wendoxford's review against another edition
3.0
What a great insight into such an intriguing woman who, as an adult, was amazing on the public stage yet her life was dogged with her appalling taste in men. This contradiction filters through her whole life standing so separately from her public face. The book coherently represents her role in improving for the life of women, being core in the development of trade unionism and fighting for the poor and workers rights.
She does not marry but lives in a terrible pseudo-marriage which she chooses not to leave. It is bad from the start and this particular biography throws up the possibility that her "husband" ultimately murdered her rather than, the more well posited view of her having committed suicide. Maybe an example of "trying to have it all" - ontinuing her father's legacy, working, writing and managing (albeit not well) her domestic sphere.
I really enjoyed learning about her life and family but found sections overbearingly wordy.
She does not marry but lives in a terrible pseudo-marriage which she chooses not to leave. It is bad from the start and this particular biography throws up the possibility that her "husband" ultimately murdered her rather than, the more well posited view of her having committed suicide. Maybe an example of "trying to have it all" - ontinuing her father's legacy, working, writing and managing (albeit not well) her domestic sphere.
I really enjoyed learning about her life and family but found sections overbearingly wordy.
embotx's review against another edition
5.0
At the same time inspiring and devastating, this book gives a fascinating insight into a brilliant feminist. Anyone who has a slight interest in feminism and/ or socialism won't regret this read. First biography that I've seen through to the end - I was gripped from beginning to end!
emilyrowan1990's review
5.0
Best biography I have read. Absolutely fascinating and completely gripping.
mona0e312's review against another edition
4.0
As a student of English literature who had to read Marx’s manifesto and study the theory in two classes I was excited to find this biography and more excited to read it part of it was it because of the time period and especially here we’re having a woman& a feminist. I found that some of her points she made on feminism ; feminism through a socialist perspective and looking at it through a political, social & economical way was really interesting especially bringing up capitalism. Also, i was really delighted to see names such as Ibsen, Oscar wild and more importantly George Bernard Shaw and learned about him from this book especially the fact that he was a feminist made it all clear to me how he wrote Pygmalion different than the original myth. Lastly, I despised her husband and couldn’t stand her loyalty toward the end of the book I honestly found it unbearable to me, yet it all left me speechless I cannot state my feelings indeed it was sadly a tragedy. But yeah I did learn a lot of things, which all made me happy & Eleanor was and still an inspirational woman in her time & in our time.
pturnbull's review
5.0
This is an insightful, compelling biography about Eleanor Marx. I especially enjoyed the details about the Marx family life. Who knew that Karl Marx was such a loving father and that the family had many moments of love and happiness, though they often lived in poverty. In some ways, their home life is similar to that of Louisa May Alcott's March family, with the abundance of women. After her father, mother, and favorite sister die, Eleanor's life is sadly diminished, leaving her susceptible to the charms of the "reptilian" Edward Aveling. Sad for her and for us all, as history was then deprived of Eleanor's intellect, wit, and political accomplishments. Holmes admires Marx tremendously, as will the reader after spending time with this biography.
lnatal's review
3.0
From BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week:
Lively biography of Karl Marx's daughter, who dedicated her life to the principle of equality. Read by Tracy-Ann Oberman.
Lively biography of Karl Marx's daughter, who dedicated her life to the principle of equality. Read by Tracy-Ann Oberman.
mona0e312's review
4.0
As a student of English literature who had to read Marx’s manifesto and study the theory in two classes I was excited to find this biography and more excited to read it part of it was it because of the time period and especially here we’re having a woman& a feminist. I found that some of her points she made on feminism ; feminism through a socialist perspective and looking at it through a political, social & economical way was really interesting especially bringing up capitalism. Also, i was really delighted to see names such as Ibsen, Oscar wild and more importantly George Bernard Shaw and learned about him from this book especially the fact that he was a feminist made it all clear to me how he wrote Pygmalion different than the original myth. Lastly, I despised her husband and couldn’t stand her loyalty toward the end of the book I honestly found it unbearable to me, yet it all left me speechless I cannot state my feelings indeed it was sadly a tragedy. But yeah I did learn a lot of things, which all made me happy & Eleanor was and still an inspirational woman in her time & in our time.
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