Yet another book about flappers for me - do I need to find a new genre??
Downloaded this to read on a four-day train journey and devoured it in two - s...moreYet another book about flappers for me - do I need to find a new genre??
Downloaded this to read on a four-day train journey and devoured it in two - six short, readable, fascinating biographies of half a dozen women whose lives intersected, personally as well as through their obvious common ground.
Whether you're a flapper-freak already or just want an introduction to some notable characters from the era before investing in more indepth biographies, this makes for a brilliant read.
Without distracting from the brilliantly-written book, it does go without saying that it paints a depressing portrait of life for women in the 20s - even the famous and privileged. Sexual abuse, vast inequality, violence.. important to know but can be hard to stomach.(less)
This book has obviously been brought out to coincide with the launch of the Gatsby movie, but unlike other tie-ins around at the moment (see previous...moreThis book has obviously been brought out to coincide with the launch of the Gatsby movie, but unlike other tie-ins around at the moment (see previous Z review!) this is an utterly fantastic read.
It's essentially lit-crit, but is so well-written, researched and gosh-darn interesting that it reads like a story in itself. Although I thought I knew Gatsby well, this book taught me loads and I now need to go back and read it... yet again... Also loved some of the very gentle, subtle dismissal of some common twenties misconceptions that are often popularised in modern interpretations.
The real-life events in the press and goings-on with the Fitzgeralds and their friends bring to life the book in an entirely new way - great for Gatsby geeks and newcomers to the book alike.
I'm a big Fitzgerald geek (bore, some might say...) and have read lots of biographies and letter compilations as well as work by both Scott and Zelda....moreI'm a big Fitzgerald geek (bore, some might say...) and have read lots of biographies and letter compilations as well as work by both Scott and Zelda. Despite this, I went into the book open-minded and trying not to view it as a Gatsby film tie-in!
Fowler is obviously extremely knowledgable about Scott and Zelda and I was really interested to see that she had lectured in Alabama too, clearly giving her a feel for living in the South and the language, foods and customs unique to the area.
Sadly, despite my open mind and Fowler's knowledge, this book just didn't really capture Zelda for me. Of course the story was a great read - their lives were fascinating and the book covers lots of interesting times and events in the couple's history. The voice just didn't feel like Zelda, which I know sounds stupid as she obviously isn't writing it... But it just didn't do it for me, sorry! As a book about a twenties couple, it makes for a fun holiday read. As an imagined Zelda biography, it fell short in my eyes.
On a related note, I did really enjoy The Paris Wife by Paula McLain recently, which is a fictionalised account of Hadley Hemingway, wife of Ernest. Maybe that's because I know less about her than I do about Zelda, but I thought that documented 'lost generation' era Paris and the lives of those authors much more authentically.(less)
I've long been interested in the wave of US millionaires marrying Brit aristocracy, and have read and enjoyed biographies of Va...moreAnother Persephone hit!
I've long been interested in the wave of US millionaires marrying Brit aristocracy, and have read and enjoyed biographies of Vanderbilts, Catons and Randolphs - and as a dedicated Downton fan, I'm also looking forward to Fellowe's upcoming drama on the Gilded Age.
... all of which is a long winded way of saying I thoroughly.enjoyed this book. I downloaded it to read on holiday and it was a total page-turner complete with baddies, goodies and romance. If that makes it sound trashy, it really isn't - it's just a cracking good story.
I did think that things tied up a tiny bit fast, but otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed.(less)
I've read other Edith Wharton books that I've preferred, that's for sure...
It took me until book two to really get into the story and even then I stru...moreI've read other Edith Wharton books that I've preferred, that's for sure...
It took me until book two to really get into the story and even then I struggled with an intense dislike of the leading lady. I seem to be reading a lot of books lately with frustrating front women - need something with someone a bit stronger and more admirable next, I think!(less)
This had been on my reading list for years but I have to confess that I had no idea it was regarded as such trashy chick lit - my bad!
Currently on sab...moreThis had been on my reading list for years but I have to confess that I had no idea it was regarded as such trashy chick lit - my bad!
Currently on sabbatical with a few months travelling and found this in a second-hand store for $1 and picked it up... couldn't resist. Luckily for me, we were heading to the beach because this is perfect beach reading!
Finished it in just over a day and thoroughly enjoyed it - yes it's total trash but its thoroughly enjoyable and total escapism. Some plots seemed completely ridiculous (as opposed to a bit ridiculous for most of it) - the lesbian affair, for instance...
Thoroughly fun anyway, can't wait to see the film!(less)
I'm a long term Hemingway fan and this had been on my list.for ages. Following a recent read of Moveable Feast, I found myself in a second-hand book s...moreI'm a long term Hemingway fan and this had been on my list.for ages. Following a recent read of Moveable Feast, I found myself in a second-hand book store on vacation with this staring back at me. Obviously I had to have it!
Completely forgot it was fiction at many points, it's perfectly written and - from my Hemingway knowledge - seemed fairly accurate. There are times when you want to shake Hadley, but having read more about her later life, she definitely came out of things better.
A romping good story that is faithful to the truth - great holiday read.(less)
This book is lovely but my goodness, so difficult to read. I don't blame the book entirely for the obscene length of time i...moreFINALLY BLOODY FINISHED IT!
This book is lovely but my goodness, so difficult to read. I don't blame the book entirely for the obscene length of time it took me to finish this - work, life, sabbatical all got on the way.
It is very difficult to read though - Zelda's writing is as complex as everything else about her, it seems.
As a lifelong Fitzgerald devotee I feel ashamed that it took me so long to read some of Zelda's work - it's fascinating to see another side to this much-documented couple though, and reading this after all of his work and a few biographies makes everything fall into place even more.
Her writing style really is tough as everyone says but it's a lovely story with some really beautiful parts. Persevere....(less)
Another masterclass in writing from Mr Hemingway which makes me immediately want to drive around France drinking white wine or head up to the mountain...moreAnother masterclass in writing from Mr Hemingway which makes me immediately want to drive around France drinking white wine or head up to the mountains for some skiing... Just like Fiesta makes me want to head to Spain for fishing and even more white wine.
Particularly enjoyed the insights into the lives of other literary and artistic notables in Paris at the time. As a big fan, I thoroughly enjoyed the stories about the Fitzgeralds - and the one about the Louvre in particular...
As well as providing a fascinating insight into the era, the book also serves as a sad love letter to Hadley, Ernest's first wife. He may not have treated her particularly well towards the end of their marriage, but this book (which was written as he neared the end of his life) is a beautiful look back at what once was.(less)
A friend received a review copy of this and passed it on to me as she knows I am a 1920s nut. While it was certainly an interesting enough read, it wa...moreA friend received a review copy of this and passed it on to me as she knows I am a 1920s nut. While it was certainly an interesting enough read, it was a bit too lightweight for me I think - as I say, I am a total obsessive about this era and it didn't cover any new ground for me.
That said, if you're a newcomer to the era of the bright young things and want an introductory book to have a browse through, it certainly covers a lot of ground. It's the ideal book to dip in and out of - particularly over Christmas, which is when I read it. Everything is touched on - from celebrities and key characters of the era to cocktails, crime and literature.
There's no more than about a paragraph on every subject, with lots of lists and short profiles of key characters. This means it covers plenty of ground, although I suspect that if you were a newcomer to this era it would leave you wanting to know more aout some of the stories covered.
All in all, it's a light enough read and fun to browse through, but is really a very basic introduction to what I consider to be a fascinating era.
Despite having read numerous reviews, I was still surprised at just how dark this book is - couldn't be any more different to Cold Comfort Farm and We...moreDespite having read numerous reviews, I was still surprised at just how dark this book is - couldn't be any more different to Cold Comfort Farm and Westwood.
The last couple of chapters thoroughly creeped me out and I think I read the whole last half of the book faster than any last half of any book in recent memory! Gibbons builds the tension incredibly well and - cliche alert - I couldn't put the book down towards the end.
Fantastically well-written and incredibly creepy - can't believe this was out of print so long, it's a must-read.(less)
Brilliant coming-of-age book in a similar vein to I Capture the Castle. A really comforting, wonderful read but painful at times with the perfectly-do...moreBrilliant coming-of-age book in a similar vein to I Capture the Castle. A really comforting, wonderful read but painful at times with the perfectly-documented commentary on what it is to be an awkward teenager full of uncertainty.
"She tried to repeat it indifferently, as if correcting what of course had been a mere slip of the tongue..."
In fact, sod being an awkward teenager - it's a passage that still makes me squirm as an awkward adult!(less)
It took me a while to get into this book - in fact, I found the entire first half quite hard going and it wasn't until I got to the second that I star...moreIt took me a while to get into this book - in fact, I found the entire first half quite hard going and it wasn't until I got to the second that I started to really enjoy it.
I found it quite confusing and slow going and also didn't particularly warm to any of the characters.
Not entirely sure how, but somehow the second half suddenly lifted the entire thing an I found myself thoroughly enjoying it and caring about the characters. I ended up really enjoying it and feel like I may have to give it a second read now to see if I enjoy the first half more!
A struggle for me to begin with, but the brilliant second half somehow totally transforms it and makes it totally worth reading.(less)
Not the best biography I've ever read, but a good introduction to a fascinating woman nevertheless. The slightly disjointed writing style was actually...moreNot the best biography I've ever read, but a good introduction to a fascinating woman nevertheless. The slightly disjointed writing style was actually pretty endearing, combining family accounts with interviews and facts garnered from letters and diaries.
As others have suggested, the book probably teaches you more about Thelonious Monk than Nica herself - still, their lives were so closely interlinked that I suppose that's inevitable even if it does leave you wishing for more facts about the Baroness herself!
A good read all in, just want to know more about her now...(less)
I've read a few negative reviews of this book which claim that 'nothing happens' - but for me that's almost part of the appeal as it makes you focus e...moreI've read a few negative reviews of this book which claim that 'nothing happens' - but for me that's almost part of the appeal as it makes you focus entirely on Stevenson's writing.
It reminded me slightly of Denis Mackail's Greenery Street; another book set in a similar area which simply covers the day-to-day life of married couple without much in the way of a plot - again, it's all about the writing.
Mrs Tim, as you've no doubt read, is an edited version of the diary written by Stevenson herself documenting her life as a military wife in the interwar years. She lent the diary to a friend's daughter who was marrying a solider and they enjoyed it so much that they encouraged her to publish it.
I expected something slightly sappy but actually this book is much more dry with some extremely funny bits and some fairly poignant bits too. Stevenson not only has a gift for making the day-to-day seem fascinating but also for bringing to life the houses, farms and countryside where she spends her time.
There were a few moments when I was frustrated that she couldn't see the blindingly obvious - with Major Morley and Alastair - buy then these things are always more obvious to other people, particularly when written down!
A really comforting, lovely book that offers a bit of escapism - who needs complex plot twists anyway?!(less)
A fascinating romp through the popular history of booze, from Vikings to Victorians and beyond.
There were a few sections that I wish Gately had gone i...moreA fascinating romp through the popular history of booze, from Vikings to Victorians and beyond.
There were a few sections that I wish Gately had gone into more detail on, but I suspect that's more down to my personal interest in certain eras rather than any failing on his part. He kept every section lively and interesting and the book was genuinely laugh-out-loud in parts. Also packed full of (honestly!) fascinating facts which I bored my colleagues/friends/family with at length - and bookmarked, so I could tell people more in the future.
A great read for anyone with an interest in popular culture, as well as those with an interest in booze!(less)
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