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fa1th_'s review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
At the end of 2021 I could I finally said that I've read Virginia Woolf.
I've always wanted to start reading Woolf's work and this was the first one I've picked. The first thing I've noticed was the 'stream of consciousness' writing style, it was very free-flowing and I guess it was a staple of her work. I was in awe of how she could describe a person's thoughts with such natural ease, hopping from one character to the next, exploring each of their minds. Woolf had a sharp wit and some of the things she wrote in this novel were quite poignant. The way she discussed marriage and human relationships and the aftermath of the war with satirical truth, it was all very interesting. Mrs. Dalloway was an intriguing character, she was a mid-aged upper-class housewife with the seemingly perfect family, yet she kept wondering what could have happened if she did not marry Mr. Dalloway. Many characters of this novel spent time wondering a similar 'what if', reminiscing their good old days, trying to remember their lost youth, debating with time. It seemed like every character in the novel had some struggles with time, they were either catching up to it, speeding pass it, or already lost to it, which made the writing of interchanging inner dialogues all the more fitting.
Compared with Clarissa's idle and privileged day, the story of Septimus Smith was more tragic and grounded in tone. Woolf used two very different main characters (both in social class and in physical standings) to demonstrate and criticize the treatment and stigma of mental illness of that time, and it was really heartbroken to read about. Connecting with the author's personal life, I could see how the comment on medical discourses from professionals and outsiders might stem from her own experience or inner frustrations, since Woolf struggled with bipolar disorder as well. However, some parts of the story seemed kind of convoluted with random details from minor characters of no importance, and I was getting bored while reading. Also I must say, why did Elizabeth have 'oriental eyes' and why did they have to say that she looked 'Chinese' because uh, what was the reason? Wish it was left out but it was 1920s England, so I guess the novel was a product of its time.
All that being said, it was surely a beautifully written story, and I'm glad that I've finally read it.
I've always wanted to start reading Woolf's work and this was the first one I've picked. The first thing I've noticed was the 'stream of consciousness' writing style, it was very free-flowing and I guess it was a staple of her work. I was in awe of how she could describe a person's thoughts with such natural ease, hopping from one character to the next, exploring each of their minds. Woolf had a sharp wit and some of the things she wrote in this novel were quite poignant. The way she discussed marriage and human relationships and the aftermath of the war with satirical truth, it was all very interesting. Mrs. Dalloway was an intriguing character, she was a mid-aged upper-class housewife with the seemingly perfect family, yet she kept wondering what could have happened if she did not marry Mr. Dalloway. Many characters of this novel spent time wondering a similar 'what if', reminiscing their good old days, trying to remember their lost youth, debating with time. It seemed like every character in the novel had some struggles with time, they were either catching up to it, speeding pass it, or already lost to it, which made the writing of interchanging inner dialogues all the more fitting.
Compared with Clarissa's idle and privileged day, the story of Septimus Smith was more tragic and grounded in tone. Woolf used two very different main characters (both in social class and in physical standings) to demonstrate and criticize the treatment and stigma of mental illness of that time, and it was really heartbroken to read about. Connecting with the author's personal life, I could see how the comment on medical discourses from professionals and outsiders might stem from her own experience or inner frustrations, since Woolf struggled with bipolar disorder as well. However, some parts of the story seemed kind of convoluted with random details from minor characters of no importance, and I was getting bored while reading. Also I must say, why did Elizabeth have 'oriental eyes' and why did they have to say that she looked 'Chinese' because uh, what was the reason? Wish it was left out but it was 1920s England, so I guess the novel was a product of its time.
All that being said, it was surely a beautifully written story, and I'm glad that I've finally read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and War
notoriousmfg's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: War
ultralithium's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
ia começar a avaliação com uma passagem do livro mas eu marquei tantas que acho que não consigo escolher uma só..
seguinte, estou completamente apaixonada pela escrita e narrativa de virginia woolf nesse livro .
quando comecei, demorei um pouco pra engatar na leitura pq não tinha "entrado" na história e tava um pouco confusa com oq tava acontecendo, acho que por não estar acostumada com o estilo de escrita. mas quando parei, reli o começo e entendi oq tava rolando, eu entrei no pique
seguinte, estou completamente apaixonada pela escrita e narrativa de virginia woolf nesse livro .
quando comecei, demorei um pouco pra engatar na leitura pq não tinha "entrado" na história e tava um pouco confusa com oq tava acontecendo, acho que por não estar acostumada com o estilo de escrita. mas quando parei, reli o começo e entendi oq tava rolando, eu entrei no pique
sei lá cara eu gostei muito vou dar 5 estrelas mesmo e estou ansiosa pra ler os outros trabalhos da virginia woolf é isso :*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Suicide
Moderate: War
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