House Music: The Oona King Diaries

by Oona King

The 1997 Labour victory changed British politics, ushering in a generation of women into parliament. Oona King, won a London constituency and became an MP at 29. Yet, after only 3 years, Oona considered resignation. This book reveals how she chose to abandon her ambition to become Prime Minister in favour of another ambition: to have a life.

Genres: Biography, Autobiography, Politics

373 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Ben Coffman]

This is proper heart-on-the-sleeve stuff. Nothing is not said. It's totally honest (and how many politicians can you say that about) and totally Oona (i have the pleasure of knowing her).

Good fun and a great insight into a life, even if some of it has to be read between one's fingers while the hand is over the eyes....

[Katie]

I read this book in my mid-teens when I was just starting to become interested in politics and I really enjoyed it. I have a lot of respect for Oona King. A grounded woman of fortitude and conviction with honest and heartfelt intentions. This book details the years of King's term in Parliament, including her time as the minister for Bethnal Green in London. It also includes the story of the years preceding that, her childhood, University years, her wedding etc. One of my favourite sections of the book is King's wedding day which includes a picture of her in her wedding dress on the way to a club. Beautiful woman.

Not only is this book an accurate depiction of the goings on of politics and Westminster it is also a revealing look at King's personal life and the stresses and strains her job put on her family life.

Definitely worth a read. She is a damn respectable woman! Big fan.

[Jules]

Extraordinarily honest account of what happens when an ordinary person goes to parliament and attempts to change things.

[Kelly]

Decent book. Enjoyable enough read, fresh-ish insights.

[Rhode PVD]

I know next to nothing about politics, let alone British ones. Never mind, the book was tremendously interesting anyway. A look into a truly foreign - and demanding - world.

[Gary]

A wonderfully intimate diary of Oona King's life as an MP, and her personal struggles outwith Parliament, in the run-up to losing her seat to George Galloway.

[Roshana]

good niography of younf black female MP. honest about the realities of high pressure jobs