Journals of Dorothy Wordsworth

by Dorothy Wordsworth, Helen Darbishire (Editor), Lynton Lamb (Illustrator)

Wordsworth's "exquisite sister", as Coleridge described her, was not only the cherished companion of the two poets, but also a writer who possessed a geniune poetic imagination in her own right. The journals she kept at Alfoxden, in 1798, where her brother and Coleridge were composing the Lyrical Ballads and at Grasmere from 1800 to 1803, when she and Wordsworth were living at Dove Cottage are printed here for the first time as Dorothy wrote them. Two of Dorothy's poems are included in the appendix, along with thirty-three poems by Wordsworth, which are referred to in the journals.

Genres: Poetry, Biography Memoir, 19th Century

2 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1897

About the author

Dorothy Mae Ann Wordsworth was an English poet and diarist. She was the sister of the Romantic poet William Wordsworth, and the two were close for all of their lives. Dorothy Wordsworth did not set out to be an author, and her writings comprise a series of letters, diary entries, and short stories.

She also edited much of William’s work. She was one of two people he attributed to the development of his intellect. Without her he would never have achieved such poetic heights.

Reviews

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extraordinary. This is such a humble, inconspicuous book, in the beginning a bit boring, nothing much seems to happen, walks around lakes, with or without her beloved famous brother, then Coleridge becomes a close friend, who visits often, and there are continually descriptions of nature, of the moon, recordings of when she goes to bed, and next day it is the same all over again. Funnily enough the repetitions are what make this journal a joy to read, it is a perfect bedtime reading, no heart wrenching drama or blood pressure challenge here, just gentle descriptions of for example the daffodils dancing which we know from William Wordsworth’s poem I wandered lonely as a cloud, and now that image can be rightly ascribed to the real originator. Which pleases me no end to write, apparently she helped him write a lot of his poems.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

At times, reading this seems to verge on voyeurism - her overwhelming adoration of Wm is so evident. Everything revolves around him, with never a hint of resentment - and why should there be, I suppose, we don't really know much from his perspective. The sense of place in the Grasmere Journals is startlingly vivid, the matter-of-fact accounts of cooking, gardening (imagine Wm tying up the scarlet runners!) quietly build a picture of their everyday life, and then there is the concern for all around, from Coleridge and his Bad Bowels to the beggars who are part of everyday life. I found this an absolutely compelling read.

[Daniel Slater · Rating 3 out of 5]

She's sick. He's sick. Walking. Rain. Bread. Pies. Coleridge is acting weird again.

[Olivia McQuaid · Rating 4 out of 5]

STILL BETTER THAN WILLIAM I MEAN IT

[Louise Culmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dorothy Wordsworth's journals give a fascinating insight into a vanished world. She writes of the details of her daily life, walks with William, visits to friends, reading, copying poetry, baking, etc. Beggars are frequently encountered. Most of all.she delights in nature and writes of what she sees with intense interest and pleasure. She was clearly intensely devoted to her brother William and also.had a great fondness for their friend Coleridge. She writes so.vividly about their life that you could almost fancy yourself there.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three words: countryside, heartbreak, tender

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

nice reminder to journal

[Avis Black · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've never cared for the works of her brother, but I looked into this journal to see if anyone in the family was a better writer. Nope, she's as boring as he is.