I've just been listening to Juliet Stevenson reading 'A House Full of Daughters' on BBC Radio 4.
The book by Juliet Nicholson is a biography of her family through the eyes of its daughters, with insights into Knole, Vita Sackville-West, and Sissinghurst.
A life of privilege, tragedy, and fame, a circle that most of us will never enter; but one that fascinates.
If such things interest you, Juliet Stevenson's reading is a delight, and the tale it reveals is fascinating.
It should be around somewhere on iPlayer or BBC Sounds.
Related to Harold Nicholson married to V S-W?
ReplyDeleteHarold was Vita's husband, and Juliet was their granddaughter. Her father, Nigel, was their son. A very distinguished and interesting family.
ReplyDeleteThen Nigel beget Adam Nicholson, who wrote a very good book on the Shiant Isles, which his father had bought when he was young. The book is called 'Sea Room'. They are a very interesting family.
ReplyDeleteI think Adam was (is?) married to the gardening writer Sarah Raven. A talented lot.
DeleteSounds just the type of book I'd enjoy. I shall look for it
ReplyDeleteAnd being about Nicholson/Sackville-West; plenty of intrigue too!
DeleteI've just put it on hold at the library!
ReplyDeleteA fascinating story; I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
DeleteI've touched upon this family through interest in the Bloomsbury group and it seems to me that the way they lived anticipated the freedoms we supposedly have now, except of course they didn't extend those freedoms to their servants.
ReplyDeleteIn the programme, both Duncan Grant and Strachey were mentioned; neither of whom could one imagine having liberated chauffeurs; unless they were having affairs with them.
DeleteActually most if the time they had very little money and could not have afforded chauffeurs. It us a myth that all the Bloomsbury Group oozed wealth, they didn't.
DeleteQueers were everywhere.
ReplyDeleteVita seems to have had dozens a female lovers; some rather surprising!
DeleteAnd her husband had plenty of male lovers. They had what was an early open marriage.
DeleteJS has a great reading voice. I think I'll see if I can find this, too. Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteShe read it beautifully, in fact noticeably so.
Delete