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foggy_rosamund's review against another edition
5.0
I meant to read this in small pieces, in between reading other things. But instead: I got hooked. Her relentless pursuit of writing, the tension between the fire to create and drudgery of work, her intense concentration -- it fascinates me. I'm also in awe of how hard she works, writing fiction in the morning and using afternoons and evenings to write articles and reviews. Each book seems to take more from her: finishing "The Waves" took a huge toll of her, but it was nothing in comparison to "The Years": Leonard Woolf thought working on the years would kill her.
This diary was edited by Leonard Woolf, and it contains passages that focus exclusively on her writing, her reading, and a few vivid pieces about travel, natural beauty, or moments of historical interest. I felt that the diary remained rich and compelling, although these cuts obviously give it a different tone from how it would have originally appeared. Woolf is reticent about her mental health, but living with chronic ill-health, both depression and migraine and fevers, clearly takes its toll on her. I feel that her suicide has been far too sensationalised by later writing: it was clearly the result of a huge struggle with illness: we should celebrate her achievement in living and producing work for so long. She also died in 1941, after her house in London was destroyed, and she believed invasion of England was imminent: this must have had a significant impact on her health.
I didn't expect to enjoy this book so much, or find it would remain in my thoughts for so long. If you have any interest in writing as a craft, I recommend it very highly.
This diary was edited by Leonard Woolf, and it contains passages that focus exclusively on her writing, her reading, and a few vivid pieces about travel, natural beauty, or moments of historical interest. I felt that the diary remained rich and compelling, although these cuts obviously give it a different tone from how it would have originally appeared. Woolf is reticent about her mental health, but living with chronic ill-health, both depression and migraine and fevers, clearly takes its toll on her. I feel that her suicide has been far too sensationalised by later writing: it was clearly the result of a huge struggle with illness: we should celebrate her achievement in living and producing work for so long. She also died in 1941, after her house in London was destroyed, and she believed invasion of England was imminent: this must have had a significant impact on her health.
I didn't expect to enjoy this book so much, or find it would remain in my thoughts for so long. If you have any interest in writing as a craft, I recommend it very highly.
ohnoflora's review against another edition
5.0
I found this book very upsetting. Yes it is a fascinating document of a writer documenting, questioning, interrogating what it is to be a writer - and what it is to be a reader. But it is also a document of a self - a self that is not always happy, a self that second guesses, a self that struggles with illness and identity and, eventually, life: a self that questions what it is to BE.
The entries for 1940 in particular are heart rending: another terrible war with no end in sight, the very real possibility of invasion, destruction and death, the banality of wartime living, the constant air raids, the fear. And then it was over - and what a last sentence - but for what an awful reason.
Edited to add: Contrary to Katherine Mansfield's Journal (also published by Persephone), the editing by Leondard Woolf did not feel intrusive. He justifies his decisions in the introduction and they seem fair.
Unlike John Middleton Murray (Mansfield's husband, who edited her Journal), Leonard Woolf also had a clear purpose: to bring together all entries to do with V's thoughts on writing and reading and, thereby, to show that she was a serious writer deserving of her place in the canon. At the time her literary standing was on the ebb. The editing felt loving and truthful - which JMM's did not.
The entries for 1940 in particular are heart rending: another terrible war with no end in sight, the very real possibility of invasion, destruction and death, the banality of wartime living, the constant air raids, the fear. And then it was over - and what a last sentence - but for what an awful reason.
Edited to add: Contrary to Katherine Mansfield's Journal (also published by Persephone), the editing by Leondard Woolf did not feel intrusive. He justifies his decisions in the introduction and they seem fair.
Unlike John Middleton Murray (Mansfield's husband, who edited her Journal), Leonard Woolf also had a clear purpose: to bring together all entries to do with V's thoughts on writing and reading and, thereby, to show that she was a serious writer deserving of her place in the canon. At the time her literary standing was on the ebb. The editing felt loving and truthful - which JMM's did not.
avrilhj's review against another edition
5.0
Very hard to read the last couple of years’ entries, in which Woolf writes about WW2, knowing how her story ends. But fascinating to read Woolf’s reflections on her books as she conceives, then writes, then publishes them. Interesting that Woolf is always depressed when she finishes a book; is always convinced that she has written a load of rubbish that no one will like or appreciate; and that when the books are instead well-received she writes that in the hope that she’ll remember the pattern next time - and yet she never does.
bangel_ds's review against another edition
5.0
I'm not sure I can express all that I'm thinking about this book. pieces of Virginia's diaries, mostly on her writing process, her works, her essay, essentially her life. Because writing was clearly eveything for her. And she was suffering from something very dark, that at times drew her away. This is present in the entries, soft at first, silent and stronger later. Such a pity. She had a wonderful mind, so intelligent, so sharp and talented. Those minds usually feel too much. I've read three works of her and I loved 2 out of 3, for now..but one can't deny she was talented. she was writing at 50 like she was 20 and she really was extraordinaire. One of the women I would like to meet. I feel like I could talk about these diaries for a long time, but I invite you to read them instead. my words can never convey the feelings one feels while reading it.
bookswithpetra's review against another edition
4.0
Fulfills Reading Women challenge prompt 22. A Book by Either a Favorite or a New-to-You Publisher.
There is no secret that I love Virginia Woolf. In the past I have read her diaries and letters and have fallen in love with the personality of Woolf alongside with her use of words. A Writer's Diary is a good collection of Woolf's entries on writing and reading, and might be a good place to start if you want to read Woolf's nonfiction but feel too daunted with many editions of letters and diaries. She is ruthless towards writing, both her own and others', and that is one of the strongest points of her diaries. I don't really know if this is the best kind of book to read cover to cover but I really enjoyed this!
There is no secret that I love Virginia Woolf. In the past I have read her diaries and letters and have fallen in love with the personality of Woolf alongside with her use of words. A Writer's Diary is a good collection of Woolf's entries on writing and reading, and might be a good place to start if you want to read Woolf's nonfiction but feel too daunted with many editions of letters and diaries. She is ruthless towards writing, both her own and others', and that is one of the strongest points of her diaries. I don't really know if this is the best kind of book to read cover to cover but I really enjoyed this!
inquiry_from_an_anti_library's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
2.0
This book is a collection of various parts of Virginia Woolf’s diary which pertain to writing. Not a complete diary, as that would take volumes. There are many lessons that writers and readers can learn such as to apply the appropriate feelings and their weights to the text. Woolf questions the meaning in emotions in books as they are a product of the generation so are seen differently per generation. Writings is always difficult but it gets more difficult the further into the book one gets as the author tries to maintain consistency and the shape of writing. Determination not to give up is necessary for writing. Holding to ideas while beautify them with language. Depending on what is being written, some qualities need to be sacrificed in order to bring about others.
Containing many short book reviews or rather, what she thought of the book’s writing. Very critical and understanding of the content of the book. Even though it is edited to include mostly the parts on writing, many criticisms of others remain as they form appropriate expression of ideas. She expresses anxieties around reviews of her books as well. Anxieties such as not being able to sell many books or opinions of a particularly bad review of her book. Woolf tired not to be bothered by praise or blame but they did interrupt the flow of writing as she wanted to investigate the claims. There were times where she specified how many copies were sold.
As this is a diary, there are many sporadic and unrelated musings. The seemingly random musings cannot really be used against the author as this is a diary. Musings are ubiquitous and do show many of life’s moments. Many meetings with members of the Bloomsbury Group such as John Maynard Keynes. Tea, illness, passage of time, and remorse on who died are all part of the musings. Later in the book there are statements of life during the WWII and its prelude.
What can be said of Virginia Woolf is that she did not appreciate people who were insincere and dishonest as she was very critical of those aspects of politics.
Containing many short book reviews or rather, what she thought of the book’s writing. Very critical and understanding of the content of the book. Even though it is edited to include mostly the parts on writing, many criticisms of others remain as they form appropriate expression of ideas. She expresses anxieties around reviews of her books as well. Anxieties such as not being able to sell many books or opinions of a particularly bad review of her book. Woolf tired not to be bothered by praise or blame but they did interrupt the flow of writing as she wanted to investigate the claims. There were times where she specified how many copies were sold.
As this is a diary, there are many sporadic and unrelated musings. The seemingly random musings cannot really be used against the author as this is a diary. Musings are ubiquitous and do show many of life’s moments. Many meetings with members of the Bloomsbury Group such as John Maynard Keynes. Tea, illness, passage of time, and remorse on who died are all part of the musings. Later in the book there are statements of life during the WWII and its prelude.
What can be said of Virginia Woolf is that she did not appreciate people who were insincere and dishonest as she was very critical of those aspects of politics.
samuel's review against another edition
Fascinating to read/study! Would feel weird to review.