Virginia Woolf

“Through her writing I have lived with the Woolfs for many years...”

In this haunting book, eminent psychiatrist Peter Dally explores the darker side of Virginia Woolf.

Bringing together his knowledge as a doctor with his life-long fascination with Virginia Woolf's life and work, he sheds light on the depression that tormented her adult years.

A quiet life cushioned Virginia from the bouts of depression and elation that she regularly experienced, but life in the public eye profoundly affected her and the way she behaved.

On three occasions she 'went mad'. It terrified her and she lived in fear of this dreadful affliction returning.

Yet the experience gave her the extraordinary insight and new ideas and associations that were to emerge in her writing.

Ideally, every manic depressive needs to be protected from stress. Virginia had several protectors, but none so vital as her husband, Leonard.

Without his constant vigilance and care, it is doubtful she would have been so creatively productive. Yet, paradoxically, their marriage precipitated one of her bouts of madness.

At the end of her life, when events outside the couple's control led to Leonard becoming withdrawn and depressed, Virginia found herself facing her madness alone, with tragic results.

Compassionate and disturbing, this fascinating study is the first to look at Virginia Woolf's life from the perspective of her madness.

Dr Peter Dally (1923-2005) was the senior consultant psychiatrist at the Westminster Hospital, London, until his retirement in January 1988. His previous books include Elizabeth Barrett Browning: A Psychological Portrait, and Anorexia Nervosa. Although a general psychiatrist, his professional outlook was eclectic and he had particular interests in manic depression and anorexia nervosa. Virginia Woolf first aroused his interest when, as a student, he read Mrs Dalloway. He subsequently became absorbed in her diaries, which give a wider and deeper picture of manic depression than any text book.