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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
This was the second book my Aunt purchased to tide her over the hump till her local library reopens. I am pleased to say that our library reopened yesterday for picking up books that had been on reserve, and there is now a stash of five books awaiting me on a table in our living room.
Meanwhile, I read this book. At first it was slow going; nothing interested me and some of Anne Glenconner's early anecdotes, particularly the ones about her honeymoon, rather repulsed me. However, slowly I became curious to know how her story would turn out.
If ever it was true that truth is stranger than fiction, her story would fill that bill perfectly. Therein lied the fascination and the absurdity. The author is the same age as my Aunt, so I could relate to that aspect of her, but the rest of her life experience was in a financial, social, and cultural realm that I will gladly never know. While fascinated (or maybe simply agog) at the excesses of much of her life, and the absurdity of some of the characters, I also felt sorry for the intense downsides she experienced.
Glenconner's writing is fairly simple and for much of her story she seemed detached from what she was telling, or perhaps just stoic. By the time she relayed the events of the second part of the book, however, the experiences - and the retelling of them - seemed to give her permission to drop some of that stoicness. Several times in the book she mentions how women of her generation were raised, and that cultural influence helped her to whether multiple familial hardships. I was glad that as she grew older, she seemed willing to drop some of that "stiff upper lip" and be present with her emotions.
Meanwhile, I read this book. At first it was slow going; nothing interested me and some of Anne Glenconner's early anecdotes, particularly the ones about her honeymoon, rather repulsed me. However, slowly I became curious to know how her story would turn out.
If ever it was true that truth is stranger than fiction, her story would fill that bill perfectly. Therein lied the fascination and the absurdity. The author is the same age as my Aunt, so I could relate to that aspect of her, but the rest of her life experience was in a financial, social, and cultural realm that I will gladly never know. While fascinated (or maybe simply agog) at the excesses of much of her life, and the absurdity of some of the characters, I also felt sorry for the intense downsides she experienced.
Glenconner's writing is fairly simple and for much of her story she seemed detached from what she was telling, or perhaps just stoic. By the time she relayed the events of the second part of the book, however, the experiences - and the retelling of them - seemed to give her permission to drop some of that stoicness. Several times in the book she mentions how women of her generation were raised, and that cultural influence helped her to whether multiple familial hardships. I was glad that as she grew older, she seemed willing to drop some of that "stiff upper lip" and be present with her emotions.
Det verkar vara väldigt svårt att få till en biografi på ett lätt och ledigt sätt, men Lady Glenconner lyckas, tycker jag. Det är ett spännande liv att läsa om, inte bara för närheten till brittiska kungahuset, som hon umgåtts med sedan barndomen och som Lady in waiting till Princess Margaret, utan också för alla andra delar av hennes liv.
Hon skriver med humor och berättar anekdoter på ett sätt som fångar intresset. Jag tror att man får mycket mer ut av boken om man har sett The Crown (som jag så klart gjort) eller ändå vet en del om brittiska kungahuset.
En fyra inom kategorin!
Hon skriver med humor och berättar anekdoter på ett sätt som fångar intresset. Jag tror att man får mycket mer ut av boken om man har sett The Crown (som jag så klart gjort) eller ändå vet en del om brittiska kungahuset.
En fyra inom kategorin!
Bought this after seeing Lady Anne Glenconner on the Graham Norton show.
Given this book 4 stars rather than 3 as it was interesting and held my attention. It's a fascinating insight into how the other half live but not many of the people in the book are likeable. They live in a completely different world, don't think they have any idea how normal people live.
A lot of the things in this book annoyed me but I still enjoyed reading it if only for the insight.
Given this book 4 stars rather than 3 as it was interesting and held my attention. It's a fascinating insight into how the other half live but not many of the people in the book are likeable. They live in a completely different world, don't think they have any idea how normal people live.
A lot of the things in this book annoyed me but I still enjoyed reading it if only for the insight.
An interesting but mind boggling read
This is a very interesting book, which describes a life that , as a working class queer man, I find absolutely mind boggling. Lady Glenconners life has certainly been one of wild adventure and astonishing privilege, but interspersed with absolute tragedy and what sounds like some horrifying domestic violence, though I'm not sure she sees it as that. Either way, this was an interesting biography, and if you're looking for a reasonable read and a view into aristocratic life over the 20th Century, its worth a look.
This is a very interesting book, which describes a life that , as a working class queer man, I find absolutely mind boggling. Lady Glenconners life has certainly been one of wild adventure and astonishing privilege, but interspersed with absolute tragedy and what sounds like some horrifying domestic violence, though I'm not sure she sees it as that. Either way, this was an interesting biography, and if you're looking for a reasonable read and a view into aristocratic life over the 20th Century, its worth a look.
Loved this book! Recommend it on audio as her narration adds to it. Was torn a little at times, because aspects of how they lived / viewed people etc really goes against my values but I can’t stop really liking her. Her outlook on life and her strength through hardship was amazing. Her treatment of people in the book was kind, despite their actions. Classy lady with a very engaging interesting story.
An intriguing read!
What a long and interesting life Lady Glenconner had.
The chapters being topic-focussed, rather than era-focussed confused me sometimes, trying to keep tabs on when the new chapter was based in relation to information in a previous chapter, but it also made sense.
Maybe a timeline would have been helpful, and a family tree.
If you enjoy reading about royal history, yes, read this one.
What a long and interesting life Lady Glenconner had.
The chapters being topic-focussed, rather than era-focussed confused me sometimes, trying to keep tabs on when the new chapter was based in relation to information in a previous chapter, but it also made sense.
Maybe a timeline would have been helpful, and a family tree.
If you enjoy reading about royal history, yes, read this one.
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
medium-paced
I don’t read many non-fiction books but really enjoyed this. What an extraordinary life!
A honest and fascinating insight into Lady Anne Glenconner’s life from early childhood to her elderly years - she’s 92 now! From aristocratic routes she gives an insight of growing up through the war, closeness to the royal family, and her relationships with her parents, sisters, husband, children and Princess Margaret. Her stories are of life with privilege, with heartbreak and many travels. Her honeymoon story she shared with Graham Norton is in here, and so many more. She shares so openly and without judgement of others, she appraises all stages of her life.