Tag: Biography

Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Gen Lit, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: The Journal of Countess Francoise Krasinska by Klementyna Tanska Hoffman

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: The Journal of Countess Francoise Krasinska by Klementyna Tanska Hoffman

Charming towering spires, castles, and palaces litter Poland in the 18th century which makes it the perfect backdrop for a fairytale romance. In The Journal of Countess Francoise Krasinska by Klementyna Tanska Hoffman we explore the true life fairytale romance of Francoise Krasinska and the Prince Royal, Charles Duke of Courland (Poland/Lithuanian region).

Klementyna Tanska Hoffman pens this historic account of the Countess Francoise courtship and hasty marriage to the Duke. Though it is a second-hand account of the events, they are historically accurate and offer a unique insight into the royal court during the Georgian era.

I am not familiar with Eastern European history….at all, so I was a little weary about reading this book when my friends over at Onesuch Press suggested I read it. However I knew it was a short read (about 120 pages) and since I love courtly history, I felt that by reading this, I might have the perfect excuse to build my historic base, and I was right!

I love reading primary sources and first hand accounts, especially of courtly life. I was surprised to see not much has changed in the world since 1759 (which is where the Journal opens). Girls still write in their diaries about boys they like, and they still hope upon hope that, that boy is looking at them….then the wish comes true! He returns said maidens affections and marries her, living happily ever after…..or so the story goes. Though that is not the case for the Countess. Continue reading “Review: The Journal of Countess Francoise Krasinska by Klementyna Tanska Hoffman” →

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Review: A Magnificent Obsession: Victoria, Albert, and the Death That Changed the British Monarchy by Helen Rappaport

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: A Magnificent Obsession: Victoria, Albert, and the Death That Changed the British Monarchy by Helen Rappaport

The romance between Prince Albert and Queen Victoria is legendary–a love that bordered on obsession. Helen Rappaport’s latest non-fiction book, A Magnificent Obsession: Victoria, Albert, and the Death That Changed the British Monarchy explores how a fairy tale romance turned into a dark melancholy that altered the course of the British monarchy.

I won an ARC of this book through Goodreads. Non-fiction is normally not my review genre….non-fiction is more The Lib Bitch’s area than mine :). But I love Queen Victoria and was thrilled when I won the giveaway.

I haven’t read a lot of books on Queen Victoria but I know the love story like I know any classic fairy tale. I love all things Victorian era and went to the Albert and Victoria exhibit in London a couple of summers ago….and I love the movie The Young Victoria also! So needless to say I was really excited to read this book. Continue reading “Review: A Magnificent Obsession: Victoria, Albert, and the Death That Changed the British Monarchy by Helen Rappaport” →

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Review: The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford

by The Lib Bitch1 Comment on Review: The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford

What is a “weekend” you ask?… Like you I’m having Downton Abbey withdrawls, so I turned to Nancy Mitford to give me a fix.

Nancy was one of the famous Mitford sisters, members of an aristocratic and eccentric English family who became quite famous for their exploits.

There is a very interesting biography about them that I plan to tackle at some point by Mary S. Lovell called The Sisters: The Saga of the Mitford Family. Nancy Mitford bases many of her fictional characters and stories off of her infamous family.

The book I picked up is called The Pursuit of Love (for all of you cover whores out there it is worth reading for the cover alone). I had read a few reviews about the book before reading it myself, and everyone commented on how funny it was. My hopes were high. It wasn’t what I was expecting, however this short book really grew on me. Continue reading “Review: The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford” →

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Review: Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle by The Countess of Carnarvon, Fiona Carnarvon

by The Lit Bitch12 Comments on Review: Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle by The Countess of Carnarvon, Fiona Carnarvon

Don’t we all wish we could wave our magic wands and become the Crawley family living the high life at Downton Abbey?

For Lady Almina Carnarvon that dream was a reality.

With Downton Abbey sweeping the telly waves, fans are salivating at the mouth for more Downton–I know I am! This book was extremely appealing to me for the obvious–a promise of more Downton! When the publisher sent me a copy for review, I was over the moon–checking my mailbox daily in eager anticipation!

I am always a little iffy about non-fiction and biography books because they can often become rather dry and scholarly for my taste…that’s all well and good if I am reading a book for a history class but when I am reading for fun, I want a story.

That was not the case with this book–it was absolutely riveting! I would call this one un-put-downable…it was a smashing read and I enjoyed every page! Books like this make me excited about history!  Continue reading “Review: Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle by The Countess of Carnarvon, Fiona Carnarvon” →

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Review: The Rose of Martinique: A Life of Napoleon’s Josephine by Andrea Stuart

by The Lib BitchLeave a Comment on Review: The Rose of Martinique: A Life of Napoleon’s Josephine by Andrea Stuart

Josephine Bonaparte was the Jacqueline Kennedy of her era. She was a fashion icon and patron of the arts, who was also renowned for her charm, beauty, and compassion.

Josephine worked hard to constantly reinvent herself and her public image, even Madonna would be impressed by her efforts. Despite the veneer of glamour this woman had a rough life, but fought through it all dressed to kill and with a smile firmly in place.

Andrea Stuart’s biography provides a fascinating account of Josephine’s chaotic life from her birth on the island of Martinique, to her unhappy first marriage, her imprisonment during the French revolution, and finally her tumultuous relationship with Napoleon.

Stuart does a fantastic job of making history read like fiction. Normally there are places in a biographies that I struggle to read through, but Stuart held my attention through each chapter. Continue reading “Review: The Rose of Martinique: A Life of Napoleon’s Josephine by Andrea Stuart” →