Untold Story imagines another ending to Princess Diana's life: one that involves a yaht, a lazy security staff, and a rowboat. In Monica Ali's new novel, she has invisioned a world where Princess Diana appears to the world as drown, but in fact, has faked her death, left everyone but her closest confidante behind, and started a new life in the United States.
As part of her new life,"Lydia" has no children, few good friends, and no meaningful relationships. Her need to escape life under worldwide scrutiny has come at a tremendous cost - the loss of her children, her family, and everything she knows. But in return, she can shop, eat at restaurants, swim in her pool, and volunteer at an animal shelter, all without worrying about what photo or ugly comments will emerge next. At least, until the Princess' most obsessed paparazzi stumbles upon her living in a tiny Midwest town.
Ali's book is a wonderful glimpse into the world that Princess Diana might have had, under very unusual circumstances. Ali is very careful never to refer to the Princess by name, but her identity is obvious, from the cover of the book to the intimate details she includes of the Royal Family. Ali did a tremendous amount of research about Diana's life, and the fruits of that research makes the story even more delicious.
As a teenager, I watched in awe as Diana walked down the aisle at St. Paul's Cathedral. Many years later, as a mother myself, I stood in shock and cried as I watched coverage of the wreckage that would end her life. The best part of Untold Story was getting to meet Princess Diana again, even if it was only a woman created out of talented Ms. Ali's imagination.
