Revelations: Diaries of Women

by Mary Jane Moffat (Editor)

Excerpts from the private diaries of women, known and unknown, among them Louisa May Alcott, Sophie Tolstoy, George Eliot, Anais Nin.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Feminism, Biography, Diary, History, Womens Studies

428 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[M.E. Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It seems to me it helps to write things and thoughts down. It makes the unworthy ones look more shamefaced and helps to place the better ones for sure in our minds. It sorts out jumbled up thoughts and helps to clarify them, and I want my thoughts clear and straight for my work."
So writes Emily Carr whose diary is one of the excerpts in Revelations.

Excerpts from the diaries of 32 women from the year 500 to the mid-twentieth century, through war, poverty, evolution, these excerpts reflect the different roles of women and how they felt, and how they changed. There is recognition in many of them, and a renewed sense of possibilities. A wonderful door opening to private thought of women know and unknown. Revelations.

P.S. Biggest surprise: Louisa May Alcott believed Little Women would only be sold to family and friends. She didn't expect much to come of it.

[Yvensong · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like reading diaries and letters that give a more personal insight into the thoughts and feelings of various people. This book brings together snippets of diaries written by women throughout history.

Anais Nin gives a succinct description of how she felt when she first met June, Henry Miller's wife. Other women tell of their thoughts and feelings about slavery, war, losing children, falling in love, being married. One woman writes to keep her sanity while attempting to survive alone in the brutal Alaska wild lands. And if that weren't enough, she must give birth to a little girl, alone.

I found this best read in snippets, to allow the words to settle, and to mull over the realities of today with the realities women have endured throughout history.

[Jessica Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of journal entries by great women authors, and let me just say it is AMAZING!! then entries come from women from the age of 8 to those in their 80s & 90s. They are from those who have reached great fame like Virginia Wolfe and Anne Frank to those not as famous but very very interesting, such as one famous writers wife... anyone heard of Leo Tolstoy? War and Peace? Well his wife wrote a journal all about him and part of it is in this book. As well as it gives insight inside women from all backgrounds and era so you can see how each dealt with daily life and their art. Such a great read. It is very long but many of the enteries are short so the pages pass by quickly!

[Tom Schulte · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting collection of excerpt from womens' diaries. Thye go from known memoirists, like Anne Frank and Anais Nin to one, at least to me, lesser known: Henry James sister and the sister of William Wordsworth, for instance. The introductor, explanatory material is minimal but helpful. Overall, the women are left to speak for themselves, and whether it is the rigors of war (American Civl War and WWII) or finding a place to part a broken-down caravan or (in the case of a memorable "Unknown Japanese Woman) make an arranged marriage work despite frequent miscarraiges, the women do that very well.

[Marjorie Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-suited for women's book group weekend in which we took turns reviewing recent reads. Affirmed my solidarity with women of all ages for whom journal-keeping is a valuable lifeline. I appreciated the groupings based on Love, Work and Power with the premise that balance and integration are ideal. My favorites were probably the ones in Alaska and Mexico.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can read this in snippets. It is fascinating to read about womens' experiences and how they still resonate today. Always interesting to other journal-keepers.

[Fishface · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good read, absolutely packed with different viewpoints. Has pieces of the life stories of all kinds of women from all over the place.

[Amira · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I wonder why we are always sort of ashamed of our best parts and try to hide them."

borrowed this from my late Opa's library. always knew he was a feminist but wow definitely wasn't this familiar with his game... this is a collection of diary excerpts written by 32 women of various ages and contexts in history. the entries surround three main themes: love, work, and power.
it's a comfort to be reminded of the universality of womanhood - even when separated by languages and generations. under the three major themes, the women muse on motherhood, love and sexuality (interestingly enough, more than a few commonly question whether they're capable of truly loving someone), career and independence, friendship, body image, faith and religion, and aging and death, amongst various other topics. every woman here is so incredibly brilliant and wise in their reflections. what i'd do for a single conversation with any of them.
my personal favorites that i know i will revisit from time to time: Nelly Ptaschkina, Evelyn Scott, Marie Bashkirtsteff, Sylvia Ashton-Warner, Sophie Tolstoy (reading diary entries by the wife of one of my favorite authors felt oddly invasive... but damn. it's no secret that their marriage was unhappy and Sophie was miserable but some parts really stumped me.), the unknown Japanese woman (my heart broke for her, and not knowing her name made me really sad. i hope she's resting peacefully.), Virginia Woolf, Carolina Maria de Jesus, Katherine Mansfield, and most of all, the final three: Joanna Field (i'm sold - will be reading A Life of One's Own), Florida Scott-Maxwell and Emily Carr (these last two brought me to tears. such a beautiful closing on ageing and the grand scheme of life.)

[Amy Dale · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look at diaries and life during different times. However I think I expected it to be juicier,I mean,come on, it's reading someone's diary!! But these entries are very formal and full of philosophical thoughts and such,not about making out with Johnny behind the cowshed as I guess I'd hoped,lol. The ladies towards the end of the volume are all very depressing and miserable,so I skipped a lot there.

My favorite diarists were the 2 Japanese ladies,they had beautiful, romantic entries.
Along with Marjory Fleming who was only 7 years old,hers were hilarious. But not at all what you'd expect a child to write,like,I had a fun time playing in the garden with Susie and I hope Father Christmas brings me a pretty dolly. No,no,she sounds about 30 without any joy or play.
Marie Bashkirtseff was most like me, wanting joy and fame, enjoying herself and her own beauty, now here was a real girl! I'd read her book.

It's a nice, quiet read,but not the shocking, juicy,secret-filled drama I'd hoped. My own diary is far more exciting!

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when I was in high school, and loved it. It influenced my diary-keeping (40+ years) and my ongoing interest in reading diary/autobiography/memoir, especially by women. It was my introduction to Anne Frank and many other remarkable women.

[Ingrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting anthology. Many of the excerpts prompted further inquiries.

[Joann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Valuable excerpts and thoughts shared

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So interesting to have a glimpse into their lives