A compelling biography of a family, and a portrait of an era.
Each of the seven Garman sisters were strikingly beautiful, artistic and wild. Born around the turn of the nineteenth century, most of the siblings were to become involved in the radical literary and political circles of British life between the First and Second World Wars. Their morals were unconventional: bisexuality, unfaithfulness and illegitimate children were a matter of course. Nevertheless they were high-minded and intensely loyal.
They were the last muses: women who were prepared to sideline their own talent, friendships, material comforts – even their own children – in order to beguile and inspire the men they loved.
Cressida Connolly's family biography delves into the lives of three of the sisters in intense and revealing detail.
Kathleen Garman, the father's favourite, ran away to London to study music. There she was spotted by the American sculptor Jacob Epstein, who promptly fell in love with her. She was to remain his muse until his death. She had three children by Epstein, was shot in the shoulder by his first wife and at last became Lady Epstein in 1955.
There was Mary Garman, who came to London with Kathleen and studied art at the Slade. She married poet Roy Campbell, who was to become the scourge of the literary establishment by espousing General Franco's side during the Spanish Civil War.
And then finally there was Lorna Garman, the youngest and most beautiful of all the family. At sixteen she married the wealthy Ernest Wishart who was a landowner, communist and founder of the socialist publishing house Laurence & Wishart. He spent most of his life turning a blind eye to his wife's infidelities. Lorna was the love of Laurie Lee's life and she had a daughter by him. Lucian Freud painted several pictures for her.
Through Cressida Connolly’s skilfull retelling of these remarkable lives, we get an intimate portrait of a golden age of romance, passion and art that is an original, beguiling read.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
'Paints some wonderfully vivid pictures of how difficult the Garmans must have been to live with.' Sunday Telegraph
'Connolly writes with great elegance and perception about this ruthlessly sensual family.' Literary Review
‘A rollicking mix of the familiar and surprising.' Sunday Times
‘A sobering coda and an often hilarious tale.' Independent
Cressida Connolly was born in 1960. She is a journalist, reviewer and author of one previous book, The Happiest Days. She lives in Worcestershire with her husband and three children.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 1.06. Seller Inventory # G1841156337I3N00
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 1.06. Seller Inventory # G1841156337I3N00
Book Description Hardback. Condition: Good. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine. Seller Inventory # GOR002829882
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Book Description Hardback. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: very good. Later printing. 3rd printing. 8vo. Pp xvi + 281 illustrated with b&w photograpgs throughout. Brown cloth boards stamped in silver on the spine. A clean, unmarked and tightly bound copy in an unclipped dust jacket. Seller Inventory # 103966
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. A compelling biography of a family, and a portrait of an era. Each of the seven Garman sisters were strikingly beautiful, artistic and wild. Born around the turn of the nineteenth century, most of the siblings were to become involved in the radical literary and political circles of British life between the First and Second World Wars. Their morals were unconventional: bisexuality, unfaithfulness and illegitimate children were a matter of course. Nevertheless they were high-minded and intensely loyal. They were the last muses: women who were prepared to sideline their own talent, friendships, material comforts -- even their own children -- in order to beguile and inspire the men they loved. Cressida Connolly's family biography delves into the lives of three of the sisters in intense and revealing detail. Kathleen Garman, the father's favourite, ran away to London to study music. There she was spotted by the American sculptor Jacob Epstein, who promptly fell in love with her. She was to remain his muse until his death. She had three children by Epstein, was shot in the shoulder by his first wife and at last became Lady Epstein in 1955. There was Mary Garman, who came to London with Kathleen and studied art at the Slade. She married poet Roy Campbell, who was to become the scourge of the literary establishment by espousing General Franco's side during the Spanish Civil War. And then finally there was Lorna Garman, the youngest and most beautiful of all the family. At sixteen she married the wealthy Ernest Wishart who was a landowner, communist and founder of the socialist publishing house Laurence & Wishart. He spent most of his life turning a blind eye to his wife's infidelities. Lorna was the love of Laurie Lee's life and she had a daughter by him. Lucian Freud painted several pictures for her. Through Cressida Connolly's skilfull retelling of these remarkable lives, we get an intimate portrait of a golden age of romance, passion and art that is an original, beguiling read. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR001210363
Book Description Condition: Very Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 7876494-6