Will I love The Surreal Life of Leonora Carrington?

I thoroughly enjoyed this biography, written by Joanna Moorhead, who is actually Carrington's cousin, and thus she brings such warmth and intimacy to this portrait of the rebellious British artist who fled her wealthy family to join the Surrealists in Paris, then later made Mexico her home. What I loved most was how Moorhead doesn't just focus on Carrington's famous relationship with Max Ernst, but gives us the full sweep of her remarkable life - her art, her writing, her fierce independence, and her refusal to be defined by anyone else's expectations. Carrington comes across as brilliant, difficult, magical, and… show more.

I loved this book because it tells the story of two lives, both intertwined with each other. The first primary story is that of the brilliantly talented artist Leonora Carrington and her determination to paint and pursue her love of art despite the many hurdles in her way–not least war, poverty, and family disapproval.

The second is that of her second cousin, Joanna Moorhead, who becomes determined to discover her story before it is too late and, in doing so, adds depth and purpose to her own life. This is a wild and fascinating book.