A 'pregnancy' in Victoria's court, Darwin's beard, George Eliot's right hand, attributes of one of Dante Gabriel Rosetti's favourite models and the brutal murder of little Fanny Adams are considered in turn, ostensibly for the light they throw on Victorian attitudes to the body. Some interesting insights do result but the book's main appeal - which is considerable - is in the particular and gripping tales which they unfold.
(Tony Pratt - bwl 88 Spring 2018 ) |
