How many millions of words have been written about Charles Dickens? Many thousands in one famous biography alone (Ackroyd). Nelly Terman is there as the Mistress character in most of those, but what do we learn about Nelly? Nothing - until this biography.

It reads almost as a detective story as Tomalin uncovers not only the story of Terman-with-Dickens, but as much about Terman the woman as she can.

Highly recommended.

Mary Wollstonecraft was an excessively unsympathetic character - she was a user( in modern parlance anyway), she manipulated, she was deliberately obstructive and astonishingly naive and yet Tomalin's biography of this most irritating of women kept me completely enthralled from beginning to end. Wollstonecraft certainly was neither deified or demonised here - simply left to tell her own story through her actions.

There is very little quoted material in her, it is pretty much a narrative of her life from childhood through to her death. Tomalin has done enormous research on her life, the pieces tie in together seamlessly.

Wollstonecraft was (of course) the woman who wrote that seminal work on the Rights of Women - and that really seems to be her predominant claim to fame although her lifestyle was very unusual for her times - having open relationships with men (including married men such as the artist Fuseli). I was mostly struck by how little success she really acheived in her lifetime despite her driving attitude to work and enormous energy - it seems although it was all misdirected or perhaps that was a good thing considering her beliefs (odd for her time) and her resentments (numerous and very often unfounded)

Very very enjoyable read.

In "Samuel Pepys: An Unequaled Self," Claire Tomalin succeeds in giving the reader a very thorough, meticulously documented, and delightfully unbiased view of the life of the world's most famous diarist. Though I have not read the diaries myself, I didn't find it detrimental to my enjoyment of the book. In fact, I think this biography could make an excellent precursor to reading the diary, as Tomalin sheds a tremendous light on the life and times of the second half of the seventeenth century, and helps place the diary within a much wider historical context, (especially for those like myself who have not studied much about the Restoration previously.)

Unlike others who have reviewed this book, I found the sections about Pepys life after the diary equally fascinating. Tomalin, who empathizes with her subject frequently, but never falls into the trap of blind worship, does a wonderful job of placing the details about post-diary Pepys that can be gleaned from official documents and correspondence, and imbuing it with the kind of life and insight that can be discovered through the diary sections.

Not to mention, the section about the kidney stone operation will undoubtedly make even the most stoic of men cross their legs and cringe. Well worth a read!

Without a doubt this is absolutely one of the three or four best biographies I have ever read. It is sweeping, magisterial, grand, and never insults the intelligence, nor does it assume previous knowledge about the era or the man. It transforms the reader who may be simply curious about what made Pepys tick and why his Diary mattered into a certified seventeenth-century history freak. Highly recommended.

I bought this book as a follow-up after listened to the audio recording of Pepys Diary narrated (performed!) by Kenneth Branagh to get a more in depth knowledge of the historical times, characters and political forces of the day. I am no avid historian but great history can approach great literature in stature (my bias). This very well researched and thoroughly documented account of the life of Samuel Pepys spans the years prior to, during and subsequent to the diary years. Although the most compelling period is the diary years, the times prior to that disclose his upbringing and particularly his health and it's lasting imprint on this amazing character - no doubt contributing to his life long ambitious drive and living for the moment. You will never consider a kidney stone in the same light after reading this account!

As preivious reviewers here have noted, the diary was written largely in code. That and heavy editing by nervous publishers over the years have kept the complete story from full disclosure for nearly 300 hundred years. Initially the bawdy stories kept my rapt attention, but this research reveals it is much more than that - a very multi-layered and mullti-faceted sotry that for the history novice like me, puts a humanistic face on the 17th century.

Significant points that Tomalin reveals include that this secret diary is one of the best historical accounts that covers London's Restoration period as the King had tight control over "the press". The diary documents firsthand accounts of the plague, the great fire, the return of the king to the thrown, the many wars at sea with the Dutch, the political struggling between the Royals and the Common Wealth, the intense distrust between protestants and catholics and religious persecution. In addition there are firsthand reviews of various plays (including Shakespeare, Chaucer), comments on copious consumption (and burial) of wine and Parmesan cheese, personal hygiene standards as well as graphic descriptions of the system of justice during this time.

This is a time capsule worth reading and listening a few times.

Mansfield's innovative diction captivates readers and draws one into her own world. A world in which individuals are not bound by the common restraints of society.

If you've never read her short stories (she never wrote anything else), please do, and then read her journal. There is really something incredible that's underneath the surface of her short stories. If you just looked at the surface you might think they were cutesy or affected (little girls figure largely), but you would be completely missing the point. It's hard to explain what's so moving about them. When she describes some lazy afternoon, she just gets it so right that all the vast range of human experience seems to be contained in this afternoon (whereas in any Great American Novel-esque tomes you read only a fraction of that experience is ever expressed). But at the same time, it was just this cute little vignette that had very satisfying descriptions of flowers and little girls playing. The journal will help you understand her sadness as it's expressed in her work. You know when you are very, very upset, and you see something so beautiful or even funny, you're likely to become on the verge of tears? That's how Mansfield sounds in her stories - the stories are that beautiful thing that she sees.

She is most often compared to Chekhov, and it's not difficult to see why. I truly believe that Mansfield innovated and practically invented the English (language) short story.

I came across K.M. as she liked to be refered, 60 years after her death. Very late,but better late then never. And especially for K.M. In a german Pension indrigued me first,a review told me, she could have made a lot of money, to publish it again, during the WWI.she declined. She had lost her Brother at the somme, but could not bring herself to more war mongering.
Then I read The Garden Party, and new nearly instandly what kind of person she might have been.
She disliked being priviliged, down the Street, kids her age where starving. The Garden Party gave her an opportunity to disclose Society as what it was. The gap between the Have and Have not.And this in the early 20th century in New Zealand.
And the Garden Party is on of the few stories at the backdrop of New Zealand scenery.
Her Stories make still a highly interesting read, very modern issues with an unbelievable talent for drama, as well as a very dry Sense of humor, like in 'A german Pension'
One or two stories of her are always my companion.

I guess I came to this book through the back door -- first I read Michael Cunningham's pulitzer prize winning book The Hours (based on Mrs. Dalloway) which I LOVED, and then I decided to read the original. First off, I must say that Cunningham impressed me even more when I fully understood the references and parallels that he uses. As for Mrs. Dalloway, it is the language itself that dazzles. The plot is nothing to speak of -- it's similar to a Jane Austen book when lots of interesting and not-so-interesting people interact in their mundane lives. It's what Woolf does with the subtle interactions and her stream of conscious writing that makes this book so good. Having read maybe 6 of Woolf's works, my favorite is still To the Lighthouse. Maybe that's because Mrs. Ramsey is so much more human -- Mrs. Dalloway is always described as distant and cold. This book is a love story of sorts about how Clarissa turns down the true love of her life and instead marries a wealthy politician. Like Ulysses, the narrative jumps around the minds of various characters in their journey from morning in London when Clarissa goes to buy flours to the evening of her party. It is a bit difficult, but the language itself makes it worth the effort.

Any young aspiring writer should compare Woolf's early work, such as Night and Day to something like Mrs. Dalloway. The transformation in narrative strength is incredible. I think Woolf found her voice when she gave up on traditional technique and focused on vivid imagery, poetic language, and really getting into the souuls of her characters.

Her views on love in this boook are heartbreaking. Love serves as mere convenience, romance is just an illusion. 9 times out of 10 people choose safety. Pretty cynical viewpoint, but she lived during the days of a crumbling Empire and wrote about it beautifully. She really achieved her greatest literary power later on in life.

Also, this book studies insanity and the doctors who are impotent to help. I'm sure woolf would have the same view in today's heavily medicated society.

This book is not for the faint of heart. She does not hide characters emotions, but tends to dwelon their weaknesses. The final party scene is brilliant. If you like this book, read To The Lighthouse, which is equally brilliant.

MRS. DALLOWAY isn't a very easy book to read, but it's ultimately well worth the time and effort you'll spend wading through its almost primordial verbiage.

Virginia Woolf was attempting something that hadn't really been done before when she wrote this vastly internal day-in-the-life study of a sickly, changeable woman whose preeminent skills are throwing parties and being 'Mrs. Dalloway.' Woolf wasn't overly fond of how James Joyce had executed his day-in-the-life tour de force, ULYSSES, so she decided to write her own, carving out in MRS. DALLOWAY a new paradigm for writing about the inner workings of mind and heart. For the most part, Woolf succeeds admirably in her journey through this literary terra nova.

MRS. DALLOWAY can be confounding and at times overtiring (it'll definitely make you want to read something "light" next) but it does cause you to have a genuine and unique human experience, which is really the reason we bother reading in the first place.

And if this one leaves you hungry for more, make sure to read Michael Cunningham's beautifully written but considerably-easier-to-read sequel/remake, THE HOURS (after spending some well earned-time poolside with your favorite summer page-turner).

Claire Tomalin is a kindred spirit to Jane Austen - her appreciation of Austen's wit and humor comes through every line of this excellent work. She lucidly recreates the social norms and complex personal lives of Austen and her family (and with all the name-changing of brothers and uncles in order to receive inheritances, this is no small feat!). I loved how Tomalin draws parallels between events and places in Austen's life and her various works; she obviously has an intimate knowledge of literary theory. Yet Tomalin does not fall into the mistake of trying to render Austen's books autobiographical - she clearly states what Austen experienced and what was fiction. You practically weep at the destruction of all the correspondance (and Jane Austen was a prolific letter writer in her lifetime) by family members - so few letters survive to give us insight into this intriguing character. Thank goodness Tomalin is able to write such an excellent biography despite this lack of primary material.

I was pleasantly surprised to have enjoyed this biography so much. Yes, I am a fan of Austen's work, but Claire Tomalin writes from a totally unbiased perspective and, amazingly, is able to put together a clear picture of Austen in spite of an unfortunate lack of written record from Austen herself. While many may find her life boring and uneventful, the relationships Austen had with her family and friends were genuine and admirable and help us learn more about her as a person. We are able to see how those relationships built upon her own character and the inspiration for her writings.

This biography helped me gain a new perspective on the works I have read and made me eager to read the rest that I haven't. I would recommend it to anyone who has enjoyed Austen, and it would make a great companion for any literary study.

Oh, this is just the most marvellous biography. Anyone who loves Jane Austen will find it a must. It is written from a woman's point of view. It never tries to ascribe modern sentiment to Austen's motivations.

I came away with a portrait of a witty, life-loving, much beloved woman, who had her share of joys and disappointments in life.

I will read it again, after my friends have finished with it.

My friend offered me this book to read. It's an amazing work. I read the acutal story and then went back and read the introduction and all the accompanying material. The story itself is cute and definately for children. Then you read the intro and all of a sudden you realize that there was so much more that went into the story than you imagined. I highly reccommend it!

This tale is a far cry from Mary's most acclaimed work, Frankenstein. And why not? It was, after all, written for a little girl, and therefore not intended to house any complexities. It is a simple story, broken into three small parts in the fashion of popular adult stories of Shelley's time, and is a tad on the predictable side. It reads almost like a fairytale, with the stolen child reunited with his parents (who happen to be well-off) by pure chance. Despite the story's lack of surprises, I still found it wonderful to settle back into the familiarity of Shelley's writing style with a new text (as will most who have researched her). "The Fisher's Cot" will also appeal to Mary Shelley fans because of the introduction by Claire Tomalin at the very beginning. Tomalin does a good job of setting the scene that the story was written in so that the casual reader will be able to enjoy not only the actual story, but the story behind it as well. Overall, if you're a Shelley fan you definitely should get this book. If you're not, I politely suggest that you review all your options first.

Dorothy Jordan has claimed her part in history in two ways: her talent as a stage actress and her connection with Prince William, the future king of England. Looking back, it is hard to say which gave her higher notoriety, or which lead to her fame. This is a sympathetic but realistic potrayal of this very interesting woman. She is presented as a real person as opposed to a legend, with the shortcomings and endearing qualities of a real individual. The character comes through as being ahead of her time, a financially independent, talented, ambitious, yet compassionate, loyal and honest woman who loved her children, and the men in her life. For those who want to find out more about Mrs Jordan, this book is for you...

A brilliant and complex little play by Claire Tomalin. I suppose it could be called as bitter-sweet but that seems such a mundane and over-used word for this lovely piece.

It only has 4 characters, Katherine Mansfield - the famous writer, her friend and companion Ida (also known as Jones or Jonesy), a Doctor, and a maid - Marie. It is really about the relationship between Mansfield and Ida, and between Mansfield and her husband. Its one of those plays where you see it and think about it, and then it provokes more thought. The first we see of Ida and Katherine is in a train heading to the South of France where Katherine has been sent to recover from her illness. She is just horrible to Ida, absolutely evil. Yet as the play continues and their relationship is slowly built up through layers of events it becomes more complex and perhaps more understandable. All we see of Katherine's husband is the photo she puts on the side of her bed - an appropriately pasteboard figure that never delivers anything to help Katherine despite all her love for him.

Claire Tomalin wrote this play after researching a biogrpahy of Katherine Mansfield's short life. The play only covers a few short months of her life, but obviously made a mark on her. It is a wonderful play about friendship, devotion and love.

The story is one of those feminist renditions of history where where Nelly Ternan, Dickens' kept woman, is made into a great love of Dicken's life with some, albeit little, effect on his fiction. Unfortunately the Ternan connection does not work well, and only shows that while everything had an effect on CD. no one can claim to be The effect. As for Nelly, she is a nice woman who history passed by. While she may not have had the effect on Dickens that Tomalin hoped for, her story is interesting because she was an actress and her story shows how Victoriana treated them and more importantly how entertainers lived on the edge of society then (and now in the midst of it as now). It is also of somewhat sad that nothing of her letters to CD and his to hers reamin, and a sad note that whatever she learned of CD is lost to time. BTW, Kate Redding does another good job reading. It's a slow book but feminists may be interested; traditionalists would not.