The Elaine Stalker Duology: Westminster Intrigue Starts Here
For most readers, the absolute best place to start with Edwina Currie's fiction is her Elaine Stalker series. Written while Currie was still serving as an active Conservative Member of Parliament (MP), these books offer an authentic, sharp-witted, and highly scandalous look at the inner workings of British politics. The series must be read in publication order because the character arc and political climate carry over directly from the first book to the second.
- A Parliamentary Affair (1994): This debut novel introduces Elaine Stalker, a newly elected, ambitious MP from the North of England. As she navigates the patriarchal corridors of Westminster, she enters into a passionate, secret affair with a charismatic government whip. The book is famous for its steamy scenes and insider details of parliamentary life.
- A Woman's Place (1996): This sequel continues Elaine's story as she rises through the political ranks, attempting to balance her political survival with the heavy price of her personal secrets. It explores the sacrifices women make in high-level politics.
Standalone Novels: From Sci-Fi to Coming-of-Age
Currie's standalone fiction shows a surprising range, moving away from contemporary political thrillers into historical coming-of-age stories and even futuristic science fiction. These can be read in any order:
- She's Leaving Home (1997): A major departure from her Westminster stories, this coming-of-age novel is set in Currie's hometown of Liverpool in 1963. It follows Helen Majinsky, a young Jewish girl who dreams of university life and escaping her traditional family dynamics, set against the backdrop of the rising Merseybeat and Beatles era.
- The Ambassador (1999): A unique diplomatic thriller set a hundred years in the future. The story details a futuristic European Union, focusing on high-stakes geopolitical maneuvers, espionage, and negotiations.
- This Honourable House (2001): A return to the political arena, this novel is set against the backdrop of a landslide victory for a party resembling New Labour. It covers themes of political spin, media control, and the personal struggles of newly elected politicians.
- Chasing Men (2001): A contemporary drama focusing on Hetty Clarkson, a middle-aged woman whose comfortable life falls apart after discovering her husband's infidelity. The novel explores the freedom and challenges of re-entering the dating scene later in life.
The Non-Fiction and Infamous Diaries
For readers who want the real Westminster behind the fiction, Currie's non-fiction works—particularly her diaries—are essential reading. They offer a historical record of the late Thatcher and Major administrations:
- Life Lines (1989): Focuses on Currie's health advocacy and policy campaigns during her tenure as Junior Health Minister.
- What Women Want (1990): Explores the changing role of women in British society and politics.
- Three Line Quips (1992): A lighthearted collection of witty quotes and remarks gathered from the House of Commons.
- Diaries, 1987–1992 (Published 2002): Currie's most famous and controversial book, which revealed her secret four-year affair with former Prime Minister John Major. It provides a fascinating, unfiltered look at high-level political decisions.
- Diaries, 1992–1997 (Published 2012): Covers the twilight years of the Major government, the rise of Tony Blair's New Labour, and Currie's eventual departure from active politics.
A Note on "Dorothy" (1991)
Many online bibliographies list "Dorothy" as a 1991 book authored by Edwina Currie. In reality, this book is Dorothy: The Memoirs of a Nurse, 1889-1989, written by Dorothy Moriarty. Currie, who was a high-profile health minister at the time, only wrote the foreword to this biography.
Short Story Anthologies
For a quick taste of Currie's writing style, readers can check out her short story contributions:
- Great Modern Stories (2009): Features selected short fiction showcasing her contemporary narrative voice.
- Short Stories: The Thoroughly Modern Collection (2009): A collection of brief tales exploring modern relationships and power dynamics.