Women’s Writing in the British Isles from the Beginnings to the Present
Rose Macaulay
-
Standard Name: Macaulay, Rose
Birth Name: Emilie Rose Macaulay
RM
was highly prolific, publishing during the earlier half of the twentieth century twenty-three novels and two volumes of poetry, as well as three books of short stories, several historical and travel narratives, and works of literary criticism. Several volumes of her personal letters have been printed. She made many appearances on the BBC
and published scores of articles. Valued perhaps chiefly for its satire and wit, her writing shows impressive political complexity and understanding, and her skill at characterisation is noteworthy. In her early works one may feel that her satire is defensive: that she uses mockery to hold off painful involvement. Her treatment of religious issues and characters demonstrates her long struggle with and engagement in established religion. She continually pokes fun at people heavily invested in causes or movements; but the choice of a cause is one of her favourite topics, sometimes handled with poignancy rather than burlesque.
In London she was entertained by Una Pope Hennessy
, and introduced to Rose Macaulay
, though this friendship did not develop.
Godden, Rumer. A House with Four Rooms. Macmillan.
48-9
Literary responses
Rumer Godden
One reviewer wrote, [t]here is not enough meat on this book for the library cat,
Chisholm, Anne. Rumer Godden, A Storyteller’s Life. Pan Books.
200
but Una Pope Hennessy
and Rose Macaulay
told RG
that it ought to have won the Hawthornden Prize.
Chisholm, Anne. Rumer Godden, A Storyteller’s Life. Pan Books.
201
Textual Production
Stella Gibbons
SG
's literary criticism for The Lady includes a number of articles on women writers. One piece criticises Rose Macaulay
for her small range and lack of subtlety. Another praises Virginia Woolf
as a giant...
Rose Macaulay
had brought ICB
to Gollancz's notice. He was known for unconventional and forceful advertising. He sold Daughters and Sons to the US publisher W. W. Norton
, though it was far outside their...
Literary responses
Ivy Compton-Burnett
Of this novel ICB
wrote, I have never had such superficial reviews.
Spurling, Hilary. Secrets of a Woman’s Heart. Hodder and Stoughton.
MB
was a pacifist who sympathised strongly with the position of conscientious objectors. Believing that conscription was a sign of the collective insanity that has come over the world,
Blondel, Nathalie. Mary Butts: Scenes from the Life. McPherson & Company.
6
she supported her companion (later...
Textual Production
Vera Brittain
She was, however, asked to remove a portion of the manuscript referring to an episode in which Rose Macaulay
(a successful Gollancz author) had reduced Brittain to tears in a restaurant. According to Gollancz's editor...
Through her old headmistress, EB
met Rose Macaulay
, who introduced her to Naomi Royde-Smith
. Royde-Smith helped her to get the first of her writing into print.
Hoogland, Renée C. Elizabeth Bowen: A Reputation in Writing. New York University Press.
8-9
politics
Phyllis Bottome
After the war, PB
continued to be politically active, often writing letters to the editor of the Times on subjects like liberalism and human rights in South Africa. In the issue dated 14 December 1951...
