Reviews

A Woman Appeared to Me by Renée Vivien

michaelashsmith's review

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

hrohaley's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

charleyyyyy's review against another edition

mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

This book was inspired by Vivien's own relationships, and I think it was told in such an imaginative way. It was beautifully whimsical and descriptive. Full of symbolism. 
It's definitely not a book for everyone, though. It's quite abstract, with no sense of place or time, you have to suspend your disbelief all throughout. There also isn't a plot, it's kinda like a stream of consciousness. An exploration of feeling through abstract metaphors. I think it's best read as poetry, not a novel.
But I realy enjoyed it. I thought it was beautifully written and very thought- provoking.

ofichorandink's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

irasobrietate's review against another edition

emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

kasper_au's review

2.0

Queer Women Book Club read

Just finished. Firstly, this was undeniably well-written and for those into prose poetry, you will eat this one up. It wasn't as enjoyable for me. I didn't connect with the story and at times it was a little confusing. I didn't need the additional 1904 edition either, which felt like reading, almost, the same story. Perhaps big fans of Vivien would appreciate this more. 2-3 stars.

virginiawoolfloveletter's review against another edition

4.0

Little has changed by the way of lesbian melodrama since 1905…

arentweallghosts's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad tense

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

llune's review against another edition

mysterious reflective slow-paced

3.5

millymygirl's review

4.0

I think this book is best approached as an extended work of poetry. Vivien is a poet and it shows. This book is harrowing and relentless in it's portrayal of a deeply troubled love affair, and of Barney, who is such a fascinating woman in her own right. It is unapologetically lesbian, and simultaneously treats lesbianism as nothing to take note of, takes it for granted, which is refreshing and dare I say ballsy. Also, I had a good amount of background knowledge coming into this book, and it felt sort of like being in on a joke, which is always fun.