Virginia Woolf

On Thursday I finished reading A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf and had a strange desire to hug the book. I also felt a profound sadness knowing that the author killed herself. I keep on wondering what other books would she write if she lived; what female writers and poets would she have a chance to read and enjoy; what would she think about the rate of change in the lives of women.

On Saturday we visited the Monk's House, her country retreat, and walked in the surrounding countryside, which only raised more questions and increased my desire to find out more about Virginia Woolf and her sister Vanessa Bell. Here are some quotes from the book and photos from our visit.

... a woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction...

Virginia Woolf's garden writing room at Monk's house

So long as you write what you wish to write, that is all that matters; and whether it matters for ages or only for hours, nobody can say.

River Ouse, in which Virginia Woolf drowned herself

When I rummage in my own mind I find no noble sentiments about being companions and equals and influencing the world to higher ends. I find myself saying briefly and prosaically that it is much more important to be oneself than anything else. Do not dream of influencing other people, I would say, if I knew how to make it sound exalted. Think of things in themselves.

Tulips in the beautiful garden of Monk's house