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There are currently 25 member reviews
for Vanessa and Her Sister
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Debra V. (Kenosha, WI)
Vanessa & Her Sister
Absolutely loved this book -- other than reading Virginia Wolf in college I knew very little about Vanessa & Virginia and the impact they had through the Bloomsburg Group on art & literature in the early 20th century. The book is beautifully crafted using fictional entries from Vanessa's journal & letters to tell the story -- as well as letters and telegrams from other members of group. This style flowed so smoothly and was so realistic that I looked for footnotes at the end of the book, thinking that Priya Parmar was using the actual correspondence between the sisters. I highly recommend this book -- it will be a best seller!
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Freya H. (Phoenix, AZ)
Vanessa and Her Sister
This book was hard to put down. The format Parmar chose to cover this period in history, and the people of the Bloomsbury Group, was outstanding. The primary focus on Vanessa Bell and Virginia Woolf and their relationship was intriguing and heartbreaking. Anyone who is interested in art and letters will find this book well worth reading.
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Sue J. (Wauwatosa, WI)
Vanessa And Her Sister
It took a bit to get into the rhythm of the book, but once I got comfortable with the format I loved it. Although I was familiar with Virginia Wolf, I wasn't familiar with the Bloomsbury Group and their influence on literature, as well as their modern attitudes on feminism, pacifism and sexuality. It was a thoroughly enjoyable read and I highly recommend it.
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Donna W. (Wauwatosa, WI)
Vanessa and Her Sister
This was a very entertaining look into an interesting period in history, and it was written in an engaging style. Diary entries, letters, telegrams and postcards are intermixed in such a way that the reader is drawn into the lives of the characters.
I felt I was given a clear glimpse into the times (early 1900's London) and into the lives of Vanessa Stephen Bell & Virginia Stephen Woolf. A gripping story-line was combined with historical events to create an enjoyable read. I really liked this book, and I think it will appeal to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.
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Susan B. (Rutledge, MO)
well-written and interesting read!
This interesting and well-written novel about the Bloomsbury group, focusing on the relationship between painter Vanessa Bell and her sister Virginia Woolf, was entertaining, as well as heartbreaking in parts. Particularly interesting to me was the "unconventional" nature of their circle, including open discussions of sex and acceptance of homosexuality. The device of including travel tickets and telegrams in the text was more distracting than intriguing, and Virginia came off as an extremely selfish and unkind person, but I highly recommend this book, especially to anyone with an interest in the art and writing scene in Britain in the early 1900s.
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GH - Las Vegas
So glad I did!
Very pleasantly surprised! Was initially unsure if format (using diary entries, letters and even telegrams) would be to my liking but it was perfect for this story. I was intrigued from very first chapter and my love of this book continued to grow as it progressed. I found my self re-reading sentences and phrases simply to savor the language used or the images created. Story flowed nicely, language was creative and smart and characters were memorable for the way they were revealed. A much enjoyed experience. So glad I requested this book. Bravo!
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Harriet in Raleigh, NC
Vanessa and Her Sister
An amazing blend of fact and fiction, much like the novel, Loving Frank! Vanessa and Her Sister brings to life the hedonistic members of London's Bloomsbury Group in the early 1900's as seen through the eyes of the soon-to-be famous Stephens sisters, later Painter Vanessa Bell and Writer Virginia Wolfe. Their friends are equally notable later in life but here they are dashing through a privileged jet set lifestyle before jets. Documents, post cards, and journals weave together a Virginia Wolfe who is understandable though not always admirable. Fact and imagination blend smoothly. At the end, the author gives a short bio on each noted character and we find the most bizarre facts are the true ones.
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