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Madresfield

By: Jane Mulvagh
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Black Swan
ISBN: 0552772380
ISBN-13: 9780552772389
Released: 26 Feb 2009
RRP: £8.99
Average Rating:

Customer Reviews

A well thought-out approach to a family history - By: Mondoro, 27 Oct 2008
Full credit for the way this book is laid out, taking a room or a feature & then relating it to a stage in the history of the Lygon family. The main interest for the ordinary reader will be the association with Brideshead Revisited, but there are other connections that are equallly fascinating: with the fictional Jarndyce Case in Dickens, & with Edward Elgar. A smalll caveat on the latter - Mary Lygon is now thought not to be '****' in the Enigma Variations (ref Michael Kennedy), though this is not to deny that she had a close friendship with Elgar. Some excellent pictures, especiallly of the Arts & Crafts treasures at Madresfield Court.
Madresfield - By: west brit, 04 Jul 2008
Jane Mulvagh's book should be callled The Lygons to be more accurate. She offers only tantalising glimpses into the house itself, using suspiciously round dimensions to describe the rooms, an implausibly high drawing room ceiling & throws away a comment about 60 bedrooms in her descriptions. If you are looking for a history of Madresfield you'd be better to read 'The Last Country Houses' or the Country Life articles, the latter of which don't make a mention in her bibliography. Her links from the brief descriptions of the house to the various family members are facile & 2 dimensional.

However as a history of the Lygon's the book is very good. It makes fascinating reading, particularly on the 20th century Lygons & offers glimpses to a very different way of life that was broken apart by scandal. The Brideshead Revisited inspiration seem undeniable & offers a realistic basis to a 20th century classic.


All in alll a good book, but misleadingly titled.