Ebook: The marriage of heaven and hell : manic depression and the life of Virginia Woolf
- Tags: Woolf Virginia -- 1882-1941 -- Psychology. Literature and mental illness -- Great Britain -- History -- 20th century. Manic-depressive persons -- England -- Biography. Fiction -- Authorship -- Psychological aspects. Authors English -- 20th century -- Biography. Woolf Leonard -- 1880-1969 -- Marriage. Married people -- England -- Biography. Women author
- Year: 1999
- Publisher: St. Martin's Press
- City: New York, England., Great Britain., Great Britain, England
- Edition: 1st U.S. ed
- Language: English
- epub
Combining his knowledge as a doctor and a lifelong fascination with Virginia Woolf's life and work, eminent psychiatrist Peter Dally offers a haunting and compelling look at the depression that tormented Virginia Woolf throughout her adult years.
On three ocassions Virginia went mad. Symptoms of these episodes included conversations with her dead mother, and hearing birds speak in Greek. Thougha quiet life cushioned her childhood, the renown Woolf achieved through writing inspired the bouts of depression and elation that she regularly experienced as an adult. This terrified Virginia, and though the experience offered extraordinary insight into her craft, Woolf lived in constant fear of her dreadful affliction.
Virginia's most vital protection from stress was her husband, Leonard. Without his constant vigilance and care, it is doubtful she would have been so creatively productive. Yet, paradoxically, their marriage ultimately preciptated her most dangerous bout of madness....