’s clear now that people project what they want onto the image/legacy of Diana. I really enjoyed the parts about the press and the political sections. The truth is Diana was part of an aristocracy and we can never know what she would think of certain events/communities. This book makes a great point that Diana was someone who wanted a traditional conservative family. She did many great things but we can never know how she would be perceived in today’s society if she was still alive. This book touched on conspiracy theories (and effectively debunked them) and I really liked how balanced this felt. It wasn’t against Diana/the royals but it also wasn’t for them. This was a great read and I think an important one when you consider the place of the Royal family today. This book also had pictures in it which I liked and had never seen before.
Favourite Quotes:
“Diana's greatest ambition was not to tear down the monarchy but to future-proof it, which in her role as mother to the future king she had the capacity to do. It all goes to demonstrate that Diana is a crossbench emblem, proudly claimed by left and right, progressives and conservatives, who all see in her a reflection of themselves, and a means of accessing the critical issues.�
AND
In truth, most Americans with a fascination for the Crown can submit themselves to it secure in the knowledge that it will never be anything more than fantasy. As Katharine McGee puts it, "Amer-icans hate having to pay for anything, and we don't have to pay a dime for the upkeep of the British royal family, so therefore we can enjoy it completely guilt free."
March 31, 2025
Edward White’s Dianaworld: An Obsession offers a unique and multifaceted look at Princess Diana—not just as a royal icon, but as a cultural phenomenon whose influence extends far beyond the monarchy. Through a rich tapestry of perspectives, White explores the people and communities shaped by Diana’s presence, from aristocrats and palace staff to artists, drag performers, and modern-day superfans. While the book presents a fresh and deeply researched take on her legacy, its academic tone at times makes it feel more like a textbook, which may not appeal to all readers. Nonetheless, for those fascinated by Diana’s enduring impact, Dianaworld provides an insightful and thought-provoking read.
April 7, 2025
A book that looks into the global obsession with Princess Diana 👑. From her younger years as a wealthy Spencer, to her romance with Charles, to love affairs, to spiritual advisors, to motherhood, to her glowing role as the people’s princess� all topics are included. There is an inside look from media, tabloids and paparazzi. People loved or loathed her. Some were utterly obsessed. A true fashion icon. She rubbed elbows with celebrities and shook hands with refugees. (I had no idea she danced with John Travolta or was close with George Michael!) #dianaworld #edwardwhite #princessdiana #goodreads #goodreadsgiveaway #jillianhereforthebooks
February 23, 2025
*Thanks to WWNorton and the publisher for an advance reader copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.*
Dianaworld is about the phenomena of Diana and the legacy she has left behind in many different spaces. The book reads as an academia book filled with different types of essays about Diana. The many different essays are filled with topics such as Diana's relationship with the press, British politics, the LGBTQ+ community, and immigrants in the UK.
It is a good read if you want to learn more about Diana and what she meant to different groups of people.
Dianaworld is about the phenomena of Diana and the legacy she has left behind in many different spaces. The book reads as an academia book filled with different types of essays about Diana. The many different essays are filled with topics such as Diana's relationship with the press, British politics, the LGBTQ+ community, and immigrants in the UK.
It is a good read if you want to learn more about Diana and what she meant to different groups of people.
April 8, 2025
Dianaworld is a nuanced, compelling exploration of Princess Diana’s enduring legacy. Blending biography with cultural history, White examines the myth and meaning of Diana through fresh sources and unexpected perspectives, revealing the complexities of her influence across generations and social divides.
Dianaworld offers an intriguing and unconventional take on Princess Diana’s cultural legacy, with a sharp, multifaceted portrait of Princess Diana’s legacy.
Many thanks to Edelweiss and W. W. Norton & Company for providing an eARC of Dianaworld prior to publication.
Dianaworld offers an intriguing and unconventional take on Princess Diana’s cultural legacy, with a sharp, multifaceted portrait of Princess Diana’s legacy.
Many thanks to Edelweiss and W. W. Norton & Company for providing an eARC of Dianaworld prior to publication.
January 25, 2025
A comprehensive and well researched look at the world around Diana with behind-the-scenes glimpses of people's interactions with her. While the love for Diana comes through in the writing the author does provide quotes that are contradictory and perplexing. Perhaps because when people relate to her, they project their own feelings on her. It is for the reader to decide. I enjoyed the history and learned just a bit more about the "people's princess". A good read.
February 23, 2025
*very well-written and easy to read
*a stunning alternative to history!
*a must read for all Diana fans
*highly recommend
*a stunning alternative to history!
*a must read for all Diana fans
*highly recommend
March 22, 2025
This was a 3 star for me, a casual Diana fan. But I think it could be a 4 star for any hardcore fans. It read more like a highly detailed research paper presented in an academic setting than for a casual fan picking it up at a bookstore. That's not a bad thing; clearly, it was well-researched and written. Just not that interesting to me, I really don't need to know about her style of glottal stops. That level of detail was a little over the top but a Diana fanatic would probably love it.
April 5, 2025
Well written look at the life and death of Diana Spencer. Now I was never really a big British Royal fan and never was exposed to Diana and her followers as she died when I was just a year old but it was very interesting to read how much one person can be obsessed over. It was both surprising and sad the lengths some people would go to get to Diana. It really solidified the idea of lack of privacy in a world of being famous. I would not want to be known in exchange for my privacy revoked.
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