I've been enjoying the recent Cazalet repeats on RadioFour which prompted me to pick up EJH's memoir. However, I'm flagging with this, too many lists of irrelevant walk-on characters met at parties and I far preferred Artemis Cooper's very readable biography. I haven't got as far as the Kingsley years so maybe it will pick up.
The Artemis Cooper bio on EJH is firmly on my list to look out for while in London, Mary. I haven't looked, but I hope it's in paperback.
ReplyDeleteSurely it must be by now, Darlene? It's much better reading than Slipstream.
ReplyDeleteI read the Artemis Cooper bio and thoroughly enjoyed it. I've had 'Slipstream' for a while now but haven't got round to reading it yet...
ReplyDeleteI think it would have been better to read Slipstream first, Veronica; it feels like going over old ground now.
ReplyDeleteKeep going, Mary! It is very good. Although, I agree the AC bio is better. I think EH's life is easier to cope with when the author has a bit of distance.
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy Slipstream and was interested to find that much of the Cazalet Chronicles was based on her own life. I haven't read the Artemis Cooper book yet but some people have said that it's too much about men (disastrous!) and not enough about her writing?
ReplyDeleteHaven't given up, Sue! I think the AC bio works because the author clearly shares the reader's need to give EJH a good shaking! It's almost as if you need to look over your shoulder at someone who's saying, yes, she really is this exasperating!
ReplyDeleteYes, callmemadam, it does bring home how much of the Cazalets was autobiographical. Thr Artemis Cooper book will leave you reeling because EJH's love life was a car crash. I think I'd sooner read the novels than read about the novels, though.