I didn't think I was all that interested in Nelly Ternan, but I read The Unequalled Self recently and I thought that I could enjoy a book on any subject if it were as well written. Yet again I have been proven correct.

Even with all Tomalin's research, Nelly is still silent but there's far more to this book; the world of the theatre, and her ancestors and descendents. Her analysis of Dickens's behaviour when he kicked his wife out was particularly interesting and gave me some insight into my father's bizarre behaviour when he and my mum split up.

Released at the meet-up.

Picked up at the London Meet Up. I've read Claire Tomalin's biography of Jane Austen, which I really enjoyed. Hope I enjoy this as much.

Books like this remind me how much better life is for women in the UK nowadays, even if we still get paid less etc etc. Women in the theatre had the benefits of a career and power within that limited sphere of influence but were as a result shunned and judged by society. So you definitely couldn't have it all. Both Dickens and Nelly come across as a mass of contradictions, in terms of behaviour and attitudes, and are correspondingly both likeable and irritating. When I read that Nelly was a member of the Anti-Suffrage movement, I wanted to slap her. I also think I now understand why I never got into reading Dickens, despite my mum having a full set of his works. I like strong, well-rounded female characters, and according to Claire Tomalin they are not often found in Dickens' writing.

I loved the attention to detail and the meticulousness of the research that clearly went into this book, in order to work out what was most likely to have happened. Overall a very interesting and thought provoking read.

This is on the wishlist of a Holiday Gift Giving 2015 participant so I will be sending it to her.

A wishlist book sent with some other goodies.

OMG thank you very much for a wish list book and the envelope of goodies as part of the HGG.
I also recived:
BC labels
A mini sharpie
Chocolate
A little journal
Tote bag

You really really cheered me up after a very early start at work (4.45am) and a stressful couple of hours

This was just an ok read, very boring. I felt it was more a work of fiction than an actual biographie, especially as the author states that there wasn't much information to go on about nelly. Nelly was to much of a shadowy figure to merit a biography. This book was just dull and over fleshed out with lists of possible sightings and movements, and the characters in the book seemed to have been fleshed out.

This book will now be going out as part of the ST Valentine's Day exchange

Thank you for this awesome Valentines exchange! I was going to wait but then I got excited and opened it.... I've not heard of this book before but it looks like something I would enjoy :)

I love the gifts...so many hearts! Candles, table decorations and a garland! Since my boyfriend is refusing to budge on taking me out (so overpriced blah blah blah). I can use these to make the table setting a little more romantic as we chow down on our Tesco's meal for a tenner, who says romance is dead?

And I never turn my nose up at sweets and hot chocolate :D Thank you abi for this wonderful parcel!

A few years ago I read Peter Ackroyd's 'Dickens' and although Nelly is mentioned in the book, Ackroyd suggests there was nothing sexual about the relationship. After reading 'The Invisible Women' I think it's very clear that there was something sexual about the relationship. I'm sure he wasn't spending all those nights in Slough for the great conversation!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I had been reading it in small bits when I could all week. On Saturday I sat down with it and didn't do much else! It reads like fiction and I think that Claire Tomalin has done a wonderful job of piecing together Nelly's life with so little information. The book also gives you a look into Victorian life especially regarding the theatre. I would recommend this.

Left in the Phone Booth - Found this book tucked down the back of my desk last week, thought I had released it ages ago!