Enid: The scandalous life of a glamorous Australian who dazzled the world

 Enid: The scandalous life of a glamorous Australian who dazzled the world

Reviewed By  Nan van Dissel       July 26, 2020

 

Author  Robert Wainwright

Distributor:      Allen and Unwin
ISBN:                 9781760296544
Publisher:         Allen and Unwin
Release Date:   July 2020  

Website:    https://www.allenandunwin.com 

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Her beauty made her life but also ruined her life at the same time. Having out lived four husbands, Edith Kenmare, the subject of Robert Wainright’s latest extensively researched book, was a woman with incandescent beauty, who commanded the attention of men, but also courted controversy throughout her life; there was an insatiable media appetite for upper-class scandal. However, Enid was more than glamour and lovers; often in the media for all the wrong reasons.

Born in 1892 into the renowned Hunter Valley (New South Wales, Australia) Lindeman vintner family, Enid married the first of her four husbands in 1913, American shipping tycoon Roderick Cameron, and soon became a society darling. Within two years she was not only a mother but a very wealthy widow and soon to be a merry widow.

Counted among her friends were influential people from all field; royalty, society and celebrated members of the arts fraternity. In the following six decades she proved herself to be a formidable hostess; half the minor royalty of Europe were to be found among her guests. Even in her later life there was never a shortage of admirers. It has been claimed that she changed men as casually as she might switch handbags or nightwear!

But this is only a part of the story. This exotic woman often seen with a hyrax on her shoulder, drove an ambulance in World War I and refusing to bow to oppression, aided Jews who fled south to escape the Germany army during World War II. As part of the war effort in World War II, she had a job in an armaments factory and she milked her goats to produced cheese, cream and milk for struggling villagers. She had an incredibly adventurous life of riches and adventure. However, it was not without its hardship and tragedy.

Although there are many myths surrounding the life of Lady Kenmare making it impossible to distinguish fact from fiction, the author has written a fascinating biography of this Australian socialite, who captured the imagination of the world.  I highly recommend this enthralling account of this exceptional woman to all readers who enjoy history as well as an insight into the lives of the rich and famous.

Biographies, Non Fiction