A Double Life
A Biography of Charles and Mary Lamb
1st Edition
Published on 28. August 2003
464 pages
978-0-14-190380-4 (ISBN)
Description
The little known story of the inseparable brother and sister, lights of the Romantic circle, privately haunted by madness
Wordsworth thought that if there were such a thing as a good man, it would be Charles Lamb, while Hazlitt believed Mary Lambto be the only sensible woman he knew. The couple's literary reputation rested partly on the famous Tales from Shakespeare. And yet there was an unhappier side: Charles was an alcoholic and Mary, in an attack of insanity, stabbed their mother to death.
This fascinating account reaches to the heart of early nineteenth century London, meeting its eccentrics and its literary giants. It also visits the city's darker corners, where poverty stalks rented rooms and madhouses conceal terrible abuse.
Wordsworth thought that if there were such a thing as a good man, it would be Charles Lamb, while Hazlitt believed Mary Lambto be the only sensible woman he knew. The couple's literary reputation rested partly on the famous Tales from Shakespeare. And yet there was an unhappier side: Charles was an alcoholic and Mary, in an attack of insanity, stabbed their mother to death.
This fascinating account reaches to the heart of early nineteenth century London, meeting its eccentrics and its literary giants. It also visits the city's darker corners, where poverty stalks rented rooms and madhouses conceal terrible abuse.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
File size
1,97 MB
ISBN-13
978-0-14-190380-4 (9780141903804)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
08/2003
Viking
€41.07
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Person
Sarah Burton's first book, IMPOSTERS: SIX KINDS OF LIAR, was published by Viking. She lives near Ely in Cambridgeshire.
