Between Friends: Letters of Vera Brittain and Winifred Holtby

The fascinating letters between Vera Brittain and Winifred Holtby, written from 1920 to 1935, tell the story of an extraordinary friendship that created a model for a new kind of independent woman, after the First World War. The letters between Vera Brittain, author of Testament of Youth, and Winifred Holtby, author of South Riding. A fascinating story of friends who intended - and did - make their mark as writers and campaigners. 'Expertly and sensitively edited... a true partnership of two women valiantly, imperfectly, trying to find new ways to live' Samantha Ellis, GuardianFrom the time when they met at Somerville College, Oxford, until Winifred's early death at the age of thirty-seven, their letters, written from 1920 to 1935, encouraged and advised and kept them 'continuously together' even through periods as literary rivals when they had to negotiate envy and self-doubt. 'The relationship at their centre is endlessly intriguing... touching and inspiring' Rachel Cooke, ObserverVera decisively influenced Winifred's passion for feminism and peace and Winifred gave Vera crucial support, fiercely believing in her literary gifts. 'A beautiful collection' Daisy Dunn, Sunday TimesA portrait of the inter-war years and a dramatic, touching and ultimately tragic story. The letters between Vera Brittain, author of Testament of Youth, and Winifred Holtby, author of South Riding, tell the story of an extraordinary friendship 'Touching and inspiring' RACHEL COOKE, Observer'Lively, perceptive' MIRANDA SEYMOUR, Literary Review'A beautiful collection' DAISY DUNN, Sunday Times'A moving unvarnished chronicle' Sarah Watling, TelegraphFrom the time when they met at Somerville College, Oxford, until Winifred's early death at the age of thirty-seven, they wrote constantly, encouraging and advising each other, even through periods as literary rivals as they negotiated envy and self-doubt. Vera decisively influenced Winifred's passion for feminism and peace and Winifred gave Vera crucial support, fiercely believing in her literary gifts. Their letters, written from 1920 to 1935, kept them 'continuously together'.