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Boccaccio: A Life Unveiled Through Literary Self-Portraits

2025-07-08

This biography reconstructs the life of Giovanni Boccaccio by meticulously examining the autobiographical elements woven throughout his literary works. The author delves into the interplay between Boccaccio's writings and his personal experiences, revealing a complex personality marked by sensitivity, irritability, and a yearning for recognition coupled with profound insecurity. While the biography sometimes relies too heavily on Boccaccio's self-portraits, potentially compromising its rigor, it nonetheless offers valuable insights into the life and times of this influential Renaissance author.

(literaryreview.co.uk)

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Uncollected Woolf Letters Reveal a Multifaceted Writer

2025-06-30

A new book, *The Uncollected Letters of Virginia Woolf*, unveils over 1,400 previously unknown letters, offering a fresh perspective on the celebrated author. These letters reveal Woolf's relationships with other writers like Eliot and Forster, showcasing her as a sociable woman, shrewd businesswoman, and committed humanitarian, challenging the established image of a reclusive depressive. The correspondence covers a wide range of topics, from literary creation and social interactions to personal emotions, providing invaluable primary source material for scholars.

(literaryreview.co.uk)

Misc Virginia Woolf Unpublished Letters Literary Studies

Gertrude Stein: A Postmortem Literary Revelation

2025-05-05

Francesca Wade's new biography delves into the posthumous life of Gertrude Stein, unveiling the complexities of this modernist pioneer's life and literary achievements. The book explores Stein's relationship with Alice B. Toklas, her interactions with other modernist artists, and—most significantly—reveals a hidden side of Stein through a secret notebook. This notebook exposes her inner world, creative motivations, and Toklas's crucial role. Wade's sensitive and compelling narrative humanizes Stein, exploring the emotions and creative processes behind her groundbreaking work.

(literaryreview.co.uk)

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Sebald's Austrian Literary Criticism: Marginality, Psychology, and the Loss of Heimat

2025-02-08

Jo Catling's new translation of W. G. Sebald's two essay collections on Austrian literature reveals the late author's unique perspective. Sebald's criticism transcends academic boundaries, offering insightful explorations of the psychological states of marginalized figures in Austrian literature, such as the schizophrenic Ernst Herbeck. He analyzes the socio-psychological crises reflected in the works of writers ranging from Grillparzer to Handke, and explores the complex interplay of 'Heimat' (homeland) with exile and identity, particularly amongst Jewish authors grappling with the conflict between belonging and displacement. This collection provides a profound reflection on Austrian literature and broader socio-cultural phenomena, appealing to readers interested in literary criticism and cultural studies.

(literaryreview.co.uk)

Misc Sebald Austrian Literature Literary Criticism