The Widow and the Parrot by Virginia Woolf (reviewed by VivienneR)
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1VivienneR
I'd appreciate any comments on this one.
The widow and the parrot by Virginia Woolf
The Widow and the Parrot was written by Virginia Woolf for her young nephews, Quentin and Julian Bell, who produced a daily family newspaper - and who were not impressed and considered rejecting their famous aunt's submission. The boys expected a witty, lighthearted story typical of Woolf's conversation, but instead got a Victorian "improving story" with a moral. Thankfully the story was discovered 60 years later and published with an afterword by nephew Quentin, who relates the history. He said as a child he tried to read his aunt's famous book Kew Gardens but failed to finish it. He found The Widow and the Parrot to be even worse! Fortunately he became more appreciative as an adult. The author's grand-nephew Julian Bell, an artist, has beautifully illustrated the book.
The widow and the parrot by Virginia Woolf
The Widow and the Parrot was written by Virginia Woolf for her young nephews, Quentin and Julian Bell, who produced a daily family newspaper - and who were not impressed and considered rejecting their famous aunt's submission. The boys expected a witty, lighthearted story typical of Woolf's conversation, but instead got a Victorian "improving story" with a moral. Thankfully the story was discovered 60 years later and published with an afterword by nephew Quentin, who relates the history. He said as a child he tried to read his aunt's famous book Kew Gardens but failed to finish it. He found The Widow and the Parrot to be even worse! Fortunately he became more appreciative as an adult. The author's grand-nephew Julian Bell, an artist, has beautifully illustrated the book.
2readafew
Ok, I had to read it a couple times. I think you mean that the nephews were young kids who 'made' a newspaper for the family right? I think you need to add a little more info at the front end to make things clearer.
3Samantha_kathy
Este mensaje fue borrado por su autor.
4lorax
It's an interesting bit of background, to be sure, but it's not a review. (It could be the first paragraph of a review, but it's not one on its own.)
5readafew
3, 4 true I was trying understand what she was getting at I forgot it said nothing about the story!
6VivienneR
Yes, I should have included a date. As for the plot, just about anything would be a spoiler. As mentioned it is a Victorian "improving story" with a moral. I don't think stories with morals were entertaining or even meant to be. It is along the lines of "very old, very poor person who is nice to animals becomes rich". (Oh phooey! I've given it away!) Virginia Woolf obviously wasn't writing for any other than her young nephews.
How about this version:
The Widow and the Parrot was written in the early 1920s by Virginia Woolf for her young nephews, Quentin and Julian Bell, who were about 12 or 13 years old at the time and produced a daily family newspaper. The boys were not impressed and considered rejecting their famous aunt's submission. They expected a witty, lighthearted story typical of Woolf's conversation, but instead got a typical Victorian "improving story" with a moral. Thankfully the story was discovered 60 years later. It was published with an afterword relating the history of the story by nephew Quentin Bell, now also a famous writer. He said as a child he tried to read his aunt's famous book Kew Gardens but failed to finish it. When he first read The Widow and the Parrot he found it to be even worse! Fortunately he became more appreciative as an adult. The author's grand-nephew Julian Bell, an artist, has beautifully illustrated the book with scenes from Rodmell where he currently lives and where Woolf lived.
How about this version:
The Widow and the Parrot was written in the early 1920s by Virginia Woolf for her young nephews, Quentin and Julian Bell, who were about 12 or 13 years old at the time and produced a daily family newspaper. The boys were not impressed and considered rejecting their famous aunt's submission. They expected a witty, lighthearted story typical of Woolf's conversation, but instead got a typical Victorian "improving story" with a moral. Thankfully the story was discovered 60 years later. It was published with an afterword relating the history of the story by nephew Quentin Bell, now also a famous writer. He said as a child he tried to read his aunt's famous book Kew Gardens but failed to finish it. When he first read The Widow and the Parrot he found it to be even worse! Fortunately he became more appreciative as an adult. The author's grand-nephew Julian Bell, an artist, has beautifully illustrated the book with scenes from Rodmell where he currently lives and where Woolf lived.
7readafew
much better. how about replacing the first 'typical' with 'characteristic'?
and the last sentence
has beautifully illustrated the book with scenes from Rodmell where he currently lives and where Woolf lived.
maybe
has beautifully illustrated the book with scenes from Woolf's home Rodmell, where he currently resides.
and the last sentence
has beautifully illustrated the book with scenes from Rodmell where he currently lives and where Woolf lived.
maybe
has beautifully illustrated the book with scenes from Woolf's home Rodmell, where he currently resides.
8lorax
6>
You don't need to say anything about the plot to have it be a review! Even the sentence you had in your explanation, "Virginia Woolf obviously wasn't writing for any other than her young nephews.", would help here; if I were you, I'd add that to the review. What did you think of it -- did you see it as a "typical Victorian 'improving story' with a moral" as her nephews did, or did you see more to it? Is it worth reading, either as a children's story or for Woolf completists?
You don't need to say anything about the plot to have it be a review! Even the sentence you had in your explanation, "Virginia Woolf obviously wasn't writing for any other than her young nephews.", would help here; if I were you, I'd add that to the review. What did you think of it -- did you see it as a "typical Victorian 'improving story' with a moral" as her nephews did, or did you see more to it? Is it worth reading, either as a children's story or for Woolf completists?
9VivienneR
Thank you. I appreciate your help very much.
Latest version:
The Widow and the Parrot was written in the early 1920s by Virginia Woolf for her young nephews, Quentin and Julian Bell, who were about 12 or 13 years old at the time and produced a daily family newspaper. The boys were not impressed and considered rejecting their famous aunt's submission. They expected a witty, lighthearted story characteristic of Woolf's conversation, but instead got a typical Victorian "improving story" with a moral. Thankfully the story was discovered 60 years later. It was published with an afterword relating the history of the story by nephew Quentin Bell, now also a famous writer. He said as a child he tried to read his aunt's famous book Kew Gardens but failed to finish it. When he first read The Widow and the Parrot he found it to be even worse! Fortunately he became more appreciative as an adult and saved the story, even though it is not very original. What I liked most about this book are the beautiful illustrations by Woolf's grand-nephew Julian Bell. The scenes are from the village of Rodmell in Sussex, prominent in the story, where the artist currently lives and where Woolf once lived.
edited to reflect suggestions
Latest version:
The Widow and the Parrot was written in the early 1920s by Virginia Woolf for her young nephews, Quentin and Julian Bell, who were about 12 or 13 years old at the time and produced a daily family newspaper. The boys were not impressed and considered rejecting their famous aunt's submission. They expected a witty, lighthearted story characteristic of Woolf's conversation, but instead got a typical Victorian "improving story" with a moral. Thankfully the story was discovered 60 years later. It was published with an afterword relating the history of the story by nephew Quentin Bell, now also a famous writer. He said as a child he tried to read his aunt's famous book Kew Gardens but failed to finish it. When he first read The Widow and the Parrot he found it to be even worse! Fortunately he became more appreciative as an adult and saved the story, even though it is not very original. What I liked most about this book are the beautiful illustrations by Woolf's grand-nephew Julian Bell. The scenes are from the village of Rodmell in Sussex, prominent in the story, where the artist currently lives and where Woolf once lived.
edited to reflect suggestions
10VivienneR
This is my last version :) Ignore the one above.
The Widow and the Parrot was written in the early 1920s by Virginia Woolf for her young nephews, Quentin and Julian Bell, who were about 12 or 13 years old at the time and produced a daily family newspaper. The boys were not impressed and considered rejecting their famous aunt's submission. They expected a witty, lighthearted story characteristic of Woolf's conversation, but instead got a typical Victorian "improving story" with a moral. Thankfully the story was discovered 60 years later. It was published with an afterword relating the history of the story by nephew Quentin Bell, now also a famous writer. He said as a child he tried to read his aunt's famous book Kew Gardens but failed to finish it. When he first read The Widow and the Parrot he found it to be even worse! Fortunately he became more appreciative as an adult and saved the story, even though it is not very imaginative. What I liked most about this book are the beautiful illustrations by Woolf's grand-nephew Julian Bell. The scenes are from the village of Rodmell in Sussex, prominent in the story, where the artist currently lives and where Woolf once lived.
Thank you all very much for your help.
The Widow and the Parrot was written in the early 1920s by Virginia Woolf for her young nephews, Quentin and Julian Bell, who were about 12 or 13 years old at the time and produced a daily family newspaper. The boys were not impressed and considered rejecting their famous aunt's submission. They expected a witty, lighthearted story characteristic of Woolf's conversation, but instead got a typical Victorian "improving story" with a moral. Thankfully the story was discovered 60 years later. It was published with an afterword relating the history of the story by nephew Quentin Bell, now also a famous writer. He said as a child he tried to read his aunt's famous book Kew Gardens but failed to finish it. When he first read The Widow and the Parrot he found it to be even worse! Fortunately he became more appreciative as an adult and saved the story, even though it is not very imaginative. What I liked most about this book are the beautiful illustrations by Woolf's grand-nephew Julian Bell. The scenes are from the village of Rodmell in Sussex, prominent in the story, where the artist currently lives and where Woolf once lived.
Thank you all very much for your help.
11jseger9000
Not sure if you still want feedback on this one, but I'd still like more of your opinion of the story.
Even if you don't want to summarize the plot, you might want to say what you thought of it as a reading experience. How did it stack up to her other work?
Even if you don't want to summarize the plot, you might want to say what you thought of it as a reading experience. How did it stack up to her other work?
12VivienneR
>11 jseger9000: Yes, you're right. But to my mind it doesn't belong with Woolf's writing at all. It could be one of Grimm's stories reworked by just about anybody, there must be millions of the type (probably not nowadays though). I mean, if her nephews - who knew she was a famous writer - were disappointed in the quality back in 1920s, what would youngsters think of it today? The main interest is the story of its origin. And, now that you have me thinking more about it, I will add something along those lines. Thanks to everyone.
The Widow and the Parrot was written in the early 1920s by Virginia Woolf for her young nephews, Quentin and Julian Bell, who were about 12 or 13 years old at the time and produced a daily family newspaper. The boys were not impressed and considered rejecting their famous aunt's submission. They expected a witty, lighthearted story characteristic of Woolf's conversation, but instead got a typical Victorian "improving story" with a moral.
Thankfully the story was discovered 60 years later. It's a simple story and could be attributed to any parent or aunt trying to entertain children with a tale set in their village. What makes it more interesting is the history of how it came about. It was published with an entertaining afterword relating the history of the story by nephew Quentin Bell, now also a famous writer. He said as a child he tried to read his aunt's famous book Kew Gardens but failed to finish it. When he first read The Widow and the Parrot he found it to be even worse! Fortunately he was able to recognize that her many fans would love to read the story, even though it is not very imaginative. In fact, the topic of how virtue conquers all was plainly tired even back then.
What I liked most about this book are the beautiful illustrations by Woolf's grand-nephew Julian Bell, who was born several years after her death. Many of the scenes are from the area surrounding the village of Rodmell in Sussex, the setting of the story, where the artist currently lives and where Woolf once lived. I believe Virginia Woolf would be very happy with the "final chapter".
The Widow and the Parrot was written in the early 1920s by Virginia Woolf for her young nephews, Quentin and Julian Bell, who were about 12 or 13 years old at the time and produced a daily family newspaper. The boys were not impressed and considered rejecting their famous aunt's submission. They expected a witty, lighthearted story characteristic of Woolf's conversation, but instead got a typical Victorian "improving story" with a moral.
Thankfully the story was discovered 60 years later. It's a simple story and could be attributed to any parent or aunt trying to entertain children with a tale set in their village. What makes it more interesting is the history of how it came about. It was published with an entertaining afterword relating the history of the story by nephew Quentin Bell, now also a famous writer. He said as a child he tried to read his aunt's famous book Kew Gardens but failed to finish it. When he first read The Widow and the Parrot he found it to be even worse! Fortunately he was able to recognize that her many fans would love to read the story, even though it is not very imaginative. In fact, the topic of how virtue conquers all was plainly tired even back then.
What I liked most about this book are the beautiful illustrations by Woolf's grand-nephew Julian Bell, who was born several years after her death. Many of the scenes are from the area surrounding the village of Rodmell in Sussex, the setting of the story, where the artist currently lives and where Woolf once lived. I believe Virginia Woolf would be very happy with the "final chapter".
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