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Violet
Chronicles the genius of the exotic musician whose skill on the harpsichord was renowned, whose salon drew the likes of Picasso, and whose menage a cinque lifestyle scandalized Europe
- GenresBiographyNonfiction
342 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 20, 2017
I wouldn't have heard of this biography if it hadn't been for one of my Twitter friends - a lady who runs what she calls 'a male harem' - recommending it to me. Violet was part of a 'menage a cinq', effectively having - and at times living with - four doting male partners. One of my frustrations was that we never really get to the bottom of what the nature of her relationships with these men actually was - no doubt because Violet herself kept everyone guessing. One curious female guest was bold enough to ask Violet 'What do the men do about "it"' - 'Oh they go into Gloucester for that,' came her reply - but we don't know if she was being serious or joking...
Much of the book serves as a history of music in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries - Violet was a prodigy and clearly an exceptional talent. If you're interested in music history this book will certainly appeal. The book taught me a great deal about music and it's place in the lives of the Victorians and the English of the first half of the twentieth century.
The other major interest is Violet's charisma and personal magnetism. She had an ability to, and frequently did, wrap people around her little finger. This, more than anything, explains how she was able to establish her menage. A few rare women in history are said to be possessed of such powers - Cleopatra perhaps being another. Violet was also complex and spoiled. The following extract gives a good idea of her personality: 'At first Violet received her coolly, addressing her formally as Miss Morrison-Bell. When John remonstrated, asking Violet to call her Patricia, Violet replied, "I shall see if I like her first." The girls John had previously brought to stay he had generally been banned from bringing back, but by the end of the first evening the only question was when John was going to marry Patricia. From then on she became "Pattie" to Violet, and they became devoted to one another.'
Enjoy!
Much of the book serves as a history of music in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries - Violet was a prodigy and clearly an exceptional talent. If you're interested in music history this book will certainly appeal. The book taught me a great deal about music and it's place in the lives of the Victorians and the English of the first half of the twentieth century.
The other major interest is Violet's charisma and personal magnetism. She had an ability to, and frequently did, wrap people around her little finger. This, more than anything, explains how she was able to establish her menage. A few rare women in history are said to be possessed of such powers - Cleopatra perhaps being another. Violet was also complex and spoiled. The following extract gives a good idea of her personality: 'At first Violet received her coolly, addressing her formally as Miss Morrison-Bell. When John remonstrated, asking Violet to call her Patricia, Violet replied, "I shall see if I like her first." The girls John had previously brought to stay he had generally been banned from bringing back, but by the end of the first evening the only question was when John was going to marry Patricia. From then on she became "Pattie" to Violet, and they became devoted to one another.'
Enjoy!
January 3, 2019
To many names involved. The author goes in to much detail which for me detracted from the story. Just read the table of contents save yourself a lot of time and boring details.
Want to read
September 3, 2012just bought this..it looks really cool...surprised hardly anybody has read it.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews