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thecaledonianrose's review against another edition
3.0
Three stars for the information and the effort of writing put into the book, but I can honestly say I found A Secret Sisterhood difficult to read.
Divided into five sections - the first four addressing the literary friendships of Jane Austen, Charlotte Brontë, George Eliot, and Virginia Woolf, the fifth is an epilogue/justification for female literary friendships - the text reads more like a book report than an in-depth examination of the friendships and how those friendships defied societal opinions. The only section I felt reflected solid ground (and even then, I was dubious) was on Virginia Woolf and her long-term 'friendship' with Katherine Mansfield. There's more refutation of the public's view of literary friendships in my opinion than there is actual evidence of real friendship between these women.
In reading, it struck me more that the authors established the friendships more as motivation for the writers featured than actual relationships. Of the four discussed, none were what I'd call healthy friendships, especially when speaking of George Eliot and Virginia Woolf. On the contrary, the authors gave me the impression that all four writers were seeking admiration and praise from their literary companions. In at least one case, justification that the author was the superior writer, and to me, that undermines the book authors' intention in writing this book.
While I don't regret the time spent in reading, I don't recommend the book, especially if you hold Austen, Brontë, Eliot, or Woolf in high regard.
Divided into five sections - the first four addressing the literary friendships of Jane Austen, Charlotte Brontë, George Eliot, and Virginia Woolf, the fifth is an epilogue/justification for female literary friendships - the text reads more like a book report than an in-depth examination of the friendships and how those friendships defied societal opinions. The only section I felt reflected solid ground (and even then, I was dubious) was on Virginia Woolf and her long-term 'friendship' with Katherine Mansfield. There's more refutation of the public's view of literary friendships in my opinion than there is actual evidence of real friendship between these women.
In reading, it struck me more that the authors established the friendships more as motivation for the writers featured than actual relationships. Of the four discussed, none were what I'd call healthy friendships, especially when speaking of George Eliot and Virginia Woolf. On the contrary, the authors gave me the impression that all four writers were seeking admiration and praise from their literary companions. In at least one case, justification that the author was the superior writer, and to me, that undermines the book authors' intention in writing this book.
While I don't regret the time spent in reading, I don't recommend the book, especially if you hold Austen, Brontë, Eliot, or Woolf in high regard.
julshakespeare's review against another edition
4.0
4.3/5 stars, full review to come!
Organization : 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Enjoyment of subject/ideas: 5/5
Organization : 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Enjoyment of subject/ideas: 5/5
quietjenn's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
2.5
I'm sort of ambivalent about this one. On one hand, I learned lots about some of these ladies and am encouraged to delve into their work a little more. On the other, I felt there was far too much conjecture and surmising and iffy scholarship, as if the writers made the facts fit the argument they set out to make, rather than concluding something accurate based on the evidence.
meghan47's review against another edition
4.0
Though the writing style seemed a bit off to me (lots of place portraits/descriptions of what the authors would have seen as they read a letter, rather than deeper engagement with the material), it was an enjoyable read, and the chapters on Eliot and Woolf were particularly strong.
kategbpelletier's review against another edition
4.0
I greatly enjoyed this book. It really fits into most of my wheelhouse: female authors, history, and the story behind the story we think we know. The beginning of the book is based on less primary source material, which is largely due to Jane Austen's family destroying much of it. As time moves more toward the modern day, the richness of the relationships between these female authors is more and more apparent. I would absolutely recommend this book to any budding author, or anyone interested in the lives of any of these remarkable women.
kgormley's review against another edition
2.0
I'm not sure this was exactly what I expected. The 2 star rating isn't to say it was a bad book. I found the first section about Jane Austen very interesting and the second section about Charlotte Bronte fairly interesting. I will admit that although I listened to the entire book, I didn't concentrate and follow the third and fourth sections (about Eliot and Woolf) as closely.
I am a little more than embarrassed to admit that until reading this book, I didn't realize George Eliot was a woman (I know .... I'm a librarian, I should know these things). I have never read anything by either Eliot or Woolf. I don't necessarily think Woolf's works would appeal to me, but I am going to try an Eliot title. I'm also thinking I should go back and reread some Bronte (all three of them really ....). I know I read Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights at some point, but I couldn't tell you what either story was about now.
I am a little more than embarrassed to admit that until reading this book, I didn't realize George Eliot was a woman (I know .... I'm a librarian, I should know these things). I have never read anything by either Eliot or Woolf. I don't necessarily think Woolf's works would appeal to me, but I am going to try an Eliot title. I'm also thinking I should go back and reread some Bronte (all three of them really ....). I know I read Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights at some point, but I couldn't tell you what either story was about now.