One biography of a woman I’ve read recently and would recommend is “A Passion for Government: The Life of Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough” by Frances Harris, published in 1991. If you saw the film, “The Favourite”, a few years ago, starring Olivia Colman as Queen Anne, Emma Stone as Abigail Hill, and Rachel Weisz as Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, you’ll know who I’m talking about. I’d also recommend “Savage Beauty: The Life of Edna St. Vincent Millay” by Nancy Milford, published in 2001. I knew next to nothing about Millay when I read this biography a few years ago, but the author provides a very detailed account of the troubled life and career of this American poet. Millay’s poetry went out of fashion after her death at age 58 in 1950, but in recent years her work has received renewed critical attention. She is probably best known for the following short poem, which sums up her philosophy of life. My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends- It gives a lovely light! Millay’s home, Steepletop, is located in Austerlitz, New York, and has been designated a national historic site. I’ll also mention, “Captivated: J.M. Barrie, the du Mauriers and the Dark Side of Neverland”, by Piers Dudgeon published in 2008. This book isn’t exactly a biography of a woman, but it does describe the dark influence that James M. Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan, allegedly had upon those around him, including the young Daphne du Maurier. The author cites Mrs. Danvers’s description of Rebecca de Winter as evidence of Barrie’s Peter Pan seeping into du Maurier’s characterization of her infamous villainess, for Rebecca had “the spirit of a boy … She ought to have been a boy, I often told her that.” Some critics have looked askance at Dudgeon’s book for relying too much on circumstantial evidence and amateur psychologizing, but I thought I’d mention it anyway, as I don’t think anyone has absolutely debunked it. I was glad to hear you say that many of the books you refer to in your video remain unread, as it helps alleviate my own guilt at having so many volumes on my own shelves that I haven’t quite got around to. These include “The Talented Miss Highsmith: The Secret Life and Serious Art of Patricia Highsmith” by Joan Schenkar, published in 2009. Highsmith is probably best known these days for her novel, “The Talented Mr. Ripley”, which has been made into at least two film versions that I’ve heard of, though I’ve never seen either one. Years ago, I read every Penguin paperback Highsmith novel I could find, about seventeen in all, though for some reason I’ve avoided this biography of her. The same goes for “Alice Munro: Writing Her Lives”, a biography by Robert Thacker from 2005 that I have yet to read, though I’ve read just about every Munro short story I’ve come across. Finally, there is “Faithful Handmaid: Fanny Burney at the Court of King George III” by Hester Davenport, published in 2000. Fanny Burney was a popular writer of the late 18th century, whose works Jane Austen read and admired, so one day I really should sit down and read this book. This is not a full biography of Fanny Burney, but instead concentrates on her years at court as Keeper of the Robes to Queen Charlotte (you may recall Helen Mirren as Queen Charlotte n the 1994 British film, “The Madness of George III”, which was released in America under the title, “The Madness of King George” because the British film distributors feared that if American moviegoers saw a film titled “The Madness of George III” they wouldn’t bother to go see it because they’d think they’d already missed “The Madness of George” Parts I and II. True story!)
yes!! i saw the favorite and loved the film! I'll need to check out the Sarah biography these are all such great recs tom!!!! i just love reading well written biographies!!!!!
The Margaret Cavendish biography sounds cool! I'm about to start Boel Westin's biography of Tove Jansson and I'm excited! I have a few more biographies on my tbr shelf but they're about... men.
Definitely recommend "Catherine the Great" by Robert Massie - incredible to read about a woman at this time who actually was quite progressive even by today's standards but even she let her power take over her mind at the end. The author was great in connecting the reader with her, both in admiring her and looking down on her. Also anything by Annie Ernaux!
I have Massie's "Catherine the Great" as well, but still haven't read it. Perhaps this winter when the weather is more congenial for reading Russian history and my elder daughter can provide me with another stash of Russian Caravan tea.
omg more love for Elaine Mays. she was such a gem. i wish she had written more because her jokes just land, just right. and EEEP! Didion and Babitz buddy read when??? also have the e-ARC!
