Anyone read Passion?

[ash]

I was just curious to know if anyone else here had read Passion by Jude Morgan. It's sort of a fictional account of the Romantic poets, told from the views of the women they were with.

[Saturn]

Never heard of that book, but sounds interesting. Thanks for the heads up ash, and welcome to the forum

[toots]

I have read it although only quickly as I most interested in the chapters on Fanny Brawne. It tells the story from her point of view and shows her in a very sympathetic light as an intelligent and spirited girl whose life is totally changed through meeting Keats. It's worth reading if you are interested in the lives of Keats, Byron and Shelley as it explores the lives of their wives and girlfriends.

Also worth a look is a book by Anthony Burgess (of 'Clockwork Orange' fame) called 'Abba Abba' . It recounts the last days of Keats as he lay dying in Rome. I think that is the correct title: I read it years ago and I think it is out of print, but it has some haunting passages.

[Raphael]

They both sound interesting- looked them up on line. Thanks for that folks!

[Cybele]

I just noticed this old thread.
Alas, I have read "Passion." Or more accurately, I *tried* to read the book, after a friend (also a Keats fan) passed it along to me.
While the concept was interesting (and developed successfully in he "Bright Star" movie) the novel was, in my opinion, a miserable failure.
The characters were two-dimensional and the dialog trite. I gave up half way through the book.
What a disappointment!

[Raphael]

I just ordered it from Amazon- it only cost me £3.35, and the library probably wouldn't have it anyway.

[Cybele]

I just ordered it from Amazon- it only cost me £3.35, and the library probably wouldn't have it anyway.

I'd be interested in your take on the book. I wanted so much to like it.
Perhaps I approached it with a poor attitude?

[Raphael]

I just ordered it from Amazon- it only cost me £3.35, and the library probably wouldn't have it anyway.

I'd be interested in your take on the book. I wanted so much to like it.
Perhaps I approached it with a poor attitude?

I only read the Fanny Brawne bits. It certainly kept me riveted- I stayed up late to finish it in one go.I then re read it the next night and underlined my fave bits.I think some of the vocab isn't suiting the time or her and him, but others really did. I was struck at how the author seemed to understand them and how they related to each other. I was quite impressed with the author's characterisation of Fanny- I feel he got her quite correct. John also, but her more markedly.

I loved the way she berates John for being possessive and he smiles and says "oh god yes .Possessed..possessed by.." and says "it's terrible isn't it?" and she says "no" because she suddenly realises that it isn't terrible and why it isn't. The author shows how they connect, why they connect and why they are a perfect match. I like that- I feel it explains their love more than biographies do.

The desciption of the Wentworth Place reacting to John is quite beautiful.- the house clock ticking Keats is here...Keats is here...I love the big speech he does in the garden as they sit on the bench, when he talks about love and the cruelty of the fact he will be taken away from her by death ( or something like that).That SO feels like him saying this.I liked the way the author describes why John's moods changed according to circumstances- e.g his silences and how Fanny understands them. He is presented as immensely likeable and one who the reader feels utter sympathy for.

Their time together before he leaves for Italy is very movingly described. I could say more but I haven't the book on me ( no web at home)and my memory isn't great. I welcome your response to all this- would you like to discuss the book further? I really liked it for all it's faults- the bits that are good are really good. It had quite an impact upon me..

I was suprised to find that the author is male.

[Cybele]

Raphael --
Thanks so much for your thoughts on the book.

A friend (a fellow Keats fan) had purchased the book. Her reaction to it was luke-warm. She passed it along to me.

I think I'll return to it, but follow one poet's story at a time. (I so wish I had more time to read!!)

[Raphael]

Raphael --
Thanks so much for your thoughts on the book.

A friend (a fellow Keats fan) had purchased the book. Her reaction to it was luke-warm. She passed it along to me.

I think I'll return to it, but follow one poet's story at a time. (I so wish I had more time to read!!)

I got rid of TV and found I have much more time to read.

[Cybele]

I got rid of TV and found I have much more time to read.

I need to retire so I can wear out my eye balls reading!

[Raphael]

I got rid of TV and found I have much more time to read.

I need to retire so I can wear out my eye balls reading!

It's much better than wearing them out on adverts and "celebrities" whining!
I would much rather wear my eyes out on John Keats...