James Pope-Hennessy (1916–1974)

This is a set of reminiscences and journal entries from the time Pope-Hennessy, in many ways a tragic figure, produced his magnum opus, his biography of Queen Mary. If you are familiar with that work and its subject, this is a fascinating companion book, as it records Pope-Hennessy's journeys around Europe to catch the last remnants of the old order before they died. En route he has many adventures in palaces and castles, and there are very funny accounts of meals and conversations. His trip to stay with the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester is perhaps the highlight. One of the interesting aspects of the book is how he is obviously both fascinated and appalled by many of the people he meets – all of whom are now I think dead, except the present Queen.
If you are not familiar with the biography then you are likely to find this book somewhat bewildering. But the solution to that is simple, and will enrich you.… (meer)

Shortly after Queen Mary's death (1953), James Pope- Hennessy was commissioned with writing her biography. This is NOT that book, but a collection of the many inteviews he had with those who knew her,; the (often more revealing) letters P-H wrote about those interviews to his friends...and very literate (and often hilarious) descriptions of the places, the characters and the author's reactions, the whole interpolated with explanations from editor Hugh Vickers.

Utter entertainment as P-H prowls around stately homes, gets invited to stay with sundy royals, reminisces with past servants, ladies of the bedchamber etc. I feel hugely motivated to read the actual work. Normally a biographer is a shadowy presence as he brings forth the character of his subject, but Pope-Hennessy is a very vivid, vital part of the telling- and, strangely, that in fact adds to his work.

Who could forget the Duchess of Windsor ("She is flat and angular, and could have been designed for a medieval playing card...the expression is either anticipatory (signalling to one, "I know this is going to be loads of fun, don't yew?") or appreciative- the great giglamp smile, thee wide wide open eyes, which are so very large and pale and veined, the painted lips and the cannibal teeth.")

And the surprisingly negative take on Sandringham- a place I've never visited- "Next to the death-chamber is the most sinister little room of all, now used by Prince Charles as his schoolroom...I should not like to be alone in that room at night."

Completely brings flat characters in Burke's Peerage to very vivid life. I'm very glad Mr Pope-Hennessy never wrote MY biography! Uttely recommended.… (meer)