Literary Couples and 20th-Century Life Writing: Narrative and Intimacy

This book explores how modernist and late-modernist writers portray their intimate relationships through life writing, examining the ethical implications of reading these relationships in the modern era. It focuses on literary pairings such as Virginia and Leonard Woolf, Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, Sylvia Townsend Warner and Valentine Ackland, Christopher Isherwood and Don Bachardy, and Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes, drawing on narrative theory and the study of intimacy to shed light on the ethics of reading these relationships.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 22 April 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This captivating book delves into the intricate ways in which modernist and late-modernist writers convey the narratives of their intimate relationships through life writing. By examining the process by which these authors willingly subject themselves to significant others, it becomes evident how this transformation subsequently becomes a central narrative within their works. With a specific focus on couples, Janine Utell explores the literary partnerships of Virginia and Leonard Woolf, Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, Sylvia Townsend Warner and Valentine Ackland, Christopher Isherwood and Don Bachardy, and Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes. Drawing upon the latest advancements in narrative theory and the study of intimacy and affects, Utell sheds light on the ethical considerations of reading relationships in the modern era. Spanning various genres and media, including memoir, documentary film, and comics, this book compellingly argues that stories are vital in shaping our understanding of love, desire, and sexuality. Through its insightful analysis, it offers a fresh perspective on the complexities of human relationships and their enduring impact on our lives.

Weight: 346g
Dimension: 155 x 233 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350234413