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A review by thecaledonianrose
A Secret Sisterhood: The Literary Friendships of Jane Austen, Charlotte Brontë, George Eliot, and Virginia Woolf by Emily Midorikawa
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.