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amelie5m's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
reflectiverambling_nalana's review against another edition
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.0
While I can't say this would have made me a devout reader of Woolf, her ability to build a scene is absolutely undeniable. Even with no attachment to the characters who drifted in and out of my consciousness as arbitrarily as some of their thoughts, my mind twisted around the worlds as Woolf brought to life environments and observations with remarkable vividness. While I can appreciate this as a piece of reflection, I can't say I adored it. However, it has made me curious and tempted to see what some of her work known more for plot than atmosphere is like.
mgk12's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
pooklatirelire's review
4.0
3.5 stars
my second book by virginia woolf. this is such a quotable book but without knowledge of the context of the early 20th century, it's a bit difficult to understand the references to the trends and literature of that period. the story was experimental and interesting but i wasn't that attached to any of the characters until the last three chapters. this was more like a character and society study more than a story, but it love it nonetheless. will definitely read more woolf.
- memories: i read most of this book during my trip to paris (once in a brouillon, many times late night on the métro and once in a park next to arc de triomphe) and bought this copy at shakespeare & co :)
my second book by virginia woolf. this is such a quotable book but without knowledge of the context of the early 20th century, it's a bit difficult to understand the references to the trends and literature of that period. the story was experimental and interesting but i wasn't that attached to any of the characters until the last three chapters. this was more like a character and society study more than a story, but it love it nonetheless. will definitely read more woolf.
- memories: i read most of this book during my trip to paris (once in a brouillon, many times late night on the métro and once in a park next to arc de triomphe) and bought this copy at shakespeare & co :)
sassylk's review against another edition
had to read it for a seminar at the same time as another woolf book and couldn’t read both
casparb's review
4.0
This seems to blend elements of The Waves and The Years - peculiar for me, as these are my most and least favourite Woolfs, respectively. Jacob's Room tends to get overlooked a lot - overshadowed by her later novels, and even when it is mentioned, it is often misrepresented. I was led to believe that this was Woolf's Great War novel. While the war does come into play, it is as an element of the background (even more than in Dalloway).
There is less of a philosophical unity apparent here than in the later novels. To be clear, Jacob's Room is very good. It is perhaps in my top 3 of Woolf.
Mysterious, but ultimately, winning. I mentioned The Waves earlier (no small compliment), and we do see some of the descriptive genius come into play. I often find Woolf is better when writing about nature, though the playful comments - beauty in women is sun on the sea, beauty in young men is smoke - do hold, for the most part. Falls prey to the old cliché: bees hum.
Highly enigmatic ending. Overall a recommend.
There is less of a philosophical unity apparent here than in the later novels. To be clear, Jacob's Room is very good. It is perhaps in my top 3 of Woolf.
Mysterious, but ultimately, winning. I mentioned The Waves earlier (no small compliment), and we do see some of the descriptive genius come into play. I often find Woolf is better when writing about nature, though the playful comments - beauty in women is sun on the sea, beauty in young men is smoke - do hold, for the most part. Falls prey to the old cliché: bees hum.
Highly enigmatic ending. Overall a recommend.
tejomar3's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5