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Whatever Next?
Lessons from An Unexpected Life
By Anne Glenconner
Published by Hodder & Stoughton
ISBN 9781529395761
In Lady Anne Glenconner’s fourth book she reveals that, although born into the aristocracy and surrounded by aristocratic relatives, friends and lifelong friendships with the British Royal Family, her life hasn’t always been in a glittering social whirl, as we might expect it would be.
Now ninety, Anne began her writing career while in her 80’s thanks to a chance meeting with her publisher. She says that she is happier than she has ever been, thoroughly enjoying life as an author, especially as a “salesman” promoting her books with interviews on tv, radio and giving talks while enjoying a busy life with family, friends and fund-raising for charities.
Her story telling writing style and interesting information make this an enjoyable and entertaining book to read and she gives rate insights with some hilariously funny revelations of her life.
The stories of utter heartbreak, losing not one but two sons and then her third son’s serious accident which took five years from which to recover, would be enough tip anyone over the edge. Add to that a very difficult. tempestuous, but also adventurous and exciting marriage to Colin Tennant, the Earl of Glenconner.
Anne soon learned strategies to cope as her husband would fly into extreme rages at the drop of a hat and be excessively demanding. She suffered domestic violence with one horrific episode leaving her permanently deaf in one ear. Despite this, he could also be protective and, surprisingly, they remained married for 53 years.
In “Whatever Next?”, she gives an insight into her upbringing, as was typical of the aristocracy of the day, leaving most of the child rearing to nannies, while she and her siblings interacted with their parents for an hour or two a day. She reveals the abuse that she suffered at the hands one nanny. Not surprisingly, although she was a small child, this still haunts her from time to time.
As close childhood friends with the late Princess Margaret and later as her lady-in-waiting, it is interesting to read that much of the negative press the princess received was, in fact, contrived by the press looking for a “bad” princess to write about, as they wanted to pit one sibling against the other, the good vs the bad.
Anne shares rare insights and the many incredible adventures and fun they had when Colin Tennant bought the island of Mustique in the West Indies, developing it from not having any facilities, such as running water or electricity, to a haven for the super rich and famous. She is also a keen sailor, something she learned from her mother and loves solo sailing.
Often referring to her training in diplomacy as a child and as a young woman, she learned how to use it to cope with difficult people. Drawing upon this knowledge and developed skills, she explains when this came in very handy in dark and tricky situations with her husband and in other social situations. They were particularly useful when she was lady-in-waiting for Princess Margaret when frequent unreasonable requests or assumptions were made.
Despite the challenges, she remains open to new adventures and is ready for “Whatever Next?” happens, often called upon for her diplomatic skills to help out in what could be difficult situations. Lady Glenconner is a good example from whom we can learn.
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