Swan Adamson

One of the most tedious books ever written, the only secret I'd like to know is what Mr. Olson subjected himself to in order to get the thing published. The book does get two points: 1) for Olson having taken the time to write it, and 2) for being profoundly odd.

I also look forward to his next book. Not because I expect it to make a quantum leap in readability, but because the hero of Secrets is described as being lanky and handsome, with muscles he's made hard as walnuts from hours at the show more gym, and I have a hunch that this is what Mr. Olson looks like. No one but an egomaniac could write something like the Secrets of Mabel Eastlake and he must have a starring role in there somewhere. His picture on the back cover may be enough to induce me to pick the thing out of a remainder bin. show less

Aubrey Beardsley lived a short but incandescent life. Donald Olson's fiction autobiography captures the in rich detail the milieu of 1890s London at the height of the Decadent movement. He's certainly done his research: Oscar Wilde, Lord Alfred Douglas, Robert Ross, James McNeil Whistler and a host of others come to vivid life. I'm not usually taken with these sorts of literary endeavors, but The Confessions of Aubrey Beardsley is a well done book.

Say what you will about the "Dummies" books, I had to pull together a sudden trip to London in three short weeks in 2005 and this book, a London streetfinder, and the internet were all I really needed. I had only made one other international trip before this trip so I needed to know *everything*, and FAST! A few hours reading through this book on the first day of making arrangements and I really was set to go. I could have easily missed out on a few very important things if I hadn't started show more out with this book (e.g. To get a discounted tourist tube pass you need to order them about two weeks before you leave the country!) I highly recommend it if you are in a rush. show less

The title and the cover are deceiving. This is a very intelligent "chick lit" book. It was entertaining, interesting, and heartbreaking at the same time. Excellent.