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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
This is an unfortunate review. I had high hopes for Virginia Woolf that Mrs. Dalloway did not reach in the slightest.
I love the concept of bouncing points of view to give a complete picture of life in a certain period, but the execution did not work for me. I read and listened to parts of this book and zoned out more than I would like to admit, yet I was still able to follow the plot.
I think the beauty of this book is in the small observances and I can appreciate themes of memory, the passage of time, and the effects of war, however, the characters failed to bring these ideas to life. I cared about Septimus and my interest ends there. There's no tangible development in the plot or people and with a stream of conscious style, I need something to hold on to.
Void of chapters, this book has a few page breaks that don't hold meaning which made 200 pages feel utterly endless.
Regrettably, I do not recommend it unless you have a particular interest in London post-war.
I love the concept of bouncing points of view to give a complete picture of life in a certain period, but the execution did not work for me. I read and listened to parts of this book and zoned out more than I would like to admit, yet I was still able to follow the plot.
I think the beauty of this book is in the small observances and I can appreciate themes of memory, the passage of time, and the effects of war, however, the characters failed to bring these ideas to life. I cared about Septimus and my interest ends there. There's no tangible development in the plot or people and with a stream of conscious style, I need something to hold on to.
Void of chapters, this book has a few page breaks that don't hold meaning which made 200 pages feel utterly endless.
Regrettably, I do not recommend it unless you have a particular interest in London post-war.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this book is quite mundane, yet it has a layer of depth that is very beautiful.
still, i cannot say that i enjoyed this book entirely because i believe i don’t have the brain to understand it entirely. woolf's writing is lovely, but i could not follow it sometimes.
i also have the feeling that this is a book that i would appreciate much more when i'm older. still, the description of life and its intricacies and struggles was beautiful.
lastly, i want to dedicate a sentence to my dear boy septimus. you will always be famous.
still, i cannot say that i enjoyed this book entirely because i believe i don’t have the brain to understand it entirely. woolf's writing is lovely, but i could not follow it sometimes.
i also have the feeling that this is a book that i would appreciate much more when i'm older. still, the description of life and its intricacies and struggles was beautiful.
lastly, i want to dedicate a sentence to my dear boy septimus. you will always be famous.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was incredibly tedious to get through and became more of a chore than anything. Yes it's a classic and yes the stream of consciousness writing style is challenging and impressive. But did I feel fulfilled or enlightened after reading any part of this? Not really. 😓
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
I read the first chapter one evening alone in my bed and was so disappointed. But then I started again on a sunny morning on a bus ride, and then at university sitting in the warm study hall and I felt like I understood it so much better and loved the rest. Maybe because it is a book that is so much about connections with other people.
I do have to say that her Writing Style is... something I really have to get into. I can only read it when I'm really in the right mood for it.
I do have to say that her Writing Style is... something I really have to get into. I can only read it when I'm really in the right mood for it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is one of those novels that give teachers/lecturers/professors warm fuzzies when they get to teach them - all those social/class/gender role themes and changes to society that resulted after World War 1 (albeit limited by a narrow, affluent perspective) to dissect and analyse to death. Fortunately, since this isn't a school text for me, I am not obligated to scrutinize and concoct reasons for why the author wrote this, what the author meant by writing that, or what such and such a colour/object symbolises.
"Mrs Dalloway" takes place on a single day, in London, in June 1923. The reader follows Mrs Dalloway from the early morning through to the night when she gives her large formal party. The fifty-two year old Mrs Dalloway tends to dwell on death and aging. The reader is also introduced to Mr Walsh, just back from India, single and chasing younger women; and Septimus Warren Smith, a troubled war veteran. All the characters' thoughts constantly flow back and forth between the present and past reminiscence. Considering all the day dreaming going on, I'm surprised none of these characters ended up walking into walls and bumping into people.
The writing is evocative, descriptive, painting vivid pictures in the mind. However, the rambling, stream of consciousness style does not enthuse me. The run on sentences with too many commas aren't all that entertaining to read either. Dwelling constantly in a characters head is one thing if that character is interesting. But Mrs Dalloway is shallow and boring, so is Peter Walsh. Woolf gives no reason why we should give a damn about these characters. Septimus is more interesting. However, all these characters have one monotonous voice. If the names weren't provided in the text, I would assume they are all the same person.
If Virginia Woolf had wanted to show how boring and pointless a day in the life of this particular wealthy class of British subjects were, then she has succeeded. The only interesting character in the novel gets too little page time and even his death is given short shrift. Otherwise, there is no plot to this novel. It may be best to view this as a historical sketch of a London day in June 1923, and leave it as that. The pretty language couldn't disguise the tediousness of this novel.
"Mrs Dalloway" takes place on a single day, in London, in June 1923. The reader follows Mrs Dalloway from the early morning through to the night when she gives her large formal party. The fifty-two year old Mrs Dalloway tends to dwell on death and aging. The reader is also introduced to Mr Walsh, just back from India, single and chasing younger women; and Septimus Warren Smith, a troubled war veteran. All the characters' thoughts constantly flow back and forth between the present and past reminiscence. Considering all the day dreaming going on, I'm surprised none of these characters ended up walking into walls and bumping into people.
The writing is evocative, descriptive, painting vivid pictures in the mind. However, the rambling, stream of consciousness style does not enthuse me. The run on sentences with too many commas aren't all that entertaining to read either. Dwelling constantly in a characters head is one thing if that character is interesting. But Mrs Dalloway is shallow and boring, so is Peter Walsh. Woolf gives no reason why we should give a damn about these characters. Septimus is more interesting. However, all these characters have one monotonous voice. If the names weren't provided in the text, I would assume they are all the same person.
If Virginia Woolf had wanted to show how boring and pointless a day in the life of this particular wealthy class of British subjects were, then she has succeeded. The only interesting character in the novel gets too little page time and even his death is given short shrift. Otherwise, there is no plot to this novel. It may be best to view this as a historical sketch of a London day in June 1923, and leave it as that. The pretty language couldn't disguise the tediousness of this novel.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
This is a look inside the heads of several characters on the day of high-society party. I just couldn't relate or get into this book at all. I finished it, and I was glad when I did.