Charmian Clift and George Johnston's Hydra House

[victoriacorcoran]

I'm really enjoying the book Polly, have not quite finished it. I fully appreciate how you have made Charmian the centre and soul of the Hydra ex pat community during this period. I love her spirit and identify with her trying to keep it all together with her typical Aussie but brilliant husband George Johnston. Such a sad end for this beautiful woman, for the whole family really. Sending much love from Australia and hope a movie follows.

[craigkaschan]

Polly Samson is an amazing woman. Love all of her books.

[beldengi]

I spent 4 days on Hydra in 2017. To reach our apartment we would walk past that well but I was unaware of the house in this context. The island is now full of tourists in summer but I still had a magical time. I collected Charmian's books and Nadia Wheatley's biography of Charmian. I have also ordered your book.

[nadiavoun]

After reading your book This all makes sense in my head. Thank you for the video. ❤

[guzzoofoz]

Greetings and blessings from Australia 🇦🇺. Beautiful place. Wonderful atmosphere. If you and David ever come to Australia, I’d love to show you both, an almost secluded beach, which my wife and I call driftwood beach. It feels so ancient. An hour from Brisbane. 👍.

[Resenbrink]

Thanks so much for posting this - Johnston's novels are so important to me and to see this house is a real treat.

[elausente]

Fascinating story... there's so much magic at what you do. Can't wait for my two books to arrive.

[ethnicmusiclover]

God I love watching this. I love you and David and family. And I love Leonard Cohen. Watched has he recorded his last album. Amazing man.

[desireecoad]

I love your Leonard Cohen uploads, as I now call them. Such a beautiful and historic island. I will order your book next month, and I thought of going into Harvard Square, but I will be socially distancing long after my state gets back to business as usual.

[DerekKelly-qe]

This is obviously one inspiration for polly Samson as a lyricist

[TheWordBoy]

I finished this novel this afternoon and I'm already missing it. A brilliant evocation of Hydra, yes, but an even more brilliant evocation of the glory and foolishness of you. Bravo.

[barbarapotter]

read the books..so good to see the movie...

[dr.debajyotibose]

Charmian Clift was from Australia, lived in Hydra during the 50s

[juliabenton]

Does anyone know what the lovely music is in this video? Cohen, or someone else?

[beldengi]

I would like your view on the pronounciation of her name. Is it Sharmian or Charmian? Though some call her Sharmian there is a recorded interview with George Johnston online where he clearly calls her Charmian.

[blakeaaron]

Could one get by with only English in the 60s on Hydra? And now?

[joannadorothy]

Thank you for this video. I was looking for "Peel Me A Lotus " no luck . Could you , plese, tell me how can i optain a copy of this book ? Thank you.

[jimijimi]

I have a question, if in normal times the place you show is full of tourists or is it just a good place to spend time, maybe while reading your book?

[MartintheMetalhead]

Only one of Charmain and George children is alive today. Seems like a curse has hit this family since Clifts passing in the late 60's.

[sundromos]

"Clean Straw for Nothing" was the "final straw"? You thought you could slide that one right by us?