A review by christinafrancisgilbert
Passionate Nomad: The Life of Freya Stark by Jane Fletcher Geniesse

4.0

I read this biography on recommendation from a lifelong fan of Freya Stark and her intrepid life of exploration.

A writing retreat is planned for September this year near to Asolo in Italy where Freya returned for the final ten years of her life. More to come on this!

I had expected there to be a great deal more detail and description of Asolo in Italy, for some reason, yet the majority of Stark's life, as explained by Jane Fletcher Geniesse is occupied with her travels in the Middle East. Her ambition is fascinating. She drove her way into situations and managed to gain support and favours from many along the way. She is described as 'difficult', driven, 'a fighter',  and 'Freya learned to give no quarter to anyone or anything that stood in her way or threatened her fragile self-esteem. Her competitiveness became her strength.' Her letter writing 'the fat pile bearing exotic stamps was waiting in her mother's desk' is considered of huge cultural significance and an extensive knowledge base for civilization in the Middle East.

I can't say I liked what I was led to learn of Freya Stark. Her methods for getting her own way are eye-opening. 'She cultivated people if she thought they could be useful...'

Yet, her endeavours, what she achieved in cartography of the regions, her craving for 'ataraxia, a Greek concept meaning the attainment of perfect peace or transcendent calm,' and her determination to encourage true understanding between cultures is admirable. 

This biography is an elegant and coherent presentation of her life, both personal and professional. The narrative has many hints towards her obsession with her appearance and her troubled love connections and she comes across as a vulnerable figure in places, in spite of her ruthless ambition.

I have missed out so much about her attitudes towards and actions of all that she did on her travels and missions. There's a lot to be learned here of 20th century Middle Eastern history.