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trisha_thomas's review against another edition
1.0
Books are the mirrors of the soul.
I know that people love [a:Virginia Woolf|6765|Virginia Woolf|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1419596619p2/6765.jpg]. There are fan clubs, book clubs and tea parties that, I'm sure, devote countless hours to admiring her. I know that there are numerous years of college courses and dissertations all about her as well.
I also know that I will never be sent an invitation to any of these parties.
Her stream-of-consciousness writing just...it isn't for me. Our intro is just a huge cast of characters we fleetingly jump in and out of their thoughts and round and round the room we go. There's awkward ramblings of love and hate and distrust and wonders about everyone's motive. There are preparations for a play but also a lengthy few pages about whether the fish for lunch will be fresh 100 miles (or is it 35 miles?) from the sea.
I'm glad it was short.
I know that people love [a:Virginia Woolf|6765|Virginia Woolf|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1419596619p2/6765.jpg]. There are fan clubs, book clubs and tea parties that, I'm sure, devote countless hours to admiring her. I know that there are numerous years of college courses and dissertations all about her as well.
I also know that I will never be sent an invitation to any of these parties.
Her stream-of-consciousness writing just...it isn't for me. Our intro is just a huge cast of characters we fleetingly jump in and out of their thoughts and round and round the room we go. There's awkward ramblings of love and hate and distrust and wonders about everyone's motive. There are preparations for a play but also a lengthy few pages about whether the fish for lunch will be fresh 100 miles (or is it 35 miles?) from the sea.
I'm glad it was short.
isabella_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
amythereaderxyz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kellyoneill's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
ayazhan's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
5.0
a marvel. I am beyond amazed by the language - how can something be so uncontrived yet so full and lacking in nothing? woolf's writing always inspires awe in me… the structure of this work was also striking - the lines are blurry and the characters bleed into each other, which is very apt considering the themes of this book. I will be thinking of this book often
moseslh's review
3.0
This is far from Virginia Woolf's greatest novel, but it's hard to beat Woolf's painfully beautiful prose. Unfortunately, I had trouble finding much substance beyond the prose. Between the Acts seemed little more than word porn, candy for English majors, a guilty pleasure, enthralling in the moment but leaving me unfulfilled and longing for something deeper.
Like most of Woolf's novels, this isn't a book one should read for the plot. The main characters are audience members for a play, and much of the book's dialogue is nothing more than their snarky whispered commentary.
I have to confess - Woolf's writing is, by design, difficult to follow, and I know that a lot of this book went over my head, particularly the literary allusions that abound in it. I would have gotten more out of it in the context of a class or book club where I could discuss it with other people. In the absence of that, reading the introduction after finishing the book did help me understand it better.
On the whole, not a super accessible book, but certainly worth reading if you've already read Woolf's best works and are craving more.
Like most of Woolf's novels, this isn't a book one should read for the plot. The main characters are audience members for a play, and much of the book's dialogue is nothing more than their snarky whispered commentary.
I have to confess - Woolf's writing is, by design, difficult to follow, and I know that a lot of this book went over my head, particularly the literary allusions that abound in it. I would have gotten more out of it in the context of a class or book club where I could discuss it with other people. In the absence of that, reading the introduction after finishing the book did help me understand it better.
On the whole, not a super accessible book, but certainly worth reading if you've already read Woolf's best works and are craving more.
tayloreve07's review against another edition
I wrote a whole paper on the use of color in this book so that's there if you're feeling it. But honestly you can't go wrong with Virginia Woolf.