Yannow.... That Hilary Mantel Piece is Really Not an Attack on Kate Middleton

Or, it is, but it isn't quite that: it's an attack on the falseness of both the institution of the royal family and the British media's own falseness in depicting them, initially as Heroes, until they can figure out how to make them Villains.

Now, I have not read the entire piece, but based on a skim the things the Daily Mail & etc. pulled out of it are pretty much the only things about Kate Middleton; the rest is on royals through history, and pretense, and media, and so forth.

And how the monarchy doesn't really exist anymore except to provide some pleasing pictures for a doltish public that goes for such things.

Which is a statement as cruel as it is... true.

It's 3500 words.

She can be accused of being sharp-tongued and she did write the things she's quoted as saying; but the thrust of this is about the monarchy, not monarchists in particular, and not really about Middleton's looks. (Except to the extent she's saying the royals mold their Stepford Brides, and the media does as well, which may be tart but it's hardly out of bounds.)

Again, a few sentences out of 3500 words seems to be taking a little out with little context.

I'm going to change the earlier post about this, not because I want to hide the fact I got it wrong (I'm saying I got it wrong, and should have read) but because it's really pretty cruel.

Apologies for posting before reading, and then (for example) arguing with chique de afrique about it.

posted by Ace at 09:21 PM

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