What Francesca Wade discovered writing Gertrude Stein: An Afterlife

Published: Monday, February 23, 2026 at 3:30 pm

Francesca Wade Sheds Light on Gertrude Stein's Legacy

Author Francesca Wade, known for her biography *Gertrude Stein: An Afterlife*, recently discussed her work and reading life in a Q&A. The biography delves into the life of the influential 20th-century American writer, art collector, and personality, Gertrude Stein. The book explores Stein's life, drawing on her self-mythologizing memoir, *The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas*, and examines Stein's efforts to secure her posthumous legacy.

Wade's research revealed a more nuanced understanding of Stein and her partner, Alice B. Toklas's relationship. While often portrayed with Stein as dominant and Toklas subservient, Wade's research, including materials from Stein's archive and interviews with Toklas, suggests a collaborative partnership built around art.

Wade's work aims to shift focus from Stein's persona to her innovative writing, which questioned the relationship between language and reality. Stein's work influenced avant-garde artists like John Cage and the Language Poets.

Wade also discussed her book *Square Haunting*, a group biography of five women writers who lived in London between the world wars. She also shared her reading preferences, including a fondness for biographies and novels. Currently, she is reading Elizabeth Harrower's *The Watch Tower*, a novel set in 1940s Sydney.

BNN's Perspective:

Francesca Wade's work offers a valuable perspective on Gertrude Stein, moving beyond the often-simplified image of the artist. By highlighting Stein's innovative writing and the complexities of her relationship with Alice B. Toklas, Wade encourages a deeper appreciation of Stein's contributions to literature and art. This approach, focusing on the work itself rather than just the personality, is a welcome shift in the critical conversation.

Keywords: Gertrude Stein, Francesca Wade, biography, Alice B. Toklas, Square Haunting, literature, writing, art, avant-garde, books, reading, legacy, author, Paris, London, relationships, Janet Flanner, Samuel Steward, Elizabeth Harrower, The Watch Tower

Full Story