Terrible and wonderful. It's a difficult book to review because it is a personal account of something I could never understand. I hope we never see thTerrible and wonderful. It's a difficult book to review because it is a personal account of something I could never understand. I hope we never see the like again....more
I have never been more glad not to be famous because the idea of my own bad poetry being published fills me with horror!
The book is beautiful but unsaI have never been more glad not to be famous because the idea of my own bad poetry being published fills me with horror!
The book is beautiful but unsatisfying in terms of written content. I think there are two types of diary entries- the introspective analysis of the self and the simple commentary of the days events. The latter is a far more interesting read and very much lacking in these collected fragments....more
Despite my many years I haven't actually read anything by Christie. I've watched a lot of the adaptations (prefer a Marple to a Poirot) and last year Despite my many years I haven't actually read anything by Christie. I've watched a lot of the adaptations (prefer a Marple to a Poirot) and last year I went to see The Mousetrap (I will never tell!).
Had I read her work before hand I likely would have gotten more from it however, the woman herself is absolutely fascinating, particularly when her story is told by Lucy Worsley.
Worsley books are always good, her writing is always engaging, persuasive but allows room for our own conclusions. A really great read....more
This book led me down a Julia Margaret Cameron search engine rabbit hole, made me desperate to dig out The Complete Works and encouraged me to finallyThis book led me down a Julia Margaret Cameron search engine rabbit hole, made me desperate to dig out The Complete Works and encouraged me to finally explore the writing of Virginia Woolf*. Indeed, this book has opened up so many new treasures- the paintings of Roger Fry, Rupert Brooke's war sonnets, the Neo-Pagans, the life and works of Vanessa Bell.
A good first chunk of the book is with Woolf and her obsession (perhaps even reliance upon?) with Shakespeare (or Shre for the initiated). This section started brilliantly but I found my interest began to wane with the breadth of analysis.
There are other Bloomsbury members are in residence and the book picks up again when we delve in to the Apostles. It all seems to hang upon Woolf however, her presence threaded throughout.
It does amble about a bit and to be truthful I am not quite sure of The Point but the writing is so beautifully flowy and the subject so captivating.
•Intend to start with 'Flush' her biography of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's cocker spaniel (lol)....more
This book is exhaustive. I have (willingly) lost days of my life to it. Writing is very sharp, research is meticulous with acknowledgements of its limThis book is exhaustive. I have (willingly) lost days of my life to it. Writing is very sharp, research is meticulous with acknowledgements of its limitations.
It did take a little bit to get in, much of the early sections are preoccupied with speculation on who MM may or may not have slept with. Also there is A LOT of info on the Kennedy's and the mob, if these subjects interest you then you will love it. I find them all a bit tedious yet I accept it is essential to the story to include them and to expatiate on these details.
The book tells a very external story of why she is, told through so many of those who knew her, recreating her, each in their own image. Perhaps apt for the most projected on person of the 20th century....more
Everything about this true story is desperately sad, maddening at times.
I found the book picked up more in the second half with the examination of theEverything about this true story is desperately sad, maddening at times.
I found the book picked up more in the second half with the examination of the trial and as always it is a fascinating and meticulous case from Kate Summerscale....more
Having an interest in vintage Hollywood this book is everything I expected- tragedy and toxic masculinity.
I wanted better for Harlow, constantly exploHaving an interest in vintage Hollywood this book is everything I expected- tragedy and toxic masculinity.
I wanted better for Harlow, constantly exploited even by her own family. She was a remarkable figure in a toxic, patriarchal society that tried to control her.
The writing in this book is excellent, Ostler has great style. There is a lot of contextual detail which I don't usually enjoy quite so much but it diThe writing in this book is excellent, Ostler has great style. There is a lot of contextual detail which I don't usually enjoy quite so much but it did feel very fitting in this biography.
Elizabeth Chudleigh had a very colourful life and I would love to see this dramatised. It would make excellent television!
My biggest struggle with the book (and one which may be unique to me) is that I never truly felt like I was getting to grips with who Chudleigh was.
There is some reference to the possibility she may have had borderline personality disorder every now and then but there is no convincing case for this and it is impossible to diagnose someone with something when one is not a psychiatrist and the subject long since deceased.
I just wanted to know more of her as a person but most of the story is told through the context within which Chudleigh always seemed a bit sidelined...more
I was particularly taken with the stories and letters of Catherine de Medici, who was not completely the villain I had previously beliWonderful book!
I was particularly taken with the stories and letters of Catherine de Medici, who was not completely the villain I had previously believed her to be.
Her courage, intellect, her scheming are all there but so are the stories of her efforts for peace, her delight at receiving sketches of her children playing in the nursery.
I knew much of Mary Stuart but little of Elisabeth of Valois. They come alive through their own letters and the words of those who knew them.
The book is worth reading just for the wonderful letters dictated by little 5 year old Francis to his mother Mary of Guise. They are a delight.
I also hope one day to have cause to write, as Catherine did to her daughter Elisabeth, "now, about these wenches..."...more
Published in the UK on the 14th Sept. Grateful to NetGalley for access to an advanced copy.
I went in to this book expecting to read about a 17th centuPublished in the UK on the 14th Sept. Grateful to NetGalley for access to an advanced copy.
I went in to this book expecting to read about a 17th century Kim Kardashian. It didn't disappoint, for Margaret Cavendish was just as polarising a figure in her time. A sadly familiar story of a woman's efforts to be taken seriously in a society determined to devalue her achievements and mock her fashion choices.
Francesca Peacock delves deep in Cavendish's writings to find her, searching for clues even in her handwriting. Much of her life was re-told within her work, it presents her version of events and much can be gleaned (and is artfully explored by Peacock) by events she omitted.
There are the stories of other women here too- the defiant Queen Henrietta Maria- who Cavendish journeyed to serve. The women who found their courage in the midst of civil war from the Bristolian women ready to stand strong against Prince Rupert, to the Countess who refused to surrender her home to the sieging forces. Even the few tales (though much concerned about) women who crossed dressed themselves in to military ranks like the heroines of folk songs.
The book explores her influence on other feminist writers such as Mary Astell and her parallel beliefs with 20th century women's movements. Cavendish is not the perfect feminist and the book doesn't shy away from showing her nuance and contradictions. Should she be of our time now she would make an excellent guest on The Guilty Feminist pod (I'm a feminist but "it is against nature for a woman to spell right").
I could go on an on about the revelations in this book (special mention to Lady Eleanor Butler and The Hon. Sarah Ponsonby who ran off to north Wales and named all their dogs Sapho) but the review will go on forever.
Not a true crime book-it is not gratuitous in regard to the horrific murder of Gianni. Instead it focuses on who he was within his family and they werNot a true crime book-it is not gratuitous in regard to the horrific murder of Gianni. Instead it focuses on who he was within his family and they were left bereft, completely unmoored by his death. It's a book about family and a book about fashion.
It's a deeply moving family biography but it does have it's light moments. It offers up fascinating glimpses in to the world of fashion, the creation of a globally renowned house of Versace (he really did change everything-honest!). There is no shying away from showing the more challenging parts of their characters, the siblings are full of contradictions, moments of cruelty and then moments of incredible generosity.
I was never particularly enamoured with Versace's designs (apart from THAT J-Lo dress!), I thought it all a bit gaudy but learning how this was the reaction of the fashion elite gave me new respect for Versace and his work, I love the audacity. Now I am full on Team Versace (Donatella stan for life!)....more
Truly awful story. The case of Louise Collins has no precedent and hopefully we will never see the like again, it took four trials before a jury couldTruly awful story. The case of Louise Collins has no precedent and hopefully we will never see the like again, it took four trials before a jury could make a decision on her case.
Overington does an excellent job of furnishing the reader with a comprehensive contextual account of the times in attempt to explain why such a thing could happen. It is important to know that it was shocking even of it's time. So often assumptions are made that past times were brutal but this is not always the case, there was still empathy, still people speaking out for unjust (as was also presented in Gaskill's 'Witchfinders').
It's an excellent book but has bummed me out quite a bit....more
Kim Philby was arguably the UK's most renowned traitor. This book answers some of the questions around how it happened and how it could have happened.Kim Philby was arguably the UK's most renowned traitor. This book answers some of the questions around how it happened and how it could have happened.
As with so many spy stories, truth proves stranger than fiction. Some of it is jaw dropping such as Graham Greene's (yes- THAT Graham Greene) war time brothel as a means of extracting intelligence from German officers.
Ultimately it is a sad story (Aileen broke my heart most of all) not just of the betrayal itself but the devastating, often lethal consequences.
McIntyre is a master hand in putting together the pieces of our history and delving deep in to the characters whilst allowing the reader to make up their own mind...more
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