Lady Curzon's India

by Mary Curzon, John Bradley (Editor)

Gathers letters written by the wife of the British Viceroy of India to her family in the United States, and describes the historical and biographical background of the correspondence

200 pages, Hardcover

First published September 5, 1985

Reviews

[Olwen White · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book a little disappointing. I was looking for a book to give an insight into Lady Curzon and the thought process behind preparation for one particular Durbar. The Delhi Durbar in 1903. Although some of her letters mention it as early as 1901, the book skips the actual event and the planning that went into it. This was a little surprising. As one of the larger Durbars in Lord Curzon's Viceroyalty, I was expecting it to be covered in detail.

Instead, this book is a view into the lives of stereotypical aristocracy. Lady Curzon's India is a collection of letters she wrote to her family. In them, she describes parties, entertaining, traveling around India, being too hot, and tiger hunting. I know she wasn't in the best health throughout her time in India, but even so, was her life really just about having tea and dressing for dinner?

The book's author states he chose the letters in this book carefully. I think he missed too many out. There are two many gaps leaving too many unanswered questions. This collection paints a rather stilted, one-sided, cardboard cutout of Lady Curzon. India, her India, is an afterthought. Maybe only added as a hook to draw people towards the book.

[Perí · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es una pena que sea sólo una selección de la correspondencia, donde deja entrever la vida de Lady Curzon mientras ostentó el título de virreina de la India.
Las cartas pueden parecer monótonas y repetitivas, poniendo atención se dejan entrever detalles de la vida familiar y social de lis Curzon que sería necesario contrastar con fuentes de el periodo.
Conforme avanzó la lectura, no dejé de preguntarme cuantos pasajes censuraron al hacer la selección y edición de la correspondencia porque eran incómodos en su momento.
En las cartas aparecen apelludos de aquellos considerados dignos de mención como los Churchill, Conan Doyle y los Carnarvon, entre muchos otros, pero también hay mucho que omite.
Hacen falta una nueva edición de esta correspondencia.

[Andie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to read more of this, but I unfortunately had to give it back to the library before finishing it. I also didn't get on very well with the turn of phrase the author who wrote the introduction and the description liked to use... they were just confusing and obtuse to me.

[Jann Grimes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved reading about this as I learned she is a relative of mine.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Letters of Vicerine, Lady Curzon & Viceroy Curzon to each other. Gives one an idea of how the more privledged class lived in India during 1800's. How difficult & tiring it must have been to travel at that time.
It also makes one understand how the natives could feel resentful towards the British.