The unconventional love story between artist Dora Carrington and writer Lytton Strachey within the Bloomsbury Group
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
The Bloomsbury Beginning
Carrington meets Lytton and they develop their unconventional relationship during World War I.
Key Events
First Meeting — Lytton meets Carrington and mistakes her for a boy Characters: Dora Carrington, Lytton Strachey, Vanessa BellLocation: Vanessa Bell's House
Awkward Kiss — Lytton forces an awkward kiss on Carrington Characters: Dora Carrington, Lytton StracheyLocation: Countryside
Love Develops — Carrington falls in love with Lytton while watching him sleep Characters: Dora Carrington, Lytton StracheyLocation: Lytton's Bedroom
Gertler's Pressure — Gertler pressures Carrington for sex while she develops relationship with Lytton Characters: Dora Carrington, Mark Gertler, Lytton StracheyLocation: Social Gatherings
Mill House — Carrington finds and refurbishes Mill House for them to live together Characters: Dora Carrington, Lytton StracheyLocation: Mill House, Tidmarsh
The Unconventional Triangle
Carrington marries Ralph but continues living with Lytton, forming a complex three-way relationship.
Key Events
Mill House — Carrington finds and refurbishes Mill House for them to live together Characters: Dora Carrington, Lytton StracheyLocation: Mill House, Tidmarsh
Gertler's Assault — Gertler assaults Lytton when he learns about their living arrangement Characters: Dora Carrington, Mark Gertler, Lytton StracheyLocation: Unknown
Ralph Introduced — Carrington introduces Ralph to Lytton in hopes he'll be attracted Characters: Dora Carrington, Lytton Strachey, Ralph PartridgeLocation: Unknown
Three-Way Relationship — The three begin a relationship together Characters: Dora Carrington, Lytton Strachey, Ralph PartridgeLocation: Mill House
Carrington Marries Ralph — Carrington marries Ralph but continues living with Lytton Characters: Dora Carrington, Ralph Partridge, Lytton StracheyLocation: Unknown
Expanding Circles
The household expands with new arrivals including Brenan, leading to affairs and complicated relationships.
Key Events
Carrington Marries Ralph — Carrington marries Ralph but continues living with Lytton Characters: Dora Carrington, Ralph Partridge, Lytton StracheyLocation: Unknown
Venice Honeymoon — Carrington and Ralph meet Lytton in Venice during honeymoon Characters: Dora Carrington, Ralph Partridge, Lytton StracheyLocation: Venice
Brenan Arrives — Ralph introduces Gerald Brenan to the household Characters: Dora Carrington, Ralph Partridge, Gerald BrenanLocation: Mill House
Affair with Brenan — Carrington has affair with Brenan while Ralph is in London Characters: Dora Carrington, Gerald Brenan, Ralph PartridgeLocation: Mill House
Ham Spray House — Lytton and Ralph jointly buy Ham Spray House Characters: Dora Carrington, Lytton Strachey, Ralph PartridgeLocation: Ham Spray House
The Final Chapter
Lytton's terminal illness and death lead to Carrington's tragic suicide.
Key Events
Ham Spray House — Lytton and Ralph jointly buy Ham Spray House Characters: Dora Carrington, Lytton Strachey, Ralph PartridgeLocation: Ham Spray House
Lytton's Illness — Lytton becomes terminally ill Characters: Dora Carrington, Lytton Strachey, Ralph Partridge, Gerald BrenanLocation: Ham Spray House
Suicide Attempt — Carrington tries to commit suicide in garage Characters: Dora Carrington, Ralph PartridgeLocation: Garage
Lytton's Death — Lytton dies with Carrington and Ralph present Characters: Dora Carrington, Lytton Strachey, Ralph Partridge, Gerald BrenanLocation: Ham Spray House
Carrington's Suicide — Carrington commits suicide after Lytton's death Characters: Dora Carrington, Ralph Partridge, Frances PartridgeLocation: Ham Spray House
Story Breakdown
Bloomsbury Beginnings — Carrington and Lytton meet and form their relationship during WWI
First Encounter — Lytton mistakes Carrington for a boy
Awkward Start — Forced kiss and Carrington's falling in love
Mill House — Carrington finds their home together
Complex Relationships — The evolving web of relationships involving Carrington, Lytton, and others
Gertler's Pursuit — Unrequited advances and assault
Ralph's Arrival — Introduction of Ralph and formation of triangle
Marriage to Ralph — Carrington marries but continues with Lytton
Brenan's Influence — Affair and lesbian awakening
Ham Spray Years — Life at Ham Spray House and the beginning of the end
House Purchase — Lytton and Ralph buy together
Multiple Affairs — Carrington and Lytton's various relationships
Lytton's Illness — Terminal diagnosis and decline
Tragic End — The aftermath of Lytton's death and Carrington's suicide
Suicide Attempt — Carrington's first failed attempt
Lytton's Passing — Death with friends present
Final Act — Carrington's successful suicide
Painter Dora Carrington develops an intimate but extremely complex bond with writer Lytton Strachey. Though Lytton is a homosexual, he is enchanted by the mysterious Dora and they begin a lifelong friendship that has strangely romantic undertones. Eventually, Lytton and Dora decide to live together, despite the fact that the latter has fallen in love with military man Ralph Partridge, whom she plans to marry.
