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Virginia Woolf: A Critical Memoir
Holtby gives us Woolf the critic, the essayist and the experimental novelist in a critical memoir which is of particular interest as the work of one intelligent, though very different, novelist commenting on another. Holtby's careful reading of Woolf's work is set in the context of the debate between modernist and traditional writing in the 1920s and 1930s. Although Holtby greatly admires Woolf's art, she considers its limitations as an elite form that ignores the material conditions of everyday life and the consequent social responsibility expected of the novel. Choosing to write about Woolf as 'the author whose art seemed most of all removed from anything I could ever attempt, and whose experience was most alien to my own,' Holtby has written a candid appreciation of the complex, groundbreaking work of a contemporary writer at the height of her career.
Winifred Holtby was a novelist, journalist and social reformer, who campaigned for the causes of peace and sexual and racial equality. Her most famous work is the novel South Riding, published posthumously in 1936. She died in 1935.
Winifred Holtby was a novelist, journalist and social reformer, who campaigned for the causes of peace and sexual and racial equality. Her most famous work is the novel South Riding, published posthumously in 1936. She died in 1935.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1932
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About the author
Winifred Holtby
55 books77 followersWinifred Holtby was a committed socialist and feminist who wrote the classic South Riding as a warm yet sharp social critique of the well-to-do farming community she was born into.
She was a good friend of Vera Brittain, possibly portraying her as Delia in The Crowded Street.
She died at the age of 37.
She was a good friend of Vera Brittain, possibly portraying her as Delia in The Crowded Street.
She died at the age of 37.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 25, 2019
¡Qué maravilla! Esta crítica de la obra de Woolf se hace cuando ella aún vivía y en lugar de caer en alabanzas estamos antes un ensayo crítico sobre su literatura. Holtby me ha resultado una mujer tan lúcida, inteligente y entretenida que casi he disfrutado más de cómo escribe que del contenido. Eso no significa que el libro sea poco interesante, todo lo contrario; me resulta fascinante asistir a la recepción de la obra de Woolf en el momento en que se estaba escribiendo, y este libro es un anáisis minucioso y crítico maravilloso.
June 14, 2022
Creo que a todo amante de la lectura le encanta encontrar referencias de esta misma en los libros. No se puede explicar el porqué una se emociona tanto cuando está leyendo y se encuentra con una referencia literaria que reconoce, pero así es. Y ligado con esto,también nos gusta leer sobre libros.
En este caso, en el libro al que he puesto fin, se habla de las novelas que escribió Virginia Woolf, de sus referentes, de los temas que trata, de su estilo y un matizado análisis de toda su obra. Al ser un libro escrito mientras Woolf aún vivía, resulta incluso más interesante porque podemos ver la perspectiva que se tenía de ella, lo que se leía y comentaba en ese momento y como eran enfocadas sus obras.
Creo que hay autores/as tan complejos/as que necesitas ayuda externa para meterte más fácilmente en sus libros, entenderlos mejor, ponerlos más en contexto, conocerlos previamente... y sin duda Woolf es una de ellos/as. Me atrevería a decir que es la autora más compleja y exigente que he leído, por lo cargados de simbolismo, metáforas, frases interminables, reflexiones filosóficas y matices que plasman sus libros. Y un ensayo como este, que desglosa todo lo referente a la narrativa y obra de la autora, es realmente de ayuda. Es cierto que podemos encontrarnos con algún spoiler, pero sinceramente, Woolf no destaca por sus tramas, y a mí personalmente saber al detalle que acontece en sus novelas antes de leerlas no me molesta, porque lo realmente importante y que te fascina es todo lo demás, lo que hay entre líneas. Saber lo que ocurre incluso te ayuda a focalizarte más en lo que no se ve, porque no necesitas estar pendiente de lo superficial.
El libro se lee muy bien, no es nada denso y resulta muy interesante: no solo habla de las novelas de Woolf, sino que también nos habla de otros/as autores/as célebres del momento, de temas muy interesantes como la identidad de género, la sexualidad, el feminismo... y te permite entender más la literatura de ese momento.
Es un libro que recomiendo encarecidamente a todas aquellas que admiréis a Woolf o que os interese su obra, a las que le tengáis respeto, a las que os guste leer libros sobre libros, a las que ls guste leer crítica literaria, a las que os interese este período literario, etc.
En este caso, en el libro al que he puesto fin, se habla de las novelas que escribió Virginia Woolf, de sus referentes, de los temas que trata, de su estilo y un matizado análisis de toda su obra. Al ser un libro escrito mientras Woolf aún vivía, resulta incluso más interesante porque podemos ver la perspectiva que se tenía de ella, lo que se leía y comentaba en ese momento y como eran enfocadas sus obras.
Creo que hay autores/as tan complejos/as que necesitas ayuda externa para meterte más fácilmente en sus libros, entenderlos mejor, ponerlos más en contexto, conocerlos previamente... y sin duda Woolf es una de ellos/as. Me atrevería a decir que es la autora más compleja y exigente que he leído, por lo cargados de simbolismo, metáforas, frases interminables, reflexiones filosóficas y matices que plasman sus libros. Y un ensayo como este, que desglosa todo lo referente a la narrativa y obra de la autora, es realmente de ayuda. Es cierto que podemos encontrarnos con algún spoiler, pero sinceramente, Woolf no destaca por sus tramas, y a mí personalmente saber al detalle que acontece en sus novelas antes de leerlas no me molesta, porque lo realmente importante y que te fascina es todo lo demás, lo que hay entre líneas. Saber lo que ocurre incluso te ayuda a focalizarte más en lo que no se ve, porque no necesitas estar pendiente de lo superficial.
El libro se lee muy bien, no es nada denso y resulta muy interesante: no solo habla de las novelas de Woolf, sino que también nos habla de otros/as autores/as célebres del momento, de temas muy interesantes como la identidad de género, la sexualidad, el feminismo... y te permite entender más la literatura de ese momento.
Es un libro que recomiendo encarecidamente a todas aquellas que admiréis a Woolf o que os interese su obra, a las que le tengáis respeto, a las que os guste leer libros sobre libros, a las que ls guste leer crítica literaria, a las que os interese este período literario, etc.
October 14, 2016
Winifred Holtby was a well-respected novelist, journalist and social reformer, who died tragically young in 1935. Now known best for her novel South Riding, Holtby was a very different kind of writer to Virginia Woolf, but in 1931 she began writing this work of literary criticism at the invitation of an editor working for publisher William Collins – it was finally published by Wishart & Co in 1932. Virginia Woolf was perfectly aware of the book being written, making a note in her diary about it and following that up with a letter to Winifred Holtby saying that she looked forward to reading it. Fascinatingly the two women met once during the writing of the book, and Woolf arranged for an advance copy of The Waves to be sent to Winifred Holtby. These are the kinds of details which fascinate me. The result is a thoughtful piece of literary criticism, in which Holtby considers the limitations of Woolf’s work, while showing that while they were very different writers Holtby quite obviously appreciated it.
Full review: https://heavenali.wordpress.com/2016/...
Full review: https://heavenali.wordpress.com/2016/...
May 22, 2015
The circumstance of this biography is more interesting than the actual book itself. For readers who have benefited in more authoritative and scholarly biographies of Virginia Woolf (VW), this book adds a dash of psychology along the vein of “the theory of others”. As VM said herself in choosing W Holtby as her profiler:
“I took my courage and curiosity in both hands, and chose the author whose art seemed most of all removed from anything I could ever attempt … I found it the most enthralling adventure. … it’s almost like bathing in a strange sea”.
Here are the elements that setup this writerly experiment:
1. Woolf was alive and well-known, fully able to pass a much more authoritative judgement on this biography
2. Holtby was considered far inferior by the ranks of social class and intellectual accomplishments. In addition, Holtby had an entirely different aesthetics and social concerns in her own writings.
3. It is implied by the preface of Marion Shaw that this biography was setup as an amusing literary exercise, earning very little earnest regard from VM herself in the final product. In fact, her dismissal attitude regarding Holtby is so scathing that one can imagine the flinch by the stung such as: “She [Holtby] is a ventriloquist, not a creator”, and “a barrel organ writer”.
Hence, the only question remains for us is - why bother reading this book? For me, it is about the distance of minds between me, Holtby and that of Woolf. I have read several of Woolf's works, thrilled by a few passages (such as Mrs. Ramsey ruminating while the lighthouse’s light beam crossing the seascape at night “To The Lighthouse”), understood the whole of “A Room of One’s Own”, confused by “Orlando”, frustrated by “Mrs Dalloway”, having given up “The Wave” after a few chapters.
Hence Ms. Holtby’s book may be the helpful bridge across the vast distances between minds, namely this reader and Woolf. Taken this book on its own merit, I have found it extremely well-written, albeit a touch of obsequiousness and excessive deference. Here is an example of Holtby exquisite style in writing:
“He [the novelist] must never allow life to strike him in the face and leave him injured and insulted, blind to the force which hit him.”
Henceforth Holtby analyzed competently Woolf’s major works to show us how Woolf’s intellect and art have enabled readers to understand life in its most basic interiority. By this understanding, we are not blinded to the force, nor to trade a cow-like innocence for real understanding.
In summary -
Regardless of this book’s demerits engendered by the peculiar circumstance, it has provided a helpful guide to understand Woolf’s major books, even if such help is a simple stool to lift the readers up toward a closer vista of Woolf’s art. I need to reread this book after re-read Woolf’s.
“I took my courage and curiosity in both hands, and chose the author whose art seemed most of all removed from anything I could ever attempt … I found it the most enthralling adventure. … it’s almost like bathing in a strange sea”.
Here are the elements that setup this writerly experiment:
1. Woolf was alive and well-known, fully able to pass a much more authoritative judgement on this biography
2. Holtby was considered far inferior by the ranks of social class and intellectual accomplishments. In addition, Holtby had an entirely different aesthetics and social concerns in her own writings.
3. It is implied by the preface of Marion Shaw that this biography was setup as an amusing literary exercise, earning very little earnest regard from VM herself in the final product. In fact, her dismissal attitude regarding Holtby is so scathing that one can imagine the flinch by the stung such as: “She [Holtby] is a ventriloquist, not a creator”, and “a barrel organ writer”.
Hence, the only question remains for us is - why bother reading this book? For me, it is about the distance of minds between me, Holtby and that of Woolf. I have read several of Woolf's works, thrilled by a few passages (such as Mrs. Ramsey ruminating while the lighthouse’s light beam crossing the seascape at night “To The Lighthouse”), understood the whole of “A Room of One’s Own”, confused by “Orlando”, frustrated by “Mrs Dalloway”, having given up “The Wave” after a few chapters.
Hence Ms. Holtby’s book may be the helpful bridge across the vast distances between minds, namely this reader and Woolf. Taken this book on its own merit, I have found it extremely well-written, albeit a touch of obsequiousness and excessive deference. Here is an example of Holtby exquisite style in writing:
“He [the novelist] must never allow life to strike him in the face and leave him injured and insulted, blind to the force which hit him.”
Henceforth Holtby analyzed competently Woolf’s major works to show us how Woolf’s intellect and art have enabled readers to understand life in its most basic interiority. By this understanding, we are not blinded to the force, nor to trade a cow-like innocence for real understanding.
In summary -
Regardless of this book’s demerits engendered by the peculiar circumstance, it has provided a helpful guide to understand Woolf’s major books, even if such help is a simple stool to lift the readers up toward a closer vista of Woolf’s art. I need to reread this book after re-read Woolf’s.
January 3, 2019
Written in 1932, I feared that this critical study of Virginia Woolf would feel dated, especially considering the vast amounts that have been written about her life and work since then. But on the contrary, this is a gem of a book, insightful, considered, concise and illuminating. A close reading of Woolf’s oeuvre to that point (she was, of course, still alive at the time) leads Holtby to a perceptive examination of Woolf’s writings and a thoughtful exploration of her life and character. Whenever I read Woolf in the future, this is definitely a book I will keep by my side.
The two women met just once and Woolf was typically dismissive of Holtby calling her “a Yorkshire farmer’s daughter, rather uncouth and shapeless.” Holtby is clear-sighted, but never dismissive, about Woolf and her study is a joy and a delight.
The two women met just once and Woolf was typically dismissive of Holtby calling her “a Yorkshire farmer’s daughter, rather uncouth and shapeless.” Holtby is clear-sighted, but never dismissive, about Woolf and her study is a joy and a delight.
August 5, 2015
This is good. Written while Woolf was still alive and with a small amount of input and corrections from her this is a book about Woolf's writing primarily. If I'm honest this made me more interested in Winifred Holtby than in Woolf.
July 13, 2016
I borrowed the very rare, rather expensive first edition hardback of this from Senate House library. It was a lovely read, but I had one fundamental problem with it: SOMEONE HAD PRACTICALLY COLOURED IT IN WITH PINK HIGHLIGHTER. :'(
October 8, 2020
Virginia Woolf: A Critical Memoir by Winifred Holtby is a study of the interconnection of Woof and her characters and her style of writing. Holtby is best known for writing South Riding while dying of Bright's disease. She was an ardent feminist, socialist and pacifist who published fourteen books before dying at thirty-seven.
This book is intriguing on several levels. First, it was written in 1932 while Woolf was still alive, and it concentrates on Woolf's work and the interconnectedness of the stories and with Woolf's own life. Although mentioned, Woolf's depression does not play a major role in this book and it does in many current books. Not being formally educated in English literature, I found the critique well done, informative, and not heavy handed. The examples and passages in the book illustrate Holtby thesis well.
The use of water in Woolf's life and in her books everything from The Voyage Out through The Waves (the last book written by Woolf before Holtby's book) all contain water references and themes. In Woolf's early memories of the beach at Cornwall and later tragically her death involved water. Water becomes ever present, but ever changing. It is always there; it rolls in and rolls out like the waves or life and death.
What may be more obvious to many is also brought up in Holtby's critique is Woolf’s preferences in her novels. It is not surprising that Woolf didn’t much care for plots in her writing. Not a single one of her novels had a climax. In The Voyage Out the South American jungle is nearly a copy of Sir Walter Raleigh’s Discovery of Guiana The plagiarism is Holtby explains is forgivable. The jungle setting was merely filler. In the South American town, surrounded by jungle, no wild animals are seen, in fact, nobody's even bothered by a single mosquito. The hospital is conveniently located near the hotel. The setting is simply background to Woolf.
If it isn’t plot, climax, or setting that Woolf writes about, it must be characters. Woolf spends great detail in creating characters. Holtby compares the characters to other historical novel character’s just as Jane Austen. Also interesting is that characters that reflect Woolf’s life are the best done. She struggles when she writes characters out of her station. The other thing that separates Woolf is style. Many of her writings have almost a lyrical quality to them. This is perhaps the main reason I enjoy reading Woolf.
Holtby analyzes Woolf’s writing and works. She had a particular interest in “The Mark on the Wall” and uses it often in her comparisons. Her treatment of “Kew Gardens” is quite well done. For the reader of this book a knowledge of Woolf’s writing (up until 1932) is very helpful and almost necessary. Holtby uses each work as references and comparisons and builds her case. Without knowing Mrs. Ramsey, Clarissa Dalloway, or Jacob Flanders, the reader would be lost. An excellent read for anyone familiar with, or struggling with, any of Woolf’s work.
This book is intriguing on several levels. First, it was written in 1932 while Woolf was still alive, and it concentrates on Woolf's work and the interconnectedness of the stories and with Woolf's own life. Although mentioned, Woolf's depression does not play a major role in this book and it does in many current books. Not being formally educated in English literature, I found the critique well done, informative, and not heavy handed. The examples and passages in the book illustrate Holtby thesis well.
The use of water in Woolf's life and in her books everything from The Voyage Out through The Waves (the last book written by Woolf before Holtby's book) all contain water references and themes. In Woolf's early memories of the beach at Cornwall and later tragically her death involved water. Water becomes ever present, but ever changing. It is always there; it rolls in and rolls out like the waves or life and death.
What may be more obvious to many is also brought up in Holtby's critique is Woolf’s preferences in her novels. It is not surprising that Woolf didn’t much care for plots in her writing. Not a single one of her novels had a climax. In The Voyage Out the South American jungle is nearly a copy of Sir Walter Raleigh’s Discovery of Guiana The plagiarism is Holtby explains is forgivable. The jungle setting was merely filler. In the South American town, surrounded by jungle, no wild animals are seen, in fact, nobody's even bothered by a single mosquito. The hospital is conveniently located near the hotel. The setting is simply background to Woolf.
If it isn’t plot, climax, or setting that Woolf writes about, it must be characters. Woolf spends great detail in creating characters. Holtby compares the characters to other historical novel character’s just as Jane Austen. Also interesting is that characters that reflect Woolf’s life are the best done. She struggles when she writes characters out of her station. The other thing that separates Woolf is style. Many of her writings have almost a lyrical quality to them. This is perhaps the main reason I enjoy reading Woolf.
Holtby analyzes Woolf’s writing and works. She had a particular interest in “The Mark on the Wall” and uses it often in her comparisons. Her treatment of “Kew Gardens” is quite well done. For the reader of this book a knowledge of Woolf’s writing (up until 1932) is very helpful and almost necessary. Holtby uses each work as references and comparisons and builds her case. Without knowing Mrs. Ramsey, Clarissa Dalloway, or Jacob Flanders, the reader would be lost. An excellent read for anyone familiar with, or struggling with, any of Woolf’s work.
November 5, 2015
When I first saw the subtitle - a critical memoir, I was wondering if it was going to be critical of Virginia Woolf, but as I read further I soon realized that it is a literary critique of her works along with a biography of her life (up until the time it was written, 1932).
Holtby does an astonishing job diving into Woolf's works - made me remember just how much I used to enjoy my literature classes. She also made me want to read more of Woolf's works - and I have no doubt I would get even more out of her writings now, after reading Holtby's commentary.
A Critical Memoir was published in 1932, and it can't help but haunt me that Holtby herself passed away in 1936 - only 37 years old, while Woolf died in 1941. How we lose some of our greatest writers too soon.
I would highly recommend Virginia Woolf: A Critical Memoir to anyone who has enjoyed the works of Woolf, or are interested in writing or women's history of that time.
*I received a free advanced reader's copy through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
Holtby does an astonishing job diving into Woolf's works - made me remember just how much I used to enjoy my literature classes. She also made me want to read more of Woolf's works - and I have no doubt I would get even more out of her writings now, after reading Holtby's commentary.
A Critical Memoir was published in 1932, and it can't help but haunt me that Holtby herself passed away in 1936 - only 37 years old, while Woolf died in 1941. How we lose some of our greatest writers too soon.
I would highly recommend Virginia Woolf: A Critical Memoir to anyone who has enjoyed the works of Woolf, or are interested in writing or women's history of that time.
*I received a free advanced reader's copy through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
February 8, 2014
This is possibly the best book about Virginia Woolf I have read to date. If all literary criticism were written this well and contained this level of insight, I would read as much of it as possible. This is a beautifully-written study of the work of Mrs. Woolf. The structure is perfect, proceeding through Mrs. Woolf's work in chronological order. As a result, we are given an insightful and elucidating account of a major writer from her earliest work through the last of her novels written before the publication of this memoir. One comes away from this presentation of Mrs. Woolf's development with a greater appreciation of what she accomplished and how her work evolved and developed over time. This is a perfectly executed book and serves both novice and seasoned readers of the work of Mrs. Woolf with valuable insights and commentary. Highly recommended.
July 24, 2011
This was utterly excellent. A book published in 1932 about Woolf cannot help but be beautifully fresh in its response to and analysis of Woolf. It is also illuminating about Holtby's own aesthetics and ethics of literature.
December 5, 2015
Was impressed with this work. Realised that as well as being a skilled novelist and social commentator Winifred Holtby was so well versed in literature. .
The criticism of Virginia Woolf was not malicious or sarcastic in this work. But Winifred Holtby cited the limits of her character background, stressing that contemporary life
"...Hardly enters into her work. All her characters write, paint, lecture ,edit the classics or study in the British Museum. " Winifred Holtby was unashamedly provincial, setting her major novels in Yorkshire, and thought Virginia Woolf's was at her worst when she tried to portray life in Scarborough ( in 'Jacob's Room.) And was slightly dismayed by such Virginia Woolf's quite confining generalisations
-" Every second Englishman reads French", and " Ladies desire Mozart"
But Winifred Holtby also notes the impressive side to Virginia Woolf,'-her candour'. due to the "lack of a Victorian upbringing,"
"Perversion and violence , madness and abnormality, vice and cruelty do not frighten her,"
Virginia Woolf's fascination with the classics, particularly Greek philosophy, is cited as an inspiration, though Winifred Holtby certainly notices a lack of deference towards academia and a certain detachment from active politics.
There's admiration for Virginia Woolf too-
"She is inexorable in her demand for sincerity. Devotion to the idea must be absolute."
It's particularly intriguing to read how Virginia Woolf was viewed whilst still alive. When little was known of her psychological suffering and or that she would take her own life. Winifred Holtby found a 'life-affirming ' element to Virginia Woolf , citing the last paragraphs of 'The Waves'. Also some optimism "
The book then examines the body of Virginia Woolf's work up to 1932 in great detail. There's the charming understatement
" Mrs. Woolf does not really like plots." ..."The Waves is not the traditional English novel."
Winifred Holtby demonstrated familiarity with the famous works 'Jacob's Room ( which Winifred Holtby insisted was a 'war book') ', 'To The Lighthouse', 'Mrs. Dalloway' and the less famous 'The Mark on the Wall',
It's intriguing to read Winifred Holtby, a 1930's feminist review tackling the gender and time change in the fantasy 'Orlando' and 'In a Room of One's Own'. Yet when writing about 'The Waves' her criticism at first seems blunt.
"The pictures of the sea are in themselves beautiful. But I cannot feel sure that they were necessary."
But eventually acknowledges
" The beauty, the profundity, the technical accomplishment of the book are great. Mrs. Woolf has achieved in it the music and subtlety of poetry."
Which suggests that Winifred Holtby was eventually won over in spite of any misgivings.
The criticism of Virginia Woolf was not malicious or sarcastic in this work. But Winifred Holtby cited the limits of her character background, stressing that contemporary life
"...Hardly enters into her work. All her characters write, paint, lecture ,edit the classics or study in the British Museum. " Winifred Holtby was unashamedly provincial, setting her major novels in Yorkshire, and thought Virginia Woolf's was at her worst when she tried to portray life in Scarborough ( in 'Jacob's Room.) And was slightly dismayed by such Virginia Woolf's quite confining generalisations
-" Every second Englishman reads French", and " Ladies desire Mozart"
But Winifred Holtby also notes the impressive side to Virginia Woolf,'-her candour'. due to the "lack of a Victorian upbringing,"
"Perversion and violence , madness and abnormality, vice and cruelty do not frighten her,"
Virginia Woolf's fascination with the classics, particularly Greek philosophy, is cited as an inspiration, though Winifred Holtby certainly notices a lack of deference towards academia and a certain detachment from active politics.
There's admiration for Virginia Woolf too-
"She is inexorable in her demand for sincerity. Devotion to the idea must be absolute."
It's particularly intriguing to read how Virginia Woolf was viewed whilst still alive. When little was known of her psychological suffering and or that she would take her own life. Winifred Holtby found a 'life-affirming ' element to Virginia Woolf , citing the last paragraphs of 'The Waves'. Also some optimism "
The book then examines the body of Virginia Woolf's work up to 1932 in great detail. There's the charming understatement
" Mrs. Woolf does not really like plots." ..."The Waves is not the traditional English novel."
Winifred Holtby demonstrated familiarity with the famous works 'Jacob's Room ( which Winifred Holtby insisted was a 'war book') ', 'To The Lighthouse', 'Mrs. Dalloway' and the less famous 'The Mark on the Wall',
It's intriguing to read Winifred Holtby, a 1930's feminist review tackling the gender and time change in the fantasy 'Orlando' and 'In a Room of One's Own'. Yet when writing about 'The Waves' her criticism at first seems blunt.
"The pictures of the sea are in themselves beautiful. But I cannot feel sure that they were necessary."
But eventually acknowledges
" The beauty, the profundity, the technical accomplishment of the book are great. Mrs. Woolf has achieved in it the music and subtlety of poetry."
Which suggests that Winifred Holtby was eventually won over in spite of any misgivings.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews