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Robert Gathorne-Hardy (1902–1973)

Author of Ottoline at Garsington: Memoirs of Lady Ottoline Morrell, 1915-1918

15+ Works 121 Members 3 Reviews

About the Author

Works by Robert Gathorne-Hardy

Associated Works

Dark Indeed, Sorell (2025) — Contributor — 2 copies

Tagged

Common Knowledge

Birthdate
1902-07-31
Date of death
1973-02-11
Gender
male
Education
University of Oxford (Christ Church)
Nationality
England
UK
Places of residence
Stanford Dingley, West Berkshire, England, UK
Associated Place (for map)
England, UK

Members

Reviews

6 reviews
Come On! This woman and her husband lived a daring open marriage, w/a vigorous sex life with distinguished men and women of both sexes, and not a HINT of that appears in her memoirs!! She periodically avers how much she loves Philip, the husband, how he of all people is most suited to her. I gather he was out fathering children with other women. Honestly! How can anyone respect what else she has to say when such a large, fundamental portion of her life is omitted? Answer: you can't.

Having show more dismissed the book for credibility and honesty, it was nonetheless an easy read. Her early childhood was eerily like Bertrand Russell's--very lonely. Must be an upper-class English thing. Lots of religious mania as a substitute for human relationships. That too reminds me of other female bios of the period. The book actually ends w/her and Russell talking in a picturesque setting somewhere, date unclear. They had a lot in common, no doubt.

Yes, it was interesting to read about her and Philip's political work as liberal reformers, and also about some of the male artists and writers with whom she was most close. (Apparently VERY close). Her continual theme was that of her personal inadequacy, indecision, stupidity, vapidness, etc. A consistent theme. Assuming some level of accuracy, one can only assume that her face, figure, apparent wealth, and supportive admiration and hospitality were what drew and kept these men of genius and distinction to her. I kept thinking that if she had been trained for a profession or occupation, she might have had a much more positive internal self-image than what she consistently avers she does. I rather felt sorry for her, but having found out that much of the gratification and excitement of her life was completely omitted, her 'pity party' about her personal inadequacies rings hollow.
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Extraordinary woman who nurtured so many talented young people who went on to do great things.
Extraordinary woman who nurtured so many talented young people who went on to do great things.

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Statistics

Works
15
Also by
1
Members
121
Popularity
#164,306
Rating
½ 3.3
Reviews
3
ISBNs
6
Languages
1

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