Penny Perrick

There are people who consider most women's misfortunes and even misdoings the result of victimisation. They would adore a brief description of this poet's life: Forbidden to read as a child, she was not allowed by her husband to frequent literary circles. Despite this, despite wretchedly ill health, despite no one understanding her, she rose at 3:00 each morning to write poetry. Those same people would probably not much like this book.

Wingfield did have an awful childhood, primarily because her mother was, just as Wingfield would prove to be, a ghastly parent. She was indeed expected to lead the life of her set--the hunt, dances, cleverness not allowed here--but was soon old enough and rich enough to live as she pleased had she wanted to. Her husband's prohibition was one of Wingfield's many lies. Her illness was at the very least in part psychosomatic, not helped by her ingestion of drink and downers. The victims in this book were the spouse and offspring. Well-researched, well-written, and more sympathetic to Wingfield than I've implied. It's helpful as well that a selection of Wingfield's poems is included. Great book for a rainy afternoon.… (lisätietoja)