Epic book on a life well travelled

Not having heard of Lola Montez beforehand, I was intrigued to find out more about the woman who was billed in the promo/book title as the first celebrity. Despite not knowing her, such a famed life - particularly for a woman living in the Victorian age - just had to be discovered.

The book is written as a dramatised biography: as there is not enough actual evidence to tell the full story, the author uses dramatic licence to fill in the gaps. Personally I really liked this style, much more so than if it had been a straight essay. It does however become a little repetitive, more so because Lola herself repeats the same patterns throughout her life - find/hone an act, go on tour, woo/ostracise her audience, take a lover/husband who can help further her career or social standing etc. That said, even for a woman to even think of doing any of this at that time, to tread her own path, would have been absolutely scandalous. I love how she is portrayed as a fiery woman with a fierce temper. I loved the descriptions of her flying into a rage, striking out verbally and even physically when she felt the need.

I listened to this book on Audible, and I must say that if I’d have been reading it on my Kindle I doubt that I’d have finished it. Even on Audible it’s a sizeable commitment at 15.5 hours. I put it on a higher speed and read it a bit quicker! I definitely think it could have done with being edited down, not labouring some of the more repetitive parts.

The one thing that stays with me more than anything is the terrible accents that the reader insists on using for the different characters. Truly awful, so much so it would put me off listening to anything else she does.

All in all, an epic book which, for all its foibles, I’m glad I read.

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