This meticulously written biography goes into a lot of detail in regards to Miller’s different focuses but overlooks some of her troubled aspects.
Model, photographer, cook, wife, traveller, there are so many different fascinating aspects to the life and career of Lee Miller that make this for a fascinating read. However, it does overlook some of the more troubled sides to her personality that would offer more depth into who she was as a person.
From her early years in Poughkeepsie and developing an interest in photography through her work with her father with whom she had a particularly close relationship (in some instances perhaps a little too close) to becoming a model and then eventual photographer and writer for Vogue and beyond, it is clear that Lee Miller was a fascinating person to know and work alongside.
In particular, reading about her relationships with the likes Man Ray (both professional and romantically), Roland Penrose and Picasso among others shows how each of her differing relationships helped to influence her work and outlook in life. It becomes increasingly clear that she was ahead of her times in terms of her thoughts and the type of work that she undertook – particularly in covering the war. There is a real perceptiveness and vividness to the way in which she writes alongside her photographs (extracts of her writing are featured).
Throughout the book, it is clear that Caroline Byrne has done such detailed research into her life, that it feels like the reader is experiencing it alongside Miller. She ensures that Miller’s voice is right at the very centre of the book – with her directness, vulnerability and rebelliousness that captures the varying sides of her personality well. However, it does feel that the later years of her life are less well covered as she abandons her photography to focus on cooking and a different style of life. This part feels a little rushed through to reach a precise conclusion in the afterward.
As the recent exhibition at Tate Britain highlighted, Lee Miller was extraordinarily gifted and portrayed a unique outlook on the world (many of her most famous pictures are included in this book) that stopped and made the viewer see things differently. it was a powerful gift. Meanwhile, as a person she did have a darker side that would emerge that perhaps reflects the long lasting impacts on seeing the sights of war (specifically the horrific concentration camp in Dachau) as well as experiences in her childhood.
Byrne’s writing is clear, concise and offers great analysis of not only of Lee Miller herself but also the works that she created. If the reader is fascinated by photography, then there is much to be taken away from the book as well.
Overall, this is a really engaging biography that brings Lee Miller out into the spotlight where she belongs.
By Emma Clarendon
Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️