"Private Ireland" is a wonderful book that is full of beautiful photos and information about a fascinating country, namely Ireland. Not only do you get history, you get today's furnishings with lots of information. Planning a trip to Ireland? Read this book. Want information? Read this book. It is not a travelor's book, rather, it is a wonderful way to get a romantic view of different spaces and decorating. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a glimpse of real-life Ireland.

Just finished reading Marianne Faithfull's autobiography which I found at a half-price book store (guess it's out of print). Having spent my teen years in the sixties, I found the book transporting me back to those earlier days when I collected photos from "Sixteen Magazine" and kept a scapbook on the Byrds. While Marianne's life does not come even close to what I experienced in those days, I recall reading a lot of news items on her and how people were fascinated with her entanglement with Mick Jagger. I also lived with the fact that my first romantic interest was enamoured of her and how it made me wish I were blonde, complete with her full lips and chest. However, after reading about her life, I can only feel pity and remorse for such a once-beautiful songstress with the voice of an angel. Little did I know then how tragic her life really was. We were insulated by the media, learning only a fraction of what really happened in her life. Marianne does not attempt to evoke sympathy here; on the contrary, she sounds almost triumphant in recounting her past. She has slain many demons and has not emerged unscathed. I had to read this in smaller increments, because the details left me feeling morose, almost unable to go on to the next chapter. It dredged up dark images of the sixties and those who were enmeshed in the rock n' roll scene. You can't get much closer to how it really was. It's dark, depressing and almost disgusting. But it's a page turner cause you'll keep hoping that she'll learn. Maybe the next chapter, she'll learn! Like all souls she was on her path to enlightnment and found more than a few obstacles. This is a worthwhile read, but don't read it just before sleep.

Faithfull follows the life of Marianne Faithfull from the mid-60s London rock scene through the 1980's punk scene. She tells her side of her love affairs with Brian Jones, Keith Richards and Mick Jagger. Each of them are portrayed with sincerity and honesty. You can feel the love she had for each of them in her descriptions of their times together. Her descent into years of drug addiction takes up most of the book. To hear her description of it it is surprising that she survived. So it is a miracle that she has been able to live to tell the tale so well. There is a wonderful account of her comeback musical career in the 80s. The book is full of the famous sex, drugs and rock n roll of the period. Yet Faithfull doesn't dwell on the details of any of these three. I came away with the image of a strong woman who talks honestly and directly of a life that took a sad turn into drug addiction.

I dont quite know what to write. I want to say the right thing because I've always found Marianne Faithfull intriguing and beautiful and I want to do her book justice. It was a wonderful read which is surprising for me because i usually don't read autobiographys but when I saw it was hers I just had to read it.Mariannes story was wonderful,it could have been a novel.I was so pleased to find that it was beautiful and truthful and not at all spiteful or trashy.I have a CD of her music and it is so gorgous. Her voice is world weary but romantic,I think she must be the most romantic woman of all time.I saw her in Hamlet and she was so wonderful in it, everytime I read the play she becomes Ophelia. I know it was a bad time in her life but i loved reading about her romance with Mick Jagger and her description of "swinging London." Although Iam guilty of idealizing her one of the things I like best about her is that she is someone you can relate to and she doesnt try to hide behind a mask. Another thing I really like about her is that she has excellent taste in books. Oscar Wilde is also my favorite author.This is a lovely book and its a shame that its out of print. Faithful is an intriguing,fascinating woman with a wonderful sense of humor.