Library Journal Reviews Graham R.

Denise J. Stankovics, Rockville P.L., Vernon, CT

Rosamund Marriott Watson (1860—1911), once a well-known and respected English poet, critic, and essayist, slipped into obscurity shortly after her death. Part of the reason may well be confusion over her identity—her name changed from Rosamund Ball to Mrs. G.F. Armytage to Graham R. Tomson to Rosamund Marriott as she moved through two marriages and divorces and a live-in arrangement with a third partner. According to Hughes (literature, Texas Christian Univ.; The Manyfacèd Glass), Watson was a "New Woman" who defied the Victorian ideal and lived as she saw fit, which may have incurred the rebels' penalty of being overlooked as soon as she was off the scene. Indeed, hers was a "contradictory, complicated, and fascinating life," with literary connections to Oscar Wilde, H.G. Wells, Henry James, and Thomas Hardy. This well-researched and -documented scholarly work combines details of Watson's life with examples from and commentary on her works. Owing to its subject's obscurity at this point in literary history, however, the book is recommended to academic libraries only.

Library Journal
Vol. 130, No. 16
October 1, 2005