Jocelyne Thompson

Fascinating read packing lots of history with an elegant and perceptive writing style. What seeker of self-knowledge hasn’t scribbled, keeping some kind of journal (on again, off again in my case) with a view to gaining a better understanding of life’s purpose, or better control over one’s circumstances or inevitable failings? And although this makes Mallon’s book appear a very serious read, which to some extent it is, the truth is that it is full of interesting revelations about historical characters in all fields of endeavour. I frequently found myself laughing out loud or googling to find out more about the subject. The book also provides a panorama of societal change from the 17th century to the mid- 20th. All in all, a delightful and easy pill to swallow for lovers of literature and history, and for students of human nature.