Some years ago I bought Claire Tomalin’s biography of Samuel Pepys (The Unequalled Self) and have enjoyed re-reading it several times since. Ms Tomalin offers all the pleasures of academic study; every source is noted; every reference given its provenance. But she is also a lively story-teller – no dusty tome, this! And Sam was a perfect subject: not a saint but a reluctant sinner, living during England’s most troubled times – the 17thC, the Commonwealth, the Restoration; with politics, war, plague and fire; all played out in the heart of London. The book presents the context for Sam’s often gossipy, irreverent views both as a family man and a successful civil servant coping with the turbulence of his times.
And now I have bought another of Claire Tomalin’s biographies, this time Charles Dickens (A Life), which promises to be equally engrossing. Another subject whose life was spent in critical observation of his species, again centred on the capital during an interesting age.
Boadicea's Chariot 
I also have Claire’s biography of Pepys on my shelf – an enjoyable book.
Thanks for pointing me to her work on Dickens – another subject who, I believe, was no saint.
I can feel another ‘Amazon’ moment coming on.
OZ
I believe Samuel Pepys buried his Parmesan cheese in his garden when he heard that the Great Fire of London was spreading. Now that is what I call getting your priorities right! 🙂
We went to an exhibition celebrating Charles Dickens work at the Museum of London, earlier in the year. Slightly pseud, but very interesting.
FEEG just love it!
I have a one volume copy of his edited diaries where he admits to shagging everything he can lay his hands on!
What always tickled me was his habit of noting down how much everything cost him, even the whores, he was obsessed with money.
CO, I’ll let you know about CD when I’ve read the book! You’ve spoiled it of course, telling me the plot. 😦
No Janus, I was talking about Pepys not dickens he only kept a young mistress and hoped his wife would attain an early demise that she did!
Both dirty buggers!
got it wrong, I knew the wife vanished, separated not died. He then got up to all sorts!
Probably too mean to pay for the act of parliament to get a divorce!!
Now you’ve got me thinking, when did they do away with acts of parliament for each individual divorce?
Bugger now I have to look it up!
Matrimonial Causes Act 1857.
Since 1700 there had only been an average of 2 divorces per YEAR! 314 in all
So much cheaper to kill them off!
Howzat for an absolutely useless piece of information?
As OZ would say I’ll get my coat……………….. and head for the greenhouse!
OZ totters off, cackling…… 🙂
OZ
Christ, Tina! (copyright Arrers) What atour de whatsit that was! Have you changed your brand of potables?