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Ellen and Edy: A biography of Ellen Terry and her daughter, Edith Craig, 1847-1947
Book by Melville, Joy
- GenresBiography
293 pages, Hardcover
First published November 19, 1987
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 17, 2025
i very rarely write long reviews but since this book has very few reviews on here and this biography is somewhat local to me and my family, i will write a long review for it.
firstly, i think the writing was very charming, in some places it felt somewhat possibly biased, but instead of being in a way in which it may try to control the readers opinions it seemed more a reflection of what was accurate and came across quite witty and humorous, especially the line about oscar widle writing to ted and ellen putting a stop to it, which i found shockingly funny,
the writing was lovely in my opinion, very clearly factual and informed but i didnt find it heavy or off putting, although i very seldom read non-fiction so dont really have a built preference.
i loved the chapter names, and loved the beginning, the lolita-like story of watts and ellen was sweet and i found it endearing to read about, and i am curious about this painter and his repressed sexuality which fuelled his melancholy. even though the biography was not of him, it was clear Joy knew about him and wanted to know as much about him as was relevant, and i found it really added to the story.
the biography naturally progressed to ellens adulthood, which i found less endearing and interesting but found her love for the countryside was nice, although godwin was not my favourite to read about since i thought she deserved better.
the biography picked up again as it delved into the unique relationship that edy and ellen held, the jealousy and strong feminism and lesbianism which was the later part of this book.
i found this part lovely, especially the use of ellens real letters regarding edy, and found their relationship sparked a lot of endearment in me again.
ellens short marriages were easily missed for me, of no fault of the writer of course, but edys strong personality and relationship with chris and tony was very interesting to read.
it ended in a loving yet reserved way, which i appreciate.
all in all, i found this biography a steady, reliable read. my interest never faltered and my interest in certain parts and faint disinterest in others is a mere reflection of my interest overall instead of disinterest.
i loved this biography, and tabbed my favourite quotes throughout. it was strong and funny, and i can see myself re reading it at a different time in my life when i might seek ellens guidance which she offered her daughter as she grew older.
firstly, i think the writing was very charming, in some places it felt somewhat possibly biased, but instead of being in a way in which it may try to control the readers opinions it seemed more a reflection of what was accurate and came across quite witty and humorous, especially the line about oscar widle writing to ted and ellen putting a stop to it, which i found shockingly funny,
the writing was lovely in my opinion, very clearly factual and informed but i didnt find it heavy or off putting, although i very seldom read non-fiction so dont really have a built preference.
i loved the chapter names, and loved the beginning, the lolita-like story of watts and ellen was sweet and i found it endearing to read about, and i am curious about this painter and his repressed sexuality which fuelled his melancholy. even though the biography was not of him, it was clear Joy knew about him and wanted to know as much about him as was relevant, and i found it really added to the story.
the biography naturally progressed to ellens adulthood, which i found less endearing and interesting but found her love for the countryside was nice, although godwin was not my favourite to read about since i thought she deserved better.
the biography picked up again as it delved into the unique relationship that edy and ellen held, the jealousy and strong feminism and lesbianism which was the later part of this book.
i found this part lovely, especially the use of ellens real letters regarding edy, and found their relationship sparked a lot of endearment in me again.
ellens short marriages were easily missed for me, of no fault of the writer of course, but edys strong personality and relationship with chris and tony was very interesting to read.
it ended in a loving yet reserved way, which i appreciate.
all in all, i found this biography a steady, reliable read. my interest never faltered and my interest in certain parts and faint disinterest in others is a mere reflection of my interest overall instead of disinterest.
i loved this biography, and tabbed my favourite quotes throughout. it was strong and funny, and i can see myself re reading it at a different time in my life when i might seek ellens guidance which she offered her daughter as she grew older.
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May 14, 2025“A biography of Ellen Terry and her daughter, Edith Craig, 1847-1947
• Ellen Terry lived during the reign of Queen Victoria when women were required to live according to the strictest of moral codes. She broke the rules of that code, marrying three times, living with her lover, Edward Godwin by whom she had two illegitimate children. Yet, paradoxically, she demonstrates in her life and in her beliefs the concerns of her age and, despite her huge public fame - modern equivalents might be Madonna or Meryl Streep - she has remained an enigmatic figure. Her daughter, Edith Craig, was a talented theatre producer and costume designer, a suffragette who founded the Pioneer Players and who lived for most of her life with another woman, Christopher St John. Joy Melville focuses on the everyday lives, and the loves, of Ellen and Edy. Whilst she follows Ellen's adventures in England and America and her relations with, among others, Edward Godwin, Henry Irving and George Bernard Shaw, this is above all the story of the stormy, mutually possessive, but ultimately strong and loving bond between a remarkable mother and daughter. Edith Craig emerges for the first time as a person worthy of attention in her own right, and the biography is enhanced by carefully chosen and illuminating illustration.”
• Ellen Terry lived during the reign of Queen Victoria when women were required to live according to the strictest of moral codes. She broke the rules of that code, marrying three times, living with her lover, Edward Godwin by whom she had two illegitimate children. Yet, paradoxically, she demonstrates in her life and in her beliefs the concerns of her age and, despite her huge public fame - modern equivalents might be Madonna or Meryl Streep - she has remained an enigmatic figure. Her daughter, Edith Craig, was a talented theatre producer and costume designer, a suffragette who founded the Pioneer Players and who lived for most of her life with another woman, Christopher St John. Joy Melville focuses on the everyday lives, and the loves, of Ellen and Edy. Whilst she follows Ellen's adventures in England and America and her relations with, among others, Edward Godwin, Henry Irving and George Bernard Shaw, this is above all the story of the stormy, mutually possessive, but ultimately strong and loving bond between a remarkable mother and daughter. Edith Craig emerges for the first time as a person worthy of attention in her own right, and the biography is enhanced by carefully chosen and illuminating illustration.”
January 17, 2026
I am not sure how or why I picked up this book..its tatty enough to suggest a charity shop purchase and maybe a multi deal buy given lack of prior awareness of the subject matter.
What we have here is a mother and daughter and lives led large on and off stage.
It's maybe difficult to guage the influence of the actresses in the modern era as they are exiting life as film happens meaning recorded testament of greatness just isn't there.
However longevity of career and anecdotal information suggests formidable talent.
The era itself is also interesting as is the bewildering amount of plays some of which now are maybe lost in time but of interest more than those that stand because of that, in fact the sketching of the plots of some make for very interesting reading.
Politics of the time also effects the drama which in itself suggests a revolutionary spirit.
What we have here is a mother and daughter and lives led large on and off stage.
It's maybe difficult to guage the influence of the actresses in the modern era as they are exiting life as film happens meaning recorded testament of greatness just isn't there.
However longevity of career and anecdotal information suggests formidable talent.
The era itself is also interesting as is the bewildering amount of plays some of which now are maybe lost in time but of interest more than those that stand because of that, in fact the sketching of the plots of some make for very interesting reading.
Politics of the time also effects the drama which in itself suggests a revolutionary spirit.
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February 25, 2025I found this too heavy to read personally
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews