Persephone Books discussion

This month, we are reading Flush: A Biography, Virginia Woolf's biography of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's dog. According to the Persephone website "its direct inspiration was a new edition, in 1930, of the Brownings' love letters in which 'the figure of their dog made me laugh so I couldn't resist making him a Life.'"

Who is planning to read it?

It is in the public domain, so easy to get a free copy. Internet Achive one here. https://archive.org/details/Flush

I read it not that long ago so will chime in when the discussion kicks off - if that's okay?

Absolutely. I think I have a couple of consecutive days off next week, so I will probably wait until then. Probably best to have a bit of time for it, rather than reading in snatches.

Hi, I'm new to the group. I just started reading this and am enjoying it, particularly the way the dog's emotions and reactions are revealed through smells. It has rich descriptions.

Welcome to the group Ruby. Glad you're enjoying it. I'm looking forward to it.

Welcome, Ruby! I started this one a few days ago. Agreed, I love the descriptions in this book and the importance of smell for Flush. :)

Ruby wrote: "Hi, I'm new to the group. I just started reading this and am enjoying it, particularly the way the dog's emotions and reactions are revealed through smells. It has rich descriptions."

I loved reading about his first jaunt into London, it reminded me a little of Street Haunting, though it has been a while since I read that one. I find I really enjoy those descriptive short stories of hers, but can get a bit tired of it when reading a novel.

I felt a bit sorry for him when he goes to Regents Park and has to stay on the lead.

Tania wrote: "Ruby wrote: "Hi, I'm new to the group. I just started reading this and am enjoying it, particularly the way the dog's emotions and reactions are revealed through smells. It has rich descriptions."
..."

I just finished reading. It was quite an emotional story and ending. When Flush is first adopted and loses his ability to run free outdoors, when Flush is kidnapped, when he is whipped for running off to explore, and then the ending, when he dies. For such a descriptive book the ending is quite stoic.

"An extraordinary change had come over him. "Flush!" she cried. But he was silent. He had been alive; he was now dead. That was all."

I wonder what others think?

I just finished. I was struck by the importance of status to Flush. He is very aware of his pedigree. When he goes to Italy, he finds most of the dogs there are mongrels, but does end up relaxing his attitude. Heading back to London, he finds that the dogs he used to associate with view him like a Gentleman returning from the colonies, he may have married one of the 'natives', or started worshipping a different god, but they will make no mention of it.

Tania wrote: "I just finished. I was struck by the importance of status to Flush. He is very aware of his pedigree. When he goes to Italy, he finds most of the dogs there are mongrels, but does end up relaxing h..."

Yes, love a dog that knows its worth ;) It seemed to me like status was one of the gifts he had once he was adopted. He didn't have much freedom or choice.