Freshwater: A Comedy [Paperback]

Virginia Woolf (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 20, 1985 | ISBN-10: 0156335409 | ISBN-13: 978-0156335409

Virginia Woolf's only play-a hilarious farce taken from the life of her great-aunt, Julia Margaret Cameron, the famous Victorian photographer. It was first performed at Vanessa Bell's London studio in 1935 as one of Bloomsbury's theatrical evenings and later, in New York, in a star-studded French production. Edited and with a Preface by Lucio P. Ruotolo; drawings by Edward Gorey.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A Stephen family skit discovered among Leonard Woolf's papers at his death. Begun and abandoned in 1923, the little jeu d'esprit was resurrected some twelve years later and performed in Vanessa Bell's studio with a cast of family members. The setting is Freshwater Bay on the Isle of Wight, where during the 1860s and '70s the photographer Julia Cameron (Virginia and Vanessa's great-aunt) reigned at her home "Dimbola" among such distinguished friends as Tennyson and the painter G. F. Watts. Tennyson recites endlessly from Maud while Watts and Mrs. Cameron work busily on their respective pictures of Mrs. Watts (16-year-old Ellen Terry) as Modesty at the Feet of Mammon and the Muse inspiring Tennyson. Ellen is swept off by a handsome young naval officer; the Camerons escape Indiawards from the ensuing chaos (accompanied by British-built coffins) with a parting admonition to the age to "be careful to fix your/ Lens out of focus"; the Queen appears with consolatory peerages and O.M.'s for Watts and Tennyson. In another age this airy morsel would have been printed in a collection of minor works rather than launched under its own steam at seven dollars, amid solemn assertions that it "reveals Virginia Woolf's great talent for comedy." It is handsomely presented here in the complete texts of what are thought to be the 1923 and 1935 versions. Ruotolo provides unobtrusive textual and biographical glosses, and Loretta Trezzo's puckish headpieces reinforce a charming but very, very slight literary footnote. (Kirkus Reviews )

About the Author

VIRGINIA WOOLF (1882-1941) was one of the major literary figures of the twentieth century. An admired literary critic, she authored many essays, letters, journals, and short stories in addition to her groundbreaking novels.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Mariner Books (June 20, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0156335409
• ISBN-13: 978-0156335409
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,322,999 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

VIRGINIA WOOLF (1882-1941) was one of the major literary figures of the twentieth century. An admired literary critic, she authored many essays, letters, journals, and short stories in addition to her groundbreaking novels.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars May the farce be with you, October 24, 2001

By 

"blissengine" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Freshwater: A Comedy (Paperback)

Woolf's only play is a farce about her great-aunt, Julia Cameron, a famous Victorian photographer. The edition with drawings by Edward Gorey is marvelous and succinct. I am not sure I got all the references nor the inside humor (and it all seems like one big private joke [this play was intended for private enjoyment after all]), so I am not as moved as I usually am by Woolf's work, and yet it has a sort of magic and wit. Overall it's a welcome addition to one's collection of Woolf or Gorey, even if it is nearly inaccessible to the layman.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun! Fun! Fun!, March 8, 2007

By 

Mary E. Marchant "mumsey" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Freshwater: A Comedy (Paperback)

For anyone who enjoys Virginia Woolf, this play is a great find. Anyone who is involved in Women Studies, Photography, or Humanities needs to add this book to their bookshelf. Freshwater: A Comedy connects Virginia Woolf with her aunt, photographer Julia Margaret Cameron. My suggestion is pick up any book on Julia Margaret Cameron to get the full effect of the eccentricies and fobiles of the wealthy and famous of the 1900's.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good condition, January 30, 2009

By 

B. S. Engledow (Freshwater IOW) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Freshwater: A Comedy (Paperback)

As I live in Freshwater I thought it would be facinating to see what the antics of the locals was like. Very funny, and book is in perfectly good condition...