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brisingr's review against another edition
4.0
I really, really enjoy Virginia Woolf's non-fiction writing and this has been such a heartfelt and beautiful call for women's literature, and an inquiry in its (lack of) history. Really enjoyed it, and a must-read for everyone who considers feminist and feminine writing.
senagbl's review against another edition
5.0
been wanting to read this for a long while and it did not disappoint
sanely's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
blue_footed_booby's review against another edition
3.0
I gave this a three star rating, but that is based on my opinion when I read it-- many years ago. I recall not really "getting it" at the time, and I suspect I would enjoy it a great deal more, now. It's going on the to-re-read list!
ranzilaura's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
easily one of the best books that i've ever read. an eye opener.
sidharthvardhan's review against another edition
5.0
“...who shall measure the heat and violence of a poet's heart when caught and tangled in a woman's body?”
Starts in middle of a sentence, is surprisingly brief despite having talked about what she had for lunch, scolds with out offending - there is something so entirly modern about Woolf - specially given her times. Instead of first lecturing you and then arguing to convince you;she takes you on a trip on the train of thoughts she herself had taken. And she is frequently funny. She makes you laugh even when she is hitting you along with other men right in middle of eyes. And she manages to be fair giving devils (in this case, men) their due - something you won't always expect from feminists.
Her study of writters' psychology is perfect. A little privacy And financial independence are must and it took her genius to show us the obvious corrolory of that justifying lack of female authors.
Now I can justify myself for having read so few books by women authors.
May be sexual disparity no longer exists now as far as ability to write is concerned- at least in financialy well off families but one can't say the same in case of financial disparity or worse deprivation of education. Authors continue to come from well-to-do families. Almost all major authors in India hail from big cities (which goes on to show their financial well being) or worse still are settled outside India. And one obviously needs to be literate to be able to write - which is saying a lot. Woolf wants you to write while you are earning, and that is only point I disagree upon. Writing must be a full time job. Inspiration won't wait till end of shift- and by then you will be tired. It is a hard truth but artists can only do well when they don't have to worry for next meal.
It kills one - the waste of genius because of lack of nourishing conditions in whatever sex. One could look at the boy waiting on me in this restaurant, he can speak charmingly despite never having went to school - can handle customers well - and there are thousands of them all around;and we are so used to these poor fellows that we no longer notice them - we are too busy to give a thought to how many Einsteins, Shakespeares, Mozarts and Picassos are being wasted in serving our tables.
Starts in middle of a sentence, is surprisingly brief despite having talked about what she had for lunch, scolds with out offending - there is something so entirly modern about Woolf - specially given her times. Instead of first lecturing you and then arguing to convince you;she takes you on a trip on the train of thoughts she herself had taken. And she is frequently funny. She makes you laugh even when she is hitting you along with other men right in middle of eyes. And she manages to be fair giving devils (in this case, men) their due - something you won't always expect from feminists.
Her study of writters' psychology is perfect. A little privacy And financial independence are must and it took her genius to show us the obvious corrolory of that justifying lack of female authors.
Now I can justify myself for having read so few books by women authors.
May be sexual disparity no longer exists now as far as ability to write is concerned- at least in financialy well off families but one can't say the same in case of financial disparity or worse deprivation of education. Authors continue to come from well-to-do families. Almost all major authors in India hail from big cities (which goes on to show their financial well being) or worse still are settled outside India. And one obviously needs to be literate to be able to write - which is saying a lot. Woolf wants you to write while you are earning, and that is only point I disagree upon. Writing must be a full time job. Inspiration won't wait till end of shift- and by then you will be tired. It is a hard truth but artists can only do well when they don't have to worry for next meal.
It kills one - the waste of genius because of lack of nourishing conditions in whatever sex. One could look at the boy waiting on me in this restaurant, he can speak charmingly despite never having went to school - can handle customers well - and there are thousands of them all around;and we are so used to these poor fellows that we no longer notice them - we are too busy to give a thought to how many Einsteins, Shakespeares, Mozarts and Picassos are being wasted in serving our tables.