Penny Perrick | Akateeminen Kirjakauppa

This is a fascinating portrait of a neglected poet and memoirist whose colourful and complicated life brought her into contact with some of the major literary figures of early twentieth-century Ireland. Sheila Wingfield (1906-1992), Anglo-Jewish heiress and 'poetess wife' of the last Powerscourt to live on that estate, didn't fit easily into any of the worlds she inhabited. In conflict with her ancestry and her responsibilities as Viscountess Powerscourt, Wingfield battled her personal demons of alcohol, drugs, illness and conflicted relationships. Deeply private, she remained passionately committed to her poetry - a commitment which isolated her from those around her. A selection of her poetry features in an appendix. Penny Perrick's biography strikes a balance between playful storytelling and serious analysis. Drawing on rich sources of letters, memoirs, diaries and interviews, "Something to Hide" introduces a neglected poet whose life in the Big House mirrors an eventful and significant period in Irish history. RTE producer Anne Roper is making a "Hidden Lives" documentary about the Wingfields to coincide with publication in February - March 2007.
The book will carry endorsements from both Edna O'Brien and Eavan Boland.