The Marquess of Queensberry by Linda Stratmann

The Marquess of Queensberry by Linda Stratmann

The Marquess of Queensberry is as famous for his role in the downfall of one of our greatest literary geniuses as he was for helping establish the rules for modern-day boxing. The trial and two-year imprisonment of Oscar Wilde, lover of Queensberry's son, Lord Alfred Douglas, remains one of literary history's great tragedies. However, Linda Stratmann's riveting biography of the Marquess paints a far more complex picture by drawing on new sources and unpublished letters. Throughout his life, Queensberry was emotionally damaged by a series of tragedies, and the events of the Wilde affair-told for the first time from the Marquess's perspective-were directly linked to Queensberry's personal crises. Through the retelling of pivotal events from Queensberry's life-the death of his brother on the Matterhorn and his fruitless search for the body; the suicides of his father, brother, and eldest son-the book reveals a well-meaning man often stricken with a grief he found hard to express, who deserves our compassion.

'Stratmann's book is keenly researched, brilliantly challenging and fascinating' -John Carey, The Sunday Times -- Peter Carey Sunday Times 'A fascinating, challenging defense of the man who caused Oscar Wilde's downfall.'-Sunday Times Sunday Times 'As one reads, with great enjoyment, this impeccably researched study, one is reminded once again of The Picture of Dorian Gray and the words of the painter, Basil Hallward. 'Every portrait that is painted with feeling', he says, 'is a portrait of the artist, not of the sitter. The sitter is merely the accident, the occasion. It is not he who is revealed by the painter; it is rather the painter who, on the coloured canvas, reveals himself.-Jonathan Barnes, TLS -- Jonathan Barnes TLS 'Stratmann's rehabilitation in the public consciousness of the person credited with bringing down Oscar Wilde and probably hastening his death is not undertaken lightly, and it is truly fascinating. A portrait of a man 'not easily liked' but admirable in his search his for lost brother does create sympathy and Stratmann's style is both scholarly and accessible.'-Lesley McDowell, The Herald -- Lesley McDowell The Herald Deft and diligently researched.-D J Taylor, Wall Street Journal (Europe) -- DJ Taylor Wall Street Journal (Europe) This portrait presents compelling new evidence of Queensbury's humanity.-Kirkus Kirkus Reviews Enthralling ... Far from evil, Queensbury as Stratmann presents him is definitely sympathetic, perhaps even admirable.-Booklist, starred review Booklist

Linda Stratmann is the author of eleven books. She lives in London.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780300173802
ISBN 10	0300173806
Title	The Marquess of Queensberry
Author	Linda Stratmann
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Hardback
Publisher	Yale University Press
Year published	2013-06-18
Number of pages	336
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable