The Other Woman
Private Secretary to a Daughter of Exxon Oil
Undercover Spunk (former title) is a captivating memoir by Karen Chadwick recounting her significant experiences while a personal secretary for Mrs. Jane Blaffer Owen. This book offers a rare and unique view into the world of an extremely wealthy and wordly woman. At the same time we learn that this powerful person with national and international influence adopts tiny New Harmony, Indiana as her home and retreat.
There are other books about New Harmony and they are scholarly and stuffy. Ms. Chadwick's easy style plops the reader right down at the kitchen table across from Jane Owen herself! We come away with deep insights into her complex character, her family dynamics and the countless contradictions she balances beneath her elegant exterior. It is important to note that Jane Owen was a major patron of the arts as well as a promoter of world class architects whose work is on display in New Harmony.
I imagine this book will be a must read for the legion of people whotreasure New Harmony as one of the gems of the state of Indiana. Indeed the Owen family name is linked with the state of Indiana as well as Indiana University. In this light Chadwick’s memoir would be highly suitable for a college level course examining the history of our fair state and it's prominent citizens.
I would recommend some skillful distillation of some passages. For
example on pp. 18-23 where Chadwick wrestles with her future
options in the company of her good friend, Bruce. While I find this
essential to the story line, I feel a bit of tightening here and there will ultimately benefit and please the reader.
Undercover Spunk is well-organized, well thought out and well
executed. Chadwick has a way with words and conveys the myriad and often times confusing emotions and mental states that came with her secretarial territory. Indeed, she places the reader at the eye of the hurricane and then thoughtfully brings us back to safe ground.
Lastly, I believe that Chadwick has effectively portrayed a truly
important woman in American history who left an indelible mark on her favorite home, New Harmony, Indiana.
Mark A. Trela February 11, 2012
No comments:
Post a Comment