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Sydney and Violet: Their Life with T.S. Eliot, Proust, Joyce and the Excruciatingly Irascible Wyndham Lewis
A long overdue biography of the power couple that nurtured and influenced the literary world of early twentieth-century England
"I write primarily to pay homage to a beloved friend, but also in the hope that some future chronicler of the history of art and letters in our time may give to Sydney and Violet Schiff the place which is their due."
—T. S. Eliot, in a letter appended to Violet Schiff's obituary, Times of London , July 9, 1962
Largely forgotten today, Sydney and Violet Schiff were ubiquitous, almost Zelig-like figures in the most important literary movement of the twentieth century. Their friendships among the elite of the Modernist writers were remarkable, and their extensive correspondence with T. S. Eliot, Katherine Mansfield, Proust, and many others strongly suggests both intimacy and intellectual equality. Leading critics of the day considered Sydney, writing as Stephen Hudson, to be in the same literary league as Joyce, Eliot, and D. H. Lawrence. As for Violet, she was a talented musician who nurtured Sydney's literary efforts and was among the first in England to recognize Proust's genius and spread the word. Sydney and Violet tells the story of how the Schiffs, despite their commercial and Jewish origins, won acceptance in the snobbish, anti-Semitic, literary world of early twentieth-century England, and brings to life a full panoply of extravagant Proust, Joyce, Picasso, Mansfield, Wyndham Lewis, T. S. Eliot, Aldous Huxley, and many more. A highly personal, anecdote-filled account of the social and intellectual history of the Modernist movement, Sydney and Violet also examines what divides the literary survivors from the victims of taste and time.
"I write primarily to pay homage to a beloved friend, but also in the hope that some future chronicler of the history of art and letters in our time may give to Sydney and Violet Schiff the place which is their due."
—T. S. Eliot, in a letter appended to Violet Schiff's obituary, Times of London , July 9, 1962
Largely forgotten today, Sydney and Violet Schiff were ubiquitous, almost Zelig-like figures in the most important literary movement of the twentieth century. Their friendships among the elite of the Modernist writers were remarkable, and their extensive correspondence with T. S. Eliot, Katherine Mansfield, Proust, and many others strongly suggests both intimacy and intellectual equality. Leading critics of the day considered Sydney, writing as Stephen Hudson, to be in the same literary league as Joyce, Eliot, and D. H. Lawrence. As for Violet, she was a talented musician who nurtured Sydney's literary efforts and was among the first in England to recognize Proust's genius and spread the word. Sydney and Violet tells the story of how the Schiffs, despite their commercial and Jewish origins, won acceptance in the snobbish, anti-Semitic, literary world of early twentieth-century England, and brings to life a full panoply of extravagant Proust, Joyce, Picasso, Mansfield, Wyndham Lewis, T. S. Eliot, Aldous Huxley, and many more. A highly personal, anecdote-filled account of the social and intellectual history of the Modernist movement, Sydney and Violet also examines what divides the literary survivors from the victims of taste and time.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 3, 2013
Uneven
“Sydney and Violet” was an uneven book. For me it never generated much interest in either member of this literary couple. He was a writer of forgotten books and she was his editor and cheerleader and possibly his co-writer. Their main contribution to the literature of that time was providing encouragement and funding to some of the struggling authors. I did find the few chapters focused on Proust interesting however. Violet was one of the first English readers who became enamored of Proust and she not only spread the word but got in touch with him and she and Sydney became pen pals with Proust and even visited him several times in the last few years of his life. It must have been a true friendship based on the warm letters that were exchanged and the fact that Proust dedicated his “Sodom and Gomorrah” to Sydney.
Per the author Sydney and Violet were the lightning rod for the Bayswater coterie of Modernists which included Ezra Pound, T.S. Eliot, Edwin Muir, Max Beerbohm, Katherine Mansfield, Aldous Huxley and the now forgotten novelist and artist Wyndham Lewis. The Bayswater group was largely in opposition to the Bloomsbury gang headed by Virginia Woolf. There was plenty of literature gossip of the personal kind in the book but it was hard to get excited about the long ago goings on about fairly unknown writers. Another exception (besides the few Proust chapters) was the story about Oscar Wilde being accused of immorality and his subsequent trial and Violet’s sister’s staunch support for him in his time of struggle. The sections about Lewis’s vitriol against his benefactors, his anti-Semitism, and his writing in support of Hitler are a miss in my opinion. He comes across as a sad, untalented and obviously misguided person. It’s hard to imagine how Sydney and Violet could be so convinced he had talent and doubly hard to think they ranked him at the same height as Proust….baffling. “Sydney and Violet” is one of those books you’ll want to pick and choose the parts you concentrate on.
This review is based on an eBook provided by the publisher.
(Disclaimer given as required by the FTC.)
“Sydney and Violet” was an uneven book. For me it never generated much interest in either member of this literary couple. He was a writer of forgotten books and she was his editor and cheerleader and possibly his co-writer. Their main contribution to the literature of that time was providing encouragement and funding to some of the struggling authors. I did find the few chapters focused on Proust interesting however. Violet was one of the first English readers who became enamored of Proust and she not only spread the word but got in touch with him and she and Sydney became pen pals with Proust and even visited him several times in the last few years of his life. It must have been a true friendship based on the warm letters that were exchanged and the fact that Proust dedicated his “Sodom and Gomorrah” to Sydney.
Per the author Sydney and Violet were the lightning rod for the Bayswater coterie of Modernists which included Ezra Pound, T.S. Eliot, Edwin Muir, Max Beerbohm, Katherine Mansfield, Aldous Huxley and the now forgotten novelist and artist Wyndham Lewis. The Bayswater group was largely in opposition to the Bloomsbury gang headed by Virginia Woolf. There was plenty of literature gossip of the personal kind in the book but it was hard to get excited about the long ago goings on about fairly unknown writers. Another exception (besides the few Proust chapters) was the story about Oscar Wilde being accused of immorality and his subsequent trial and Violet’s sister’s staunch support for him in his time of struggle. The sections about Lewis’s vitriol against his benefactors, his anti-Semitism, and his writing in support of Hitler are a miss in my opinion. He comes across as a sad, untalented and obviously misguided person. It’s hard to imagine how Sydney and Violet could be so convinced he had talent and doubly hard to think they ranked him at the same height as Proust….baffling. “Sydney and Violet” is one of those books you’ll want to pick and choose the parts you concentrate on.
This review is based on an eBook provided by the publisher.
(Disclaimer given as required by the FTC.)
September 4, 2013
“Modernism” is a generous umbrella, covering a breadth of groups, individuals and media. The big names of the art and literary worlds have received much critical attention in recent years but less well appreciated have been its patrons and facilitators, the hosts, friends and supporters who provided the glue between disparate artists. Stephen Klaidman’s new biog-raphy of Sydney and Violet Schiff highlights an interesting couple, who made their own con-tribution to literary circles of the 1920s.
Relatively overlooked until now, the Schiffs appear on the surface to be a conventional mid-dle class couple, based in London and the South of France. However, their correspondence and friendships included figures such as Picasso, D.H.Lawrence, James Joyce and Aldous Huxley. Klaidman has written a fascinating book, using the Schiffs to reflect light on their more famous friends and has tried hard to rehabilitate their reputation as a literary couple. However, their own output is rarely read today and for the reader, one Schiff consistently emerges as rather more radiant and engaging then the other. Klaidman's style leaves little doubt where his sympathies lie, backhandedly apologising for Sydney’s clumsiness and giving the impression that the husband overshadowed his wife’s talents. This book high-lights Violet’s own wasted potential as much as her gift for friendship, or what Willa Muir described as her genius for womanhood.
After establishing the circumstances under which the Schiffs met and married, Klaidman’s book really takes off when he examines their friendships in the early 1920s. Surviving letters from this period allow another window into the existing biographies of figures such as Kathe-rine Mansfield, Wyndham Lewis and T.S. Eliot and stress the personal affection in which they held the Schiffs as a couple. Most interesting though, are the detailed letters that they sent and received from the reclusive Marcel Proust during the last part of his life. A vivid picture of Proust emerges, ensconced in his Parisian flat reading the final proofs of À la Recher-che de Temps Perdu, wrapped in furs and sending his chauffeur to the Ritz for cold beers. This is perhaps the most satisfying section of the book, with the epistolary friendship devel-oping in the reclusive writer’s dying years; I did feel though, that Klaidman did not quite convince me why Proust would select the Schiffs as his confidants during this time. Perhaps this was down to the nature of the friendship, as the trio only met in person on a handful of occasions and a portion of the letters are missing. Otherwise, Klaidman does a good job with the remaining evidence, presenting the highs and lows of their association.
Proust and Sydney Schiff had a common connection in their shared craft. Writing under the pseudonym Stephen Hudson, Sydney produced a number of novels, which have not survived the test of time as well as those of his friend. Klaidman presents his works as collaborations with Violet, whom Proust certainly found to be the more sympathetic and gifted critic. The extent to which she contributed to Sydney’s work is unclear and Klaidman is convinced by her qualities as a critical and incisive reader of her husband and friends’ work. Some even suspected her of authoring Hudson’s work but it is frustrating that little evidence survives about the extent of her involvement and whether the process of composition was shared. She comes across as the more engaging of the pair, with her intellect, empathy and musical gifts being appreciated among her friends but never finding fruition in wider circles. The book cer-tainly left me with an appetite to discover more about Violet, almost regretting that she did not put pen to paper independently of Sydney.
The prominence of Wyndham Lewis in the book’s title is a little misleading, as he plays an equal or lesser part in the narrative than figures like Eliot and Proust. The reader is left in little doubt that this is down to the author’s own personal preference, as although Lewis’s be-haviour and views do emerge as “excrutiatingly irascible” even when considered objectively, Klaidman goes much further and describes his work as “monstrous, ramblshackle… blunder-buss,” pretentious, irrelevant, banal, plotless, prejudice, mean-spirited, humourless, self-serving and enveloping the reader like quicksand.” This forceful opinion is a little distracting and appears to emerge from Lewis’s perceived ingratitude for the Schiff’s material support, when a less colourful condemnation may have been less obtrusive.
Largely, this was a satisfying read, which sheds a useful and interesting insight on modernist circles. It was well-paced and full of the interesting details and anecdotes that remain in the mind. In certain places, the book could have supported more background material, such as when it came to Violet’s early life and the position of Jews in inter-war London. Also, partic-ular passages ended abruptly, like the death of Katherine Mansfield and incarcertation of Vivienne Eliot but this was perhaps an indication that the author had been successful making these characters interesting. The Modernist furrow has been well ploughed by biographers but until now, the Schiffs have languished in the margins. This may well be because in terms of literary output they are, in fact, marginal figures, but this book brings their role as valued mentors and friends into the light in an anecdotal and enjoyable way.
Relatively overlooked until now, the Schiffs appear on the surface to be a conventional mid-dle class couple, based in London and the South of France. However, their correspondence and friendships included figures such as Picasso, D.H.Lawrence, James Joyce and Aldous Huxley. Klaidman has written a fascinating book, using the Schiffs to reflect light on their more famous friends and has tried hard to rehabilitate their reputation as a literary couple. However, their own output is rarely read today and for the reader, one Schiff consistently emerges as rather more radiant and engaging then the other. Klaidman's style leaves little doubt where his sympathies lie, backhandedly apologising for Sydney’s clumsiness and giving the impression that the husband overshadowed his wife’s talents. This book high-lights Violet’s own wasted potential as much as her gift for friendship, or what Willa Muir described as her genius for womanhood.
After establishing the circumstances under which the Schiffs met and married, Klaidman’s book really takes off when he examines their friendships in the early 1920s. Surviving letters from this period allow another window into the existing biographies of figures such as Kathe-rine Mansfield, Wyndham Lewis and T.S. Eliot and stress the personal affection in which they held the Schiffs as a couple. Most interesting though, are the detailed letters that they sent and received from the reclusive Marcel Proust during the last part of his life. A vivid picture of Proust emerges, ensconced in his Parisian flat reading the final proofs of À la Recher-che de Temps Perdu, wrapped in furs and sending his chauffeur to the Ritz for cold beers. This is perhaps the most satisfying section of the book, with the epistolary friendship devel-oping in the reclusive writer’s dying years; I did feel though, that Klaidman did not quite convince me why Proust would select the Schiffs as his confidants during this time. Perhaps this was down to the nature of the friendship, as the trio only met in person on a handful of occasions and a portion of the letters are missing. Otherwise, Klaidman does a good job with the remaining evidence, presenting the highs and lows of their association.
Proust and Sydney Schiff had a common connection in their shared craft. Writing under the pseudonym Stephen Hudson, Sydney produced a number of novels, which have not survived the test of time as well as those of his friend. Klaidman presents his works as collaborations with Violet, whom Proust certainly found to be the more sympathetic and gifted critic. The extent to which she contributed to Sydney’s work is unclear and Klaidman is convinced by her qualities as a critical and incisive reader of her husband and friends’ work. Some even suspected her of authoring Hudson’s work but it is frustrating that little evidence survives about the extent of her involvement and whether the process of composition was shared. She comes across as the more engaging of the pair, with her intellect, empathy and musical gifts being appreciated among her friends but never finding fruition in wider circles. The book cer-tainly left me with an appetite to discover more about Violet, almost regretting that she did not put pen to paper independently of Sydney.
The prominence of Wyndham Lewis in the book’s title is a little misleading, as he plays an equal or lesser part in the narrative than figures like Eliot and Proust. The reader is left in little doubt that this is down to the author’s own personal preference, as although Lewis’s be-haviour and views do emerge as “excrutiatingly irascible” even when considered objectively, Klaidman goes much further and describes his work as “monstrous, ramblshackle… blunder-buss,” pretentious, irrelevant, banal, plotless, prejudice, mean-spirited, humourless, self-serving and enveloping the reader like quicksand.” This forceful opinion is a little distracting and appears to emerge from Lewis’s perceived ingratitude for the Schiff’s material support, when a less colourful condemnation may have been less obtrusive.
Largely, this was a satisfying read, which sheds a useful and interesting insight on modernist circles. It was well-paced and full of the interesting details and anecdotes that remain in the mind. In certain places, the book could have supported more background material, such as when it came to Violet’s early life and the position of Jews in inter-war London. Also, partic-ular passages ended abruptly, like the death of Katherine Mansfield and incarcertation of Vivienne Eliot but this was perhaps an indication that the author had been successful making these characters interesting. The Modernist furrow has been well ploughed by biographers but until now, the Schiffs have languished in the margins. This may well be because in terms of literary output they are, in fact, marginal figures, but this book brings their role as valued mentors and friends into the light in an anecdotal and enjoyable way.
December 3, 2018
This was a fine book to read, given that I don't have any remote prior knowledge to this subject, I found it quite interesting. At points though, there was some areas where the timeline was jumbled up, for example the general story could have moved along to the '5os but then something random and off topic was mentioned about the 20's- or the like. The same goes for certain characters, some would just pop out of nowhere without any information about who they were or why they were being inlcluded in the story. Other than those faults it was a fine book to read and would recommend to someone interested in a topic such as this.
December 4, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed learning about Sydney and Violet and the life they lived together. I found this book really touching at points, inspiring, funny, and wonderfully rich with relationship. Everyone should strive for friendships that truly produce art and make art possible. I am so thankful to have discovered their story and read about the lives of some of the greatest minds in the 20th century. Sydney and Violet will never be forgotten by me!
October 8, 2021
An entire book about people who at most deserve footnotes in lives of significant writers.
September 21, 2013
Per FTC rules: I received a free copy of this book as a giveaway from Goodreads First Reads.
I was excited about this novel because I expected it to be filled with wonderful anecdotes about the Schiffs (Sydney & Violet) and their intimations with Eliot, Proust, Lewis, Joyce, and others. Unfortunately, it was filled with lots of "this letter seems to be lost," or "no record can be found of this encounter," or "unfortunately, we don't know why this happened." A book full of promise, is filled mostly with conjecture and guesswork. I'm certain that Klaidman did his research as it is clearly stated in the acknowledgements and notes sections. Unfortunately, there was very little to learn about the Schiffs as much correspondence is simply not available. I'm not sure exactly why one starts a book (or finishes a book for that matter) when so little is known or available on the subject. That said, it is mostly well-written and not difficult to read. I enjoyed what little I did learn about the various artists and their friends/benefactors, the Schiffs. It has prodded me to do more reading of Eliot, and certainly of Lewis. I've been very interested in Lewis's paintings at this point. But, the work leaves something to be desired.
I was excited about this novel because I expected it to be filled with wonderful anecdotes about the Schiffs (Sydney & Violet) and their intimations with Eliot, Proust, Lewis, Joyce, and others. Unfortunately, it was filled with lots of "this letter seems to be lost," or "no record can be found of this encounter," or "unfortunately, we don't know why this happened." A book full of promise, is filled mostly with conjecture and guesswork. I'm certain that Klaidman did his research as it is clearly stated in the acknowledgements and notes sections. Unfortunately, there was very little to learn about the Schiffs as much correspondence is simply not available. I'm not sure exactly why one starts a book (or finishes a book for that matter) when so little is known or available on the subject. That said, it is mostly well-written and not difficult to read. I enjoyed what little I did learn about the various artists and their friends/benefactors, the Schiffs. It has prodded me to do more reading of Eliot, and certainly of Lewis. I've been very interested in Lewis's paintings at this point. But, the work leaves something to be desired.
May 28, 2016
I received this book as a prize from goodreads. The first chapters and the last are the only ones truly about Sydney and Violet. Most of the book deals with their correspondence (mainly Sydney's) with various writers from the modernist period. My knowledge of this period has grown to a degree. I have mainly come away from this book with a sense that the people the Schiffs associated with were talented (some more than others) but a nasty lot. I assume that the author felt that the reader would be much better acquainted with the Schiffs than I am because Mr. Klaidman did not offer a true biography in my mind. The book is well written and I have come away with more knowledge than I started on the modernist set.
November 29, 2013
What an amazing book! I was totally unfamiliar with Sydney and Violet Schiff prior to reading the book, but now I clearly see what an impact they had upon Modernism. I highly recommend this for anyone who lives Joyce, Woolf, Proust, Eliot, Yeats, Mansfield, any of the Modernists. Truly a great read!
July 28, 2015
This was sadly so lame. Mostly a rehash of correspondence and a synopsis of Apes of God.
I am not sure this 'power couple' merited an entire book, (though I am curious about Willa Muir.)
Also, I could have told y'all that Wyndham Lewis was an asshole without reading this book.
I am not sure this 'power couple' merited an entire book, (though I am curious about Willa Muir.)
Also, I could have told y'all that Wyndham Lewis was an asshole without reading this book.
August 9, 2014
Amazing number of important literary friends for this now mostly forgotten couple, surprisingly T.S. Eliot (and both his wives). Eliot wrote a warm tribute to Violet after her death. Narrative was a little slow.
September 12, 2013
An incredible (and overdue) bio of the ultimate power couple!
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June 30, 2017This is a well-written book. Klaidman presents these great writers as real humans and makes them personable. Actually, I love learning about their personal lives.
However, after half of the book, I feel I am getting behind and overwhelmed with the literary background and information. I have only read a few modernism authors from Bloomsbury or Bayswater ...and those novels were a little too complex for my concentration, like Henry James.
I plan to read Proust and a Virginia Wolf and another DH Lawrence, and a few others. After I have read the authors who are presented in this book, then I will try Klaidman's book again.
However, after half of the book, I feel I am getting behind and overwhelmed with the literary background and information. I have only read a few modernism authors from Bloomsbury or Bayswater ...and those novels were a little too complex for my concentration, like Henry James.
I plan to read Proust and a Virginia Wolf and another DH Lawrence, and a few others. After I have read the authors who are presented in this book, then I will try Klaidman's book again.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews