Flush : A Biography

I loved this little book! Not only did I gain insight into what it might be like to be a dog, and I've had 14 of them so far in my life, but I learned so much about Elizabeth Barrett Browning and how Robert Browning saved her from a life that had oppressed her.Flush is the little spaniel given to Elizabeth by a friend. He shifts from running in broad fields chasing rabbits to languishing on the carpet in her bedroom, taking brief outings on a lead, getting kidnapped by the mid-19th century gangs, spirited away as she elopes with Browning and is exposed to the concept of prejudice...... What a fascinating tale. What a satisfying book!

The novelette, short in pages, was a bit stiff at the beginning. But as I read on and got more into the character of the dog, I enjoyed it thoroughly. Surprising to me, I just wasn't picking up on the names since although I know of both Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning, had not read much work of either poet. Coincidentally, I had just finished reading the book when I started watching an old movie (1934) on Turner Classic Movies. The story was sounding familiar - the title was "The Barretts of Wimpole St." And then I realized this was Flush's story, told a little differently from the characters' point of view instead of being Flush's story. Enjoyed the book and I would recommend the movie, also.

Woolf has chosen just the right narrative method for this pseudo-biography of Elizabeth Barret Browning's red spaniel Flush. She uses third person technique--that is the "biographer" speaking--but the biographer third person gets close in to the perspective of the dog. By this method she can include both a human perspective and the dog's perspective. We know all the time that the "biographer" is making educated guesses about how the dog is thinking and feeling. This novel presents the pleasures of heterosexual marriage through the poets Elizabeth and Robert Browning and thus is more optimistic and happy than books like "To the Lighthouse." Also woven into the tale is a sharp critique of Victorian middle class isolation from the poverty that reminds one of the novelist Charles Dickens. Of course Woolf makes beautiful sentences and the book is a pleasure to read, at times humorous, at times sad.

This is an exhilarating and highly enjoyable model of near-perfectly written creative non-fiction. It's all about a pup named Flush. Don't sleep on Virginia Woolf. She was a true master of the English language essay and novel.

I enjoyed reading the biography of Flush while peering into the life and times of Elizabeth Barrett Browning. I will probably, sooner or later, read a biography of Barrett Browning and another novel by Virginia Woolf.

The narrative comes from the dog. It is very effective. I love this book. I never read anything by Virginia Woolf before, although I have heard her name many times. I would like to read other stories by her in the future.

I read this book as required reading in a V.Woolf course given by a brilliant lecturer.With his guidance I came to recognize and understand the brilliance of the author.It's a masterpiece and though the book is brief,it must be read slowly and savored as one would a beautifully prepared meal.

I had to buy 2 copies as only the title page turned up from my first purchase - l tried another edition and that was fine. My star rating is not for the book but reflects my annoyance at having to buy it twice. As for the book - not vintage Virginia Woolf but had some good moments. In particular I liked the passages where she tried to understand the problems encountered by Elizabeth's maid in adjusting to a foreign country.

An unusual read combining two biographies - that of Flush, a cocker spaniel, and the poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Flush’s tale is beautifully told, EBB’s is hard work. Maybe because she is portrayed as self indulgent and cold whereas Flush is generous and warm. Overall a good read.

Deep moving touching.Alive warm and beautiful .Flush a friend a companion a part of you . Read it ...love it.

I purchased the Kindle edition of Flush by Virginia Woolf. I warn potential purchasers not to buy this edition. There are are so many broken words at the ends of lines, formatting problems and such like that it is UNREADABLE. Even at the cost of only 77p, I feel cheated.

A Classic. Great story from a doggy's point of view - very clever

Poor little dog, happy little dog. Virginia Wolf takes you there as usual.One to read again when you miss your own faithful companion.