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Idina Sackville makes for a fascinating subject (hence the three stars), but the author's execution is often lacking. Still, if you have the time, worth the read.
If you ever think that the shenanigans of a Hilton or Kardashian are over the top, just thank God there wasn't an Internet back when Idina was alive. She and her friends would have put any celebrity sex tape to shame.
this was really interesting as a story of a woman whose grandaughter seeks to understand her as well as a description of the life and times of well heeled ladies and gentlemen during the suffrage era and the twenties and thirties.
Once again, the great-grandchildren discover family history and, far enough away from the scandal to matter, delve into the mess--in this case, the life of Idina Sackville, five-times-divorces Queen of Kenya's 1920s colonial set.
This is a relevant but somewhat peripheral link to my recent reading about colonial Kenya; this book is a biography (the author's great-grandmother) of the one of the Happy Valley party people. Kenya plays a role as the adopted home of Idina Sackville, but more compelling for me were the details about British upper class society - repressive in so many ways, and utterly dysfunctional. Osborne has done a great job researching her family history and relates it well, but it is not a joyful tale.
I couldn't put this book down. The writing is just okay but the story was fascinating. And that is is true-would love to learn more about the white British society that made Kenya their home. Idina and her peers had so many consequences from their choices (and the lack of them). Look forward to discussing in book club!
adventurous
informative
inspiring
sad
emotional
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
informative
medium-paced