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kimjongev's review against another edition
5.0
Jo Carstairs and Lord Tod Wadley blew my mind. Too many eccentricities to enumerate. Fun.
mxd's review against another edition
4.0
A while back I read Mrs Robinson's Disgrace by Kate Summerscale, a book I enjoyed immensely (and then proceeded to push on to anyone who would listen - no regrets). Obviously, I then decided to find everything else Summerscale has written and add to my reading list
This time Summerscale's subject is Marion Barbara Carstairs who lived out her life as Joe Carstairs, rejecting gender roles (lived out her life as a chap), rejecting the expectations of the age (she was a power boat racer) and pretty much rejecting anything that didn't make her happy (her childhood, her parents, her name). She lived what was for her time a very out and proud life. Of course, it helped that she was an heiress with loads of money.
This slim volume paints a vivid picture of a headstrong and fearless person, and though I got the feeling that the author was under her subject's spell a little, concentrating more on what made Joe remarkable rather than what made her dislikeable, it was easy to momentarily fall under that spell too (though mostly I thought Joe was a bit of a dick).
Joe was a thrill seeker, wanting a life of adventure and action. She drove an ambulance during the war, used her boats for a spot of piracy as well as transporting bootleg liquor during prohibition. A privileged brat who was a product of the colonial age, she had no qualms about owning an island and its people. She did quite a lot for the people of her island, but with her benevolence came also a low opinion of her islanders and the assumption that they needed her to civilize them. Having said that, she probably still had a better handle on race relations than a lot of her contemporaries. She also had flings with Marlene Dietrich as well as Oscar Wilde's niece Dolly Wilde, leading the kind of life that would already be a Hollywood movie had she been born a man.
It's a book I'd thoroughly recommend the book to anyone wanting to read about interesting women and LGBT figures. Some undesirable personality traits aside, Joe was a remarkable character.
This time Summerscale's subject is Marion Barbara Carstairs who lived out her life as Joe Carstairs, rejecting gender roles (lived out her life as a chap), rejecting the expectations of the age (she was a power boat racer) and pretty much rejecting anything that didn't make her happy (her childhood, her parents, her name). She lived what was for her time a very out and proud life. Of course, it helped that she was an heiress with loads of money.
This slim volume paints a vivid picture of a headstrong and fearless person, and though I got the feeling that the author was under her subject's spell a little, concentrating more on what made Joe remarkable rather than what made her dislikeable, it was easy to momentarily fall under that spell too (though mostly I thought Joe was a bit of a dick).
Joe was a thrill seeker, wanting a life of adventure and action. She drove an ambulance during the war, used her boats for a spot of piracy as well as transporting bootleg liquor during prohibition. A privileged brat who was a product of the colonial age, she had no qualms about owning an island and its people. She did quite a lot for the people of her island, but with her benevolence came also a low opinion of her islanders and the assumption that they needed her to civilize them. Having said that, she probably still had a better handle on race relations than a lot of her contemporaries. She also had flings with Marlene Dietrich as well as Oscar Wilde's niece Dolly Wilde, leading the kind of life that would already be a Hollywood movie had she been born a man.
It's a book I'd thoroughly recommend the book to anyone wanting to read about interesting women and LGBT figures. Some undesirable personality traits aside, Joe was a remarkable character.
vanessamcc's review against another edition
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this biography, which tells the story of an extraordinary, unconventional, hugely wealthy life.
The pictures at the end are gorgeous, and the biographer tells the story of the bold "Joe" Carstairs without interjecting personal opinion or judgement, which is also why this biog works.
The pictures at the end are gorgeous, and the biographer tells the story of the bold "Joe" Carstairs without interjecting personal opinion or judgement, which is also why this biog works.
nixieclerk's review against another edition
5.0
Delightful. I looked for a copy of this book for a long time and it was worth the hunt.
crazybooklady_'s review against another edition
4.0
There is no better way to describe this novel than truth really is stranger than fiction. In fact I'm going to follow Margot from Project Lectito and say after reading this biography Joe Carstairs would most definitely be one of the five people dead or alive I would want to have dinner with. If, like I was, you are completely unaware who Joe Carstairs is firstly she was the fasted woman on the water in the 1920's. Born to an American oil heiress and a British army caption, Joe was born Marion Barbara Carstairs and worked as a driver during WWI. Post-war she named herself Joe, dressed as a man and embarked on affairs with a host of actresses and young women while aspiring to be the fastest woman on water. Eventually she tired of the limelight and the fickle whims of the media and bought an island in the Bahamas to live on with the love of her life Lord Tod Wadley, a doll given to her by her girlfriend Ruth. On Whale Cay she built a thriving community, championed for the rights of the Bahamians and threw debaucherous parties.
Joe Carstairs was an enigma, a more fascinating person you will not find. From her childhood and relationship with her mother to her flair for the dramatics and practical jokes. To Lord Tod Wadley and her many girlfriends, to her lifelong generosity and passion for the local Bahaminans and mission to make them self-sufficient. Joe had many contrasting personality traits, both negative and positive in equal amounts but regardless she always meant well. All I can say really is read this book! To go into more detail is to spoil all these amazing stories for all you potential readers.
Summerscale's writing and tone was a highlight of the book, apart from Carstair's escapades of course. Her comments speculating on the psychology of Corsair's actions were well-placed and not ver-done. There was not too much or too little detail. This biography engages the reader throughout. The photographs and other mages were a great addition to add to the readers experience. Overall, this was a great non-fiction read for a giggle and a unique story that if someone were to fictionalise would be thought to be over the top and too ridiculous. While many of Carstair's actions were laughable and entertaining she had much more depth than one might initially assume. I give The Queen of Whale Cay four dolls to keep Lord Tod Wadley company.
Joe Carstairs was an enigma, a more fascinating person you will not find. From her childhood and relationship with her mother to her flair for the dramatics and practical jokes. To Lord Tod Wadley and her many girlfriends, to her lifelong generosity and passion for the local Bahaminans and mission to make them self-sufficient. Joe had many contrasting personality traits, both negative and positive in equal amounts but regardless she always meant well. All I can say really is read this book! To go into more detail is to spoil all these amazing stories for all you potential readers.
Summerscale's writing and tone was a highlight of the book, apart from Carstair's escapades of course. Her comments speculating on the psychology of Corsair's actions were well-placed and not ver-done. There was not too much or too little detail. This biography engages the reader throughout. The photographs and other mages were a great addition to add to the readers experience. Overall, this was a great non-fiction read for a giggle and a unique story that if someone were to fictionalise would be thought to be over the top and too ridiculous. While many of Carstair's actions were laughable and entertaining she had much more depth than one might initially assume. I give The Queen of Whale Cay four dolls to keep Lord Tod Wadley company.
chgoange's review against another edition
2.0
I agree w/ the first reviewer. The author didn't seem to know what to do with such a colorful character. I mean, her best friend was a male puppet!
odearrr's review against another edition
5.0
Holy crap! If you have not read this book, you have no idea what you are missing out on. It is fantastic and absolutely insane. I guarantee that you will never read a biography like it. I mean the woman owned an island where she declared herself queen, raced speedboats and was lovers with Marlene Dietrich and Oscar Wilde's niece and the whole time she was in love with this weird leather faced doll she referred to as Lord Todd Wadley. You will be talking about it for at least a week and gawking at the photos of that weird doll for even longer.
Update: And I agree it is not the best-written book but it is a book you will honestly remember your whole life, so who cares!
Update: And I agree it is not the best-written book but it is a book you will honestly remember your whole life, so who cares!
ruthiella's review
3.0
This was a very slim biography of a woman doomed to obscurity. At best, Joe Carstairs could be described as an eccentric. Sparked by an obituary, Summerscale attempts to tease out the life story of a woman who was briefly hailed in the early part of the 20th century as “The fastest woman on water”. Parts of the book are best taken with a whole shaker of salt since Carstairs by the author’s and her own admission embellished, misremembered and sometimes outright lied. Because there was so little documented information about Ms. Carstairs, the book occasionally feels padded, but if you are looking for non-fiction about a cross-dressing heiress whose best friend was a doll, this is the book for you.
han_cat's review
4.0
Really enjoyed this booked. Fascinating life story but even better the author kept a balanced and critical eye on everything - too often in biography you get swept into the authors particular element of fancy. Highly recommended reading!