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Other People's Daughters: The Life And Times Of The Governess

Other People's Daughters: The Life And Times Of The Governess

by RuthBrandon (Author)

  • Used

    Paperback 2009

    $3.27
Synopsis

If a nineteenth century lady had neither a husband to support her nor money of her own, almost her only recourse was to live in someone else's household and educate their children - in particular, their daughters. Marooned within the confines of other people's lives, neither servants nor family members, governesses occupied an uncomfortable social limbo. And being poor and insignificant, their papers were mostly lost. But a few journals and letters have come down to us, giving a vivid record of what it was to be a lone professional woman at a time when such a creature officially did not exist.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
 Pages: 320
 Publisher: W&N
Published: 19 Mar 2009
ISBN 10: 0753825767
ISBN 13: 9780753825761
Book Overview: Vivid social history Features the Brontes and Anna Leonowens, whose memoirs inspired The King and I The success of Mrs Woolf and the Servants demonstrates readers' enduring fascination into the upstairs-downstairs lives of our ancestors OTHER PEOPLE'S DAUGHTERS received fantastic reviews: 'Ruth Brandon's book addresses a remarkably interesting subject, exploring the real-life experiences that supplied so rich a vein of literature' Spectator 'Engrossing' Literary Review 'A rich and fascinating account of the lives lived by governesses as well as an exploration of Victorian attitudes to women, family and class' Best of British 'Beautifully told, effortlessly thoughtful study' Sunday Telegraph 'The accounts of these women's lives are riveting, and the conclusions of this excellent book thoughtful and beautifully expressed.' Independent on Sunday 'OTHER PEOPLE'S DAUGHTERS uncovers some fascinating accounts of women compelled to support themselves in a society which viewed their activities with suspicion... compelling' TLS

Media Reviews
Ruth Brandon's fine account deals with the governess in literature and in life. * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *
Brandon explains why many a romantic novel and intellectual debate was inspired by such women. * BIG ISSUE IN THE NORTH *
Author Bio
Ruth Brandon has written several history books, including, among others, THE SPIRITUALISTS, THE DOLLAR PRINCESSES and THE NEW WOMEN AND THE OLD MEN, as well as biographies of Houdini and the chef Alexis Soyer. She graduated from Girton College, Cambridge, and lives in London.