The Diary of Virginia Woolf: Volume 1, 1915-1919

This has been a “special” read for me. I absolutely savored becoming intimate with Virginia Woolf and the opportunity to gain entry into her emotional life. She became more and more open about her sadness and insecurities as the years progressed which makes me almost have to begin reading the next diary. However, it was a long and difficult read for me; not exactly sure why. I definitely am captivated and awestruck by her.

The first volume of Virginia Woolf's incisive, revealing and hugely readable diary with a fine introduction by her nephew Quentin Bell and well-judged editing by his wife Anne Olivier Bell.

A joy to read but one is always aware of the lurking shadows that haunted Virginia. The period covered in this volume includes the launch of The Hogarth Press and the publication of her first and second novels.

The early diaries of Virginia Woolf cover the years of WW I and the beginning of the Hogarth Press and make an interesting read, showing that VW, while not always fair vis-a-vis her friends and acquaintances, had a keen eye for detail and character. I'll move on to Vol. II as soon as possible!

Editor's Preface. Introduction. Notes. Appendix 1 & 2.Family Tree. Index.

1915 - 1919