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Book Review of Vanessa and Her Sister

Vanessa and Her Sister
reviewed on + 12 more book reviews


An amazing book. I don't know a whole lot about the Bloomsbury Group, but I was engrossed and touched by this vivid story of an intelligent, talented Edwardian woman dealing with an emotionally needy, bipolar sister and the demands of an exceptionally sociable brother; contemporaneously integrating important losses, while sorting out housekeeping and travel details - and fending off an importunate suitor. The rapturous early days of her marriage and joy over the birth of her first child lead to a growing sense of disillusion, portrayed clearly in a series of gradually sadder diary entries.

Individual characters are seen from the diarist's point of view, while some letters, telegrams and postcards give depth and texture to the story. I finished it in 2 days, and have continued to think about the beautifully portrayed central betrayal and the woman's ultimate response to it.