Iris Origo: Marchesa of Val d'Orcia

by Caroline Moorehead

Iris Origo was one of those rare characters who, despite being born with a platinum spoon in her mouth, went on to accomplish great things. In Origo's case, she managed to add light and color to everything she touched and left for posterity a legacy of work, biography, autobiography, and literary criticism, that have become recognized as classics of their kind.

She was born into a wealthy and long-established Long Island family, the Cuttings, but her talented and beloved father (who resembled, more than a little, a character right out of Henry James) died of consumption when she was only nine. She spent the following years traveling the world with her mother and an extensive entourage, settling finally at the Villa Medici at Fiesole and entering into the privileged world of wealthy Anglo-Florentine expatriates whose likes included the Berensons, Harold Acton, Janet Ross, and Edith Wharton, and whose petty bickering, and pettier politics, had a profound influence on how she spent her life.

Her marriage to Antonio Origo, a wealthy landowner and sportsman, was as much a reaction to this insular world as it was a surprise to her family and friends. Together they purchased, and single-handedly revived, an extensive, arid valley in Tuscany called Val d'Orcia, rebuilding the farmsteads and the manor house. Although clearly sympathetic to Mussolini's land use policies, they sided firmly with the Allies during World War II, taking considerable risks in protecting children, sheltering partisans, and repatriating Allied prisoners-of-war to their units.

Caroline Moorehead has made extensive use of unpublished letters, diaries, and papers to write what will surely be considered the definitive biography of this remarkable woman. She has limned a figure who was brave, industrious, and fiercely independent, but hardly saintly. What emerges is a portrait of one of the more intriguing, attractive, and intelligent women of the last century.

Genres: Biography, Italy, Nonfiction, History, Biography Memoir

368 pages, Hardcover

First published October 12, 2000

About the author

Caroline Moorehead is the New York Times bestselling author of Village of Secrets: Defying the Nazis in Vichy France; A Train in Winter: An Extraordinary Story of Women, Friendship, and Resistance in Occupied France; and Human Cargo: A Journey Among Refugees, which was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. An acclaimed biographer, Moorehead has also written for the New York Review of Books, the Guardian, the Times, and the Independent. She lives in London and Italy.

Reviews

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very well written and well researched biography. I was completely unfamiliar with Iris Origo; but, after having read this book, I am interested in reading her autobiography (Images & Shadows) as well as her war-time diary about her work during the second world war. She was a highly regarded writer and lived an exceptionally interesting life.

[Karen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so interesting, what an incredible woman. I am finding I really enjoy how Caroline Moorehead writes about history.

Not the most obvious, but the backdrop to history, the people who make a difference, an intelligent, interpretation of history.

I love discovering what I don't know and that's a lot. Dip into Moorehead's writing, you will read and read.

Origo was a women who's father wished upon her a multiple nationality, who settled in Tuscany, and embraced Italy as her country, along with her private contribution to social justice, arts, culture, writing.

[Dorthe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jeg kendte ikke til Iris Origo eller hendes forfatterskab, men bogen fangede mig alligevel.
Det er især omgivelserne hun færdes i. Hendes evige søgen efter at høre til. Opvokset med en amerikansk far og en engelsk mor, det begge er af den overbevisning at Iris skal opdrages som globetrotter unden fast tilhør til et land. De bosætter sig i Italien, der bliver Iris base til hun dør. Hun bliver gift med italienske Antonio og de køber et stort stykke land hvor de driver landbrug. Iris kommer fra en meget rig familie og de mangler aldrig midler. Under 2.verdens krig må Iris involvere sig i politik. Hvilken side er hun på, og det er faktisk den part af bogen, jeg synes er mest interessant , og så alle hendes litterære kvaler med hendes bøger. I den sidste 1/3 er det som om forfatteren Caroline Morehead bare skal være færdig, og det er lidt ærgerligt.

[Christine Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolutely fascinating biography of a writer I was aware of but knew very little about. I would have liked to have had more detail about her later years but that's only a minor quibble. It's inspired me to read her diaries and autobiography.

[Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent biography of a not altogether easy subject. Iris Origo was a writer on a wide range of subjects, though she is best known for her diary 'War in the Val d'Orcia' which records her own experiences in 1943-44 as the Fascists capitulated and the Allies pushed the Nazis northwards through Italy. This book excels at describing her childhood and education amongst the aesthete-intellectual Anglo-Florentines of the early 20th Century. The other thing that really sets it apart (for instance from Origo's own memoirs) is the author's access to a treasure trove of letters which reveals a deeply passionate aspect to a character who was superficially so guarded, whose prose too is precise and often somewhat detached. I was impressed by the very balanced analysis of the Origo's relationship with Fascism, which is so much more complex than I had realised - the practical help Mussolini gave to landowners, which allowed them to improve conditions for their tenants and labourers, was gratefully received; but what to do as the violence and militarism worsened? I felt I was given a privileged glimpse into how it felt for the Italian nobility - and for the Anglo-American caught up within it - as the political ground continually shifted beneath their feet. Most illuminating was the insight into all the philanthropic work Iris Origo did for children; I knew she had set up a school for her tenants' children and that she took in evacuees during the war, but had no idea this became a permanent children's home - the Casa dei Bambini - and that she set up a hospital and the education of promising but disadvantaged children. Along with her acclaimed biographies and anthologies, it was a big part of her later life and one for which she was honoured by the Italian state. She comes across as a complex and sometimes difficult woman but always fascinating and that is in no small part a credit to her biographer.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite what I was expecting - well-written and thoroughly researched, but rather long and detailed on names and families from early to mid-20th century. Although she (and husband Antonio) played an admirable part in supporting dissidents, partisans and allied forces during WW2, I was left wondering whether Iris Origo was such a significant woman after all. An interesting life story, certainly, crossing several national cultures (English/Irish, American, Italian, and more) and ahead of her time in terms of independence and her personal relationships with men, and other women. However, 3 stars reflects some disappointment at the investment of time in a book which didn't seem to hit the high spots (for me).

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good biography of a most interesting life. Her views on what makes a good biographer are presented, though a fuller version began life as a lecture in Cambridge by Uris and the author follows those instructions quite well. Iris’s biography, The Merchant of Prato, has never been out of print since it was published in 1957 and has been reissued once again in 2017 in a Penguin Classic. This story of life in the 1300s is fascinating. One can stay at the beautiful estate iris and her husband restored, La Foce, now run by her descendants. The best part of the biography are the war years as experienced by the Origos who helped so many victims, soldiers and partisans of WWII.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moorehead's knowledge of the era gave a fascinating perspective on Origo's life, one that Origo herself might have appreciated given her interest in conveying not only her own experience but a sense of how it was to live in her times. Moorehead's access to Origo's letters also provided insights into Origo beyond what appears in Origo's own autobiographical writings. It would be wonderful to have an edition of the letters. Even though this is written for a popular rather than scholarly audience, I very much missed footnotes.

[Cybercrone · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times seemed a little heavy on detail, but not everyone would think that's a fault.

Gave a good timeline about how Fascism took hold and why. Good to know in these politically strange times.

An extraordinary woman.

[Godine Publisher & Black Sparrow Press · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A fascinating portrait, and one that matches the high standards of its subject. . . An admirably perceptive, well-written, and entertaining biography."
- The Spectator

[Hubert · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a riveting, engaging, and fascinating biography of a key figure in British-Italian history. Connected to what is now Villa I Tatti, a research center for Italian studies, here we learn about the role that Iris Origo played in the development of British-Italian society in the 20s and 30s, through her work with housing anti-Fascist partisans in the 40s, and later as a post-War writer especially of biographies.

The author captures much of the emotional resonance of Origo, particularly her earlier life, and also her role in taking care of a large agricultural estate (and eventually also housing anti-Fascist partisans, sometimes POWs, and especially orphaned children. Her relations with partners, her marriage with Antonio (a military man), and her relations with her mother and her children, are described in interpersonal and pragmatic detail.

I think the author had to balance a multitude of sources herself; while Origo's autobiography was well-received at time of publication, Moorehead needed to be (and in my estimation was successful at) providing a wide array of voices, particularly amongst those who knew her well.

For anyone interested in World War II history, in history of Fascist Italy, and in what it's like to be self-taught and to learn from experience, this biography is for you.

[Tamara Willems · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fantastically good! It should not be hard to find accounts of amazing women in history and their accomplishments. I happen to stumble upon this lovely biography and enjoyed it immensely. Very well researched and written as to engage the reader wholly. Quite a remarkable woman and life, rich in history as well as gorgeous geography.
Thoroughly enjoyed this and would gladly pick up anything else written by this author.

[Christe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this biography. Iris Origo was such a fascinating woman; she was a wonderful writer, and she lived through important events at an important time and place (Italy under the rise of Mussolini and WWII). I loved all three of the books of hers that I have recently read, and was so glad to find this well-written biography. It fills in a lot of gaps.

[Janet Stultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I visited La Foce in October. I wish I had read this book before my trip to Italy. It helped me to understand the Italian political situation in World War II better and to understand La Foce better. Glad I read it and think I might read it again in the future to u derstand all the people mentioned better.

[Margery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful biography of Iris Origo....learned so much more about her. After reading War in Val D'Orcia and visiting her estate in Tuscany I loved reading this biography of her incredible life of privilege, struggles, her wealth of friendships, her writing of several books and love....

[Susan Wester · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this biography fascinating both for the life of Iris Origo and the world of the ex-pats in pre-WWII Italy. For n overview of her magnificent house and gardens, La Foca see: https://www.lafoce.com/en/

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars for an excellent account of the young Iris Origo's life and family background, also for the fascinating description of Italy's role in WW2. The last section covering her writing career was less captivating.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit dry and lots of typos.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written and engaging biography of an extraordinary and fascinating woman.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. It gave me a general overview of her unusual life., and I am now looking forward to reading her memoir of WWII in Italy.

[Kim Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book expanded my understanding of Iris Origo, whose memoir I recently enjoyed. She was a remarkable woman who lived in a remarkable time and place.

[Fanny · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fascinating life of an extraordinary woman. Born in 1902 to an American father, Bayard Cutting and an Anglo-Irish mother, Sybil Cuffe, Iris Origo's life was unorthodox to say the least. When young, she travelled the world with her parents and an array of servants. After her father's death in 1910, she and her demanding mother settled in the Villa Medici in Fiesole, among a coterie of well-heeled ex-pats including Bernard Berenson.In 1924 Iris married Antonio Origo and they moved to La Foce, a rundown estate in the Val d'Orcia and together devoted themselves to reclaiming the land and helping the local farmers. During WW2, they supported the Allies and gave refuge to many partisans and PoWs. But she was also a writer, producing biography, history and her own highly readable memoirs. This biography of her captures the atmosphere of the times, is packed with memorable characters and creates a memorable portrait of its subject.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

She lived through tumultuous times while married to an Italian and farming in the aristocratic way in Tuscany and hobnobbing with English intellectuals. I enjoyed the parts on Florence before WWI and Italy 1935 through the end of WW II.

[Or · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just as the author herself said about Iris Origo's writing, I must say about Caroline Moorehead's book: "informative, but not very entertaining." However, the life story itself is definitely that of a great woman - a woman I knew nothing about until now and I have missed out. 3,5 rating