This new edition of perhaps the best-loved of all journals is based on a fresh examination of the original manuscripts. There is an enormously expanded commentary full of new information on every aspect of the people, places and books mentioned. The journal is intimately and vividly written and still a compelling read. Dorothy Wordsworth began it in 1800 to give her poet-brother pleasure, and for three years she noted the walks and weathers, the friends, the country neighbours, the beggars on the Grasmere roads. The Journal has many stories: of Wordsworth's marriage, of the concern the Wordsworths felt for Coleridge, and of the composition of poetry. It is an excellent source of information about Wordsworth, his circle and methods of writing. This new edition yields new readings of mis-read or undeciphered words, and restores Dorothy's hasty punctuation. It brings us closer to her as a writer than ever before: her first thoughts, her crossings-out, her after-thoughts, the hurried flow of her expression.

This is a new edition of one of the best-loved of all journals. Dorothy Wordsworth's record of the walks and weather in Grasmere, and friends and neighbours was written between 1800 and 1803. There are many stories: of Wordsworth's marriage, of their concern for Coleridge, of the composition of poetry. Here the editor has returned to the original manuscripts and has produced new readings of mis-read or undeciphered words. We are brought closer to Dorothy Wordsworth as a writer as her first thoughts, her crossings-out, and her afterthougts are revealed, in this fresh reading of a marvellous personal record.

'This has to be considered the standard edition of Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere journals.' Peter Morgan, University of Toronto, English Studies, Volume 73, Number 6, December 1992