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Victorians Undone
Victorians Undone: Tales of the Flesh in the Age of Decorum | Kathryn Hughes
13 posts | 6 read | 32 to read
'Intriguing, gleefully contentious and - appropriately enough - fizzing with life, Victorians Undone is the most original history book I have read in a long while' John Preston, Daily Mail A groundbreaking account of what it was like to live in a Victorian body from one of our best historians. Why did the great philosophical novelist George Eliot feel so self-conscious that her right hand was larger than her left? Exactly what made Darwin grow that iconic beard in 1862, a good five years after his contemporaries had all retired their razors? Who knew Queen Victoria had a personal hygiene problem as a young woman and the crisis that followed led to a hurried commitment to marry Albert? What did John Sell Cotman, a handsome drawing room operator who painted some of the most exquisite watercolours the world has ever seen, feel about marrying a woman whose big nose made smart people snigger? How did a working-class child called Fanny Adams disintegrate into pieces in 1867 before being reassembled into a popular joke, one we still reference today, but would stop, appalled, if we knew its origins? Kathryn Hughes follows a thickened index finger or deep baritone voice into the realms of social history, medical discourse, aesthetic practise and religious observance - its language is one of admiring glances, cruel sniggers, an implacably turned back. The result is an eye-opening, deeply intelligent, groundbreaking account that brings the Victorians back to life and helps us understand how they lived their lives.
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sparrowssavvy
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Pickpick

Absolutely loved this book! So full of interesting historical events and the cultural thought surrounding the human body in Victorian times. The author totally sucked me in with her incredible writing. This book was clearly so well researched and full of thought. I definitely will be looking out for more books by this author.

16 likes2 stack adds
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sparrowssavvy
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Dinner and a good book

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LaComtesseJamie
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Pickpick

Super interesting delve into Victorians relationship with bodies and sexuality via 4 stories of notable Victorian scandals and trends.

RaimeyGallant Sounds interesting! And welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon Some of us put together Litsy tips to help new Littens navigate the site. It's the link in my bio on my page in case you need it. Or if you prefer how-to videos, @chelleo put some together at the link in her bio. @LitsyWelcomeWagon
5y
6 likes1 comment
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Moray_Reads
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Panpan

There is far less focus on bodies, physicality and Victorian attitudes than i expected. They act as a starting point but are quickly absorbed into far more traditional biographical narratives. There is little new if you already know the people and events. What pushed it from a so-so to a pan were some appallingly crass, and sometimes ghoulish, phrases during descriptions about multiple miscarriages and the violent murder of a child.

Moray_Reads These are brief and few but the jaunty tone of the rest of the writing is distasteful and badly misjudged in these cases 6y
emilyhaldi Bummer 😦 6y
saresmoore Oof. I was hoping this would be good, but I‘m glad you‘ve spared me from reading it! 6y
Moray_Reads @saresmoore the section on Darwin's beard was quite good but the rest was boring and yuck! 6y
47 likes4 comments
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Librarybelle
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Pickpick

A very unique way to present social customs during the Victorian era, Hughes looks at society through five individuals‘ bodies (or specific aspect of the body) and any scandals that surrounded them. I enjoyed the presentation and seeing how Hughes connects the dots in her narrative. If you love anything Victorian, check this one out!

99 likes7 stack adds
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Librarybelle
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Trying to finish this tonight.

I also wanted to thank everyone for the amazingly touching words of support today. I teared up a few times over the lovely sentiments and showing of support. It‘s been rough, especially since I knew I couldn‘t be at the hospital with my dad. But, he is in recovery now. Thoughts and prayers are still appreciated. I love this community! 😘

TheBookgeekFrau 🙏for good news and a speedy recovery for your Dad .... 💕to you while you wait for news 6y
Lcsmcat I‘m glad that things are going well. ❤️ 6y
Lmstraubie Sending hugs your way 🤗 6y
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Librarybelle Thank you, @C.Perone @Lcsmcat @Lmstraubie ! ❤️❤️❤️ 6y
ravenlee Litten love!!! (Kinda like the Care Bear Stare, right?) 💗 6y
Librarybelle @ravenlee That analogy! ❤️❤️❤️ 6y
erzascarletbookgasm Good thoughts and prayers 💕 6y
GlassAsDiamonds Glad he‘s going well, it‘s harder in so many ways to just have to watch from afar. Hope you‘re taking care of yourself as well. All the best. 6y
90 likes3 stack adds10 comments
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Librarybelle
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Morning reading with #Zeke . Really good so far...I internally cringed as Hughes described what Lady Flora Hastings had to go through, thanks in no small part to Queen Victoria. #catsoflitsy

CatLass007 😻😻😻😻😻 6y
70 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Librarybelle
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Starting this tonight, though I‘ll probably only read a few pages before going to sleep!

81 likes2 stack adds
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Librarybelle
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Another library hold processed and handed to me today. A little offbeat - this tells the history of the Victorians through the bodies of five individuals, whose experiences shed light on decorum during that era. I love reading about the Victorians (the Puritans are another fun bunch), so I‘m up for trying this.

LeahBergen I‘ve had this stacked for a while. 👍🏻 6y
Librarybelle @LeahBergen Definitely sounds intriguing! 6y
ferskner What a great cover! 6y
Librarybelle @ferskner I know! ❤️ 6y
87 likes4 stack adds4 comments
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xicanti
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I saved this ages ago because I thought y'all might appreciate it, then forgot to share. Oops.

Eggs 😂😂 6y
Hildy Hilarious! 6y
45 likes2 comments
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Rhondareads
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A delicious cover a fantastic surprise from John Hopkins university press.Way to start the week.😍💃🏼

LeahBergen This sounds amazing. 6y
Rhondareads @LeahBergen I agree it was such a lovely surprise, 6y
12 likes2 comments
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robinb
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While I have no recollection of entering a contest to win this book, since I‘m a fan of historical romance I will definitely enjoy reading it I‘m sure! 👍

The title alone...Victorians Undone: Tales of the Flesh in the Age of Decorum...am I actually blushing??!!! 😊🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣❤️❤️☺️😉😉😉💋💋🔥🔥🔥

Surprise #bookmail is the best! 🎉🎉🎉

HOTPock3tt Wow!!! 😍I‘m blushing too!!! Stacked it!! Please let us know what you thought of it! 😁 6y
MinDea 👏👏👏👏 6y
robinb @HOTPock3tt I know, right?! Lol! Will do, thanks! 👍😊 6y
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robinb @MinDea 👍😊🤗 thanks! 6y
Christine11 What a great surprise! 😊 6y
robinb @Christine11 Exactly! Love it when you find a book surprise in your mail! ❤️😍 6y
ScientistSam Looking forward to hearing what you think, I'm intrigued! 6y
robinb @ScientistSam I know! It should be very interesting. ☺️ 6y
71 likes3 stack adds8 comments
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charl08
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It never occurred to me that crazy Victorian beards were not very appealing to lots of people, including partners...

41 likes1 stack add