The Story of a Marriage

Malinowski is known internationally as one of the founders of social anthropology, as the creator of modern field work, as a great writer and an inspiring teacher. Until now little has been known about his personal life and thoughts. In these two volumes of letters, edited by his youngest daughter Helena, much that has been hitherto unknown is revealed. The reader will learn about his marriage, his domestic life, and his relationships with colleagues, his students and a wide spectrum of friends.
The letters in "The Story of a Marriage" were written by Malinowski and his wife, Elsie Masson, from 1916 to her death in 1935. They chronicle their meeting and their subsequent extraordinary marriage, showing Malinowski in a new light, not just as a teacher and scholar, but as husband, father and friend. His wife, so far largely unknown, is shown as a humorous, courageous and talented woman.
"Volume I" covers the letters written in Australia and New Guinea, from their first meeting in 1916 to the beginning of 1920 when they leave for Europe. "Volume II" begins with their arrival in England in April 1920 and details their lives together as he achieves success and international fame while her illness, multiple sclerosis, gradually forces her retreat from action and involvement.
The Malinowskis lived in half-a-dozen countries and visited many more, and the letters record their wandering life. They bring in leading figures such as Sir James Frazer, and Malinowski's students, many of whom went on to become famous anthropologists themselves. There are also fascinating glimpses of attitudes and day-to-day life in the twenties and thirties, including the rise of Nazism and Fascism.