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kerrycat's review against another edition
4.0
more like 3.5.
this is less about the woman herself than the times in which she lived, which spanned through several global crises as well as her personal troubles and triumphs. a quick read with some slower interludes with more elaboration than necessary for this subject, this was still worth the read.
this is less about the woman herself than the times in which she lived, which spanned through several global crises as well as her personal troubles and triumphs. a quick read with some slower interludes with more elaboration than necessary for this subject, this was still worth the read.
funknik's review against another edition
3.0
Fairly dry biography of a lady with a unique and interesting life . . . but not THAT interesting . . .
cornmaven's review against another edition
5.0
This was a fascinating story about a rags to riches woman who, through 5 marriages, ended up dying in France in 1955. I thought when I got it that it would be a sort of Cora Granthem/Downton Abbey tale, but only a tiny piece of it involves rich European men marrying to save themselves financially. Allene Tew is a fascinating person simply because she perserveres in the face of heartache and disappointment, as well as comes into the orbits of famous Europeans including a Dutch queen, a member of the Romanov court, and more. Often by happenstance. Her fortune and will being contested at the end was interesting, and there are a lot of twists and turns in this tale.
mirrie's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.5
rifmelody's review against another edition
3.75
Mooi verhaal, en er zitten inderdaad lessen in over vallen en opstaan, zoals de auteur aangeeft. Een interessante geschiedenis die getekend wordt door de belangrijke gebeurtenissen van de 20e eeuw.
Waar het toch een beetje schrijnt bij mij is dat dit leven bol staat van de privileges en helemaal niet mogelijk was geweest als Alleen niet in een rijke familie was geboren. Daarom vind ik het ook een boek waarin het verschil tussen elite en armen pijnlijk duidelijk wordt.
Waar het toch een beetje schrijnt bij mij is dat dit leven bol staat van de privileges en helemaal niet mogelijk was geweest als Alleen niet in een rijke familie was geboren. Daarom vind ik het ook een boek waarin het verschil tussen elite en armen pijnlijk duidelijk wordt.
imogroos's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
banteringbibliophile's review against another edition
5.0
What feminism is supposed to be...
While the prose and flow was haulting and at times difficult to get through I found myself loving and hating Allene for too many reasons to list. But by the end I had to admit that I respected her she never settled for anything not love, not status, not prejudice or injustices and in an age where so many women were trapped and powerless I think we can all learn something from her.
While the prose and flow was haulting and at times difficult to get through I found myself loving and hating Allene for too many reasons to list. But by the end I had to admit that I respected her she never settled for anything not love, not status, not prejudice or injustices and in an age where so many women were trapped and powerless I think we can all learn something from her.
coffeeandbooked's review against another edition
4.0
I don't usually read Biographies, but I am challenging myself to read more books from around the world (More about this in another post)
This story was so interesting, it was interesting to be able to read a story which included a lot of American History, which being British, doesn't get taught in schools. It also shows how British and American history do overlap.
I really liked the way that Annejet Van der Zijl writes, her style is beautiful and just made reading this book so much more pleasurable.
The story contains new paper clipping and other information which ties in with everything in the story regarding Allene. She is a Woman you can admire, after everything she went through she never let anything get her down.
She is a very clever lady, who was unlucky in life but managed to keep her fortune throughout all the hard times including the American depression on Wall Street.
I highly recommend this book to everyone, even if Biographies are not for you.
Annejet Van der Zijl also explains at the end of the book what compelled her to write a story about Allene Tew.
This story was so interesting, it was interesting to be able to read a story which included a lot of American History, which being British, doesn't get taught in schools. It also shows how British and American history do overlap.
I really liked the way that Annejet Van der Zijl writes, her style is beautiful and just made reading this book so much more pleasurable.
The story contains new paper clipping and other information which ties in with everything in the story regarding Allene. She is a Woman you can admire, after everything she went through she never let anything get her down.
She is a very clever lady, who was unlucky in life but managed to keep her fortune throughout all the hard times including the American depression on Wall Street.
I highly recommend this book to everyone, even if Biographies are not for you.
Annejet Van der Zijl also explains at the end of the book what compelled her to write a story about Allene Tew.
bethanygrace0527's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.75
Inspiring story of a woman who lived a full and oftentimes sad life. Her message of courage and shooting your shot was one that many should hear.