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Three Times a Countess
- The Extraordinary Life and Times of Raine Spencer
- Narrated by: Alix Dunmore
- Length: 9 hrs and 21 mins
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Three Times a Countess
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Summary
TELEGRAPH 50 BEST BOOKS OF 2022
Debutante of the year. Able politician. Femme fatale. Just some of the many labels attached to the irrepressible, controversial Raine Spencer: Countess, socialite and stepmother to Diana, Princess of Wales. But who was the real Raine? What was hidden behind the immaculately manicured public façade and her overwhelmingly negative tabloid image?
From her childhood days as daughter of romantic novelist powerhouse, Barbara Cartland, to Westminster councillor and wife of Earl Spencer, Three Times a Countess recounts Raine's compelling and glamorous life, revealing her to be a powerful, accomplished woman who, after a tumultuous relationship, reconciled with Diana to become the Princess's closest confidante and a key witness at the inquest into her death.
To her friends, Raine was shrewd, intelligent, witty and loyal; to her enemies, pushy, overly flamboyant and ruthless. From a career spanning local politics to dealing with the fortunes of Althorp; from taking on the Spencer family estate to her final role as a board member at Harrods, Raine's life was, by any standards, a success . Yet she could not sway the powerful media narrative which pitted her as 'the evil stepmother' at every turn.
A societal whirl of London Seasons, family feuds, politics, pomp and 'big hair', Gaudoin's vibrant history of the Countess sets the record straight once and for all, drawing insight from those who knew Raine most. Three Times a Countess reveals a sophisticated, determined woman whose loyalty knew no bounds and whose cache of secrets would have worried even the most upright of royals.
Critic reviews
"A sparkling biography of a fascinating woman." (Lynn Barber, Telegraph)
"Gaudoin's book is revealing and hugely entertaining. Highly recommended." (Daily Mail)
"Gaudoin tells these delicious stories with brio." (Sunday Times)
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What listeners say about Three Times a Countess
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ralphie
- 28-07-23
Very Good
The Extraordinary Life and Times of Raine Spencer, enjoyable and well narrated. An interesting part of our history I knew little about.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ms A Raney
- 29-09-23
Fabulous woman, read very well.
Pleasantly read and offering a wonderful look at Raine Spencer’s life. A good balance to the “wicked stepmother” image portrayed in the tv documentary. She was remarkable!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jacqueline
- 21-08-23
Definitely an Adventure
What a beautifully read and written book. I knew little about Raine when I started this but curious I gave it a go…and was captivated from the start.. I now feel as if I was with her through her life and know her ….what an amazing lady…those who knew her where truly blessed. This would make a great mini series ..but who would believe it…this proves facts are more powerful than fiction … the reader has wonderful diction and made listening a joy too. Don’t hesitate to order this as it won’t let you down. I feel Raine was a last of that generation of ladies ..from an other century..groomed poised and never putting a foot wrong. We will never see her like again…a Door closed to that era when she died.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Tim x
- 20-01-24
The time line between her mother BC, her marriages and relationship with Diana. He
You would see news reports about her or what someone was accusing her of doing/saying in the daily press.
This book sets them all out accurately and as such her life and style was clearer to see and thus leaves the reader to decide how the press felt and dealt with Raine
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jonathan
- 01-04-24
Enlightening
Always had a third hand view of Raine Spencer but I I think she had a lot of admirable qualities (some not so much but who doesn’t) and I left the book feeling I understood her more. I admire the way she kept her counsel and remained glamorous to the last without surgical intervention. Sadly women of that level of genuine glamour who are not full of plastic must be few and far between now.
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- Survivor
- 10-10-23
loved this book.
A really nice, well researched read, highly recommend. sometimes funny, sometimes shocking, you learn more about the world that gave us the late Princess of Wales.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ian Cobb
- 19-03-24
A book that needs reading
We all remember Raine as ‘acid raine’ but this book shows what a delightful, loyal, discreet woman she was. So pleased i read it. A Fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable listen.
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- LisaThomas
- 14-11-22
Highly Enjoyable
Brilliant and fascinating story made even more enjoyable having it read by the ear pleasing Alix Dunmore.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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- Hotfooter
- 16-09-23
Great story amazing woman
I worked at the GLC under “Lady D” in 1970. Amazing woman even then with a formidable reputation. This book is an excellent exposition of her life and the social history surrounding it. The aristocracy exposed for the spoilt brats that most of them are.
The reader speaks a little too quickly for my liking but otherwise good and draws the listener in to the Countess’s circle of ghastly entitled people.
Her heroic work saving Covent Garden was her best achievement.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 06-07-23
A surprisingly extraordinary story which I thoroughly enjoyed
Alix Dunmore read this story of a remarkable woman so well. As the book progressed I was only sorry I had not known Raine personally.
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