Angelica Garnett

Angelica Garnett (1918-2012) was a British writer and artist best known for her memoir "Deceived with Kindness: A Bloomsbury Childhood," which provided intimate insights into the Bloomsbury Group through her unique position as the daughter of artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant. As a member of the younger Bloomsbury generation, Garnett grew up at Charleston Farmhouse in Sussex surrounded by prominent artistic and literary figures including her aunt Virginia Woolf, Clive Bell, and Roger Fry. Her memoir, published in 1984, offered a critical examination of her upbringing and the complex dynamics within the Bloomsbury circle. Beyond her writing, Garnett was an accomplished painter who studied at the Slade School of Fine Art. Her artistic work included portraits and landscapes, though she remained overshadowed by her parents' artistic legacy and connections to the Bloomsbury Group. In her later years, Garnett contributed to preserving the Charleston Farmhouse as a museum and continued to write about Bloomsbury figures, publishing "The Eternal Moment" in 1998, a collection of essays about the group's enduring influence on art and society.

Readers appreciate Garnett's intimate perspective on the Bloomsbury Group, particularly in her memoir "Deceived with Kindness." Her firsthand account as the daughter of Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant offers insight into the complex relationships and dynamics of this artistic circle. Criticisms focus on Garnett's tone, which some readers find bitter or self-pitying. Several reviews note the memoir dwells too heavily on her grievances with her upbringing. A frequent complaint is that the writing lacks warmth and feels detached. Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (based on 171 ratings) Amazon: 3.5/5 (based on 12 reviews) Notable reader comments include: "Valuable historical record but emotionally draining" - Goodreads reviewer "Too much emphasis on personal grudges" - Amazon reviewer "Unmatched access to Bloomsbury life, but needed more balance" - LibraryThing user The book has limited reviews online, with most discussion occurring in academic contexts rather than consumer reviews.

Deceived With Kindness (1984) A memoir detailing Garnett's complex relationship with her parents Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant, and her experiences growing up within the Bloomsbury Group.

The Unspoken Truth (2010) A collection of autobiographical short stories exploring themes of family relationships, artistic life, and personal identity within the context of Bloomsbury society.

Family Album (2000) An illustrated memoir featuring photographs and personal recollections of the author's life among the Bloomsbury Group and her relationships with various family members.