What if Diana Had Lived?
Monica
Ali's forthcoming novel, Untold Story, imagines the life of Princess Diana — had she not died in the Alma tunnel in Paris in 1997. Scheduled for release on June 28, this novel about one of the world's most famous women by an edgy British novelist is bound to get lots of attention.
Diana would have turned 50 this year. In the New York Times, Ali says “when she [Diana] died, she seemed to be at some kind of crossroads in her life. Over the years since her death, I’ve sometimes found myself wondering how she would have matured into her 40s and beyond.”
The critical reaction to Untold Story will be most interesting – fanatical Diana worshipers intersecting with the politicized fanbase of Monica Ali. 
It's not the first time Diana has been fictionalized (there are thrillers based on the conspiracy theories around her death). However, Monica Ali brings literary cred to the table – her debut novel, Brick Lane, was a critical sensation and was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.
In this case, the butler didn't do it.
New "Diana" books often elicit sniffs from 'serious' readers – perhaps justified considering the sheer volume published on the subject. Nonetheless, Diana continues to command our attention years after her death. And with Diana's ring sparkling on Kate Middleton's finger, the promise of more royal scrutiny is sure to follow. Indeed, Ali describes Diana as "a gorgeous bundle of trouble" who figuratively extended a graceful finger to the establishment.
Check the library catalogue nearer to the release date for Untold Story. In the meantime, you can read Monica Ali's other novels (In the Kitchen, Alentejo Blue) or catch up on some of the books and DVDs about the late princess.
- Diana: An Intimate Portrait (DVD)
- Diana Style by Colin McDowell
- Diana: Life Through a Lens (DVD)
- Diana: In Search of Herself by Sally Bedell Smith
- Ever After: Diana and the Life She Led by Anne Edwards
- The Day Diana Died by Christopher Anderson
- Diana by Sarah Bradford
- The People's Princess by Larry King
- Diana: The Last Word by Simone Simmons
- Diana: The Story of a Princess by Tim Clayton
- Diana: Death of a Goddess by David Cohen
- A Royal Duty by Paul Burrell (the butler…..) and the sequel, The Way We Were: Remembering Diana
2 thoughts on “What if Diana Had Lived?”
… cool.
What’s with the photo of “someone else” on the cover of “Untold story”?
Yes – it’s strange. This is the UK book cover (it is being released in March in the UK). There is no US cover available yet. In other news – Ali is a judge for the Man Asian Awards – the shortlist will be out on February 15.