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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
challenging
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
To live, to enjoy the conversations and moving distinct shapes; that is life, and life must include love, and reading. The Voyage Out re-stimulated my love of the medium, my first medium, that human faculty -- no, dearest privilege -- to be able to grasp a book by its pliable spine; flip the world open by its heralded ends, destination marked by a piece of paper; and settle back in a comfortable position and return to reading. Virginia Woolf, who may be my favorite writer, understands the pleasure of this activity, and her frequent references to great authors and having her characters read Milton and recite poetry is just wonderful.
The greatest and least original, but no less weakened by it, revelation that St. John and Terence and Rachel make of love being the fount of meaning in life provided a cogent reminder to myself as reader of its verity. Being a self-proclaimed Artman whose foremost endeavor in living is to pursue art in experience, I have silently acknowledged this truth, that however sublime Art may be, it is only Love that truly gives way to happiness, which these characters find in their voyage, out of life, love.
The greatest and least original, but no less weakened by it, revelation that St. John and Terence and Rachel make of love being the fount of meaning in life provided a cogent reminder to myself as reader of its verity. Being a self-proclaimed Artman whose foremost endeavor in living is to pursue art in experience, I have silently acknowledged this truth, that however sublime Art may be, it is only Love that truly gives way to happiness, which these characters find in their voyage, out of life, love.
The beginning of the novel didn't impress me greatly. It reads like a poor man's Austen or Bronte sisters. I wasn't expecting much to change this lackluster start. In reading through the other comments, there are some who enjoyed the beginning, whereas disliked the end. Whatever your story preference may be, there is a definite tone switch that leaves you surprised it was ever leading in that direction.
About halfway through, Woolf dives deeper into the emotions of her characters. Rachel, the protagonist, is different from the rest of the party. She struggles with the inanities of those around her, attempting to understanding the substance and meaning of life, and her reason for being here. Her passion of music is belittled. When she tries to change, such as changing the books she likes to read, she becomes angry and disillusioned, while everyone simply believes that she will never amount to anything. It is ambiguous whether it is her state of mind or just a random chance that leads to the ending of this story. At the end, it is interesting that Evelyn, who appeared to be the most shallow when you first are introduced, has the most feelings.
Maybe Woolf is implying that this ending would have happened no matter what. Rachel was an outsider the whole book. Even in a supposed romantic relationship, where she may have found some normalcy within society, there was a vivid wall between her and Terence.
The setting of South America was practically non-existent. I found it peculiar that it was even set there, as nothing of the culture was really described. Even the trip up to the native village...every character was stuck in their little upper class world.
I really enjoyed this and I won't mind re-reading it again. I don't think I really caught onto Rachel in the beginning as I should have.
About halfway through, Woolf dives deeper into the emotions of her characters. Rachel, the protagonist, is different from the rest of the party. She struggles with the inanities of those around her, attempting to understanding the substance and meaning of life, and her reason for being here. Her passion of music is belittled. When she tries to change, such as changing the books she likes to read, she becomes angry and disillusioned, while everyone simply believes that she will never amount to anything. It is ambiguous whether it is her state of mind or just a random chance that leads to the ending of this story. At the end, it is interesting that Evelyn, who appeared to be the most shallow when you first are introduced, has the most feelings.
Maybe Woolf is implying that this ending would have happened no matter what. Rachel was an outsider the whole book. Even in a supposed romantic relationship, where she may have found some normalcy within society, there was a vivid wall between her and Terence.
The setting of South America was practically non-existent. I found it peculiar that it was even set there, as nothing of the culture was really described. Even the trip up to the native village...every character was stuck in their little upper class world.
I really enjoyed this and I won't mind re-reading it again. I don't think I really caught onto Rachel in the beginning as I should have.
the writing is phenomenal omg but i’m not smart enough
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
9.25/10
As soon as I finished the first chapter I realised that I was really enjoying the story and the writing. When I was reading The Voyage Out I slowly but gradually fell in love with Woolf's writing style. It is beautiful and magical in a way I'd never expected it to be. Her writing reminds me of my favourite author ever: Laini Taylor. Virginia Woolf's writing style reads as if it is written by a 20th-century Laini Taylor. It has the same magical and addictive quality to it.
Woolf uses beautiful words and phrases to weave together a vivid image and a lasting feeling. It is the feeling of trying to find your true self, and the hopelessness when you've found what you seek but lose it all, because it simply wasn't meant to be.
The characters are more complex than they appear at first sight. They have their weaknesses and strengths. They are very human and very palpable. I can imagine every single character with clarity and without confusion. I feel like I know them. This is one of the elements I loved most about The Voyage Out. With most classics I am very distanced from the characters; the writing often obstructs my ability to connect with the character on a deeper level and they just feel centuries removed from me (because they often are). With The Voyage Out I barely had this problem. I enjoyed the plot and the characters!
Overall, The Voyage Out is an interesting and thought-provoking read. If you're looking for a classic that's relatively easy to read and contains magical writing and lively characters, I recommend that you read The Voyage Out!
She became a ship passing in the night - an emblem of the loneliness of human life, an occasion for queer confidences and sudden appeals for sympathy.The Voyage Out is Virginia Woolf's literary debut and it is absolutely fantastic! I have to admit that when I started this novel I was hesitant and I was sure that it was just a classic. I thought I'd like it and maybe slightly enjoy it; but never love it. I've never been more wrong.
As soon as I finished the first chapter I realised that I was really enjoying the story and the writing. When I was reading The Voyage Out I slowly but gradually fell in love with Woolf's writing style. It is beautiful and magical in a way I'd never expected it to be. Her writing reminds me of my favourite author ever: Laini Taylor. Virginia Woolf's writing style reads as if it is written by a 20th-century Laini Taylor. It has the same magical and addictive quality to it.
Woolf uses beautiful words and phrases to weave together a vivid image and a lasting feeling. It is the feeling of trying to find your true self, and the hopelessness when you've found what you seek but lose it all, because it simply wasn't meant to be.
'They ought not to have died,' she thought. 'However, they did - and we selfish old creatures go on.'In the background of The Voyage Out, Woolf addresses some discussions that were ongoing at the time of the novel's publication. These topics—such as women's suffrage, life on Mars, medicine, science, politics, philosophy—are lightly present in the dialogue and in the little things that characters don't say. It's an interesting addition, because it makes the novel more than just a story on a certain character. It broadens the view of the world as depicted in the novel. For that reason, I really enjoyed those pieces of dialogue and background buzz.
The characters are more complex than they appear at first sight. They have their weaknesses and strengths. They are very human and very palpable. I can imagine every single character with clarity and without confusion. I feel like I know them. This is one of the elements I loved most about The Voyage Out. With most classics I am very distanced from the characters; the writing often obstructs my ability to connect with the character on a deeper level and they just feel centuries removed from me (because they often are). With The Voyage Out I barely had this problem. I enjoyed the plot and the characters!
Overall, The Voyage Out is an interesting and thought-provoking read. If you're looking for a classic that's relatively easy to read and contains magical writing and lively characters, I recommend that you read The Voyage Out!
Not one of Woolf's well known novels and probably one of her first attempts at writing. Beautifully tragic but also adventurous. I loved the variety of characters in this novel, it was one of a kind and i loved how many female characters were not "typical". I'm not sure this novel was written with a feminist undertone but it definitely had a eminist touch (at least it did look like it did to me).
Overall, i'd say this is not Woolf's best novel and it's clear in the fact this might be her first ever but it was quite a nice read.
Overall, i'd say this is not Woolf's best novel and it's clear in the fact this might be her first ever but it was quite a nice read.
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Sexual assault
Moderate: Infidelity, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced