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Random Commentary
Random Commentary is a short volume which consists of extracts from the diaries and notebooks of our bestselling writer, Dorothy Whipple. It was compiled by her in 1965, in Blackburn, to which she had returned a few years before, after her husband’s death, and was published in early 1966, a few months before she died. So in some respects this is a tribute to a novelist’s life but because she chose the extracts (from 1925-45) herself it is, naturally � this is after all Dorothy Whipple � modest and self-deprecating but always extremely honest.
159 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1966
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174 people want to read
About the author
Dorothy Whipple
30books310followersBorn in 1893, DOROTHY WHIPPLE (nee Stirrup) had an intensely happy childhood in Blackburn as part of the large family of a local architect. Her close friend George Owen having been killed in the first week of the war, for three years she worked as secretary to Henry Whipple, an educational administrator who was a widower twenty-four years her senior and whom she married in 1917. Their life was mostly spent in Nottingham; here she wrote Young Anne (1927), the first of nine extremely successful novels which included Greenbanks (1932) and The Priory (1939). Almost all her books were Book Society Choices or Recommendations and two of them, They Knew Mr Knight (1934) and They were Sisters (1943), were made into films. She also wrote short stories and two volumes of memoirs. Someone at a Distance (1953) was her last novel. Returning in her last years to Blackburn, Dorothy Whipple died there in 1966.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 4, 2022
I've read all of the Persephone Whipples and found them highly enjoyable, 4 or 5 star reads but this one was disappointing. I slogged through half before it was due back to library, as someone else had a reserve I couldn't renew.I might come back to this as many other reviewers enjoyed this but I found the first half had little merit.
This is obvious from the title but these diary extracts are not dated or structured, this makes for odd reading. Days are not punctuated so this reads out of context. I suspect the diary entry that stated that their little dog had died was a separate entry but as it was presented in this book it was sandwiched in between other mundane rubbish. Either Whipple was completely heartless or this thoughtless editing made the comment seem something it was not. I don't understand the decision not to date the entries or at least present them in the way they were originally found. These extracts span a couple of decades, I found it confusing not to be able to compare the events with the times they happened in.
This is obvious from the title but these diary extracts are not dated or structured, this makes for odd reading. Days are not punctuated so this reads out of context. I suspect the diary entry that stated that their little dog had died was a separate entry but as it was presented in this book it was sandwiched in between other mundane rubbish. Either Whipple was completely heartless or this thoughtless editing made the comment seem something it was not. I don't understand the decision not to date the entries or at least present them in the way they were originally found. These extracts span a couple of decades, I found it confusing not to be able to compare the events with the times they happened in.
February 22, 2025
This was a delight! Dorothy Whipple herself leaps off the page. She feels so real, so idiosyncratic. I love her novels and so it was a particular joy to get a sense for the person behind her writing as well as her process of getting published and becoming a known and established writer. I loved getting the cameos of other famous writers of the day like Dorothy Sayers, J.B. Priestley, and Noel Streatfeild. Whipple has a snarky sense of humor and at the same time you can feel her love for people and her sympathy for their struggles. Like Elizabeth Bennet, Whipple could easily have said: “I hope I never ridicule what is wise or good. Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies do divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can.� In this sense, Whipple carries on nobly from Austen.
The latter part of the book is from Whipple’s wartime journals so the book takes a poignant turn. I always love reading first-hand accounts from that time.
Well worth a read for Whipple fans and anyone who loves 20th century history!
The latter part of the book is from Whipple’s wartime journals so the book takes a poignant turn. I always love reading first-hand accounts from that time.
Well worth a read for Whipple fans and anyone who loves 20th century history!
March 1, 2025
Well, you know you're a fan of an author when you're willing to read what are literally her random scribblings. I sped through this tiny book and, I have to say, Whipple is just as charming and astute in her note-making as she is in her stories.
In , Whipple comes across as extremely relatable-- she writes about her doubts that she's any good at writing, declaring books that went on to great success to be "drivel", and tells of both her excitement for positive reviews and her secret desire to "biff" a man on the head for his pedantic critique of her writing. Also, her procrastination:
Lol, me too.
She notes down observations she makes in her day to day life, funny people she sees and conversations she listens in on. You can see how she drew inspiration for her writing from everything around her, and how her surroundings shaped her stories. She also expresses a sentiment that is present throughout her novels and short stories:
It's just a shame this funny and brilliant woman didn't write more.
In , Whipple comes across as extremely relatable-- she writes about her doubts that she's any good at writing, declaring books that went on to great success to be "drivel", and tells of both her excitement for positive reviews and her secret desire to "biff" a man on the head for his pedantic critique of her writing. Also, her procrastination:
I waste time. I am a bad workman. In work, I am half-hearted. I am only enthusiastic when I am sitting in a chair doing nothing or lying in bed in the early morning.
Lol, me too.
She notes down observations she makes in her day to day life, funny people she sees and conversations she listens in on. You can see how she drew inspiration for her writing from everything around her, and how her surroundings shaped her stories. She also expresses a sentiment that is present throughout her novels and short stories:
The idea that it is only men who have dreams and that women want to be thought of all the time by men is silly-- and far from the truth.
It's just a shame this funny and brilliant woman didn't write more.
May 9, 2022
"Random Commentary was compiled by Dorothy Whipple in 1965. She had kept intermittent diaries, few of which survive, and simply picked out and typed up what she thought readers would find most interesting about her writing life. Naturally, she was too modest to care about a detailed chronology."
Persephone Books have now brought this back into print, but as they explain, although they did think about adding some dates, in the end they have re-produced it as it was published. In the beginning, I did find it quite a slow read, not necessarily because of the lack of dates but because of the somewhat random nature of the entries; often things will happen with no explanation because we haven't seen the previous entries leading up to it. By the time we get to the war however, it becomes a much more compelling read, and much easier to date events as they happen.
Persephone Books have now brought this back into print, but as they explain, although they did think about adding some dates, in the end they have re-produced it as it was published. In the beginning, I did find it quite a slow read, not necessarily because of the lack of dates but because of the somewhat random nature of the entries; often things will happen with no explanation because we haven't seen the previous entries leading up to it. By the time we get to the war however, it becomes a much more compelling read, and much easier to date events as they happen.
February 18, 2025
My heart aches with love for Dorothy Whipple.
January 26, 2016
A collection of Whipple's diary and journal entries roughly covering the period from the start of her writing career in the late 1920s to the end of WWII. I drank it down quickly, and it felt like a glass of cool water: refreshing and palate-cleansing. My only quibble is that whoever organized the material for publication (possibly not Whipple herself, as she died the year it came out) made the very odd choice of leaving all the entries undated, and not indicating in any way -- no headings or line breaks of any kind -- where one entry starts and another begins, which makes for a slightly odd reading experience. However, this probably contributed to the temptation to read it all in one sitting.
It's a very low key book -- Whipple had a rather staid life -- but I loved hearing about the writing of her books and her publishing career, and she has a knack for noting down the sort of small quirky incidents that are forgettable (if one doesn't record them), but give life color. She also records any positive thing anyone anywhere ever says about her books, but that's forgivable, I suppose. Her personal life remains opaque. Either Whipple never wrote about her innermost feelings or they were carefully excised for publication. I found myself curious about her relationship with her much older husband, who comes across as a companion to be tolerated with fondness and occasional exasperation rather than a lover. Whipple's raptures over a niece suggests to me an autobiographical parallel to the childless sister in , which further contributes to this impression.
I was really pleased to find a copy of this scarce book online at a relatively reasonable price, that is to say, only a little more than one would spend on a newly published hardback. In the normal course of things that's more than I'd like to spend on a book (says this haunter of the shabbier sort of used bookstores), but having only seen it previously for sale at well over $100, I bought it gladly, and love having it on my shelf, looking a little out of place next to the demure dove gray Persephone editions of Whipple's novels, but charming in its own ex-library-ish way, ugly jacket and all.
It's a very low key book -- Whipple had a rather staid life -- but I loved hearing about the writing of her books and her publishing career, and she has a knack for noting down the sort of small quirky incidents that are forgettable (if one doesn't record them), but give life color. She also records any positive thing anyone anywhere ever says about her books, but that's forgivable, I suppose. Her personal life remains opaque. Either Whipple never wrote about her innermost feelings or they were carefully excised for publication. I found myself curious about her relationship with her much older husband, who comes across as a companion to be tolerated with fondness and occasional exasperation rather than a lover. Whipple's raptures over a niece suggests to me an autobiographical parallel to the childless sister in , which further contributes to this impression.
I was really pleased to find a copy of this scarce book online at a relatively reasonable price, that is to say, only a little more than one would spend on a newly published hardback. In the normal course of things that's more than I'd like to spend on a book (says this haunter of the shabbier sort of used bookstores), but having only seen it previously for sale at well over $100, I bought it gladly, and love having it on my shelf, looking a little out of place next to the demure dove gray Persephone editions of Whipple's novels, but charming in its own ex-library-ish way, ugly jacket and all.
December 13, 2020
I am delighted Persephone chose to re-publish this, when I'd given up hope of finding a copy (at least one I could afford). The title perfectly fits this selection of entries from Dorothy Whipple's diaries, dating from the 1920s to 1945. They touch on housekeeping, dress, gardens, dogs, travels, books read and written, neighbors and fellow authors met, and of course the Second World War.
"London, for Nancy Pearn's party in Lincoln's Inn Fields. We climbed hundreds of stairs, it seemed to me, to get to the Flat. We were ushered into a small room, filled, at first sight, by Dorothy Sayers in a furred red velvet robe with gold chains, like a mediaeval Alderman of the City of London."
"I was delighted to hear that E.M. Delafield, so much admired by me, mentioned The Priory in her Provincial Lady in Wartime. 'A delightful novel,' she says. 'I haven't enjoyed anything so much for years.'"
"London, for Nancy Pearn's party in Lincoln's Inn Fields. We climbed hundreds of stairs, it seemed to me, to get to the Flat. We were ushered into a small room, filled, at first sight, by Dorothy Sayers in a furred red velvet robe with gold chains, like a mediaeval Alderman of the City of London."
"I was delighted to hear that E.M. Delafield, so much admired by me, mentioned The Priory in her Provincial Lady in Wartime. 'A delightful novel,' she says. 'I haven't enjoyed anything so much for years.'"
September 30, 2022
Dorothy Whipple compiled this slice of a writer's life from her diaries, not long before her death. It begins when she had just finished her first novel, Young Anne, and was looking for publishers. It flows without the interruption of dates, which makes for smooth reading but is sometimes confusing. I was glad that Persephone listed the publication dates of her novels inside the back cover, so I could track roughly what year we were in.
It's a charming book that focuses as much on her home life as on her writing. There are some wonderful caustic comments from her much older husband Henry. As she got better known (she was a best-selling author in her day) she began to meet and make friends with other writers, so we her about them too. Recommended for anyone who has read and enjoyed any of her books.
It's a charming book that focuses as much on her home life as on her writing. There are some wonderful caustic comments from her much older husband Henry. As she got better known (she was a best-selling author in her day) she began to meet and make friends with other writers, so we her about them too. Recommended for anyone who has read and enjoyed any of her books.
September 2, 2022
Such a disappointing read for lack of some simple editing.
A line between entries, indication of the year to place it within history, brief footnotes regarding the people and places mentioned would all have improved a dull read.
I understand that Persephone reprinted this as originally published, but by doing so they limited the enjoyment of a favourite author’s writing.
A line between entries, indication of the year to place it within history, brief footnotes regarding the people and places mentioned would all have improved a dull read.
I understand that Persephone reprinted this as originally published, but by doing so they limited the enjoyment of a favourite author’s writing.
January 29, 2025
I had to wait a few months for this book to arrive in my post (some delay with my oder) and was dying finally to read it. It turned out to be not what I expected.
I do prefer more traditional diaries, whereas this felt more like a collection of random commentary indeed. I might have enjoyed it more if I understood the criteria behind the selections.
There are some brilliant observations here and absolutely beautiful lines, but also a few uncomfortably unkind ones. Not that I’m disappointed in Dorothy Whipple, but I did expect her to be more generous. In this book, she comes across as somewhat selfish—though, when you think about it, perhaps most writers are.
I do prefer more traditional diaries, whereas this felt more like a collection of random commentary indeed. I might have enjoyed it more if I understood the criteria behind the selections.
There are some brilliant observations here and absolutely beautiful lines, but also a few uncomfortably unkind ones. Not that I’m disappointed in Dorothy Whipple, but I did expect her to be more generous. In this book, she comes across as somewhat selfish—though, when you think about it, perhaps most writers are.
December 14, 2020
Newly published by Persephone Books I couldn’t wait to read it. But although I found it in many ways a compulsive read, it was a bit disappointing. I love Dorothy Whipple’s novels but her journals paint a picture of someone I couldn’t really warm to. Also, lack of dates and extensive use of initials of people’s names both detracted from my enjoyment. But I think I will reread her last book, Someone at a distance - I might see it differently now.
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May 21, 2018The material in this book was 'compiled from note-books and journals kept from 1925 onwards' and is indeed random: the entries aren't dated (but the book ends just as the Second World War ends) and it's not always immediately apparent when one entry ends and a new one begins. It is however the very randomness of the material that gives it its charm. Much of the book is concerned with Whipple's career as a writer, from the acceptance of her first novel - "Brown carpet, brown leather chair, daffodils, London spring sunshine and an elegant publisher on his hearth-rug. Now I know what it is like" - to the 1940s when she is an established novelist and much in demand, her work sought out by editors. It is sobering that even when she's a much-published novelist she isn't always treated with due gravitas: "If I were a man, I should be able to shut myself up in a study with never a thought but for writing, but as I am a woman anybody, anything, can interrupt me - without even a faint apology."
Whipple is a perceptive writer, but occasionally her comments are jarring. She is horrified when a Punch reviewer describes her persona as revealed in her published autobiography as 'cattish', but - despite liking this book and having enormous regard for her novels - I couldn't help feeling that the Punch reviewer wasn't far off the mark. When Whipple relates anecdotes or incidents concerning people she's met (usually complete strangers) one feels that she's almost sneering at them. There is, I think, an element of class in this: her comments about working-class women are often gratingly patronising. Similarly she abhors cruelty to animals, including fox-hunting, which she describes as "a cruel sport", but she sees nothing wrong with wearing a fur coat (yes, yes, I know - times were different; but even so...). On the other hand she recognises that "Snobbery isn't entirely silly; it is often sheer admiration for the best and a desire to imitate it...If you haven't the birth or breeding you wish you had, I should say settle for other things. Settle for learning - achievement. Genius, of course, can go anywhere, mix with the highest - but seldom wants to. Things are rather unfair, it seems."
It is Whipple's comments about the lot of the writer that I personally found most interesting, particularly when it comes to the qualities a writer needs, and how to deal with rejection. "My book back from Cape. They refuse it. They say it wouldn't be a commercial success. (This book afterwards sold thousands of copies and is now in its tenth edition. Still selling after thirty years. So refused authors should take courage and go on notwithstanding. I think it was Nietzsche who said, "Everything worth while is accomplished notwithstanding".)"
It fires me with enthusiasm to read an author enthusing about her own writing: "...as soon as I am stirred by an idea for something to write about, I become very 'animated' about everything. My pulse is faster, I eat quickly, I feel excited. Life seems to flow full and swift."
Publishers Persephone Books are to be congratulated for re-publishing many of Whipple's novels. She's too good a novelist to languish in obscurity. [April 2005]
Whipple is a perceptive writer, but occasionally her comments are jarring. She is horrified when a Punch reviewer describes her persona as revealed in her published autobiography as 'cattish', but - despite liking this book and having enormous regard for her novels - I couldn't help feeling that the Punch reviewer wasn't far off the mark. When Whipple relates anecdotes or incidents concerning people she's met (usually complete strangers) one feels that she's almost sneering at them. There is, I think, an element of class in this: her comments about working-class women are often gratingly patronising. Similarly she abhors cruelty to animals, including fox-hunting, which she describes as "a cruel sport", but she sees nothing wrong with wearing a fur coat (yes, yes, I know - times were different; but even so...). On the other hand she recognises that "Snobbery isn't entirely silly; it is often sheer admiration for the best and a desire to imitate it...If you haven't the birth or breeding you wish you had, I should say settle for other things. Settle for learning - achievement. Genius, of course, can go anywhere, mix with the highest - but seldom wants to. Things are rather unfair, it seems."
It is Whipple's comments about the lot of the writer that I personally found most interesting, particularly when it comes to the qualities a writer needs, and how to deal with rejection. "My book back from Cape. They refuse it. They say it wouldn't be a commercial success. (This book afterwards sold thousands of copies and is now in its tenth edition. Still selling after thirty years. So refused authors should take courage and go on notwithstanding. I think it was Nietzsche who said, "Everything worth while is accomplished notwithstanding".)"
It fires me with enthusiasm to read an author enthusing about her own writing: "...as soon as I am stirred by an idea for something to write about, I become very 'animated' about everything. My pulse is faster, I eat quickly, I feel excited. Life seems to flow full and swift."
Publishers Persephone Books are to be congratulated for re-publishing many of Whipple's novels. She's too good a novelist to languish in obscurity. [April 2005]
July 5, 2024
A slim book jam-packed with witty one-liners and grim social commentaries.
I was engrossed in the details of Whipple’s writing career. She doesn’t sugarcoat it, doesn’t dismiss the weariness that the work welcomes. She also comments on struggles specific to female writers, with echoes of Woolf’s Room Of One’s Own: “If I were a man, I should be able to shut myself up in a study with never a thought but for writing, but as I am a woman anybody, anything, can interrupt me-without even a faint apology.� Still, her spurts of ecstasy after a glowing review are enough to inspire me to grab a pen.
I’ll need to re-read this when I’m more well-versed in Whipple’s novels (after which I'll probably bump this up to a 5). So far, I’ve only read They Were Sisters, and I was surprised that she wrote this of it in Random Commentary: “I don't think anything of it. It isn't what it should have been.� Meanwhile, I considered TWS a masterpiece—and I was glad to see in the next pages that the 1940s audience agreed.
It was distressingly interesting to witness the book’s tone shift as World War II escalated and how the first half seems so trivial compared to the terror of the second half (“Oh, this hellish war! How can I write a namby-pamby novel while all this is going on.�).
Beyond all this, I adored Whipple’s minute observations of herself and people around her. I saw bits of myself in her extroversion (“I wish I could ask her to tea. I wish one could do that sort of thing. What fun if you could get to know everyone you wanted to!�) and self-doubt (“A word of praise, and I am off. Left to myself, I waver and lose confidence.�)
I was engrossed in the details of Whipple’s writing career. She doesn’t sugarcoat it, doesn’t dismiss the weariness that the work welcomes. She also comments on struggles specific to female writers, with echoes of Woolf’s Room Of One’s Own: “If I were a man, I should be able to shut myself up in a study with never a thought but for writing, but as I am a woman anybody, anything, can interrupt me-without even a faint apology.� Still, her spurts of ecstasy after a glowing review are enough to inspire me to grab a pen.
I’ll need to re-read this when I’m more well-versed in Whipple’s novels (after which I'll probably bump this up to a 5). So far, I’ve only read They Were Sisters, and I was surprised that she wrote this of it in Random Commentary: “I don't think anything of it. It isn't what it should have been.� Meanwhile, I considered TWS a masterpiece—and I was glad to see in the next pages that the 1940s audience agreed.
It was distressingly interesting to witness the book’s tone shift as World War II escalated and how the first half seems so trivial compared to the terror of the second half (“Oh, this hellish war! How can I write a namby-pamby novel while all this is going on.�).
Beyond all this, I adored Whipple’s minute observations of herself and people around her. I saw bits of myself in her extroversion (“I wish I could ask her to tea. I wish one could do that sort of thing. What fun if you could get to know everyone you wanted to!�) and self-doubt (“A word of praise, and I am off. Left to myself, I waver and lose confidence.�)
December 6, 2021
Dorothy Whipple’s eight novels were very successful in the mid twentieth century, then largely disappeared from sight until republished by Persephone Books at the turn of the twenty-first. She also wrote many short stories, which Persephone has also republished in a collection. Last year they produced this book, which is a compilation of extracts from notebooks and journals kept from 1925 onwards (first published in 1966). It is a small book of only one hundred and fifty-nine pages with a Publisher’s Note that explains that they resisted the suggestion of adding dates to the text, opting for a facsimile of the original text as prepared by Whipple herself. However, as much of the book features the writing and publication of six books, they have listed the publication dates to enable a clearer view of when the extracts were originally written. As this edition is in the usual attractive dove grey cover with suitable endpapers, It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to read and review this book.
“Random Commentary� is an undated continuous stream of observations, facts, emotions and comments about life for a woman in over a few decades. It features certain people such as Whipple’s husband Henry and other family members, illnesses and worries about relatives, and certain friends. It comments on plays viewed, meals eaten and gatherings attended. Of most interest to those who know and admire her writing are the comments about the short stories and novels she was engaged in writing, the difficulties she faced with constructing satisfactory novels, and reflections on the time spent on many other writings. Although it is undated, its progress through the 1930s culminates in the outbreak of the Second World War and the feelings that evoked the progress of the War and continues to the end of the European conflict, and thus it is possible to see when each section was written.
It is fascinating to read how she felt about the short stories she wrote, often in one sitting, and where they were originally placed. I recognised several titles from “Every Good Deed and Other Stories� and it was interesting to see their inspiration. She was requested to write her autobiography , which did not come easily to her, and I was curious to know why Michael Joseph was so insistent. Whipple candidly writes “I don’t think much of the book myself. I don’t know whether it was a mistake to write it or not. Time will show�. “The Other Day� as the childhood autobiography was called seems to have been very interesting, though it only takes Whipple’s life up to the age of twelve, and Random Commentary seems to be the only other piece of autobiographical writing which she produced. Of most interest to readers of the latter will probably be the background to the novels, which is fascinating as she describes living with characters in her head, the concept of naming them, and deciding what will happen to them. I get the impression that the characters came first, and the plot came second, although there are interesting revelations about the setting of “The Priory�.
Altogether this is a fascinating portrait of a writer at work, the influences she acknowledges, and the realities of her life outside work. She points out that being a woman her writing is sometimes delayed by the needs of domestic life, and she speculates if that would be the case if she was a man. There is an undramatic reaction to war, as she and her husband were largely observers rather than active participants, but she mourns the invasion of Poland “I can’t write. Fiction seems so trivial. Fact is too terrible�. Not that she does not realise the full horror of war, she is especially distressed by the Fall of France. She hopes that her writing “might make someone else forget the war for a little while.� This is a very readable book which I thoroughly enjoyed, and I recommend it to Whipple’s many fans, as well as those who are interested in the real lives of writers.
“Random Commentary� is an undated continuous stream of observations, facts, emotions and comments about life for a woman in over a few decades. It features certain people such as Whipple’s husband Henry and other family members, illnesses and worries about relatives, and certain friends. It comments on plays viewed, meals eaten and gatherings attended. Of most interest to those who know and admire her writing are the comments about the short stories and novels she was engaged in writing, the difficulties she faced with constructing satisfactory novels, and reflections on the time spent on many other writings. Although it is undated, its progress through the 1930s culminates in the outbreak of the Second World War and the feelings that evoked the progress of the War and continues to the end of the European conflict, and thus it is possible to see when each section was written.
It is fascinating to read how she felt about the short stories she wrote, often in one sitting, and where they were originally placed. I recognised several titles from “Every Good Deed and Other Stories� and it was interesting to see their inspiration. She was requested to write her autobiography , which did not come easily to her, and I was curious to know why Michael Joseph was so insistent. Whipple candidly writes “I don’t think much of the book myself. I don’t know whether it was a mistake to write it or not. Time will show�. “The Other Day� as the childhood autobiography was called seems to have been very interesting, though it only takes Whipple’s life up to the age of twelve, and Random Commentary seems to be the only other piece of autobiographical writing which she produced. Of most interest to readers of the latter will probably be the background to the novels, which is fascinating as she describes living with characters in her head, the concept of naming them, and deciding what will happen to them. I get the impression that the characters came first, and the plot came second, although there are interesting revelations about the setting of “The Priory�.
Altogether this is a fascinating portrait of a writer at work, the influences she acknowledges, and the realities of her life outside work. She points out that being a woman her writing is sometimes delayed by the needs of domestic life, and she speculates if that would be the case if she was a man. There is an undramatic reaction to war, as she and her husband were largely observers rather than active participants, but she mourns the invasion of Poland “I can’t write. Fiction seems so trivial. Fact is too terrible�. Not that she does not realise the full horror of war, she is especially distressed by the Fall of France. She hopes that her writing “might make someone else forget the war for a little while.� This is a very readable book which I thoroughly enjoyed, and I recommend it to Whipple’s many fans, as well as those who are interested in the real lives of writers.
February 25, 2023
Having enjoyed several of Dorothy Whipple's novels and short stories, I was eager to read these extracts from her journals. Unfortunately, the more I read, the less I admired the author. As a record of her writing life this undated running commentary offers little illumination, often reducing to notes to self (must take risks, dig deeper, make more effort now) and self-congratulation when the reviews are favourable, self-justification when they are not. She clearly enjoys the new-found celebrity status conferred by her best-selling novels; the pleasure is almost palpable, but the prose is disappointingly nondescript. When invited by P.E.N. to H.G. Wells's 70th birthday dinner, she records the seating arrangements that afforded her a favourable position 'directly opposite the High Table, opposite Somerset Maugham, André Maurois, with G.B.Shaw a little higher up'... G.B.S spoke well, but indiscreetly, almost verging on bad taste. H.G. Wells read his speech; it was good. But it was Julian Huxley who made the best speech. I was so interested in the motley gathering. What extraordinary clothes, figures, even toupees.' (78) After-dinner speeches evidently make less impression on her than physical appearance. She observes the numerous dental defects and deficiencies of the great and the not-so-good in pre-NHS Britain (after six references to decayed or missing teeth and ill-fitting dentures, I stopped counting). At times, she shows a disarming willingness to admit to base motives, agreeing to supply a short story at inconveniently short notice, 'simply because I am flattered'. Flattery, it seems, will get you everywhere, even if you have to take the train and endure the fatuous utterances of fellow first-class travellers reading death notices in the newspaper. 'This sort of person [sic] always seems to expect a fortune from somewhere.' But the speculation is Whipple's: 'Perhaps in their world there are always fortunes to change hands when someone dies.' (143) Now that I have read this journal, I'm less likely to choose Whipple as travelling companion on my weekly cross-country commute.
January 21, 2025
This is a series of diary-type entries (without dates) by author English author Dorothy Whipple kept from about 1925 until the conclusion of World War II.
Admittedly I have almost all of Dorothy Whipple’s books, but am yet to read them (surprise surprise 🙊) and I do think being familiar with her titles would add extra interest to reading this, as she frequently refers to the process of writing her books - which I must add she thinks are all pretty dreary for the most part! 😆
There are plenty of fascinating entries about the war and about spending so much time (particularly at night) in air raid shelters, to the point that they were constantly tired due to being awake all night in the air raid shelters.
The author has a witty, self deprecating and frank writing style that is very engaging and accessible. This makes me really look forward to cracking on and getting her other books read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.
Admittedly I have almost all of Dorothy Whipple’s books, but am yet to read them (surprise surprise 🙊) and I do think being familiar with her titles would add extra interest to reading this, as she frequently refers to the process of writing her books - which I must add she thinks are all pretty dreary for the most part! 😆
There are plenty of fascinating entries about the war and about spending so much time (particularly at night) in air raid shelters, to the point that they were constantly tired due to being awake all night in the air raid shelters.
The author has a witty, self deprecating and frank writing style that is very engaging and accessible. This makes me really look forward to cracking on and getting her other books read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.
April 26, 2024
I don't know why this works, it just does. A diary without dates.
This is a good example:
our guests went today. Much as I love them, how glad I am to be alone again! Ineedto be able to walk in the country, to read the paper and sit by myself. I can't live anyone else's life for more than a few days. I feel my own personality pushing violently inside me, making me positively ache. But it is a lovely morning now. The sun is warm on my shoulder as I write. I have had a good letter from St John Ervine about my book, a letter that really shows he really likes the book, and has considered me who wrote it. He is generous,ableto consider others. Some people can't.
So it builds and resets, is recognisable and funny, the author is nice but not naice.
This is a good example:
our guests went today. Much as I love them, how glad I am to be alone again! Ineedto be able to walk in the country, to read the paper and sit by myself. I can't live anyone else's life for more than a few days. I feel my own personality pushing violently inside me, making me positively ache. But it is a lovely morning now. The sun is warm on my shoulder as I write. I have had a good letter from St John Ervine about my book, a letter that really shows he really likes the book, and has considered me who wrote it. He is generous,ableto consider others. Some people can't.
So it builds and resets, is recognisable and funny, the author is nice but not naice.
June 11, 2022
This book is based on Dorothy Whipple’s diaries . It is fascinating to read her thought processes around the novels I’ve read as she is writing and publishing them. Her attendance at a hunt breakfast was written up as a scene in They Knew Mr Knight and it illustrates how well she observed those around her. She also mentions her Scottie dog Roddy and it was a delight to find out that an author who I admire so much had the same taste in dogs as myself.
August 13, 2015
Absolutely fascinating! A perfect insight into the life and times in which Dorothy Whipple worked and the dedication and passion she felt for writing. Amazing to see that despite her many successes she was always grateful and pleasantly shocked by a good review or comment. Any fan of her works of fiction should read this book - it is such a perfect snapshot into a brilliant mind.
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