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ainsleym's review
2.0
For an author who claims to think that ~12 line poems are the perfect length, this book sure is overwritten, which is such a shame because Mary Delany is so interesting and her art is so incredible!!!
Things I liked:
- the amount of historical detail
- the inclusion of so many direct quotes from Mary Delany and the people she interacted with
- the full page, full color images of her art
Things I didn't like:
- the lack of art history scholarship applied to her work: even though I knew this was a biography, I had still hoped for more about the art itself
- the unsupported sexual interpretations of her art, which I found unconvincing because she was imitating life and would've selected colors and shapes that matched the real plants she was replicating
- the overly dramatic writing style
- the forced inclusion of comparisons to the author's own life: it's always interesting to learn why someone chooses to write a biography of someone else, but I think this would've been better as a foreword or afterword so that the author could explain how she found Mary Delany in a more natural way instead of finding oftentimes forced connections between her life and Mary Delany's in order to fit it into every chapter
I'd love to read more about Mary Delany but I really don't think this was the best way to do so for me. Too much poetry/memoir, not enough scholarship for my tastes in nonfiction.
Things I liked:
- the amount of historical detail
- the inclusion of so many direct quotes from Mary Delany and the people she interacted with
- the full page, full color images of her art
Things I didn't like:
- the lack of art history scholarship applied to her work: even though I knew this was a biography, I had still hoped for more about the art itself
- the unsupported sexual interpretations of her art, which I found unconvincing because she was imitating life and would've selected colors and shapes that matched the real plants she was replicating
- the overly dramatic writing style
- the forced inclusion of comparisons to the author's own life: it's always interesting to learn why someone chooses to write a biography of someone else, but I think this would've been better as a foreword or afterword so that the author could explain how she found Mary Delany in a more natural way instead of finding oftentimes forced connections between her life and Mary Delany's in order to fit it into every chapter
I'd love to read more about Mary Delany but I really don't think this was the best way to do so for me. Too much poetry/memoir, not enough scholarship for my tastes in nonfiction.
jenniferstringer's review
3.0
It's fun to read in the internet age. These collages are available to be seen through the British Museum website. You can click on the image and magnify. Incredible artistry.
beastreader's review
3.0
Mary Delany was born to Colonel Bernard Granville and Mary Granville. She grew up in a moderate home. She learned several different languages and took a liking to paper cutting. It wasn’t until she was married to Mr. Delany that Mary revisiting her artist side and her paper cutting. At this time Mary was seventy-two years old. The artwork Mary produced gained her lots of praise. Mary would cut out fake flowers or other items out of paper and than recreate beautiful artwork. She called her artwork “Paper Mosaiks”.
I did like this book. At times it even read a bit like an instruction manual. This is because the author was detailed in her description of Mary’s artwork. While on one hand, I enjoyed this and on the other hand at times I felt like the book moved at a really slow pace. For me I didn’t read every chapter. I did at first but after a while, I sort of skimmed parts and than picked up again towards the end. I did not feel like I missed anything by doing this. Molly Peacock seemed very enthusiastic in regards to Mary and her artwork. In turn this helped make this book an interesting read versus a dull one. Towards the end of each chapter, the author would interject some of her experiences or inspirations. The portraits displayed throughout this book are beautiful. I wish I could show you some of the pictures but I guess if you really want to see them you will have to pick up a copy of this book for yourself.
I did like this book. At times it even read a bit like an instruction manual. This is because the author was detailed in her description of Mary’s artwork. While on one hand, I enjoyed this and on the other hand at times I felt like the book moved at a really slow pace. For me I didn’t read every chapter. I did at first but after a while, I sort of skimmed parts and than picked up again towards the end. I did not feel like I missed anything by doing this. Molly Peacock seemed very enthusiastic in regards to Mary and her artwork. In turn this helped make this book an interesting read versus a dull one. Towards the end of each chapter, the author would interject some of her experiences or inspirations. The portraits displayed throughout this book are beautiful. I wish I could show you some of the pictures but I guess if you really want to see them you will have to pick up a copy of this book for yourself.
kathieboucher's review
4.0
What an inspiration--an English gentlewoman of the 18th century who invents a new art form at the age of 72. Mrs. Delany's paper flower collages are, in themselves, wonderful. But I was even more charmed by the excerpts from her letters, which allowed her glowing personality to jump off the page. Loved the insights in to 18th century mores and thought.
aoosterwyk's review against another edition
4.0
This biography of Mary Delaney contains beautiful reproductions of her flower mosaics. She began making them at the age of 72, after losing her second husband.
Her life (1700-1788) was spent between England and Ireland, at court and in the country.
Read it straight through in one day.
Her life (1700-1788) was spent between England and Ireland, at court and in the country.
Read it straight through in one day.
kris45's review
2.0
Like many reviewers, I assumed I would love this book as it’s a beautiful presentation.
But like others, I found the author’s interpretations of the flowers both presumptuous and contrived, and the interjections of her own childhood distracting and irrelevant.
But like others, I found the author’s interpretations of the flowers both presumptuous and contrived, and the interjections of her own childhood distracting and irrelevant.
mary412's review
3.0
A book group book that I was not looking forward to, but now I'm two chapters into it and I'm enjoying it. Molly Peacock is a poet which may account for the structure of this book. It doesn't move along very briskly, but then neither did Mrs. Delaney.
debbiecuddy's review against another edition
5.0
Summer bingo-Set in more than one time period
"Craft is engaging. It results in a product. The mind works in a state of meditation in craft, almost the way we half-meditate in heavy physical exercise. There is a marvelously obsessive nature to craft that allows a person to dive down through the ocean of everyday life to a seafloor of meditative making. It is an antidote to what ails you."
This book was so enjoyable and relaxing to read. I found it fascinating to read about the life of Mary Granville Pendarves Delany and how she came to make her amazing artwork. The color photos of her art are lovely and enhanced my reading experience.
"Craft is engaging. It results in a product. The mind works in a state of meditation in craft, almost the way we half-meditate in heavy physical exercise. There is a marvelously obsessive nature to craft that allows a person to dive down through the ocean of everyday life to a seafloor of meditative making. It is an antidote to what ails you."
This book was so enjoyable and relaxing to read. I found it fascinating to read about the life of Mary Granville Pendarves Delany and how she came to make her amazing artwork. The color photos of her art are lovely and enhanced my reading experience.
bailey_the_bookworm's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.75
Beautifully written? Check
Beautifully written exploration of a woman from history? Check
Beautifully written exploration of a woman from history that draws on extensive archival research and deftly blends that research with elements of memoir? Check, check, and check
This book was basically catnip for me
Beautifully written exploration of a woman from history? Check
Beautifully written exploration of a woman from history that draws on extensive archival research and deftly blends that research with elements of memoir? Check, check, and check
This book was basically catnip for me