Vita & Virginia: A Double Life

by Sarah Gristwood

Virginia Woolf is one of the world’s most famous writers, and a leading light of literary modernism and feminism. During the 1920s she had a passionate affair with a fellow author, Vita Sackville-West, and they remained friends until Virginia’s death in 1941. The hero of Virginia’s novel Orlando was modeled on Vita and the book has been described as "one of the longest and most charming love letters in history." That’s on top of the more than 500 letters they wrote to each other. Vita was also a highly regarded and award-winning novelist before the War, but she is most famous today as the co-creator of the garden at Sissinghurst, one of the most influential and visited gardens in the world. This double biography of two extraordinary women examines their lives together and apart.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Queer, LGBT, History, Feminism, Lesbian

176 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 2018

About the author

Sarah Gristwood attended Oxford and then worked as a journalist specializing in the arts and women's issues. She has contributed to The Times, Guardian, Independent, and Evening Standard.

Reviews

[Beth Bonini · Rating 4 out of 5]

This biography - I would almost describe it as a ‘picture book’ biography - would make a very good starting point for readers who would like to learn more about the romance/friendship between Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville-West. It’s also a very attractive lure to the collector.

Divided into three parts - with titles taken from the women’s own writing (‘Moments of Being’, ‘Orlando’ and ‘All Passion Spent’) - the book fills in some of the most important moments on each woman’s time-line, whilst also grounding their individual lives and accomplishments (and of course their relationship) within the literary/social context of the time. Illustrated beautifully throughout, with family photos, pictures of houses and gardens, and other ephemera, the book has a broad appeal - and not just for the literary sort.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is kind of everything I've ever looked for in my readings about Virginia and Vita—even when it's a part specifically about one or the other, you won't go a full page without the other being mentioned. Virginia's biography section situates Vita's participation at every point where she was even remotely present, and vice versa. I was especially amused by the richness of detail about Vita's (multiple) other lovers at every point, surprising even to me and I've read tons about her already. The long, detailed sections about the houses involved was confusing to me until I realized it's what Vita would've wanted—Knole and Sissinghurst deserve their chapters too. Overall a pretty cool read that I'll recommend to anyone interested in their relationship.

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have carried out a great deal of research on Virginia Woolf over the last few years, but had not read anything about her for quite a while.  When I spotted the gorgeous National Trust published hardback of Sarah Gristwood's Vita & Virginia: A Double Life in my local library, then, I picked it up and borrowed it immediately.

The premise of the book is an examination of the brief love affair which Virginia Woolf and
fellow author Vita Sackville-West embarked upon in the 'heady days of the 1920s', and their friendship which endured until Woolf's tragic death in 1941.  Gristwood presents quite extensive biographies of both women, particularly given that her biography is a relatively slim volume.  Vita & Virginia has been split into three distinct sections - '1882-1922 Moments of Being', '1922-1930 Orlando', and 'All Passion Spent'.  These sections are sandwiched between an introduction and a short piece entitled 'Afterlife', in which Gristwood examines the legacy left by both women.

In her introduction, Gristwood writes: '... Virginia told a friend, just months before her death, that apart from her husband Leonard and her sister Vanessa, Vita was the only person she really loved.'  She goes on to note: 'The bond that endured between those two women was predominantly, though not exclusively, one of the heart, and of the mind.'  The two found solace in having similar professions, and also in how much admiration they held for one another.

Firstly, Gristwood details Vita's rather unconventional childhood, before moving onto Woolf's, which was shaken with many tragedies.  She examines the writing careers of both women, and the personal struggles which they faced at various points.  Also mentioned are Woolf and Sackville-West's other affairs and infatuations.  The detail which has been included is rich, and there is certainly no lack of amusement.  Gristwood writes, for example, that 'When Leonard was away, a playful contract required Virginia... that she would rest for a full half hour after lunch, be in bed by 10.25 every night, have her breakfast in bed and drink a whole glass of milk in the mornings.'

Of course, Gristwood devotes a whole chapter to how the two women met, and how their relationship went on to develop: 'Vita would encourage her to be a little more adventurous on even the most practical levels - to dress more smartly and spend money.  Later in her friendship with Vita, Virginia would acknowledge how Vita opened new horizons for her.'  The start of their relationship appears to have been a real period of growth for them both. 

Throughout, Gristwood quotes extensively from Virginia's diary, and from the correspondence between the two women.  Contextually, too, Vita & Virginia is very well placed; Gristwood writes about the political climate, the growing fear of war, and the preparations made for this by both families.

Vita & Virginia is essentially part biography, part guidebook to the National Trust protected properties which both Woolf and Sackville-West inhabited throughout their lifetimes.  Of Knole in Kent, passed down through the male generations of the Sackville-West family, for instance, Gristwood understands that the property 'was a whole world, a small village in itself' to the young Vita.  Vita & Virginia is filled to the brim with beautiful photographs and illustrations, many of their various dwellings and glorious gardens, which are lovely to linger over.

Vita & Virginia is fascinating.  As something of a Woolf scholar, I did already know a lot of the information which Gristwood relays, but there were elements here that proved to be refreshingly new to me.  I found the biography a delight to read.  Vita & Virginia provides a wonderful introduction to the lives of both Woolf and Sackville-West, and the way in which their relationship evolved over time.  Despite running to less than 200 pages, Gristwood's well written book feels thorough.  Her omniscient, almost neutral tone suits the book so well, and she gives so much for the reader to consider.

[Karyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lavishly illustrated glimpse into the lives of Vita Sackville-West and Virginia Woolf as they traveled through their lives.

[Hermien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short biographies of these writers and especially the effect they had on each other's lives interspersed with beautiful photographs.

[Catheryne Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars no questions asked! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I am completely besotted with the life and works of Virginia Woolf, including her social circles and romance with Vita Sackville-West. Finding this beautiful, cloth bound book produced by the National Trust in my local library was a jackpot and I immediately checked it out and started reading.

This is a biographical work containing the letters and love shared by Vita and Virginia, including a lot of intriguing detail about their various houses/castles/cottages, their group associations and their feelings towards one another and others in their lives. Context is provided throughout in terms of an accurate depiction of each subject’s social status, the event’s of the epoch and the rules which governed society, incredibly helpful to readers such as myself who are not experts in the field of late 19th/early 20th century England. The author offers a level of personal commentary insofar as to guide the reader but not so much that you cannot distinguish between what is history and what is commentary. It is packed full of photographs and illustrations which only enhance the reading experience and allowed me to learn so much more about the early 20th century women who I am so fond of!

I would recommend this book in a heartbeat.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like I was being led into a beautifully curated museum exhibit following the intersecting lives of Vita Sackville-West, Virginia Woolf and sundry family, friends, lovers, and glorious homes. This was a pleasurable read, indeed.

[Alex Nonymous · Rating 2 out of 5]

read this for a school project. It's intentionally vague to cover both Vita & Virginia but that also makes it more of a starting-point source for research than one you can actually learn a lot from.

[Ruth Waterton]

Sarah Gristwood has done a fine job here, economically placing the Bloomsbury set in their social and political context and challenging some long-standing myths about them. As one might expect from a National Trust publication, there are copious illustrations of Sissinghurst, Monks House (the Woolfs' country retreat) and Charleston, home of her sister Vanessa Bell. All three properties, as well as Knowle, Vita's beloved birthplace which she was unable to inherit, are in the Trust's care and well worth visiting. This book can be read in a couple of hours and makes an excellent introduction - I recommend reading it before you go there, if at all possible.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful take on two incredible women, and the importance of “place”, space, and buildings in their lives. Gristwood’s writing is a glorious gander through the ups and downs in Vita and Virginia’s journeys, never shying away from the truth, but never defining these women by their tragedies: instead by their loves, minds and creativity. I love how place becomes a person in Gristwood’s exploration of Woolf and Sackville-West, and this gorgeous book, with its photos, portraits and letters, goes to show what an extraordinary pair they were.

[Maria Ch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a well edited, presented book. I really liked the overall result and the way the content was delivered. This is the story of Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville's romance/friendship and their individual lives. Really good read.

[ele · Rating 2 out of 5]

sarà che sapevo già la gran parte della storia tra vita e virginia (sia singolarmente che come "coppia") ma l'ho trovato molto scialbo, solo una sequela di informazioni con poco sentimento.
nonostante tutto, leggere di v&v fa sempre bene al mio povero cuore.

[Kasandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book that offers a look into the relationship between Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville-West. I enjoyed the physicality of the book as it has a fabric cover and is the size of a catalogue, and there are many pictures of the two women, people in their lives, their houses, gardens and the interior design of their living spaces. Yet, after having previously read the love letters between the two, this book did feel very surface-level and rushed. I would recommend reading the letters exchanged between the two if you really want to understand their characters and their dynamic. It is much better to understand things with their words rather than rely on a narrator as you are ultimately subjected to their censorship because they decided on what was significant enough to include in this book.

[Mariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book, written with a clear love and deep respect for both women. The story of Virginia and Vita, together and as individuals, is wonderful, tragic, touching and beautiful. The bond they had as loyal friends above all is inspiring, and the end of their lives and the people connected to them is so sad and emotional. Wonderful book, this is the second one I've read from this writer, and I'm never disappointed.
I can only think how lucky they both were to meet each other in life, and how lucky they were with the men who were their husbands, all of them so aware of what loyalty and love means beyond conventions.

[Ely · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a gorgeous book filled with beautiful photos and interesting, well-written text to go alongside it. Going into this I knew very little about either Vita or Virginia, but I now feel like I have a least a bit of a grasp on who they were as women and writers, as well as their relationship with one another and the people around them.

[Luiza Herdy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This double biography of Vita and Virginia is (or it felt to me) very brief, however it did offer a lot of information I did not yet know, making for a very quick and delightful read on these two fantastic women.

[Jenny (bookishjenx) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love love love love love love

[Lisa of Hopewell]

I learned of this book here: https://theliterarysisters.wordpress....

[Francesca · Rating 5 out of 5]

literally one of my most prized possessions

[María · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutamente precioso, tanto de forma como de contenido.

[Ingrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book🖤💚

[Emily Xu · Rating 4 out of 5]

actually quite interesting

[Caroline Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

More V&V…

[Alma❤️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A straightforward, brief and understanding approach to Vita and Virginia lives, great for begginers who don't know a lot about the bloomsbury world. The book doesn't focus that much on Virginia and Vita relationship (it is not the main subject), it also addresses topics like mental health, relationships (family, marriage, love, frienship), trauma, creative creation... in a very respectful and amusing way. It is also a very lightweight reading thanks to the several photos and letter extracts that accompany the main text.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

While not the most detailed of biographies (although, for that, it makes more sense to read V&V’s individual biographies), Sarah Gristwood created something very beautiful here – with some more updated takes on their relationship, thank God! My favourite part about it, though, was probably just how gorgeous this book is. It feels like a very special possession to have, and I adored the collection of photographs she chose to include. A beautiful little summary of their life and relationship!

[Shwe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very rewarding, I recommend you to read this book if you are a literary fan of either of the writers or want to explore an unusual encounter of a historic episode.

I think this is a book that will stay with me for a long time as it made me admire the writers and their writing more dearly, for I grew fonder of their existence.

To read the summary - Please check this book review - https://wordsbake.blogspot.com/2020/0...

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not want this book to end - but of course it had to with the deaths of these two remarkable women. The author brings these women to life and the complicated lives they led as respectable married women who also both had numerous lesbian lovers through out their marriages. And the setting in time - first half of the twentieth century - made this book a favorite biography.