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emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I had set aside this book more than two years ago, feeling frustrated with the sluggish pace of the story and got lost in the number of characters introduced in the first few chapters. I decided to revisit The Voyage Out in early January, drawn by my current interest in modern classics. As if Woolf had picked up the momentum as she wrote on, the story started to captivate me this time. With the insightful interior monologues, Woolf allows me to delve into the inner life of each character and recognised their differences. Every time Terence and Rachel appeared on the page, I felt a spark of anticipation, sensing their relationship could develop into something more profound. Just as I became invested, the story took an unexpected turn. There are simply too many characters in The Voyage Out, which diverts focus from the central figures and leaves the narrative feeling fragmented. I had high hopes for this novel but it ultimately fell short, leaving me somewhat disappointed in its execution.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, Terminal illness
Moderate: Death
DNF’ed after chapter 5. Are we really going to pass THAT off as okay?! No. Just no.
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
This book was a nice home I stumbled upon, one that opened its doors and made me feel like a welcome guest (stay as long as you'd like).
The beginning was incredibly gripping. The chapters were episodic. One moment you're eavesdropping, examining people in a hotel and the next you're in the hotel, living the lives of the very people you were inspecting so closely just the page before. (Woolf gives you opportunity to view a storm right before she puts you in its torrential downpour.)
The beginning was incredibly gripping. The chapters were episodic. One moment you're eavesdropping, examining people in a hotel and the next you're in the hotel, living the lives of the very people you were inspecting so closely just the page before. (Woolf gives you opportunity to view a storm right before she puts you in its torrential downpour.)
The Voyage Out is a sweeping, layered story. The reader acquainted with Woolf's previous works will see little pins of them scattered in this first novel. From the humor, ever present in Orlando, to the encapsulation + separation of atmosphere/story accomplished by descriptions of the natural world, done in The Waves. Though this novel doesn't show case Woolf's archetypal writing style and has a more present plot than her other novels, it still holds a strong place in her line up. A substantive story with developed & interesting characters.
My only gripe is that some parts seem a tad rushed or came out of nowhere, but even these seemed to work with the novel's message and structure.
I did suppose this to be set to go in a particular direction, but it went completely far from that. (light spoiler)
I've heard that this edition of text is the result of multiple cuts. Woolf removed much of the social/political commentary, homosexuality, discussion on colonialism and feminism, that was in the initial manuscript due to fear of critiquing British society too much (a concern heightened as this was her debut). The text published under the title <a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/3fc9fb0b-0b7c-4cfa-8d84-ec6483de1004"> Melymbrosia </a> is the uncut version of this novel. I would love to see how it fares against this one.
To note: Chapter 9 is one the most hilarious chapters I have ever read in literature.
To note: Chapter 9 is one the most hilarious chapters I have ever read in literature.
Read this as an introduction to Woolf, read this if you already love Woolf.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness
Minor: Infidelity
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