An amazing book. I don't know a whole lot about the Bloomsbury Group, but I was engrossed and touched by this vivid story of an intelligent, talented Edwardian woman dealing with an emotionally needy, bipolar sister and the demands of an exceptionally sociable brother; contemporaneously integrating important losses, while sorting out housekeeping and travel details - and fending off an importunate suitor. The rapturous early days of her marriage and joy over the birth of her first child lead to a growing sense of disillusion, portrayed clearly in a series of gradually sadder diary entries.
Individual characters are seen from the diarist's point of view, while some letters, telegrams and postcards give depth and texture to the story. I finished it in 2 days, and have continued to think about the beautifully portrayed central betrayal and the woman's ultimate response to it.
Individual characters are seen from the diarist's point of view, while some letters, telegrams and postcards give depth and texture to the story. I finished it in 2 days, and have continued to think about the beautifully portrayed central betrayal and the woman's ultimate response to it.
Vanessa and Her Sister by Priya Parmar is the story of Vanessa Bell and her sister Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group in early twentieth century England. The epistolary format of the book and the extensive list of characters creates a sense of viewing snapshots in quick succession without a sense of continuity or flow, making the story difficult to get involved in.
Read my complete review at: http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2014/12/vanessa-and-her-sister.html
Reviewed based on a publishers galley received through NetGalley
Read my complete review at: http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2014/12/vanessa-and-her-sister.html
Reviewed based on a publishers galley received through NetGalley
Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group come to life in this novel as told by her older sister, the artist Vanessa Bell. It is told mainly through journal entries and supplemented by the viewpoints of others through letters and telegrams. It is a captivating look into the fragile mind of Woolf and the eccentricities and loyalties of the Bloomsbury Group. Historical fiction is an interesting method of presenting the complexities of people since the reader is never certain what is fact and what is fiction; however, this novel seems very well researched and makes me want to read more about the characters and their works, especially Virginia Woolf. I am grateful to LibraryThing for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
