This was such an incredible reading experience. These women!!!! I love them, and this book satisfied all my thirst for knowledge about them in the best way possible.

How do you write a biography of two authors who are known for their autobiographical work? Apparently by finding a gold mine of letters, interviewing all the people who knew them, as well as (one of) them, and drawing parallels between their lives. I mean it sounds simple but it’s obviously not, and the result is just absolutely delightful. 

This book isn’t afraid of highlighting the discrepancies in their narratives, or their hypocrisy, but also doesn’t hide their genius. It probably helps their lives were so extraordinary they could and have filled several books, but still.

Even though the flaws are on full display, I still find these women aspirational. And the fascinating thing is that even though they’re almost polar opposites, I love both of them the same. It’s probably the single best biography I’ve read. I could read it again and again.