OnlyHappiness Here - In Search of Elizabeth von Arnim

by Gabrielle Carey
Published by University of Qld Press (UQP)
ISBN 9780702262975

Have you heard of the author Elizabeth Von Arnim?

Elizabeth von Arnim, was a widely popular, author in the earlier part of the 20th century. Born Mary Beauchamp in the Sydney Harbourside suburb of Kirribilli. In the mid 1800s she went to live in England with her family as a young child.

Gabrielle Carey, herself a writer, author and teacher of creative non-fiction writing discovered Elizabeth von Arnim's novels and was nominated for a Hazel Rowley Biography Award for her work on Elizabeth von Arnim.

Elizabeth had a fascinating life, her first marriage was to a demanding and moody Prussian (now German) Count whom she described as "a man of wrath" in several of her books. Much later she married an English Lord. As a Countess she was expected to fulfil many duties running their household while her husband oversaw his vast agricultural lands and business. Elizabeth preferred to spend time in and nurturing her German garden at Nassenheide in Pomerania (now part of Poland) or at her desk writing. One of her books was called Elizabeth and her German garden. However, it was expected that would to produce an heir. She was not really maternal despite having four daughters and a son.

As a Countess and part of the Juncker she could not reveal her name as the author of her earlier works as it was not seemingly fit for a Countess to be an author. Apparently she went to great lengths to remain anonymous but people, usually the press and others who knew her often speculated she was the author even though she used the pseudonom Elizabeth. As it turned out, it was thanks to Elizabeth's success as a writer that she ultimately supported the family from the sales of her books after her husband's financial situation dwindled as he was wrongly accused by a jealous opponent. Her books were so popular that she became a wealthy woman in her own right.

Elzabeth's curiosity and constantly seeking to widen her horizons also saw her living in Switzerland, the South of France and eventually in her later years she chose to live close to her eldest daughter in America,

Reading Gabrielle Carey's well researched background into Elizabeth's life we're reading a part biography, part memoir and her principles of happiness in her pursuit of joy. These principles all make perfect sense. Several quotes from her books are included and together with the style of writing makes it enjoyable to read.

Most of the books it seems often reflected aspects of her own life, particularly her difficulty with relationships with her husbands and romantic encounters, Some of the names we know well such as H G Wells, Betrand Russell and E M Forster played a large part in her life. As a new Cambridge graduate Edward Forster was engaged as a tutor to Elizabeth's children.

The author tends to weave in her own personal discontent with her marriages and relationships so as to draw a comparison, which is a little irksome as one wants to read about Elizabeth von Arnim. However, Don't let that stop you from picking up this book, it is well worth reading and discovering a very successful writer who has sadly disappeared from popularity. I will now look out out for some of her twenty two books.

This is independent review, I am not paid by the publishers, so.If you Liked this review, Buy me a coffee

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