She became interested in philosophy, languages and the sciences. In 1879, Naden attended the Birmingham and Midland Institute to study botany and French, [2] [4] and from 1881 to 1887 attended Mason Science College to study physics, geology, chemistry, physiology, and zoology; [2] [4] she also became a member of the Birmingham Natural History Society. [2] Naden also edited the Mason College magazine. [6] In 1885 she won the "Paxton prize" for an essay upon the geology of the district. [2] In 1887 she won the "Heslop" gold medal for her long essay, Induction and Deduction, published after her death. [2] Philosophy [ edit ] Flying usually makes me sappy (it's not just me, it's science ) and these trips were no exception. Looking out the window of the plane, sipping canned wine without the warm heft of a baby bobbing on my lap, I watched the New England landscape slide by underneath. The view was quilted: a patchwork of ocher and emerald fields knit together by seams of flaming trees. The plane banked over the coast and far beneath us a lighthouse stood out from the navy sea like a pin in a map. I was reminded once again of the way landscapes and places can romance us.

a b c "Constance Naden (1858–1889)". National Recording Project. Public Monuments & Sculpture Association (PMSA). Archived from the original on 19 December 2013 . Retrieved 1 July 2013. The second thing is to do with the age of Evelyn and Cressy. Both integral to the story and already seniors at the beginning, we grow to love them and can't imagine life without them, but realistically they are old... As events unfolded, I found myself figuratively sweating for them to stay safe. No spoilers here. An ode to art, to a time and place, and a shared ’belief that a combination of intellect and beauty can make the world a better place.’ Despite its imperfections, Still Life is full of heart; there are some extraordinarily beautiful paragraphs, there's tenderness, quirkiness, memorable characters, chance encounters, beautiful descriptions, and so much more. Beautiful art opens our eyes to the beauty of the world, Ulysses. It repositions our sight and judgement. Captures forever that which is fleeting. A meager stain in the corridors of history, that's all we are. A little mark of scuff. One hundred and fifty years ago Napoleon breathed the same air as we do now. The batallion of time marches on. Art versus humanity is not the question, Ulysses. One doesn't exist without the other. Art is the antidote. Is that enough to make it important? Well yes, I think it is."We move on to the early post war period in London, England, were we meet Col, a pub owner, and Peg, who married Ulysses before the war in a fit of madness. And, Cress, a man of wisdom and kindness. Ulysses arrives home in London in 1946, discovering that Peg now has a daughter, Alys. In these years we meet most of the characters who will stay with us through the rest of the story. All the problems arose for me when Evelyn Skinner is the focus. It's a shame because she's a good character - a bon-vivant lesbian who always has a ready smile. She's a good character except when the author tries to convince us she's an authority on art history. The book begins with her and begins badly. It's odd that a novel with feminist aspirations allows a woman to do a job women were not entitled to at the time, that of being on the front lines as art conservers. There's a silly scene in the Boboli gardens when a sniper must have a modern high-powered rifle to be able to take shots at people in the gardens from the tower at Bellosguardo. And it's here the crass sermons on art history begin which reminded me of the stuff I used to translate in mass market tourist guides.

It is difficult to believe that someone’s reputation can be destroyed by the simple words of a liar. It was likewise difficult to have society’s eyes constantly searching for some imagined impropriety to spring on an innocent female, to the point of forcing marriage for merely the thought that improper behavior might have occurred. This story line is one where the lies of Markus Graves ruin Miss Constance Everly’s good name. That event, in turn, caused the premature death of her broken-hearted father and threatened the future of the now orphaned and impoverished young woman. Constance did what she had to do and became a governess to 4 children with additional work added on by the vicar and his wife who employed and unfairly used her. I'm not convinced that the book was either story- or character driven. It was issue-driven, hence the multitude of characters to introduce as many issues as possible into the tale.So, this book is sentimental and melodramatic and quite over the top, and really far too long. But I found myself slowing down, fearful for the fate of these glorious characters, and what might happen to them when I reached the inevitable ‘end’ (of the book, and their lives. Being a melodrama, Winman wrings every ounce of emotion and nostalgia out of her decades-long saga.) This novel is defined more by images and themes than by plot development. Recurring themes run throughout the work.The first is the power of art and beauty as a transformative agent in ordinary lives.The author suggests that art is accessible to all people.”Still Life” is filled with images and references to the great paintings and artists that have created a cultural legacy. The art and architecture of Florence seep into Ulysses’ life, enriching his sensibilities and existence. Another prevalent theme is that of an expanded sense of family.The gradually deepening bonds that tie Ulysses to his “ adopted family” remind us that a network of friends can meld into a unit that is loyal and enduring, providing a continuity and shared set of memories that are as strong as blood ties.

slight and tall, with a delicate face and 'clear blue-grey eyes.' She was regular and active in her habits. She had a penetrating voice, and was thoroughly self-possessed in public speaking. [2]She was a school housekeeper at Queen of All Saints Catholic School and also had worked at Michigan City Public Library, Tonn & Blank Construction and Peters Dairy. Constance was a life member of the V.F.W. 2536 Ladies Auxiliary and an avid country and western dancer at Willowbrook ballroom, Willow Springs, IL.