The Bolter by Frances Osborne

About the Book:


In an age of bolters—women who broke the rules and fled their marriages—Idina Sackville was the most celebrated of them all. Her relentless affairs, wild sex parties, and brazen flaunting of convention shocked high society and inspired countless writers and artists, from Nancy Mitford to Greta Garbo. But Idina’s compelling charm masked the pain of betrayal and heartbreak. 
 
Now Frances Osborne explores the life of Idina, her enigmatic great-grandmother, using letters, diaries, and family legend, following her from Edwardian London to the hills of Kenya, where she reigned over the scandalous antics of the “Happy Valley Set.” Dazzlingly chic yet warmly intimate, The Bolter is a fascinating look at a woman whose energy still burns bright almost a century later. (from goodreads)


My Thoughts:


Fascinating account of the author's great grandmother, the notorious "bolter" and queen of Africa's Happy Valley set in the 1920's. Idina and her friends were beautiful, fabulously wealthy, and in search of excitement and adventure. Living in Edwardian England with its strict societal codes was not their style. In the wilds of Kenya, there was the thrill of the danger of the land and opportunities to live the kind of hedonistic lifestyle they craved. They were pleasure seekers who constantly partied and routinely swapped spouses and lovers. A typical Happy Valley party included dancing all night to the gramophone, drinking and drugging, and playing sex games. 

As you would expect from this type of lifestyle, tragedy and heartache was inescapable. Marriages crumbled, children were left to be raised by others, and jealous passions pushed some to the brink of suicide and even murder. 

A very engaging book about a glamorized group of socialites, but I was left never truly understanding their choices, nor did I feel much sympathy for their pain and woes.


4/5 stars

Title: The Bolter
Author: Frances Osbourn
Vintage
2008
genre: nonfiction; biography

* This book is from my personal library.

Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey by The Countess of Carnarvon

About the Book:

Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey tells the story behind Highclere Castle, the real-life inspiration for the hit PBS show Downton Abbey, and the life of one of its most famous inhabitants, Lady Almina, the 5th Countess of Carnarvon and the basis of the fictional character Lady Cora Crawley.  Drawing on a rich store of materials from the archives of Highclere Castle, including diaries, letters, and photographs, the current Lady Carnarvon has written a transporting story of this fabled home on the brink of war.

Much like her Masterpiece Classic counterpart, Lady Almina was the daughter of a wealthy industrialist, Alfred de Rothschild, who married his daughter off at a young age, her dowry serving as the crucial link in the effort to preserve the Earl of Carnarvon's ancestral home.  Throwing open the doors of Highclere Castle to tend to the wounded of World War I, Lady Almina distinguished herself as a brave and remarkable woman.

This rich tale contrasts the splendor of Edwardian life in a great house against the backdrop of the First World War and offers an inspiring and revealing picture of the woman at the center of the history of Highclere Castle. (from back cover)

My Thoughts:

It's no secret that I am a fan of the Downton Abbey series and have already featured a few Downton-esque books that help feed my addiction to the period and the upstairs/downstairs scenario. When I learned that the character of Lady Cora was inspired by women similar to the 5th Countess of Carnarvon, the Lady Almina, I knew I wanted to explore her story.

 And who better to give us a behind-the-scenes look at living in the beautiful and historic Highclere Castle than the present Countess of Carnarvon, Lady Fiona Carnarvon?

I devoured this book, and it was everything that I hoped it would be. Almina was a fabulously wealthy heiress who was contracted in marriage to the 5th Earl of Carnarvon. I was happy to learn that although theirs was an arranged marriage (her wealth was needed to pay for a heavily-in-debt estate), their relationship had a solid foundation in friendship and mutual admiration. She was a vivacious and energetic woman who took her role seriously as the Lady of the castle and supporter of Lord Carnarvon. She organized brilliant house parties and society balls, entertained royalty and the rich and famous, participated generously in charitable causes, and supported her husband's varied interests. The Lord Carnarvon was also quite an interesting person who had a passion for the technological advances of his time (he was quite the avid car collector and was fascinated with flying) and he loved to travel, especially to his beloved Egypt.( His long friendship with Howard Carter and the financial backing of the Carnarvons led to one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the twentieth century!) Their relationship was a happy one, and they enjoyed all the privileges of their rank and wealth.

When war entered their lives, we learn that Almina's true passion in life was born.  Almina looked for ways to aid those in need, and money from her staggeringly wealthy family was never denied. She spearheaded the project of opening Highclere Castle as a place of recuperation for wounded officers, and it is here that we learn of her amazingly progressive ideas and her passion for caring for the sick. She approached healing holistically, insisting that the patients of Highclere receive not only the best medical care for their  physical injuries, but their emotional and mental health was also a priority. Highclere provided a place of peace and restoration, and the Countess worked tirelessly for several years in the capacity as nurse and administrator.

Filled with photos, details of daily domestic duties of the downstairs inhabitants, fashion, society news, background on the war, and the fascinating story of the family's involvement in the discovery of the tomb of King Tut, this book is a portrait of Edwardian high society and a remarkable couple. Fans of Downton Abbey will detect many story lines of the show have their origins in the real history of Highclere Castle and the Carnarvon family.

4.5/5 stars

Title: Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle
Author: Lady Fiona Carnarvon (8th Countess of Carnarvon)
2011
Publisher: Broadway
310 pages
genre: biography/nonfiction

*This book is from my personal library.

To Marry An English Lord by Gail MacColl and Carol Wallace

"In 1895, nine American girls, including a Vanderbilt (railroads), LaRoche (pharmaceuticals), Rogers (oil) and Whitney (New York trolleys), married peers of the British new money, among them, a duke, an earl, three barons and a knight. It was the peak year of a social phenomenon that began when the entrenched members of old New York snubbed these "new money" families after the Civil War, sending them off to England in quest of class and bequeathing to us Anglomania, Preppy, the Jet Set, and even Princess Di.

Here is the American Heiress's story. Filled with tales of wealth and marriage, sex and snobbery -- and 100-year-old gossip that's still scorching -- To Marry an English Lord is a heavily illustrated and energetically presented popular history. A rich tapestry of essays, sidebars, fact-filled boxes, and lively anecdotes combined with a wealth of portraits, drawings, photographs, and other rare Victoriana -- it chronicles the era of Mrs. Astor, Edith Wharton, King Edward VII, and the Marlborough House Set. Over 100 heiresses swapped dollars for titles. To Marry an English Lord is the only book to tell how they did it."(from goodreads)

********

Today I am spotlighting a book for Downton Abbey fans that might be worthwhile trying to locate in your library for a look-see. I read in The World of Downtown Abbey that Julian Fellowes was inspired to create the character of Cora after reading To Marry an English Lord. It's more of a pictorial and anecdotal book so it looks like an enjoyable way to learn about this period in history.

I've been reading many posts around the blogosphere with requests for books that might be similar to the Downton Abbey plot, and I'm also on the lookout for similar books. I've ordered a used copy, so I'm looking forward to receiving it. (Especially since someone in my household removed the season 2 episodes from the DVR lineup in order to make room for American Idol and House of Anubis! grrr! I have plotted my revenge......tonight I am steaming broccoli and clauliflower for dinner --they will be clutching their throats and begging for mercy! That will teach them to muck with mom's Downton Abbey episodes!!!!!)

The World of Downton Abbey by Jessica Fellowes

A lavish look at the real world--both the secret history and the behind-the-scenes drama--of the spellbinding Emmy Award-winning Masterpiece TV series Downton Abbey

"April 1912. The sun is rising behind Downton Abbey, a great and splendid house in a great and splendid park. So secure does it appear that it seems as if the way it represents will last for another thousand years. It won't."

Millions of American viewers were enthralled by the world of Downton Abbey, the mesmerizing TV drama of the aristocratic Crawley family--and their servants--on the verge of dramatic change. On the eve of Season 2 of the TV presentation, this gorgeous book--illustrated with sketches and research from the production team, as well as on-set photographs from both seasons--takes us even deeper into that world, with fresh insights into the story and characters as well as the social history.
(from Amazon)

my thoughts:

Are you a fan of Masterpiece Theatre's Downton Abbey? Are you enthralled with all things related to the upstairs/downstairs world of the characters and their secrets and heartaches? Then this delightful and beautiful hardbound edition, The World of Downton Abbey by Jessica Fellowes, is for you!

For the ultimate Downton Abbey fan, there is glorious photography with text on the following chapters:

Family Life
Society
Change
Life in Service
Style
House and Estate
Romance
War
Behind the Scenes

It also includes suggestions for further reading on related topics which is very helpful.

The inside photographs and text are copyrighted material so I am not able to illustrate the content here, but click here to go to Amazon.com to view examples of the photography and content. My copy is staying on my coffee table for constant enjoyment! I love it!

Title: The World of Downton Abbey: The Official Companion to Seasons 1 and 2
Author: Jessica Fellowes
December 2011
St. Martin's Press
304 pages

The Daphne du Maurier Companion, Helen Taylor (Editor)

"Daphne du Maurier is one of Britain's best-loved authors, her writing captivating the imagination in a way that few have been able to equal. Rebecca, her most famous novel, was a huge success on publication in 1938 and brought du Maurier international fame. This enduring classic remains one of the nation's favourite books.

In this celebration of Daphne du Maurier's achievements, today's leading writers, critics and academics discuss the novel, short stories and biographies that made her one of the most spellbinding and genre-defying authors of her generation. The film versions of her books are also explored, including Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca and The Birds, and Nicolas Roeg's Don't Look Now.

Featuring interviews with her family, essays by contemporary authors, and a long-lost short story by the author herself, this is the essential companion to Daphne du Maurier's life and work."
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

The Daphne du Maurier Companion is a fascinating look at the personal and professional life of Daphne du Maurier (1907 - 1989), one of Britain's most popular authors. She was an extraordinarily talented author who created such memorable gothic tales such as Rebecca, Jamaica Inn, Frenchman's Creek, and the short story, The Birds, and many of her novels and stories have been made into equally popular adaptations for film, theatre, and television. I'm very intrigued by the "story behind the story," and often an examination of an author and his/her creations is as fascinating as any thrilling work of fiction. I first discovered du Maurier in high school when I read The House on the Strand, and I believe this was my first experience with an historical time travel plot -- I loved it and moved on to Rebecca, another great favorite of mine, and have been a fan of her writings ever since.

A deeply complex person, Daphne was raised in privilege as a daughter of a famous actor, Gerald du Maurier. Surrounded by artists and intellectuals, she was encouraged to explore and live life adventurously "like a man" (her father had daughters but wanted a son), and it is no secret that Daphne had psychological complexities in her personality that identified with a male voice and point-of-view -- this manifested itself in both her personal and professional life, and when the reader begins to examine her writings, some of the dark psychological torments of her characters could easily be a reflection of her own inner feelings. She strongly resisted the label of "romantic writer" -- she felt her writings were much more complex and addressed deeper issues. While her adult children have spoken openly about their mother's life and sexuality, they insist that there are no secrets about Daphne that are not already known; the author put a fifty year embargo on her personal diaries, so it will still be quite some time before the public can have access to Daphne's private thoughts.

The book is divided into five parts and is written in an easy and engaging style.

Part 1 - Daphne du Maurier by the People Who Knew Her
Inerviews with her adult children and her editor.
Part 2 - The Lasting Reputation and Cultural Legacy of Rebecca
In-depth analysis and discussions of her most popular novel.
Part 3 - Daphne du Maurier's Writings
A summary of each of du Maurier's novels and stories (with no spoilers).
Part 4 - Daphne du Maurier in Adaptation
A discussion of film adaptations of her work, with particular emphasis on Hitchcock's creations.
Part 5 - A rediscovered short story.


A wonderful handbook for all Daphne du Maurier fans -- her passion for the landscape and nature is evident in many of her novels, and her ability to describe a sense of time and place is sheer poetry. Here is a lovely passage from Frenchman's Creek, and hearing it read in her own voice is wonderful. Enjoy!




4/5 stars
Title: The Daphne du Maurier Companion
Edited by Helen Taylor
424 pages
Virago
2010
genre: nonfiction

Georgette Heyer's Regency World by Jennifer Kloester

"The definitive guide to the people, places, and society in Georgette Heyer's novels....

With Georgette Heyer's Regency World, Jennifer Kloester has now put together the ultimate, definitive guide to Georgette Heyer's world: her heroes, her villains and dashing heroes; the shops, clubs, and towns they frequented; the parties they celebrated; how they ate, drank, dressed, socialized, voted, shopped, and drove. An utterly delightful and fun read, beautifully illustrated, and compelling in its historical detail, this is a must read for any Georgette Heyer fan."
(from the publisher)

****************

Last year, I had the pleasure of participating in the Everything Austen challenge and enjoyed reading many Austenesque novels, particularly the Austen reference book by Deirdre Le Faye entited Jane Austen -- The World of her Novels. This opened up a whole new appreciation for Pride and Prejudice as well as other Jane Austen works.

This year, Georgette Heyer seems to be my new obsession (in a good way). I was thrilled when I saw all the beautiful Sourcebook editions of her Regency novels, as well as her lesser-known mysteries. While I've picked up a few here and there over the past year, I decided to start a dedicated collection all of the Heyer books that I can get my hands on -- even the ones that are not currently in print. While I was searching e-bay for some titles, I ran across Kloester's Georgette Heyer's Regency World which has not yet been released in the US (Sourcebooks is coming out with a US edition in August of this year, but I'm impatient and want it now; the price was a bargain, so I jumped on it.)

Here are some of the chapters/topics in this beautiful and entertaining Heyer Regency resource:

Up and Down the Social Ladder
At Home in Town and Country
A Man's World
The Gentle Sex
On the Town
The Pleasure Haunts of London
The Fashionable Resorts
Getting About
What to Wear
Shopping
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry
The Sporting Life
Business and Military
Who's Who in the Regency

Plus, a glossary of cant and common Regency phrases, timelines, lists of her novels, and lots of other fun facts.

This is a resource book, not one I will necessarily read cover to cover, but in bits and pieces whenever I need a little Heyer "fix." Here is the charming cover for the US edition available from Sourcebooks (according to Amazon) in August 2010.

What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew by Daniel Pool

What is your Victorian literature IQ? Ready to take a little quiz just for fun? Here we go!

l. What do Ombre, Loo, Pope Joan, and Piquet have in common?

2. Where would you likely find an epergne in a Victorian home?
a. in the bedroom
b. in the dining room
c. in the study

3. Where would you live if you had the most fashionable address in Victorian London?
a. St. Giles
b. Covent Garden
c. Mayfair

4. If someone called you a tosspot, it meant
a. you are tart-tongued and sassy
b. you drank too much
c. you are the lowest housemaid

5. Most ladies' mourning clothes were made from what fabric?
a. silk
b. velvet
c. bombazine

6. True or False:
In going up a flight of stairs, the gentleman always precedes the lady.

7. True or False:
It is inappropriate for a lady to wear pearls or diamonds in the morning.

8. True or False:
A lady is always introduced to a gentleman -- never the other way around.

9. Can you name famous homes in literature that contains the following
words? grange, hall, house, park

l0. What is the proper way to address....
the king or queen?
the monarch's spouse, children, siblings?
nephews, nieces, and cousins of the sovereign?


**************

So, how well did you do? Here are the answers:

1. They are all card games.
2. An epergne was a gaudy table decoration to hold food or flowers on a dining table.
3. Park Lane, the most coveted address, was in fashionable and wealthy Mayfair.
4. b - you drink too much
5. c - bombazine because it did not shine
6. True
7. True
8. False -- A genleman is always introduced to the lady; it is considered an honor to be introduced to the lady.
9. Thrushcross Grange in Wuthering Heights; Thornfield Hall in Jane Eyre; Netherfield House in Pride and Prejudice; Mansfield Park
10. Your Majesty; Your Royal Highness; Your Highness


This is a fun, entertaining social history for anyone who enjoys reading the works of Dickens, the Brontes, Austen, and other nineteenth-century novelists, or for anyone who is interested in nineteenth-century English life.

I purchased this reference book as part of the Everything Austen challenge, and it really does enrich the reading experience of Victorian-era novels. It is very readable and filled with fun and interesting aspects of everyday matters such as dinner parties, country house visiting, sex and marriage, social etiquette, society and the "season," medicine and disease, death and mourning, transportation, the taxonomy of maids, currency, holidays, and of host of other curious topics. It contains a helpful glossary of terms and a useful bibliography for further exploration. Lots of fun!

Title: What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew: From Fox-Hunting to Whist--the Facts of Daily Life in 19th Century England
Author: Daniel Pool
genre: nonfiction
416 pages
Simon and Schuster, Inc.
1993

Jane Austen - The World of Her Novels by Deirdre Le Faye

I have a confession to make -- I didn't always have a fascination with Jane Austen and her writings. Except for one dismal attempt at writing a term paper in high school comparing and contrasting Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, I didn't know anything else about her work. (I received a "B" on my paper, and all I can say was that the teacher must have been in a very generous mood when grading it.) I was a much bigger fan of the Brontes, and I've read all of the works of Emily, Charlotte, and Anne Bronte.

I think it is wonderful now that reading and studying Jane Austen's work and her world has become popular, and many websites, blogs, movies, handbooks and reference books on Regency times abound. I have added this reference book, Jane Austen: The World of Her Novels by Deirdre Le Faye, to my library to enrich the books that I am reading for the Everything Austen Challenge.

The book is divided into two major sections:

Part I - The World of Jane Austen

Discusses topics such as her family, royalty, social ranks, transportation, masculine occupations, male education and military life, feminine occupations, fashion, cultural pursuits, social life, homes and domestic interiors, and other tidbits of information that gives the reader a glimpse into everyday living during this time in history.

Part II - The Novels

All of Austen's major writings are discussed with a synopsis of each, a list of characters, with interesting background information added (portraits and pictures of what some characters may have looked like, and etchings and photos of homes that may have influenced her writings.) Austen's writing process is also included as she discussed her methods often in personal letters.


This is a wonderful resource for the serious student of Jane Austen's work. Very readable and filled with great photos and maps. (My favorite photograph is of Austen's little writing table with her tiny spectacles placed on top of one of her letters which is housed in the British Library.)

Title: Jane Austen: The World of Her Novels
Author: Deirdre Le Faye
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Limited (London)
2002
320 pages/paperback
nonfiction/reference