Magic Lantern

by Lady Eleanor Smith

276 page English Novel in hardback with maroon cloth cover. 8 x 5.5

Genres: Historical Fiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1944

About the author

Lady Eleanor Furneaux Smith (1902 – 1945)was an English writer. The eldest of the politician F. E. Smith's three children, she worked as a society reporter and cinema reviewer for a while, then as a publicist for circus companies. In the latter role she travelled more widely, and gained inspiration for her third career, writing popular novels and short stories which often provided the basis for the 'Gainsborough melodramas' of the period. These stories often had a romanticised historical or Gypsy setting, based on her own research into Romany culture (she believed her paternal great-grandmother to have been a gypsy).

Reviews

[Linda (NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to admit I was more intrigued with the author and her background when I chose Magic Lantern to read. Lady Eleanor Smith wrote numerous stories in the 1930s and early 1940s before passing away at the young age of 43 in 1945. During the 1920s British cultural scene, Eleanor was considered one of the Bright Young Things; she held dear The Lost Generation of that era. She was part of the postwar upper crust, an aristocrat and, as an 'insider', she reviewed the cinema and was a society reporter.

Between writing her novels, she took on the job of circus publicist. She followed the British circus and was a founder of the Circus Fans' Association of Great Britain. Circuses were one of her two obsessions, the other was Gypsies. She believed she was of Gypsy blood and felt most comfortable among 'her people'. She spent much of her adulthood traveling Europe, especially Romania.

And, indeed, she had the title of 'Lady'; her father's title of Earl of Birkenhead was created in 1922 for his political services. Like her father, she was a hard liver: someone known to imbibe heavily. From what I understand, Magic Lantern was the last of her stories that was written before she died. I only mention this because I wanted to understand why the author wrote Magic Lantern the way she did.

~~~~~
Nicholas Randall was the product of a wild marriage: an aristocratic Englishman and a Gypsy. His mother died shortly after his birth and his father succumbed to a violent death a few years later. Two bachelors, a doctor and a tutor, saw to his childhood development. When he became older, his strong personality convinced the two men to allow him to travel. At the heart of the matter, Nicholas wanted to play the violin. With a never-ending source of funds, he frequented varying establishments throughout continental Europe. The first third of this historical fiction was intriguingly decent: three stars.

It was slower during the second third; Nicholas wandered through large cities and over the countryside while playing his violin. He finally came to a decision about his music. He also met a woman under the oddest of circumstances. From there on out, things picked up with happenstances of shifting degrees. At this point I may have given it 2-3 stars, from okay to like, only because the storyline was so different than I normally read. It was an acceptable historical fiction but not for those who crave excitement, deeper plots or action in their romance.

And then an incident occurred. And with it, the absolutely most horrible ending I have ever read! This and this alone should have earned it 0 stars. I felt Lady Smith must have been aware of her impending death and clearly wanted to have the last laugh..

*At this time, not available in e-format.*

[Jan Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like Jane Eyre then this is similar …. A romantic novel ( dedicated to Sir Winston Churchill) written in 1944. It’s very non PC but it is of it’s time.