Work
During the Second World War in London, Trefusis participated in the broadcasting of "La France Libre", which earned her a Legion d'Honneur after the war, and was also made a Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.
Trefusis received mixed reviews on her books. Some critics credited Trefusis with an "excellent gift of observation" and also a "talent for mimicry and flair for decor in most of her books." These qualities were evident in her novels written in English and in French. Other critics stated that her books were not great literature, however they sold well enough, and her readers enjoyed them.
She made many appearances as a pivotal character in other writers' fiction, Nancy Mitford based, "Lady Montdore", a character in her novel Love in a Cold Climate on her. She was also featured in Cyril Connolly's The Rock Pool, Harold Acton's The Soul's Gymnasium as "Muriel," in several novels by Vita Sackville-West and in the well-known Virginia Woolf's Orlando: A Biography as the ravishing "Princess Sasha".
Although her writings spanned much of the twentieth century, many were unpublished. Virago the Publishing house devoted to recovering the forgotten work of women writers, including Trefusis. They set about putting matters right, bringing out two of her novels with introductions by Lorna Sage and Lisa St Aubin de Teran, but publishers were eventually defeated by copyright difficulties, and Lorna Sage, Trefusis great champion among British critics, died before she could accomplish what she planned.
Read more about this topic: Violet Trefusis
Famous quotes containing the word work:
“Life is indeed darkness save when there is urge,
And all urge is blind save when there is knowledge,
And all knowledge is vain save when there is work,
And all work is empty save when there is love.”
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931)
“[T]he judicious reader ought to know what the chief character in any work of the imagination will naturally perform, according to the situation he is thrown into, as well as doth the author himself.”
—Sarah Fielding (1710–1768)
“We didn’t want any men in our group. They drink their loans, they don’t work their stores. Why should we have to pay for their irresponsibilities?”
—Brachiate Guioth De Espinosa, Colombian storekeeper. As quoted in the New York Times, p. A6 (July 15, 1994)