A Great Task of Happiness: The Life of Kathleen Scott

by Louisa Young

Louisa Young, the best-selling author of MY DEAR I WANTED TO TELL YOU is also the granddaughter of the celebrated sculptor, Kathleen Scott. In A Great Task of Happiness: The Life of Kathleen Scott she tells us about an extraordinary woman and a celebrated artist. Kathleen Scott led a remarkable life despite an unremarkable start as a Victorian girl in a normal, middle class family; but she went on to grab life by the reigns and lead an extraordinary life. Her gift as a celebrated sculptor, her role as wife to Captain Scott of the Antarctic and her circle of artistic influencers was quite something. And here, in this biography, is captured the energy of a life lived to the brim, and a masterly account of a woman who up until now was only known as an explorer’s widow. Discover the story of Kathleen Scott.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

288 pages, Hardcover

First published June 2, 1995

About the author

Louisa Young is a history graduate, and worked as a journalist for British national newspapers and magazines for some years. Her first book was A Great Task of Happiness (1995), the life of Kathleen Bruce, her grandmother, the sculptor and wife of Scott of the Antarctic. She followed that with her Egyptian trilogy of novels: Baby Love (which was listed for the Orange Prize), Desiring Cairo and Tree of Pearls. They were followed by The Book of the Heart, a cultural history of our most symbolic organ. She has also published the Lionboy trilogy of children’s novels, written with her then ten-year-old daughter under the pseudonym Zizou Corder and two further children's novels, Lee Raven Boy Thief and Halo. .
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Her 2011 bestseller My Dear, I Wanted to Tell You, which was shortlisted for the Costa Novel Award 2011 and the Wellcome Book Prize, was a Richard and Judy Book Club choice, and the first ever winner of the Galaxy Audiobook of the Year. It was followed by two sequels, The Heroes' Welcome and Devotion, and a memoir, You Left Early: A True Story of Love and Alcohol, about her relationship with the composer Robert Lockhart.

Her most recent book is a novel, Twelve Months and a Day.

She lives in London.

http://www.louisayoung.co.uk/about.html

Reviews

[Bettie · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01d28pq

Description: The Antarctic explorer Robert Falcon Scott died a hundred years ago, leaving behind a fascinating and talented wife, the sculptor Kathleen Scott. Jenny Coverack's trilogy of readings is adapted from her own one-woman stage play, written with Robert Edwards, based on Kathleen Scott's autobiography and journals. These begin with Kathleen's unconventional childhood, when she was farmed out to relatives, before she took the bold and at the time unconventional decision to go to Paris to study art. Here, she mixes in Bohemian circles and is pursued by numerous admirers wanting to start affairs, but what matters most to her is the search for a man worthy of the role of father to the son she longs for.

With grateful acknowledgement to the novelist Louisa Young for her biography of her grandmother, Kathleen Scott, 'A Great Task of Happiness'.

Reader: Jenny Coverack









Isadora Duncan | Musée Rodin

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

From BBC radio 4:
The Antarctic explorer Robert Falcon Scott died a hundred years ago, leaving behind a fascinating and talented wife, the sculptor Kathleen Scott. Jenny Coverack's trilogy of readings is adapted from her own one-woman stage play, written with Robert Edwards, based on Kathleen Scott's autobiography and journals. These begin with Kathleen's unconventional childhood, when she was farmed out to relatives, before she took the bold and at the time unconventional decision to go to Paris to study art. Here, she mixes in Bohemian circles and is pursued by numerous admirers wanting to start affairs, but what matters most to her is the search for a man worthy of the role of father to the son she longs for.

2/3 Having arrived in Paris to study art at the turn of the twentieth century, Kathleen makes friends with the sculptor Rodin, and through him makes friends with the dancer Isadora Duncan. After a series of adventures around Europe, with and without Isadora, Kathleen meets the figure she has been searching for: the one man who is worthy to be a father to the son she desperately desires.

3/3 After living in Paris as an art student, and 'vagabonding' around Europe, Kathleen has at last found the man she wants to be the father of the son she longs for: a celebrated, well-dressed, rather ugly explorer with eyes of a startling blue called Captain Robert Falcon Scott. When their son Peter is two, Captain Scott sets off for the South Pole, and Kathleen begins the journal she has promised to keep for him until his return.

With grateful acknowledgement to the novelist Louisa Young for her biography of her grandmother, Kathleen Scott, 'A Great Task of Happiness'.

Reader: Jenny Coverack
Producer: Sara Davies.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating read about a fascinating woman.

[Cara W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely not a book I would have been drawn to myself. Kathleen Scott was a woman far ahead of her times, and/or a woman of her own world. Growing up poor in the late 1800's, she was an adventurer, living on very little, and fine about it. Went to Paris to study art. Became a reknowned sculptor. Had many male friends, but while would flirt and be friends, did not marry anyone until Scott (of Anarctica fame). Remained a very independent women even when married. Had a child with Scott - Peter. Scott died in Anarctica. Kathleen went on. Throughout her life ran in circles of the famous - initially artists, then political circles. Eventually married again. Had a 2nd son. Hilton Young (his stepson decided to call him Bill - was Bill after that). Bill was in politics before and through WWII. Kathleen was the dutiful wife as much as she could, still very independent.

Both sons, and Kathleen and Bill - made it through WWII. Kathleen's health declined after the war and wasn't as active (not happy). Had to become more sedentary. Died in 1947.

Always believed to be joyful. Did hurt on Scott's death, but didn't show it outwardly. Vagabonded in youth and mid-age (hiking around, sleeping outside). Had a great many friends (some detractors). Self-supportive with her scultptures (after Scott gone, through tough times with Bill).

Quite a character.

[Susann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marvelous Life and Life Story!

This biography was a surprise and a delight. Known as the wife of the Antarctic explorer, Robert Falcon Scott, she was actually only married to him a few years before he died. She was a major life force and artist in her own right and most proud of being the mother of Peter Scott of wildlife conservation fame. She led an unconventional life doing what she loved...traveling, creating sculptures, entertaining her host of male admirers, having meaningful conversations with everyone including most of the key figures during the early nineteen hundreds, appreciating nature's richness and much more. I would love to have known her...a fascinating and much loved personality. The title is apt because her focus was spreading joy, caring and happiness. What a woman!!!

[Nicola Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this account of an extraordinary woman and life. It seemed to me she - artist/widow of Robert Falcon Scott (of the Antarctic) mother/traveller/lover/activist - could and did anything she took a mind to. Inspirational woman and read! Here is how to seize life with both hands and make something exhilarating out of it.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting read about a dynamic woman whose work is impressive in its own right. She was married to the famous Antarctic explorer Robert Falcon Scott. It was interesting to learn that Scott's large statue in Christchurch, New Zealand was carved by his talented wife Kathleen. At times the book is a bit slow with recounting daily life events, but it was definitely worth the read

[Jenevieve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review first posted on My Blog.

Kathleen Scott was the widow of Captain Scott who died in Antartica and has been a largely misunderstood footnote for her husband and their son, Peter Scott. Louisa Young, the author, is the granddaughter of Kathleen Scott and wanted to show the world a different side of her. Her unwavering devotion to seizing life and all it had to offer and to always choose happiness. The author does stress these points at every opportunity as well as giving long lists of the famous people in whose company she was often found but it felt more like laundry lists than anything else. While I admire the things that she did accomplish, especially as a woman during that time, I felt that much of the more interesting accomplishments were given very short mentions.

This is a huge issue with this book. The depth is lacking in so many areas. Places where it would have been really interesting to know more about. Her helping with recreating the faces of wounded soldiers. Her relationships with so many of the artists that she knew. But it was just mentioned and then quickly moved past.

I also found that the fact that there would be years in the chapter titles and then stuff from all over the place would get mentioned in that chapter so it was jumping time all over the place regularly very frustrating.

And then there is Kathleen Scott herself. I understand that the author wanted to help get better information about her out there but honestly, she came across as a misogynist, self-centered, and emotionally needy and controlling to me. I was mostly frustrated and just didn't find her likable at all. Apparently in real life she was but this book did not bring that across to me.

[Susan Steggall]

This biography of Young’s grandmother, the sculptor Kathleen Scott, covers many extraordinary decades in European history, as lived by many extraordinary people. With access to Kathleen’s private papers Young has created an intimate portrait of a woman of her time and milieu, of great talent and, perhaps, all-too human flaws. Using her best novelist’s skills, Young brings to life historical figures such as Kathleen’s first husband, Antarctic explorer Robert Falcon Scott, to portray him as a flesh-and-blood human being rather than the austere and tragic hero of my school history books.