Virginia Woolf

by Ira B. Nadel

Virginia Woolf was one of the most significant literary figures of the twentieth century, and when she died was perhaps the best-known woman novelist in the English-speaking world. Her distinctive writing style inspired a whole generation of writers while her moving novels, such as Mrs Dalloway, To the Lighthouse and Orlando remain hugely influential today. Featuring new details about Woolf's homes and personal life, this engaging biography offers a fresh insight into her work, focusing on how place as much as imagination fashioned her writing, as well as how the context of her life shaped her her work and artistic ambitions.
Drawing on her letters, journals, diaries, essays and fiction, the book reveals Woolf's response to her dwellings and surroundings, from the enclosed space of Hyde Park Gate to the open and free-spirited Bloomsbury of Gordon Square. Throughout the book Ira Nadel gives consideration to her technique as a novelist, the skills she learned from reading others, the experimental nature of her fiction and her concern with history, narrative, art and friendship. He discusses her role in the famous Bloomsbury group, her relationship with a series of other fascinating figures including Vita Sackville-West and Lady Ottoline Morrel, her attitude towards sex and marriage, her uncertain social and political views, and the toll of writing upon her state of mind: Woolf suffered from mental illness and breakdowns from a very young age, which eventually led her to commit suicide in 1941 at the age of 59. Accessible, concise yet comprehensive, Virginia Woolf will appeal to the many admirers of this highly influential yet troubled figure.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

219 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2016

Reviews

[Kristi Hovington · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

This is a new (to me) biography of Woolf, organized by her places of residence, which works. If Hermione Lee's lengthy (and, for me, best in class) biography of Woolf is off-putting for some due to the size of the book, this might be the biography I'd recommend next.

[Ruth Brumby · Rating 3 out of 5]

The focus on places she lived as a way of structuring the information works well and, given the subject matter, this book could hardly fail to be interesting. Some very odd writing though. For example:
"In Jane Austen's 'Emma', Mr and Mrs John Knightley make their residence in Brunswick Square. Woolf moved there with her brother Adrian on 20 November 1911, shortly after attending a performance of Diaghilev's radical Ballets Russes in their first London season. The company would revolutionise ballet with its original choreography, remarkable dancers and avant-garde music. Soon, John Maynard Keynes, Duncan Grant and then Leonard Woolf would join them, all living communally."
What have Jane Austen's characters got to do with it? Did she move there because inspired to do so by the ballet? Did these 'Bloomsberries' join the Ballets Russes?
It reads like a poor translation: "make their residence" "original choreography".

[Bookthesp1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Putting aside Hermoine Lee's doorstep biography of Woolf, this is one of the best things I have read on her mainly due to its clarity and care in guiding the reader through Woolfs writing life against the background of her personal circumstances- addressed here by having chapters based on her.... addresses!! Nadal's crystal clear prose supported by plenty of quotes and references guides us through her life at all the places lived in as she struggled to retain her mental health and build a reputation as a writer of note. Hence we have chapters that see her writing almost continuously whilst establishing herself in a new home or place of residence, eventually marrying Leonard and setting up the Hogarth Press whilst also encompassing the "Bloomsberries" such as Strachey, Roger Fry, Ottoline and others. The story is familiar and tragic but doesn't sidestep Woolfs mental breakdowns or periods of lucid and successful authorship. A nicely produced book with excellent but not intrusive photos. Woolfs interest in photography is noted as is her enthusiastic ownership of motor cars that gave her some freedom to visit and explore. Overall an enervating and fascinating look at a familiar story well told. Recommended both for its literary analysis and its clarity!

[Joseph Spuckler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid biography -- factual, readable, and without sensationalism.

[ND · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful, if not anything particularly new.