The author makes the most of a truly eccentric life - American lesbian "Joe" Carstairs - who lived the life of a wealthy English lord and sportsman through the 1920s and 1930s- went everywhere, knew everyone- then gave it up to create her own truly bizarre island kingdom in the Bahamas. "Joe" drove an ambulance in WWI, was in Ireland for the troubles, burned a swathe through dozens of actress lovers across Europe, including some famous names of the day, drank and danced through the London nightclubs, designed built and professionally sailed schooners, yachts, racing boats...and the best part? Her only longterm partner in life, Lord Tod Wadley, was a little man DOLL (yes, a doll) whom she never allowed to leave her side for a moment. Wait til you see Lord Tod's photographs! No one could ever make this stuff up. The author gives enough historic and biographical background about Joe's times and the people in her circle, to make Joe's world almost as interesting a character as Joe herself. An unusual, hilarious, touching little book.

While I find the story of Joe Carstairs fascinating, I find Summerscale's attempt at explaining this enigma falls short of the mark. I believe there must be many others with far greater experience as writers/biographers, and even some who knew Carstairs personally, who would have been better qualified to tell this story. Summerscale's naivete and general lack of knowledge about the period during which Carstairs made her mark is glaringly obvious throughout much of the book. Her attempt to write this story became an education for herself, worthwhile, but of no service to her readers. I would have appreciated more insight and less supposition. I also find her attempts to turn everything Carstairs did or made into a metaphor for self-imposed exile a bit hard to swallow. Carstairs was no recluse--she was quite the opposite; an exhibitionist extraordinaire.

This woman was rich,cranky,lesbian,brave,daredevil,full of energy and life. The money allowed her to do a lot (buy an island and several very fast boats) but she would have had a colourful life anyway because she was so full of herself and the world. An entertaining read and as someone else said-it does make you wonder how many other uniquely colourful lives go unrecorded.