Terribly Intimate Portraits

"TERRIBLY INTIMATE PORTRAITS" by Noel Coward is a selection of amusing character drawings from the early 1900s in which historical accuracy takes a back seat to humor; Coward defends his eccentric approach to biography with flamboyant wit. In this collection, fact and fiction mingle in lighthearted portraits of historical and fictional figures, skewering societal norms. The book begins with a foreword where Coward confronts criticism, defending his artistic license and promising to capture the "essence and spirit" of his subjects rather than sterile historical accuracy. He then introduces figures such as Julie de Poopinac, a woman of beauty and wit amidst court intrigue, and Madcap Moll, the adventurous Duchess of Wapping. Coward uses amusing storytelling and historical significance to examine his characters, combining his signature wit with insight into human nature.