Dedicated to the memory of Virginia Woolf, Olivia was Dorothy Strachey’s only novel. Published under the pseudonym ‘Olivia’ it is a subtle classic of lesbian literature. It is more of a novella really at just 114 pages in this edition, and I’ll be honest – I picked it mainly for its length as I near the end of my A Century of Books. The Afterword reveals that the French school featured in this novella is loosely based on Marie Souvestre’s Allenswood Academy, attended by both the author and Eleanor Roosevelt, which in itself is rather fascinating. I’m not sure why – but I wasn’t altogether certain that I would enjoy Olivia – perhaps I read a review of it somewhere which put me off – however, I enjoyed it enormously. What a shame it is that Dorothy Strachey only ever published this. Dorothy Strachey’s writing is beautiful, and there is a lot that is very quotable from this slim volume.
“Was this stab in my heart, this rapture, really mine or had I merely read about it? For every feeling, every vicissitude of my passion, there would spring into my mind a quotation from the poets. Shakespeare or Donne or Heine had the exact phrase for it. Comforting, perhaps, but enraging too. Nothing ever seemed spontaneously my own.”
A woman recollects the final year of her education, a year when she discovered life at its fullest, found passion and in a sense, herself.
Olivia is sixteen when she is sent to Les Avons a finishing school near Paris, run by two mademoiselles. This is a school of an entirely different kind. It is a school where there are few rules, where laughter and passionate discussion are actively encouraged. Olivia revels in this atmosphere so unlike anything she has experienced before.
However, the freedom and fun of Les Avons is superficial, beneath the surface are raw emotions, jealousies and destructive allegiances.
“How hard it is to kill hope! Time after time, one thinks one has trodden it down, stamped it to death. Time after time, like a noxious insect, it begins to stir again, it shivers back again into a faint tremulous life. Once more it worms its way into one’s heart, to instil its poison, to gnaw away the solid hard foundations of life and leave in their place the hollow phantom of illusion.”
The school is run by Mademoiselles Julie and Cara, once so close, the two are each acting against the other. Each of the headmistresses have their circle of acolytes – powerful emotions have been unleashed beneath the roofs of this French school. Olivia doesn’t really understand the nuances of everything that is going on at Les Avons, the tension between Julie and Cara, is a puzzle to her but she has no understanding for what their relationship might have been. Olivia; fresh from England is too caught up in a complete infatuation for Mademoiselle Julie.
“Love has always been the chief business of my life, the only thing I have thought—no, felt—supremely worth while, and I don’t pretend that this experience was not succeeded by others. But at that time, I was innocent, with the innocence of ignorance, I didn’t know what was happening to me.”
The girls regularly gather around Mademoiselle Julie for impassioned debate, to present their essays and to hang upon her every word. Olivia waits for the headmistress’s visits to her room, for the slightest look, the touch of her hand.
While Olivia is wrestling with these new and unexpected feelings for her headmistress and making an unexpected friendship with another of Mademoiselle Julie’s favourites, Mademoiselle Cara is plotting one final act of betrayal.
I am surprised that this delicate little novella isn’t better known. I know vintage books brought out a new edition of this one a few years ago, which has hopefully raised its profile a little.
Really glad you enjoyed it, and what a beautiful edition the VMC is! I totally get the short-books-at-the-end-of-ACOB instinct…
It is a gorgeous edition and such a good little novel. Really glad I chose it.
Can you tell us about the painting on the cover ? Who is the artist ?
It looks to be by Gustavo Klimt
Gustav….keeps auto correcting to Gustavo?
You are quite right though, it is.
It is from Mada Primavesi by Gustav Klimt.
Your review peeked my interest.
Oh good, I hope you consider reading it.
I am happy that you enjoyed this novella, I remember feeling surprised by it, too 🙂 And the Virago cover is so beautiful!
I love it when a book surprises me. And yes the cover is very pretty.
It’s such a long time since I read this, and I think I had a non-Virago edition (and probably still). I wish I could remember more, which proves I should visit it! Hang in there – you will make the Century! :))
I shall be limping slowly towards the end. You should definitely re-visit 😉
I’ve not picked this up because my feelings were much the same as yours before you read. Clearly I should – the quotations you chose are lovely.
Glad you enjoyed those quotes, the writing is beautiful. I would be interested in your thoughts.
I’ve also admired the picture on the VMC cover, and considered buying it – wish I had now.
It is very pretty.
I also picked this up once because it was short and thought it was really good. So fascinating about Eleanor Roosevelt attending the school upon which it was based.
Yes, I hadn’t known about the Eleanor Roosevelt connection until I read the afterword.
I didn’t know this particular painting. I thought I’d recognised klimt’s style but the girl’s face and figure threw me off. Thank you Ali !
[…] Olivia by (Olivia) Dorothy Strachey (1949) – Ali Hope is “surprised that this delicate little novella isn’t better known.” In her critique at Heavenali she defines it as “a subtle classic of lesbian literature.” […]
This sounds interesting, and reminiscent of Colette’s Claudine at School which I really liked. I do love a novella so I’ll look out for this – fingers crossed I find a nice green VMC edition!
I have read just one Claudine book, Claudine’s House, I would probably like the school one too then. Hope you can find the VMC.
I read it ages ago, but still have my Virago copy – I remember enjoying it so it wasn’t me what put you off!
No it definitely wasn’t you. 😊
You’ve answered the question I asked at the end of your last post, about how close you are getting to the end of your reading project! This is one I pulled off the shelves with an eye to reading it for Novellas in November, but I didn’t get to it. Turns out there are a lot of short Virago volumes that are even better than they look!
Yes, novellas can be powerful, unexpectedly so, sometimes. It’s a nice quick read too.