Wrapping up 'Reading 1914'

When I think of Leonard Woolf, I think of Boomsbury, the Hogarth Press and his wife, Virginia; I don't think of compelling fiction novels. But in 1914, Woolf's second novel, The Wise Virgins, was published. It's about Harry Davis, a young cynic, the elegant Camilla Lawrence whom he loves, and the four virginal Garland girls who live next door. Woolf based all of his characters on people he knew. Harry is clearly Leonard himself, while Camilla is based on Virginia. The portrayals are well-drawn, witty, and at times a bit scathing. (Something that didn't exactly go over well when the book first came out.) I found Woolf's writing intelligent, his story well-crafted, and his observations of society cynical, but also honest and amusing. And I really enjoyed this book. Sadly, The Wise Virgins was Leonard Woolf's last fiction novel.

It's also my last book from 1914, which makes me even more sad. I've had a lot of fun this summer reading books published 100 years ago. Every one exceeded my expectations. I read and enjoyed children's books, young adult novels, and literary novels; I also read several other books not published in 1914 that deal with World War I and the events of that year. It's been an excellent summer of reading. Here's a list of the books I read if you want to check them out:

• Tik-Tok of Oz, Tom Swift, and a Little Maid (three 1914 children's books)
• The Moving Picture Girls by Laura Lee Hope
• Grace Harlowe's First Year at Overton College  by Josephine Chase
• The Street of Seven Stars by Mary Roberts Rinehart
• Assassination of the Archduke by Greg King and Sue Woolman
• 1914 by Jean Echenoz
• A Rose for the Anzac Boys by Jackie French
• Tragic Beauty by Evelyn Nesbit

Happy Reading!