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There are currently 25 member reviews
for Vanessa and Her Sister
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Beverly D. (Palm Harbor, FL)
AMAZING !!!
I could not put this book down. Convincingly written as Vanessa Bell (nee Stephen) diary entries, we see the interactions between the siblings and their soon to be infamous group of friends, the Bloomsbury group. As an intro to the early 20th century "leaving" of Victorian England, this story shows how life was changing and becoming more modern. Most importantly though is the relationship between Vanessa and her sister Virginia as they try to find a place in this world of arts & letters without destroying each other in the process. The inclusion of post cards, letters, and train/ship ticket facsimiles lends an air of authenticity to the story. I highly recommend this novel.
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Patty S. (Towson, MD)
I loved this!
It seems to take a lot, these days, for me to focus on a book long enough to get all the way through it, so when I say that I could hardly put this book down, that's saying a lot! Parmar's decision to write the story of the a tumultuous time in the lives of the Stephen sisters (Vanessa Bell and Virginia Woolf) through diary entries and letters, worked so very well for me. We all know of Virginia Woolf but we don't all know about her sister, Vanessa. Or their family and friends. This book has heart. It made me want to read more about the people who were a part of the Bloomsbury Group. They were all humanized for me. Parmar captured just a few short years of their lives in this work. I would definitely read a sequel.
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Elinor S. (Naples, FL)
Vanessa and her sister
I was disenchanted at first by the format of the book at first. However, after I got into the story I enjoyed her style. I thought it was refreshing and it reminded me that letter writing seems to be a "lost art".
The lives of Vanessa,Virginia, their brothers and their friends were certainly privileged albeit not without their problems.
Virginia's mental disease was so central to her relationships. Vanessa and Virginia were so forward thinking in their presence at the group gatherings.
I enjoyed the character development that was so evident through each correspondence. I also liked learning about the Bloomsbury Group.
I would not recommend this to any of my book clubs as I think this may not appeal to many since I did not "grab" immediately.
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Marjorie H. (Woodstock, GA)
A Different Way of Life
I was intrigued by this book and the subject matter. While the characters were talented, they also lived in a world of laziness and sex. Vanessa seemed to be the only sane character while the others were neurotic, unbalanced and spoiled. The Edwardian era was known for its debauchery and this book does not disappoint. The sexual relations were odd - at once, casual and serious. Virginia's stalking of Clive completely captures her unbalanced mind leading to the break with Vanessa - a break way over due. There is, at times, an excess of Victorian drama. However, this only adds to the tone of the story.
Ms. Parmar is an excellent writer and captures the mood and tone of the era completely. The journal entries, letters and notes keep the plot moving and there is no "down time" - I read it in record time.
I look forward to reading Ms. Parmar's book, "Exit the Actress."
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Ann B. (Bethlehem, PA)
An enlightened read
The story of Vanessa ( Stephen ) Bell and her famous sister, Virginia ( Stephen) Woolf is brought to life through the journal entries and correspondences of the sisters and other friends of the famous Bloomsbury Group at the turn of the century. As an art lover of the impressionistic period, I was eager to read this book and enlightened to learn of this collections of writers, painters, bon vivants, publishers and art buyers who collectively are known as the Bloomsbury Group. This interest is however, what likely kept me reading on as the beginning of this story, told through Vanessa's journal and correspondences was filled with daily trivial notes. I found it hard to follow the cast of characters and the helpful guide at the beginning was definitely needed until they were developed later in the story. Although, this was indeed an interesting read and one that I am glad I choose, I think it has a focus group it will attract while the general public may not embrace it as wholeheartedly.
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Susan H. (Chappaqua, NY)
We didn't invent free love !!
It took me a little bit to get into the book …. the diary style was difficult to follow, I had to keep checking back to figure out who the players were; but after that it was an easy and interesting read. I love the combination of fact and fiction.
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Rebecca J. (Knoxville, TN)
Vanessa and her sister
This novel is written in the form of artist Vanessa Bell's diaries plus some letters. I didn't know who Vanessa Bell was (fairly successful late 19th, early 20th century painter), but I had heard of her sister, writer Virginia Woolf. They were part of the Bloomsbury group of writers and artists who met regularly in London to gossip about other artists and to also take themselves way too seriously. I enjoyed the book, because even though I despised the characters, some of them were quite famous (E.M. Forster, John Maynard Keynes, for example) and the group was a well-known part of literary history. If you are interested in this period of literature, you would enjoy this book. If not, you could easily end up very tired.
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