Anna Wickham: A Poet's Daring Life

Rating:
Summary: A simply fascinating biographical study
Review: Anna Wickham: A Poet's Daring Life by Jennifer Vaughan Jones (Viterbo University) is an informed and informative biography of the trailblazing female poet Anna Wickham (1883-1947). When Anna's husband felt threatened by her poetry, he had her committed against her will to a mental hospital. Yet it was within those restrictive and alien confines that Anna was stimulated to write eighty moving poems, and find the strength to flourish as a literary creator. Anna eventually separated from her husband and found an (unfortunately unrequited) love for Natalie Clifford Barney, a lesbian American millionaire. Anna Wickham: A Poet's Daring Life is a simply fascinating biographical study and presentation enhanced with exclusive interviews with members of Anna Wickham's family and a newly discovered written correspondence.

Rating:
Summary: What a biography should be!
Review: Jennifer Vaughan Jones has written a compelling page-turner of a biography that is as gripping as a novel. The depth of her research and the connections she makes between people in the worlds of music and literature are commendable. While the book clearly tells the story of a woman who lived at a time when women were without rights and were the property of their husbands, Ms. Jones does not fall into the trap of making this story a hardline feminist rant. She maintains a realistic balance throughout, treating her "characters" fairly and perceptively. Even people who have never heard of Anna Wickham will find this book fascinating. Very highly recommneded

Rating:
Summary: What a biography should be!
Review: Jennifer Vaughan Jones has written a compelling page-turner of a biography that is as gripping as a novel. The depth of her research and the connections she makes between people in the worlds of music and literature are commendable. While the book clearly tells the story of a woman who lived at a time when women were without rights and were the property of their husbands, Ms. Jones does not fall into the trap of making this story a hardline feminist rant. She maintains a realistic balance throughout, treating her "characters" fairly and perceptively. Even people who have never heard of Anna Wickham will find this book fascinating. Very highly recommneded