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kittykornerlibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
I don't often read non-fiction, and this is a terrific book. It's interesting, well-researched, and accessible. Can't wait to read the fiction by these two authors.
pearlagcalo's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating! The pairs, their relationships- it’s all so intriguing. I appreciate how the book imparts a positive image on the women’s friendships. Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, Virginia Woolf, Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison are all mentioned in here. All the greats and their connections to each other. It was so interesting.
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.