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francesmthompson's review
4.0
A moving, insightful and poignantly honest biography of a woman I have long been fascinated with because of her varied and rich career, although she remains relatively unheard of.
A novelist, criminal writer and wartime correspondent, the life of Fryn Tennyson Jesse (the great niece of Alfred Tennyson) is dissected tirelessly by Joanna Colenbrander who was her assistant in the last decade of her life. Based mostly on Fryn's own correspondence and that of those closest to her, which include a number of characters brought vividly to life through Colenbrander's own attention to detail, there are more than a handful of moving quotes which I now treasure. Furthermore, Colenbrander's beautiful use of language goes a long way to keep the reader captivated with clear description and creative prose. What I found most touching about this story was how revealing the author is about Fryn's flaws - her addiction to drugs, her uncompromising mood swings and, in her darkest bouts of depression, her poor treatment of those she loved.
If you have the smallest inkling of interest in Fryn Tennyson Jesse, I believe this is the only biography out there that will inform, inspire and educate in an unrivalled way.
A novelist, criminal writer and wartime correspondent, the life of Fryn Tennyson Jesse (the great niece of Alfred Tennyson) is dissected tirelessly by Joanna Colenbrander who was her assistant in the last decade of her life. Based mostly on Fryn's own correspondence and that of those closest to her, which include a number of characters brought vividly to life through Colenbrander's own attention to detail, there are more than a handful of moving quotes which I now treasure. Furthermore, Colenbrander's beautiful use of language goes a long way to keep the reader captivated with clear description and creative prose. What I found most touching about this story was how revealing the author is about Fryn's flaws - her addiction to drugs, her uncompromising mood swings and, in her darkest bouts of depression, her poor treatment of those she loved.
If you have the smallest inkling of interest in Fryn Tennyson Jesse, I believe this is the only biography out there that will inform, inspire and educate in an unrivalled way.
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