Sugar
27th July 2006, 19:45
Born in 1900 to a soon-to-be-widowed postmaster's wife in a small French village, Helene Delangle's background offered no suggestion of the extraordinary life she was to lead. The first step was to leave the country behind and head to the city -- in this case, a Paris in the grip of an intoxicating 1920s blend of creativity and debauchery. She became a dancer, and then a stripper. But the demi-monde of gauze veils and admirers was not enough. A visit to the Actors' Championships, a uniquely French meeting of the theatrical world with the race-track, opened her eyes to the glamorous combination of machines and speed. Quickly establishing herself as a racer of uncommon talent and audacity, the beautiful woman now known as Helle Nice -- Hellish Nice to her British fans -- then caught the attention of none other than Ettore Bugatti, founder of the marque with which her name will always be associated. And yet, despite the fame and the fortune she amassed in an unprecedented career, she died penniless and alone, an old woman in a crumbling Nice flat surrounded only by memories. THE BUGATTI QUEEN is the story of a great pioneer of motor racing who happened to be a woman. Re-creating her rollercoaster career with great verve and panache, Miranda Seymour brilliantly shows us a life now forgotten -- and makes it unforgettable.
This is absolutely fascinating reading. Miranda Seymour has worked hard to piece together the story of Hélène Delangle's life. While Seymour admits that at times she has "employed some creative reconstruction", this aids the narrative and all such reconstruction is annotated with the sources Seymour used to create it.
Seymour writes with a real passion for her subject, and from even the introduction it is clear that she found it hard to say good bye to Delangle upon completion of the book.
There is a real sense of understanding in the narrative - and this manages to bring alive the places Delangle visits. It also brings alive the atmosphere, and assault on the senses, that would have been experienced at a motor race in this time.
It is hard to believe that someone who had such celebrity as Delangle in the 1920s and 30s was able to become so far removed from society and be relegated to such obscurity now.
The booked changed tack during/after the war years, reflecting Hélène's life and the lack of motorsport that was going on during the war years.
The portrayal of Paris during the occupation was eye-opening, and the references to the resistance and collaborators is not something I have ever read about before with this level of personal association.
The final chapter is powerful, and I was left breathless and on the verge of tears by the end - of the book and Hélène Delangle's life.
The acknowledgements made fascinating reading, and covered in some detail how the author had discovered Delangle, and how she has pieced together her life story.
If you only read one biography in your life, make it this one.
A thoroughly interesting look at the life of someone who deserves so much more credit. The author hopes that her work will form the basis of wider recognition for Delangle - and I hope so too.
This is absolutely fascinating reading. Miranda Seymour has worked hard to piece together the story of Hélène Delangle's life. While Seymour admits that at times she has "employed some creative reconstruction", this aids the narrative and all such reconstruction is annotated with the sources Seymour used to create it.
Seymour writes with a real passion for her subject, and from even the introduction it is clear that she found it hard to say good bye to Delangle upon completion of the book.
There is a real sense of understanding in the narrative - and this manages to bring alive the places Delangle visits. It also brings alive the atmosphere, and assault on the senses, that would have been experienced at a motor race in this time.
It is hard to believe that someone who had such celebrity as Delangle in the 1920s and 30s was able to become so far removed from society and be relegated to such obscurity now.
The booked changed tack during/after the war years, reflecting Hélène's life and the lack of motorsport that was going on during the war years.
The portrayal of Paris during the occupation was eye-opening, and the references to the resistance and collaborators is not something I have ever read about before with this level of personal association.
The final chapter is powerful, and I was left breathless and on the verge of tears by the end - of the book and Hélène Delangle's life.
The acknowledgements made fascinating reading, and covered in some detail how the author had discovered Delangle, and how she has pieced together her life story.
If you only read one biography in your life, make it this one.
A thoroughly interesting look at the life of someone who deserves so much more credit. The author hopes that her work will form the basis of wider recognition for Delangle - and I hope so too.