Wallis Simpson
Her Lotus Year in 1920s China
Published on 10. July 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
352 pages
978-1-78396-880-0 (ISBN)
Description
The revealing story of the legendary Wallis Simpson's controversial and formative year in China in the 1920s.
'Compelling' Dr Amanda Foreman
'Fascinating' Lisa See
'Riveting' Anne Sebba
'Surprising' Anne de Courcy
'Convincing' Hugo Vickers
'Intriguing' Julia Boyd
'A book of fascinating revelations' Laurence Leamer
'Magisterial, beautifully written and impeccably researched' Alexander Larman
In her memoirs, Wallis Simpson described her time in China as her 'Lotus Year', referring to Homer's Lotus Eaters, a group living in a state of dreamy forgetfulness, never to return home. That year, however, was also used to damn her in the eyes of the British Establishment. Determined to 'save' the monarchy, the British government's 'China Dossier' of Wallis's rumoured amorous and immoral activities in the Far East portrayed her as sordid, debauched, influenced by foreign agents, and unfit to marry a king. But little was really known about how she spent that mysterious period in her life - until now.
Paul French, the New York Times bestselling author and award-winning historian of China, uncovers a completely different picture, portraying a woman of tremendous courage who may have acted as a courier for the US government, undertaking dangerous undercover diplomatic missions in a China torn by civil war. Despite the many challenges she faced, from violent riots to the breakdown of her abusive first marriage, it was there that she established her confidence and independence, developed her unique fashion sense, and forged friendships that would last a lifetime. She emerged from that year as the elegant, stylish, cosmopolitan and worldly woman for whom a king gave up his throne.
Wallis Simpson: Her Lotus Year in 1920s China takes a headlong dive into Wallis's early, formative years - and into the chaotic and thrilling China of the period - to explore the untold story of a woman too often maligned by history.
'Compelling' Dr Amanda Foreman
'Fascinating' Lisa See
'Riveting' Anne Sebba
'Surprising' Anne de Courcy
'Convincing' Hugo Vickers
'Intriguing' Julia Boyd
'A book of fascinating revelations' Laurence Leamer
'Magisterial, beautifully written and impeccably researched' Alexander Larman
In her memoirs, Wallis Simpson described her time in China as her 'Lotus Year', referring to Homer's Lotus Eaters, a group living in a state of dreamy forgetfulness, never to return home. That year, however, was also used to damn her in the eyes of the British Establishment. Determined to 'save' the monarchy, the British government's 'China Dossier' of Wallis's rumoured amorous and immoral activities in the Far East portrayed her as sordid, debauched, influenced by foreign agents, and unfit to marry a king. But little was really known about how she spent that mysterious period in her life - until now.
Paul French, the New York Times bestselling author and award-winning historian of China, uncovers a completely different picture, portraying a woman of tremendous courage who may have acted as a courier for the US government, undertaking dangerous undercover diplomatic missions in a China torn by civil war. Despite the many challenges she faced, from violent riots to the breakdown of her abusive first marriage, it was there that she established her confidence and independence, developed her unique fashion sense, and forged friendships that would last a lifetime. She emerged from that year as the elegant, stylish, cosmopolitan and worldly woman for whom a king gave up his throne.
Wallis Simpson: Her Lotus Year in 1920s China takes a headlong dive into Wallis's early, formative years - and into the chaotic and thrilling China of the period - to explore the untold story of a woman too often maligned by history.
Reviews / Votes
'Paul French depicts a glitzy period the future Duchess of Windsor spent in China' The Daily Telegraph'A new account of the months Simpson spent in China debunks the well-worn gossip about sexual adventures and opium addiction and even invites admiration for a 'buccaneering' woman'
The Observer
'French's book - beautifully told through meticulous historical research and examination of contemporary literature and film - gives the reader a vivid picture of what China must have been like for an American expat in the 1920s, and in fact tells a more interesting story.' The New York Times
' Her Lotus Years stays in the mind as a bright, shining, lively snapshot, delightful to read.' The Spectator
'In the newly-published Her Lotus Year, biographer Paul French forensically takes apart the most damning evidence - the China dossier - and proves that the stories made up around Wallis were never anything more more than desperate and shabby inventions.' MailOnline
'Those who already appreciate French's talents as a historical storyteller will find a story to savor. For those who haven't yet had the pleasure, Her Lotus Year is an excellent place to start.' Asian Review of Books
'Remarkable... [French] is brilliant at telling Wallis's story... I loved every page of it.' Selina Hastings, author of Sybille Bedford
'Lush and spicy... [French] strikingly renders an oft-fetishized time and place, countering the familiar mythologizing of both the Roaring Twenties, with its Eurocentric literary obsessions, and the path of China from dynastic to communist rule.' Kirkus Reviews
'Evokes Shanghai of the 1920s ... Recommended for readers interested in Simpson as well as China-U.S. diplomatic history.' Booklist
'A century on from her 'lotus year', it is time to reassess Wallis not as a wicked temptress but as an intelligent, ambitious woman who found herself caught in an impossible situation.' Alexander Larman, The Spectator
?
'Paul French has discovered a side of Wallis Simpson that few, if any, will ever have known existed... Her Lotus Year is a compelling exploration of a woman too often reduced to mere scandal, offering readers a fresh perspective on one of history's most enigmatic figures.' Dr. Amanda Foreman, New York Times bestselling author of Georgiana and A World on Fire
'Rumors have always swirled about the two 'missing' years Wallis Simpson spent in China. Here, China expert Paul French casts a detailed light on her stay, sifting fact from fiction, with some surprising conclusions.' Anne de Courcy, author of Husband Hunters
'Where does an unhappily married woman go in 1924 to seek peace of mind? To China, for adventure and glamour. What happens to her after this mysterious "lotus year"? She becomes none other than the Duchess of Windsor. A fascinating and very fun read.' Lisa See, New York Times bestselling author of Lady Tan's Circle of Women and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
'Riveting and fascinating, Paul French has put flesh on the bones in his detailed account of what Wallis really did in her 'Lotus Year.'' Anne Sebba, New York Times bestselling author of That Woman
'I thought there was nothing left to learn about the Duchess of Windsor. But Paul French has proven me wrong in this book of fascinating revelations.' Laurence Leamer, New York Times bestselling author of Capote's Women
'Expertly woven into the backdrop of 1920s China, French's new study challenges the cliches surrounding Wallis Simpson to reveal her in an intriguing new light.' Julia Boyd, author of A Dance with the Dragon
'At last, a respected writer about China, who knows what he is talking about... [French] fills in the Duchess of Windsor's year in China with prodigious and convincing research.' Hugo Vickers, bestselling author of Alice: Princess Andrew of Greece
'Paul French's expert knowledge of China brings a fresh and humanising perspective to Wallis Simpson, exposing some myths and filling an important gap in the literature.' Andrew Lownie, bestselling author of Traitor King
'Wallis Simpson's time in China between 1924 and 1925 has been too long shrouded in rumour and innuendo. Thank God, then, for Paul French, whose magisterial, beautifully written and impeccably researched account of the future Duchess of Windsor's activities during this period should henceforth be regarded as the definitive account. Forget the so-called "China Dossier", which probably never existed anyway; this is all you need to know about the woman who was never queen.' Alexander Larman, author of The Windsors at War
?
'Intriguing...erudite...and ably described by Paul French, Wallis Windsor's courage, charm, capability and vivacity were impeccable' Nicky Haslam, The Oldie
'Throughout Her Lotus Year, French brings to light these fascinating histories, telling a tale that will captivate any Sinophile.' The Hong Konger
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Dimensions
Height: 193 mm
Width: 125 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
262 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78396-880-0 (9781783968800)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Paul French was born in London and lived and worked in Shanghai for many years. His book Midnight in Peking was a New York Times bestseller and a BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week. He received the Mystery Writers' of America Edgar award for Best Fact Crime and a Crime Writers' Association (UK) Dagger award for nonfiction. His most recent book, City of Devils: A Shanghai Noir, received much praise with The Economist calling him a 'champion storyteller'. Both Midnight in Peking and City of Devils are currently in development for film.