Virginia Woolf in 90 Minutes

By: Paul Strathern

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 2 hrs

Publisher's Summary

A highly sensitive and intelligent child, Virginia Woolf grew up in a large family prone to psychological instability. Throughout her life, she was subject to periods of mental breakdown, yet when she was lucid she was capable of a uniquely perceptive and frank introspection. Under the influence of the Bloomsbury Group and their progressive social attitudes, she became experimental in her life and art, breaking with convention to produce some of the finest and most unique literary works of the 20th century.

Virginia Woolf in 90 Minutes offers a concise, expert account of Woolf's life and ideas and explains their influence on literature and on man's struggle to understand his place in the world. The book also includes a list of Woolf's chief works, a chronology of her life and times, and recommended reading for those who wish to delve deeper.

©2005 Paul Strathern (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"[Strathern] offers insights on great authors so you can understand and enjoy them. Brainy!" ( Birmingham News)

"The books are not mere outlines for dummies. They're lucid narratives." ( The Tennessean)

Psychobabble

Would you try another book from Paul Strathern and/or Robert Whitfield?

Filled with psychoanalytic speculation presented as "facts." Dreadful, content wise, although the narration was pure BBC.

What do you think your next listen will be?

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What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

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Good biographies

Paul Strathern’s biographies on audible are gems! This one is no exception. I think i have read 15-20 of them and they are all great. I recommend them to anyone who enjoys this kind of work, Strathern does a good job of taking the reader into the subject’s life and time period while also weaving in his own comments.

Informative and interesting

Quick summary of Woolf's life & work. Helpful content to my study of her writing. Reader was very clear and did not try to outshine text. Well done. Thank you.

Short but insightful essay on V Woolf

over the last few years I've read a few of Woolf's books and just listened to Lighthouse for the second time. The first read of Lighthouse was interesting, but it was a totally different experience the second time and left me in awe of this talent. it also led to a curiosity about what led to this creation. This essay doesn't answer all the questions but it gives and overview of both the inner struggles and the outer life of Woolf. well worth the time. I've listened to several other of the short books by this author and they are very helpful for understanding the subjects in context of their world and the effects of both historical and personal events on their writing.

Learning more

Simply reviews the life and work of Virginia Wolf much knowledge and insight given. Narrator was perfect for this factual yet understanding biography of Virginia Wolf.

Fascinating, but recording was choppy

it sounded like there was trouble with the sound equipment and often sentence by sentence, even phrase by phrase, the tone, breath, and pitch change as if they had to go back and play with it. it was distracting within an otherwise enjoyable pocket of information.

Sensitive introduction to one of the great authors of all time

Pay no attention to nay-sayers. Strathern has crafted a succinct historical, biographical and critical introduction to Woolf’s life, times and works. This essay grounds readers new or revisiting Woolf’s incomparable, magical and timeless work.

Great!

A very clear and interesting 90 minutes,
describing an author and her writing,
that I never found clear or interesting.