Joan

Beauty, Rebel, Muse: The Remarkable Life of Joan Leigh Fermor

Simon Fenwick author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Pan Macmillan

Published:19th Apr '18

Should be back in stock very soon

Joan cover

In Joan, Simon Fenwick presents the captivating biography of Joan Leigh Fermor, highlighting her remarkable life beyond her husband's shadow.

The first biography dedicated to Joan Leigh Fermor reveals the life of a remarkable woman often overshadowed by her famous husband, Patrick Leigh Fermor. In Joan, Simon Fenwick, who has meticulously researched the Leigh Fermor archives, presents a compelling narrative that showcases Joan's vibrant personality and her significant contributions to the arts and society. As a talented photographer and a socialite, she navigated the complexities of her time, defying conventions while establishing her own identity.

Joan hailed from a privileged background but chose to carve her own path, earning a living through her photography. Her connections with prominent figures in the 1930s bohemia, including literary icons like John Betjeman and Evelyn Waugh, highlight her influential presence in the cultural landscape. The biography chronicles her adventurous spirit, from her daring travels to her unconventional marriage, providing readers with a nuanced understanding of her life and the era in which she lived.

In Joan, Fenwick not only tells the story of a woman who was often perceived through the lens of her husband's fame but also places her at the forefront of her own narrative. This biography serves as a testament to her legacy, exploring the rich tapestry of her experiences, relationships, and the world she inhabited. It is a vivid portrait of a life lived fully, with all its complexities and triumphs, ensuring that Joan Leigh Fermor's story is finally told in her own right.

[A] chatty, charmingly digressive, gossipy biography -- Ysenda Maxtone-Graham * Daily Mail *
Does Joan merit a biography of her own? If someone had asked her, she would almost certainly have said no. But Simon Fenwick pulls it off . . . A quiet rebel and a fertile muse, Joan was a remarkable woman, and this is an entertaining book. -- Jane Ridley * Literary Review *

In this engrossing biography, the woman hitherto overshadowed by her husband
(soldier and author Patrick Leigh Fermor) is brought from black and white to full
colour . . . Societal expectations of women are compellingly captured, too, along with
Joan’s inner life, resulting in a vivid portrait of her and the places and people she loved.

* Observer *

ISBN: 9781509848713

Dimensions: 197mm x 130mm x 23mm

Weight: 304g

368 pages