Letters of Leonard Woolf by Spotts Frederic editor (1990-01-01) Hardcover

by Leonard Woolf

These 600 letters are arranged thematically to focus on the principal aspects of Woolf's life, giving new insights into this brilliant, uncompromising seeker of truth. 16 pages of photos.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published October 1, 1989

About the author

Leonard Sidney Woolf was a noted British political theorist, author, publisher (The Hogarth Press), and civil servant, but perhaps best-known as husband to author Virginia Woolf.

Reviews

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I finished reading the final letter in this collection, I wanted to scream "No! I want more!". I wanted to read more of Leonard's letters to his friends, to the authors he worked with when he was still active in the Hogarth Press, and letters he'd written to Trekkie Parsons. I was left with some questions: What did Ian Parsons actually feel about this later-life love affair between his wife and Leonard? Was he jealous? All that's said in the biographical section at the end of the book is that he and Leonard remained close friends until the end of Leonard's life. And what about Trekkie herself? Was she as deeply in love with Leonard as he was with her? I believe I'm going to have to read the biography I have of Leonard Woolf, by Victoria Glendinning (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...) to find out more. Of course, reading Leonard's own autobiography might reveal more as well.

When I began reading this book I said I was disappointed because the volume doesn't include all of Leonard's letters and ought to be called "The Selected Letters of Leonard Woolf". I'm still wanting more. But his letters do reveal much about his character that I didn't really know before. In terms of his relationship with Virginia Woolf, his wife until her suicide in 1941, he's often portrayed as a controlling, rather cold man; reading his letters to Trekkie Parsons seems to me to disprove that image. The letters are so very loving and passionate; it's hard to believe that he didn't behave toward Virginia in the same loving manner. Of course he had to be controlling a bit with Virginia! His monitoring of her mental state, her eating, her weight, and the like probably kept her alive longer than she might have lived had he not been her husband. I feel pity for Leonard, because in his marriage to Virginia he was deprived of physical passion, even of day-to-day affection and cuddles. I may be exaggerating, of course. As Leonard would say, "I could be wrong about this".

All in all it was well worth my time to read through this volume; I only wish there were more!

[Roanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me a little less time to read than most 600 page letter collections usually take me to read, but I believe Leonard gets all the credit for that. He is fabulously readable, altogether human, a sharp wit, and seemingly, a genuinely caring man. I expected none of this when I embarked upon the book. I'd come away from VW's personal writings with a very different idea of what this man must be like. Judging from his letters, he's not the cold, overbearing partner he's usually portrayed as being. I even enjoyed the political letters section of the book, and those would usually be a very tough slog for me. LW is a deeply caring man of many passions, with much integrity, a lively wit, and very loyal and loving. I liked him, and his letters, very much indeed.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a most enjoyable reading experience. The letters are arranged thematically, which is an excellent format given the breadth and scope of Mr. Woolf's correspondence. Given that the oldest letter is dated 03/20/1901 and the final letter is dated 05/30/1969, what is presented is an actual "life in letters". However, the fact that the letters in these almost 600 pages represent a mere fraction of Mr. Woolf's correspondence is astonishing. The letters are all highly readable. Their language is that of a writer possessing a keen intelligence on a wide variety of subjects and ideas. The volume is a fine introduction to the life and character of Mr. Woolf, a man worth knowing.

[MKO · Rating 4 out of 5]

’What a life he has led,’ said E.M. Forster, ‘and how well he has led it!’” What a nice epitaph!

“These letters are the epistolary shards of that life. They are a fraction of the roughly 8,000 letters that have been found, which are in turn only a small portion of the total number Leonard wrote.”

I love letters. I love reading them. What we have lost by all our electronic speed! The postal service had “eight deliveries a day in London and six in provincial cities…A letter posted during daylight hours would normally be delivered about three hours later…”

“'You must keep up the intellectual side of your character.’ Good God! I find there’s very little side left of any kinds after some hours ploughing…” How true!

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leonard Woolf is beyond underrated; as a writer, as a thinker, as a doer, as a human being. This extraordinary man lived an extraordinary life, filling each day of it with purpose. I am enamoured by Leonard Woolf and have been for a very long time. Please take note of this incredible man. It’s time for him to step out of the shadows, for he needs to be seen in full, totally deserving light. What a life..