Hay Cartagena comes to a close

The day began with an early morning interview with Judith Thurman, the distinguished biographer of Isak Dinesen and Colette, and writer for the New Yorker on fashion and books. We begin by talking about Michelle Obama and fashion. Judith speaks of Michelle’s achievement: like Jackie Kennedy, and unlike Princess Diana, she has understood the need to “mount the pedestal, hold your pose, and create a persona,” to fulfil the role of “old-fashioned consort” to the holder of office. Judith thinks that Michelle has been able to speak to different elements of America, including the majority of the population which keeps to a core of puritan, old-fashioned values.

Michelle’s is a “robust glamour,” though, with none of her feisty, opinionated intelligence reined in, and sexy too—a “wholesome marital sexuality,” as Judith puts it. All this explains her consistently high approval ratings (80 per cent) throughout