Virginia Woolf's Unwritten Histories: Conversations with the Nineteenth Century

Virginia Woolf's Unwritten Histories explores the interconnectedness of her modernism, feminism, and understanding of history as a site of knowledge and a writing practice. It argues that unless we comprehend the genealogy of Woolf's historical thought, we cannot fully grasp the innovative thrust of her attempt to think back through our mothers. This book brings together canonical texts and under-researched ones to argue that Woolf's textual conversations with nineteenth-century writers, historians, and critics are interwoven with her historiographical poiesis and constitute the groundwork for her alternative histories and literary histories.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Virginia Woolf's groundbreaking work, "Unwritten Histories," delves into the intricate connections between her modernism, feminism, and her profound understanding of history as a source of knowledge and a creative practice. Through this exploration, Woolf was able to negotiate her heritage, establish herself as a prominent female artist and intellectual, and develop her innovative poetics of the new. Rather than a radical rupture, her approach involved a process of unwriting and rewriting traditional historiographical orthodoxies, resulting in a nuanced and multifaceted perspective.

At the heart of "Unwritten Histories" lies its central argument: unless we delve into the genealogy of Woolf's historical thought and the complexity of its lineage, we cannot fully appreciate the innovative nature of her endeavor to think back through our mothers. This book brings together a diverse range of canonical texts, including "Orlando" (1928), "A Room of One's Own" (1929), "Three Guineas" (1938), and "Between the Acts" (1941), alongside under-researched materials such as Woolf's essays on historians, reviews of history books, and her contributions to literary history and nineteenth-century women's literature. By examining these textual conversations, "Unwritten Histories" argues that Woolf's historiographical poiesis is intricately intertwined with her interactions with nineteenth-century writers, historians, and critics, many of which remain unexplored. These conversations form the foundation for her alternative histories and literary histories, which are characterized by their unwritten, open-textured, non-academic, and politically charged nature. These counter-narratives serve as a means to keep track of the past and engage meaningfully with the future, offering alternative perspectives that challenge established narratives and provoke thought.

In conclusion, "Unwritten Histories" is a seminal work that sheds light on the profound interplay between Virginia Woolf's artistic and intellectual pursuits, her feminist ideals, and her historical consciousness. By exploring the interrelatedness of these elements, Woolf offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective on the past, challenging traditional historiographical conventions and paving the way for alternative narratives that engage with the present and shape the future.

Weight: 396g
Dimension: 228 x 153 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032113715