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I thought this was pretty boring, and a very shallow portrayal of what was obviously a complex personality.
"The Bolter" was, as others have said, somewhat of a disappointment. Idina is a woman I wanted to empathize with and in some circumstances, having to decide to leave her children and her first husband, I sort of can, but overall she seems somewhat of an immature rich white girl/woman who often did just as she pleased when she pleased (because she had the money to) and only afterwards thought about the consequences of her actions and rarely thought of their affect on others. We see her surrounding herself with people of the same mind-set including the men she dated and married. So it's hard to feel sorry for her when most of what she encounters and struggles with she brings on herself.
That being said, I was entertained by the book and the glimpse it provides into such historic periods... two world wars, the great depression and land auctions in Kenya all very historic things which we see her live through. Overall she was a very interesting woman and this is an interesting story complete with many photos of people and places. I appreciate that it was researched and written by a relative.
That being said, I was entertained by the book and the glimpse it provides into such historic periods... two world wars, the great depression and land auctions in Kenya all very historic things which we see her live through. Overall she was a very interesting woman and this is an interesting story complete with many photos of people and places. I appreciate that it was researched and written by a relative.
Such a captivating tale recounted by her great-granddaughter full of the latter's stupefaction and awe. The author grows up being told of her great-grandmother's escapades and the impact they had upon the family and London society, only to wonder how or why she did the things she did. How she left two young boys to explore Kenya and live what was considered a hedonistic life. She doesn't condemn or celebrate Idina Sackville's actions, there is a proper combination of both it seems with the odd sections of pity. There were reasons and, despite, only talking to the children of Idina's contemporaries, this reader wonders if Idina's tale was completely covered, but I would like to think almost is good enough. The inspiration for a few novels and the contemporary of many great cultural figures, Idina's life was anything but dull.
Another missing Goodreads review... A very nicely told story of the lives of a few wealthy & privileged folks -- in an age when women who divorced were looked at as though something was wrong with them. This story tells about a woman who was mostly dumped by husbands who were jerks -- even in open marriages (common among the aristocracy) -- she had to use her best friend as bait to keep one husband around the house. Life can be complicated and everyone does their best to find happiness -- this is a really good story about one woman and many of her relationships with lovers, husbands, children, friends and other family.
A Greek tragedy on the Kenyan highlands as played by European aristocrats. This is the story of Idina Sackville and her insatiable appetite for men. She ended up marrying 5 times with countless lovers in between. Deep in Kipipiri, she entertained guests and hosted orgies. In the end, it is the man she didn't love that stayed with her until her death.
I really liked this book. My mum recommended I read it, I dismissed the idea but then got hooked on all things "between the wars" and read some reviews, remembered she had the book so started to read.
What a woman Idina was. Scandalising British upper class society with 5 marriages, she certainly led an "interesting" lifestyle. I can't imagine what her parties were like. Descriptions of them being cocaine and morphine induced, guests being greeted by a naked host and bathing in champagne are far beyond my sphere. It was the days of excess - well for those with land and privilege.
After Idina's first marriage and having had two children she disappears off to Kenya with new husband in tow. Sadly her two sons aren't allowed to join her and she doesn't see or contact them for another 15 years. Kenya is possibly the main focus of the story. To be honest I knew next to nothing about The Happy Valley set (I was more familiar with life in the Raj and Indian subcontinent where similarly the English upper class led a life of interesting times, in a similar time frame). It was quite illuminating to understand another aspect of British history. I also knew nothing of The White Mischief storyline and that fact that Joss was one of Idina's husbands. I will be reading [b:The Temptress|8684015|The Temptress|Paul Spicer|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1316135706s/8684015.jpg|13556241] which describes in more detail some of the characters surrounding Joss and his murder. As the story progressed there were a number of sad incidents, not including her own demise. Quite tragic really.
Overall I suppose I like Idina. I think she had "balls" to break with convention. She might not have been party to women getting the vote, and I don't especially agree with her leaving her children as she did, but the "not giving a damn" attitude is kind of interesting.
What a woman Idina was. Scandalising British upper class society with 5 marriages, she certainly led an "interesting" lifestyle. I can't imagine what her parties were like. Descriptions of them being cocaine and morphine induced, guests being greeted by a naked host and bathing in champagne are far beyond my sphere. It was the days of excess - well for those with land and privilege.
After Idina's first marriage and having had two children she disappears off to Kenya with new husband in tow. Sadly her two sons aren't allowed to join her and she doesn't see or contact them for another 15 years. Kenya is possibly the main focus of the story. To be honest I knew next to nothing about The Happy Valley set (I was more familiar with life in the Raj and Indian subcontinent where similarly the English upper class led a life of interesting times, in a similar time frame). It was quite illuminating to understand another aspect of British history. I also knew nothing of The White Mischief storyline and that fact that Joss was one of Idina's husbands. I will be reading [b:The Temptress|8684015|The Temptress|Paul Spicer|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1316135706s/8684015.jpg|13556241] which describes in more detail some of the characters surrounding Joss and his murder. As the story progressed there were a number of sad incidents, not including her own demise. Quite tragic really.
Overall I suppose I like Idina. I think she had "balls" to break with convention. She might not have been party to women getting the vote, and I don't especially agree with her leaving her children as she did, but the "not giving a damn" attitude is kind of interesting.
Wonderfully lurid account of the Happy Valley gang and its leading lady Idina Sackville. It has all the juicy details about aristocratic debauchery you could ever want, but the writing isn't very good and all that reckless misuse of privilege made me a bit queasy at times. It is immensely entertaining though, and for that it deserves four stars.
fast-paced
I enjoyed this, but have so many problems with it. It's written in a slangy and gossipy style and not always well. There are some editorial howlers. There's a fair amount of unthinking colonialist racism and snobbery that I think creep in because the author is so besotted with the world she writes about. However, it shows signs of deep research, and I did get a good sense of the woman at the centre of it and her world.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Colonisation, Classism
Fascinating, tells a different story of British life before, between, and just after the Wars. Life among the very rich and hedonistic in Kenya, the exploits of Idina that shocked society, and actual photos of the people mentioned to bring it that much more to life.