Nellie

Nellie, the life and loves of Dame Nellie Melba by Robert Wainwright
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Nellie Melba was at her time probably the best known Australian.
Still it does not make an interesting story.
I think, that life of popular performers are not necessarily good material for a book.
It may be easier with writers, composers, painters as their creations involve many aspects of history and culture. In the case of performers the main thing remaining are headlines in newspapers - successes, falls, scandals.
Having this in mind I acknowledge, competence and good taste of the author of the biography.
In the case of Lady Melba, there was basically one personal factor influencing her life - ill-matched marriage with Charlie Armstrong. It put long shadow on her life - especially the struggle for control over future of their son.
The other strong theme was her relation with Philippe, Duc d'Orleans - pretendent to the French throne.
This story I classify to the category of gossip, but I understand author's temptation to expand this theme.

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