The Hottentot Venus: The Life and Death of Sarah Baartman

(Paperback)

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The acclaimed biography of Sarah Baartman, once a slave and later a showgirl A significant and timely book Holmes has produced a laceratingly powerful story Frances Wilson, Literary Review 'Impeccable ... In telling her extraordinary story, Holmes's fascinating book illuminates the forces which dominated her age, and resound in our own' Sunday Telegraph In 1810 the slave turned showgirl Sarah Baartman, Londons most famous curiosity, became its legal cause clbre. Famed for her exquisite physique in particular her shapely bottom she was stared at, stripped, pinched, painted, worshipped and ridiculed. This talented, tragic young South African woman became a symbol of exploitation, colonialism and defiance. In this scintillating and vividly written book Rachel Holmes traces the full arc of Baartmans extraordinary life for the first time.

Reviews

Holmes' biography of this unhappy woman is gripping and meticulously researched * Spectator *
Impeccable ... In telling her extraordinary story, Holmes's fascinating book illuminates the forces which dominated her age, and resound in our own * Sunday Telegraph *
A significant and timely book ... Holmes has produced a laceratingly powerful story * Literary Review *
Musters as much factual information as possible, telling her tale with care and respect * Independent *

Author Bio

Rachel Holmes is the author of Eleanor Marx: A Life, The Secret Life of Dr James Barry and The Hottentot Venus: The Life and Death of Saartjie Baartman. She is co-editor of Fifty Shades of Feminism and I Call Myself A Feminist. She lives in London.