Play Book Tag discussion

A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf - 4.5* - My Review

Published in 1929, the titular essay starts out as a lecture on the relationship between women and writing fiction. It is creative and thought-provoking, and not what one would expect an essay to be (at least I didn’t expect it). Woolf writes as other characters, such as Mary Seton or Mary Carmichael, but this is very much a work of non-fiction that addresses the reasons it was so difficult in the past for women to write fiction, including societal mores of earlier eras when women had limited (or no) access to funds, education, or private time. She lauds the accomplishment of early women fiction writers such as Jane Austen, George Eliot, and the Brontë sisters.

She takes issue with the men of her own and earlier times who wrote about women. She analyzes several of their works and find that they primarily portray women in limited roles in support of men. Some of these works make outlandish statements that refer to the lesser status of women in the traits such as morality and mental abilities. It made me very glad I did not live back then. While there are still issues in present day, it is certainly nothing like what women of the 19th century (and earlier) had to face. For example, it was acceptable for a husband to beat his wife, and women could not own property. Woolf’s style of expression is unique and creative. I found an edition of this work that included the titular essay (5 stars) and five short stories (4 stars), one of which, my favorite of the bunch, even mentions Clarissa Dalloway.

PBT Steeplechase - tagged "girl power" x26:
https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve...

PBT June BWF Extra R and tagged "europe" x39:
https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve...

PBT Note: My version of this book is 176 pages, 112 of which is the title essay and the rest short stories.

We’ve come a long way baby. Look at all the women writers today. This is one of those books that seems so familiar, I forget I haven’t actually read it. I’m glad to see that you enjoyed it so much. I’ll have to read it. I’ll be reading her book Orlando first. I read a few chapters and I think I’m going to like it. I know I’ll have some surprises.

I thought I knew what The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie was all about, but I was way off. I’m glad I didn’t read any reviews first, it was better this way.

So glad you posted about this because my book club will read it in August and I didn't know anything about it. I haven't actually read any Virginia Wolf 😬 (I don't think), so I considered skipping, but I think I will read this based on your review and catch up with her fiction later.

NancyJ wrote: "We’ve come a long way baby. Look at all the women writers today. This is one of those books that seems so familiar, I forget I haven’t actually read it. I’m glad to see that you enjoyed it so much...."

Women were maligned for so long as not being capable of writing fiction, forgetting all the reasons they may not have had time or money or freedom to do so. It is quite different than what I expected but really insightful.

Meli wrote: "So glad you posted about this because my book club will read it in August and I didn't know anything about it. I haven't actually read any Virginia Wolf 😬 (I don't think), so I considered skipping,..."

I think this would be a good starting point. It definitely showcases her style and is well thought out and easy to follow. It's much different than most non-fiction on the topic. I think you will enjoy it.

I need to reread this. I read it many decades ago - and it was just ho hum to me at that time - I was young - it was between college and law school. I suspect I will appreciate the essay more now. Like the idea of reading some of her stories with it.