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At first the book starts slow, demonstrating the childhood of Natalie Clifford Barney. However, the book accelerates and becomes more exciting as she comes of age. By the end, I was utterly enamored with Miss Barney.
Rodriguez’s writing comes off as a love letter to this famous Amazon of Literary Paris, and because of it I was enraptured right from the beginning. NCB led an interesting, wild, and (mostly) happy life, and I am sad that this is the first time I’m ever learning of this woman. What I loved most was that it’s clear her true legacy lies in the way she was steadfastly sure of herself and who she loved, and how she treated and supported others up until her last day. This was a fantastic biography, and I’ll be sad to part with it.
interesting enough subject matter, not so interestingly written.
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Excellent book about a woman I've never really heard of. Which is shocking with how amazing a life she lead!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
A very interesting account about a very interesting lady.
Natalie Clifford Barney, born in Dayton, Ohio in 1876 in a wealthy family was, from the start, a free spirit. She lived her life defying society's conventions. She lived openly, never hiding or giving excuses for being a lesbian or feminist or for her dreams as a writer. She refused to marry and instead moved to Paris in the early 1900s where she would live for the rest of her life.
I can't recall where I first came across Barney's name, but the more I read about her, the more fascinated I became. I was thrilled that there was a full length bio out there. This seemed to be a very good one, thankfully, seeing as how it seems to be the only one.
It was definitely a tome, which was fine by me. Rodriguez hit on just about everything. Everything from the smallest detail to mentioning a person Barney only met once or twice. We were given long accounts of the women who played important roles in her life such as Pauline Tarn, Liane de Pougy and Romaine Brookes. Deriving from personal papers and the memories of people who knew Natalie, Rodriguez paints a very vivid portrait of the woman most knew as 'The Amazon.'
Rodriguez also did not make excuses for Barney's faults. And she did have them. A few things I had a problem with was that Barney was a feminist, but a few times gave off a few misogynist quotes, which I found surprising, seeing as how she was a woman who loved women and was in the forefront of advancing women's talents. Another was her anti-semitic views. Which, as Rodriguez states, seems to come out of no where. Barney was herself 1/8 Jewish and had at times seemed to be proud of her Jewish ancestry, but somewhere around WWII she gave off some very nasty comments. No one seems to know what sparked Barney to say such things.
Barney was a patron of the arts, and didn't know much about politics and such. When Erza Pound went off on his rants before WWII, Barney sat next to him and agreed with him. She was the only one. Everyone else just thought he was nuts and he ended up going away for treason. I found it interesting how she just accepted whatever he said because it sounded good.
Back to the good stuff, Barney played a huge part in advancing the careers of both men and women writers and painters, especially those she was close with: lovers and close friends. At her famous salon (which lasted about 60 years), referred to simply as 'Fridays' she sometimes dedicated a Friday to one person's work. What I wouldn't give to go back and time to witness these 'Fridays' firsthand. The most famous names in the arts would visit Barney's salon and would discuss art, literature and so on. Plays would be put on, buffets would be set out, ideas would be exchanged.
I could go on, but this book covered so much. When I finished Wild Heart I came away with a deep appreciation for a woman who was definitely a rebel.
Wild Heart is a deep, fantastic book about a glittering world of time gone by.
Natalie Clifford Barney, born in Dayton, Ohio in 1876 in a wealthy family was, from the start, a free spirit. She lived her life defying society's conventions. She lived openly, never hiding or giving excuses for being a lesbian or feminist or for her dreams as a writer. She refused to marry and instead moved to Paris in the early 1900s where she would live for the rest of her life.
I can't recall where I first came across Barney's name, but the more I read about her, the more fascinated I became. I was thrilled that there was a full length bio out there. This seemed to be a very good one, thankfully, seeing as how it seems to be the only one.
It was definitely a tome, which was fine by me. Rodriguez hit on just about everything. Everything from the smallest detail to mentioning a person Barney only met once or twice. We were given long accounts of the women who played important roles in her life such as Pauline Tarn, Liane de Pougy and Romaine Brookes. Deriving from personal papers and the memories of people who knew Natalie, Rodriguez paints a very vivid portrait of the woman most knew as 'The Amazon.'
Rodriguez also did not make excuses for Barney's faults. And she did have them. A few things I had a problem with was that Barney was a feminist, but a few times gave off a few misogynist quotes, which I found surprising, seeing as how she was a woman who loved women and was in the forefront of advancing women's talents. Another was her anti-semitic views. Which, as Rodriguez states, seems to come out of no where. Barney was herself 1/8 Jewish and had at times seemed to be proud of her Jewish ancestry, but somewhere around WWII she gave off some very nasty comments. No one seems to know what sparked Barney to say such things.
Barney was a patron of the arts, and didn't know much about politics and such. When Erza Pound went off on his rants before WWII, Barney sat next to him and agreed with him. She was the only one. Everyone else just thought he was nuts and he ended up going away for treason. I found it interesting how she just accepted whatever he said because it sounded good.
Back to the good stuff, Barney played a huge part in advancing the careers of both men and women writers and painters, especially those she was close with: lovers and close friends. At her famous salon (which lasted about 60 years), referred to simply as 'Fridays' she sometimes dedicated a Friday to one person's work. What I wouldn't give to go back and time to witness these 'Fridays' firsthand. The most famous names in the arts would visit Barney's salon and would discuss art, literature and so on. Plays would be put on, buffets would be set out, ideas would be exchanged.
I could go on, but this book covered so much. When I finished Wild Heart I came away with a deep appreciation for a woman who was definitely a rebel.
Wild Heart is a deep, fantastic book about a glittering world of time gone by.
NOW WE'RE TALKING. Natalie Barney is a goddamn delight* and this book, once it passed through her early days and got to the juicy stuff, was a name-dropped revery of early 20th century literature, culture, gayness, whatever. I intentionally paired this book with The Well of Loneliness and glory hallelujah am I glad I read this second. Let's just have a glass of lemonade and relax.
*Rodriguez does, I think, an excellent job reckoning with her subject's antisemitism, which is a tall order when you're writing such a rhapsodic and contextually-conscious book. Still, she doesn't make excuses, and she doesn't shy away from some real ugliness.
*Rodriguez does, I think, an excellent job reckoning with her subject's antisemitism, which is a tall order when you're writing such a rhapsodic and contextually-conscious book. Still, she doesn't make excuses, and she doesn't shy away from some real ugliness.
I'm not usually enthusiastic about reading biographies, but I thought this one was captivating, and it has motivated me to read more about some of the people in Natalie Barney's life.
This tome does more than illuminate the life of Natalie Barney; Rodriguez also must journey into the historical events which took place during her long life (1876-1972), the fascinating and famous people who surrounded her, and the culture of the upperclass.
As I read, I found that there were so many anecdotes I'd wanted to remember, that I started sticking mini post-it notes at various places. My copy of this biography is now laden with post-it notes. So, forgive me if I ramble.
Natalie Barney was born in Ohio into a wealthy family, and never, ever, had to go without. Anything. This wealth was the most important factor in her life. The second most important factor was that she was a lesbian, and was aware of it at an early age. This, along with her literary and artistic interests, drove her to Paris. Barney succeeded in living her life as she wished at a time when very few women did.
I must mention that Natalie Barney's mother was someone I'd already encountered in quite a different history book, one about the history of Africa. The explorer Morton Stanley, famed for finding Dr. Livingston, had been madly in love with a seventeen year old Alice Pike. By the time he returned from the Congo, Alice Pike was married to Albert Clifford Barney, and his heart was broken. This is but one of the interesting stories surrounding Barney's life, expertly told by Rodriguez.
Natalie Barney's literary salon was an important fixture in Paris for decades, and it was Natalie's charisma and talent that made it such a success. And yes, being a well-known, wealthy American was important. Barney's charm was indesputable, she found her way into others' hearts, and inspired several other writers.
Barney was a talented writer, herself, but a rather lazy one: she believed in spontaneity, which meant she didn't do re-writes. She once actually paid for Ezra Pound's advice, but--didn't take it! Other writers, such as a young Ernest Hemingway, had taken Pound's opinions and advice to heart, and had greatly benefited from it.
Barney was also famous for her epigrams, which demonstrated that she did have brains and talent. However, once again, these witty statements also demonstrate her constant glibness; Barney tended to skim the surface of an idea, without really thinking it through. Some of her epigrams would seem shocking, if read today, for their anti-Semitism. Unfortunately, anti-Semitic remarks were made very casually at the time, by people who were otherwise more thoughtful.
If we keep an open mind, too much is likely to fall into it.
(indeed)
Also, Barney was rather obsessed with her sexual conquests. She always had one major love in her life, but Barney was never faithful to anyone. However, Barney was also possessive, expecting fidelity from others. I would not call this charming. The tales of her loves are intriguing-- they include Liane De Pougy, a very famous Paris courtesan, Eva Palmer, Dolly Wilde (Oscar's niece), poet Pauline Tarn (or Renée Vivien,), Colette, Romaine Brooks, and a host of other very interesting women.
Barney also had close male friends, and had inspired writer Remy de Gourmont to write Letters to the Amazon, just one of the literary references that made Barney a celebrity.
Eventually, she would also be referenced by Gertrude Stein. The friendship between Barney and Stein was slow to come about, despite the fact that they were both American literary lesbians living in Paris, because they were so very different. For one thing, Stein and Alice Toklas had a committed, monogamous relationship that Barney viewed as being just like that dreaded institution of marriage that kept women locked up, while Stein and Toklas disapproved of Barney's womanizing. They did not exactly seek each other out, in the beginning.
Barney's salon, at 20, rue Jacob in Paris, got its start during the Belle Epoque of late nineteenth century France, and continued during the first world war and the depression. It was interrupted by the World War II, but resumed after the war.
Romaine Brooks owned a villa in Italy, and that is where she and Barney spent the second world war. It was a couped-up exile for two women who were accustomed to traveling whenever and wherever they wished, but again, Barney did not want for anything that was an absolute necessity.
I must interject a word about Barney's amazing housekeeper, Berthe Cleyrergue, who stayed behind in France to look after Barney's property and demonstrated remarkable patience and cleverness, most of which went unnoticed by her employer. Many celebrities, including Alice Toklas, raved about Cleyrergue's culinary talents, but the fact that she endured Barney's demands and complaints for so many years entitles her to some kind of sainthood. Having no idea what life in Paris was like during the war, Barney made impossible demands of Cleyrergue, and never realized how very extraordinary this woman's efforts were. At one point, the Nazis almost seized all of Barney's possessions because they'd heard that she was part Jewish, which was true. It was Cleyrergue who deftly talked them out of the house. (Romaine Brooks was an anti-social person who had a reputation for not liking many people, but she liked Berthe Cleyrergue.)
Personality flaws aside, Natalie Barney is famous not only for celebrating her love of women, but for encouraging and inspiring women writers. She made life rewarding and interesting for herself and others--in one way, or another!
This post has gotten way too long, so I will end it here, but I wholeheartedly recommend reading Susanne Rodriguez's book
This tome does more than illuminate the life of Natalie Barney; Rodriguez also must journey into the historical events which took place during her long life (1876-1972), the fascinating and famous people who surrounded her, and the culture of the upperclass.
As I read, I found that there were so many anecdotes I'd wanted to remember, that I started sticking mini post-it notes at various places. My copy of this biography is now laden with post-it notes. So, forgive me if I ramble.
Natalie Barney was born in Ohio into a wealthy family, and never, ever, had to go without. Anything. This wealth was the most important factor in her life. The second most important factor was that she was a lesbian, and was aware of it at an early age. This, along with her literary and artistic interests, drove her to Paris. Barney succeeded in living her life as she wished at a time when very few women did.
I must mention that Natalie Barney's mother was someone I'd already encountered in quite a different history book, one about the history of Africa. The explorer Morton Stanley, famed for finding Dr. Livingston, had been madly in love with a seventeen year old Alice Pike. By the time he returned from the Congo, Alice Pike was married to Albert Clifford Barney, and his heart was broken. This is but one of the interesting stories surrounding Barney's life, expertly told by Rodriguez.
Natalie Barney's literary salon was an important fixture in Paris for decades, and it was Natalie's charisma and talent that made it such a success. And yes, being a well-known, wealthy American was important. Barney's charm was indesputable, she found her way into others' hearts, and inspired several other writers.
Barney was a talented writer, herself, but a rather lazy one: she believed in spontaneity, which meant she didn't do re-writes. She once actually paid for Ezra Pound's advice, but--didn't take it! Other writers, such as a young Ernest Hemingway, had taken Pound's opinions and advice to heart, and had greatly benefited from it.
Barney was also famous for her epigrams, which demonstrated that she did have brains and talent. However, once again, these witty statements also demonstrate her constant glibness; Barney tended to skim the surface of an idea, without really thinking it through. Some of her epigrams would seem shocking, if read today, for their anti-Semitism. Unfortunately, anti-Semitic remarks were made very casually at the time, by people who were otherwise more thoughtful.
If we keep an open mind, too much is likely to fall into it.
(indeed)
Also, Barney was rather obsessed with her sexual conquests. She always had one major love in her life, but Barney was never faithful to anyone. However, Barney was also possessive, expecting fidelity from others. I would not call this charming. The tales of her loves are intriguing-- they include Liane De Pougy, a very famous Paris courtesan, Eva Palmer, Dolly Wilde (Oscar's niece), poet Pauline Tarn (or Renée Vivien,), Colette, Romaine Brooks, and a host of other very interesting women.
Barney also had close male friends, and had inspired writer Remy de Gourmont to write Letters to the Amazon, just one of the literary references that made Barney a celebrity.
Eventually, she would also be referenced by Gertrude Stein. The friendship between Barney and Stein was slow to come about, despite the fact that they were both American literary lesbians living in Paris, because they were so very different. For one thing, Stein and Alice Toklas had a committed, monogamous relationship that Barney viewed as being just like that dreaded institution of marriage that kept women locked up, while Stein and Toklas disapproved of Barney's womanizing. They did not exactly seek each other out, in the beginning.
Barney's salon, at 20, rue Jacob in Paris, got its start during the Belle Epoque of late nineteenth century France, and continued during the first world war and the depression. It was interrupted by the World War II, but resumed after the war.
Romaine Brooks owned a villa in Italy, and that is where she and Barney spent the second world war. It was a couped-up exile for two women who were accustomed to traveling whenever and wherever they wished, but again, Barney did not want for anything that was an absolute necessity.
I must interject a word about Barney's amazing housekeeper, Berthe Cleyrergue, who stayed behind in France to look after Barney's property and demonstrated remarkable patience and cleverness, most of which went unnoticed by her employer. Many celebrities, including Alice Toklas, raved about Cleyrergue's culinary talents, but the fact that she endured Barney's demands and complaints for so many years entitles her to some kind of sainthood. Having no idea what life in Paris was like during the war, Barney made impossible demands of Cleyrergue, and never realized how very extraordinary this woman's efforts were. At one point, the Nazis almost seized all of Barney's possessions because they'd heard that she was part Jewish, which was true. It was Cleyrergue who deftly talked them out of the house. (Romaine Brooks was an anti-social person who had a reputation for not liking many people, but she liked Berthe Cleyrergue.)
Personality flaws aside, Natalie Barney is famous not only for celebrating her love of women, but for encouraging and inspiring women writers. She made life rewarding and interesting for herself and others--in one way, or another!
This post has gotten way too long, so I will end it here, but I wholeheartedly recommend reading Susanne Rodriguez's book
adventurous
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
adventurous
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
I really loved this! I had never heard of Natalie Clifford Barney before, I think I bought this book because I saw a quote from it somewhere online. It's incredibly fascinating, very well written and researched, and a really incredible portrait of a woman I wish was more famous! So compelling, and the author clearly has a real love for Natalie but is also not afraid to criticize her and make clear her many flaws, which is really necessary for someone as complex as she. Excellent book!