Life and Loves of E. Nesbit: Author of The Railway Children

Fitzsimons’s eye-opening biography brings new light to the life and works of famed literary icon E. Nesbit, in whom pragmatism and idealism, tradition and modernity worked side-by-side to create a remarkable writer and woman.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 17 October 2019
Publisher: Prelude

Winner of the Rubery Book Award 2020 (Non Fiction), Edith Nesbit is widely regarded as the pioneer of the children's adventure story genre. Her remarkable collection of children's books has left an indelible mark on renowned authors such as C.S. Lewis, P.L. Travers, J.K. Rowling, and Jacqueline Wilson, among many others. However, the individual behind the beloved classics "The Railway Children" and "Five Children and It" remains a mystery. Behind the facade of a once-happy childhood, Nesbit faced the tragic loss of her sister, which overshadowed her formative years. As an adult, she found herself caught in the midst of a complicated love triangle, entangled between her husband and a close friend. Despite these challenging circumstances, Nesbit exuded a playful, contradictory, and creative spirit. She hosted legendary parties at her unique Well Hall home, earning her the admiration of figures like George Bernard Shaw, one of her many lovers. Described as audaciously unconventional, Nesbit was also a passionate Marxist and a founding member of the Fabian Society. Through extensive research and analysis of Nesbit's letters, Eleanor Fitzsimons unveils her as a prolific activist and writer on socialism. Nesbit passionately advocated for equality, social justice, and state-sponsored oppression, seamlessly incorporating her avant-garde ideas into her writing. Her impact extended to a generation of children, marking a previously unexplored aspect of her legacy. In her most comprehensive biography in over three decades, acclaimed biographer and prize-winning author Eleanor Fitzsimons has crafted a remarkable account of Nesbit's extraordinary life. Through meticulous research and a keen eye for detail, Fitzsimons paints a vivid portrait of a woman whose pragmatism and idealism coexisted harmoniously, resulting in a singular mind and unparalleled literary talent.

Weight: 584g
Dimension: 239 x 167 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780715651469