The Surprising Life of Constance Spry

Author(s): Sue Shephard

Biography & Memoir

Most people today, if they have heard of her, associate Constance Spry with the cookery book bearing her name. But Connie was much, much more than the author of a bestselling cookery book. She was deeply unconventional, extremely charming and very determined; Spry's life took her from the back streets of Victorian Derby to running a hugely successful business as the florist of choice for the highest of high society, organizing the flowers for royal weddings and indeed for the Queen's coronation. She endured a violent first marriage, had a lesbian affair with a cross-dressing artist and was a pioneer for working women at a time when few women had careers. Sue Shephard tells her extraordinary story with insight, wit and flair.


Product Information

'Fascinating to be eagerly devoured' Clarissa Dickson-Wright 

'Riveting.' Jane Fearnley-Whittingstall

'Makes you fall utterly in love with its subject' New York Times Magazine

'Reveals with the greatest skill and sympathy an extraordinary person - complicated, driven, sometimes secretive but gifted and artistic to an nth degree. What a story.' Elizabeth Buchan

Sue Shephard is the author of Pickled, Potted and Canned: The Story of Food Preserving which won the Andre Simon Special Award and Seeds of Fortune. She lives in Bristol with her family.

General Fields

  • : 9780330544221
  • : Pan Macmillan
  • : Pan Books
  • : March 2011
  • : United Kingdom
  • : June 2011
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : Sue Shephard
  • : Paperback
  • : 1
  • : English
  • : 745.92092
  • : 256
  • : BG
  • : Illustrations, ports.