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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
A very easy read. The narrator speaks simply and honestly, with a voice that is soft and earnest at the same time. The enigmatic life of Anne Glenconner and her family, led erratically by her husband, is one of surprises and wonderful experiences, as told by this author.
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
If you watch The Crown, you might enjoy this book about the life of Anne Glenconner, a Lady in Waiting to Princess Margaret.
Okay... these people are on a whole other planet.
What a difficult time I have "reviewing" this book. I know I should rate it according to its merits as a book. What I'm grappling with is my revulsion at the content. Hence, 3/5 stars, which doesn't really say anything, in this case.
In addition, it's my fault that I had expectations about this book that were incorrect, so that was also unfortunate.
OK. This book was about the author's life, as the subtitle suggests. The author was also a lady-in-waiting to Princess Margaret for a number of decades. Where I went wrong is that I thought it was going to cover more of her life and interactions with Princess Margaret. I found it did not. It was about the author's life, that coincidentally involved Princess Margaret.
I found it not particularly well written and additionally it was a hagiography. As a lady in waiting, the author had to be loyal - and she certainly is. She glosses over Princess Margaret's short comings, she vilifies Princess Margaret's ex-husband and curiously has not much to say about Roddy Llewellyn. I don't want "dirt" - that's not my taste, but this to me was certainly one-sided.
And the revulsion? Totally reflects my sensibilities. I do not read much about royalty and nothing about present-day aristocracy in Britain. After reading this book, I know why I don't. And I use "present-day" purposely. Yes, she was born in 1932 and hit the meat market in the 50's. But the life she describes is, I think, quite similar to what goes on today.
The author grew up with utmost privilege and describes being surrounded by absolute profligate waste. The excesses, utter self-centredness, hedonistic lifestyles are, to me, horrible. The author's husband, while she occasionally listed some of his benefits and positive attributes, was a juvenile egocentric philanderer who would sometimes talk about his mistresses with her. And the circles in which they moved were so closed, it's practically incestuous.
Certainly a book that wasn't to my taste.
In addition, it's my fault that I had expectations about this book that were incorrect, so that was also unfortunate.
OK. This book was about the author's life, as the subtitle suggests. The author was also a lady-in-waiting to Princess Margaret for a number of decades. Where I went wrong is that I thought it was going to cover more of her life and interactions with Princess Margaret. I found it did not. It was about the author's life, that coincidentally involved Princess Margaret.
I found it not particularly well written and additionally it was a hagiography. As a lady in waiting, the author had to be loyal - and she certainly is. She glosses over Princess Margaret's short comings, she vilifies Princess Margaret's ex-husband and curiously has not much to say about Roddy Llewellyn. I don't want "dirt" - that's not my taste, but this to me was certainly one-sided.
And the revulsion? Totally reflects my sensibilities. I do not read much about royalty and nothing about present-day aristocracy in Britain. After reading this book, I know why I don't. And I use "present-day" purposely. Yes, she was born in 1932 and hit the meat market in the 50's. But the life she describes is, I think, quite similar to what goes on today.
The author grew up with utmost privilege and describes being surrounded by absolute profligate waste. The excesses, utter self-centredness, hedonistic lifestyles are, to me, horrible. The author's husband, while she occasionally listed some of his benefits and positive attributes, was a juvenile egocentric philanderer who would sometimes talk about his mistresses with her. And the circles in which they moved were so closed, it's practically incestuous.
Certainly a book that wasn't to my taste.
However much our values may be tested reading this, the entertainment and even shock value of the extraordinary life of Anne Glenconner cannot be denied. There are stories here for more than one book, for several seasons of tv shows, even. They range from the hilarious and absurd to the most tragic but they are always told with more or less the same discreet tone.
I did roll my eyes a fair amount at the lifestyle portrayed in the book, at how different the habits, values and priorities reflected are from my own. But I suppose that's what makes this a striking and memorable read. I'm sure there was material to make this a very long book so I applaud the decision to keep it concise and packed with 'juice'. In short, this was a satisfying and enjoyable read.
What a very interesting memoir. Anne Glenconner was a Lady in Waiting to Princess Margaret but there is so much more to her story than simply the experiences she had in that role. From the moment she was born her family's wealth, aristocratic lineage, and proximity to the Royal family gave Anne an interesting life that only members of the small upper-upper class have experienced.
The writing style of this book is clear and concise and Anne seems very open about the events in her life, both positive and negative (that husband of hers, oof!). I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
The writing style of this book is clear and concise and Anne seems very open about the events in her life, both positive and negative (that husband of hers, oof!). I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I loved this. It was intriguing to learn more about Anne's life and those surrounding her.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
9
It's not a book I would pick out myself, but I read it for my bookclub this month. Extraordinary doesn't seem to do her life justice. Incredible, and so amazing to have little snippets of life from other royals. U really enjoyed this book.