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Through GoodReads I participate in a reading challenge which involves twelve books over the year (a mixture of fiction and non-fiction) that revolve around the era of the British Empire. All of the books I have read so far are fascinating, not necessarily particularly likeable in some cases, but I’ve definitely learned something through reading each book so I would count that as a positive thing. The Bolter introduces us to a lady who is in some ways, indescribable, but in no way forgettable. Idina Sackville was famous amongst high society for her promiscuous lifestyle and the number of divorces/marriages she went through – five. Not only this, but she did it in style, caring little for others opinions, and hosting a number of infamous parties in Kenya where a lot of the -ahem- entertainment came from nakedness, rude games and swapping partners (and I’m talking literally, not just while linking arms at a nice dance).
I think what most intrigued me about this book, and indeed about Idina was the fact that it is written by her great grand-daughter, who at a young age knew nothing about Idina – in truth, it was positively covered up from her, to shield her from the scandal associated with that name. On finding out the truth, she wrote this incredibly interesting account of her great grand-mother’s life, no holes barred. I think the author does a good job of it on the whole – the character of Idina comes across as a terrible flirt with a voracious sexual appetite, but also as a kind, humorous, generous and vulnerable woman who just wants to be loved.
“While her fellow-Edwardian debutantes in their crisp white dresses merely contemplated daring acts, Idina went everywhere with a jet-black Pekinese called Satan.”
Although Idina made a few mistakes in her life (leaving her two children to run off with another man is probably my prime accusation), I challenge anybody to read the above quote and not warm to her just a little. Unfortunately she did get a reputation as “The Bolter,” – Nancy Mitford actually based this character in her novels Love In A Cold Climate and The Pursuit of Love on Idina, although at some points you could argue that maybe she just picked the wrong men? Amongst her husbands, we have Joss, who she has a open sexual relationship and marriage with… THAT came back to bite her on the butt later when he got a little too serious with one of his “flings.” And husband number four, Donald, is incredibly violent, and apoplectic with rage and jealousy, actually returns with a gun to take pot shots at all men he is convinced are his ex-wife’s lovers.
I found a Daily Mail article recently (oh dear), with the headline “Slapper of the Century,” referring to Idina Sackville. In the article, they make quite derogatory statements about Idina, which is not a huge surprise, but by the end of this novel, I ended up feeling quite sorry for Idina. She has had five failed marriages, is lonely and despairing wishing she had stayed “with the first one,” she does not really communicate with her children or grand-children, and her reputation has been sullied beyond belief. I think that Frances Osborne did a great job, with a mesmerizing individual during a momentous and changeable time of Britain’s history.
For my full review and other reviews in the British Empire Challenge, please see http://www.bibliobeth.wordpress.com
I think what most intrigued me about this book, and indeed about Idina was the fact that it is written by her great grand-daughter, who at a young age knew nothing about Idina – in truth, it was positively covered up from her, to shield her from the scandal associated with that name. On finding out the truth, she wrote this incredibly interesting account of her great grand-mother’s life, no holes barred. I think the author does a good job of it on the whole – the character of Idina comes across as a terrible flirt with a voracious sexual appetite, but also as a kind, humorous, generous and vulnerable woman who just wants to be loved.
“While her fellow-Edwardian debutantes in their crisp white dresses merely contemplated daring acts, Idina went everywhere with a jet-black Pekinese called Satan.”
Although Idina made a few mistakes in her life (leaving her two children to run off with another man is probably my prime accusation), I challenge anybody to read the above quote and not warm to her just a little. Unfortunately she did get a reputation as “The Bolter,” – Nancy Mitford actually based this character in her novels Love In A Cold Climate and The Pursuit of Love on Idina, although at some points you could argue that maybe she just picked the wrong men? Amongst her husbands, we have Joss, who she has a open sexual relationship and marriage with… THAT came back to bite her on the butt later when he got a little too serious with one of his “flings.” And husband number four, Donald, is incredibly violent, and apoplectic with rage and jealousy, actually returns with a gun to take pot shots at all men he is convinced are his ex-wife’s lovers.
I found a Daily Mail article recently (oh dear), with the headline “Slapper of the Century,” referring to Idina Sackville. In the article, they make quite derogatory statements about Idina, which is not a huge surprise, but by the end of this novel, I ended up feeling quite sorry for Idina. She has had five failed marriages, is lonely and despairing wishing she had stayed “with the first one,” she does not really communicate with her children or grand-children, and her reputation has been sullied beyond belief. I think that Frances Osborne did a great job, with a mesmerizing individual during a momentous and changeable time of Britain’s history.
For my full review and other reviews in the British Empire Challenge, please see http://www.bibliobeth.wordpress.com
I've had this book for ages and really don't know what took me so long to read it. Well, I sort of know that I misplaced it for awhile, but that only excuses a small amount of time. I'd been familiar with Idina Sackville to some extent, first via Mitford and Waugh (in that when I was going through my very ardent Nancy Mitford and Evelyn Waugh phase, I did lots of poking around to read up on who the characters were based on) and later through reading up on the Happy Valley set - inspired by both some fiction and non-fiction pursuits. But as compelling and daring as fictional accounts may be (Mitford's endures, and more recently characters by Deanna Raybourn and Laura Willig have been pretty obviously based on her), the truth was much more fascinating. And also heart-breaking and infuriating. That said, this is a book written by a descendant of Sackville's and it's an attempt to make sense of the real woman behind the legends, rumors and scandals. Those looking for juicy gossip are probably best suited to some of the fictionalized accounts.
after the first half of the book I got tired of reading about rich whitey and the horrible pressure of being young and gorgeous.
This is a great book about a very, very fascinating woman. The book tells the true story of a woman, Idina Sackville, who, during the 1920s and 30s was married and divorced a total of five times, building new homes on farmland in Kenya three of those five times. It is written by Idina's great granddaughter, so the personal connection to the subject makes the story very real.
The Bolter is an interesting look at life in high society in the early part of the century and the affects of the freedom many women felt as they had, for the first time, the option of divorce. I learned a lot about the early days of divorce and the hardship of having your whole adult life bookended by two world wars. Idina Sackville was a woman who craved adventure and excitement, but all the time was looking for someone to love her. Her greatest fear was growing old alone, and through all her marriages and divorces, it was a man who wasn't married who stayed with her through her illness and death. Idina's life makes a great read, and now I only wish I could have met this truly unique woman.
The Bolter is an interesting look at life in high society in the early part of the century and the affects of the freedom many women felt as they had, for the first time, the option of divorce. I learned a lot about the early days of divorce and the hardship of having your whole adult life bookended by two world wars. Idina Sackville was a woman who craved adventure and excitement, but all the time was looking for someone to love her. Her greatest fear was growing old alone, and through all her marriages and divorces, it was a man who wasn't married who stayed with her through her illness and death. Idina's life makes a great read, and now I only wish I could have met this truly unique woman.
A really interesting read, and the way Osborne brings the narrative to an end had me in tears.
Not expertly written at the start, the tale of Idina Sackville's life is intriguing and beguiling.
What strikes me is how fickle these people are, not only in their affections with paramours but also between what seem firm friendships and siblings too.
I really felt sad for Idina toward the end of the book, and feel compelled to be a better friend and family-bod as a result.
Not expertly written at the start, the tale of Idina Sackville's life is intriguing and beguiling.
What strikes me is how fickle these people are, not only in their affections with paramours but also between what seem firm friendships and siblings too.
I really felt sad for Idina toward the end of the book, and feel compelled to be a better friend and family-bod as a result.
I had never heard of Idina Sackville before reading this book, but what an extraordinary life she lived. Absolutely fantastic book, set in a wonderful time in history. I whole heartedly recommend this book to anyone. If a fan of the Mitfords or that era, then this is a must read. Fantastic.
Somehow, when I grab a book randomly off the shelves, it so often turns out to be about a Sackville - and I'm not even related to them. Are they the only family worth writing about? Or do they have an unusual number of writer descendants who are driven to write about their family? I do enjoy the Sackville books though and this was no exception, what a crazy time Idina lived in, she exemplified the excesses of that time.
I loved loved loved this book! I was pleasently suprised when the author opened the story about how she read a story on Idina in the paper, only to disvover the were related! I was instantly hooked. There was so much history told in it; it wasn't just about one women, Idiana. The author went into detail about how life was lived back in the 20's, 30's and 40's, what was expected of people, and how they were supposed to act. I couldn't believe how society back then, was so accepting of adultry in a marriage. I was not bored once during this book. Now I am intrigued to learn more about the Happy Valley Set and the other people envolved.