The Invisible Woman: The Story of Nelly Ternan and Charles Dickens |
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Claire Tomalin
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Pages: 352 (Paperback)
ISBN: 0140121366
Pub: Penguin
Pub date: 2004-03-25
Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 49772
Reader Reviews:
Not so great expectations (0/0 people found this helpful)
I read this book shortly after finishing Ackroyd's 'Dickens' (1990 version). Tomalin's findings give a extra, sharper slant on that biography. Particularly the depiction of Dickens' death.
The accumulation of research and detective work go a long way to casting light on the elusive relationship between Nelly Ternan and the most famous English novelist of the 19th century.
It is eventually a sad - but all too human - story. And it did make me reassess Dickens' heroines and his approach to women in general. I agree with the author that Estella (from 'Great Expectations') is his most alluring female character.
Claire Tomalin has written a clear sighted, carefully outlined and moving/rather troubling history here. It certainly deserves all the critical plaudits it has recieved. I now look forward to reading her book on Thomas Hardy.
The secret life of Dickens (46/48 people found this helpful)
Claire Tomalin's biographies often reveal (or rescue) the life of a woman who lived on the margins of society. Her ability to rediscover these lives is amazing. Ellen Ternan is one such woman. She was a member of a family of actors in Victorian England, who had a long, secret relationship with the most popular novellist of the day, Charles Dickens. Tomalin describes the world of the theatre (which was not considered respectable), the limited choices for Ellen and her sisters, and the impossible position Ellen was in as Dickens' mistress. Ellen was invisible to respectable society, and to posterity, because Dickens couldn't marry her. Dickens' dreadful behaviour to his wife, Catherine, is also detailed here This is a fascinating story for anyone interested in Victorian society and the ambiguous position of women living on the margins.
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Categories
Amazon.co.uk places this book into the following categories:
Books -> Subjects -> Biography -> General
Books -> Subjects -> Biography -> Novelists, Poets & Playwrights -> Novelists -> General AAS
Books -> Subjects -> Biography -> Women
Books -> Subjects -> Biography -> General AAS
Books -> Subjects -> Poetry, Drama & Criticism -> History & Criticism -> Novels & Novelists -> 19th Century
Books -> Subjects -> Poetry, Drama & Criticism -> History & Criticism -> Novels & Novelists -> General AAS
Books -> Subjects -> Poetry, Drama & Criticism -> History & Criticism -> General AAS
Books -> Refinements -> Language (feature_browse-bin) -> English
Books -> Refinements -> Format (binding_browse-bin) -> Paperback
Books -> Refinements -> Font Size (format_browse-bin) -> Regular Size