Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant and Original, But Too Cryptic for Many
Review: One of Woolf's masterpieces (although To the Lighthouse is far more accessible) this book introduces us to Clarissa Dalloway: dutiful wife, proud mother, hostess extraordinaire, cream of London society, and perhaps ultimately, failure. Using a stream-of-consciousness technique that was pretty radical for its time, Woolf bounces us from the mind of one character to another in sometimes erratic fashion, presenting a multi-faceted view of a single day in post-WWI London.The focus is on Clarissa and the grand party she is throwing that particular evening, but as her thoughts frequently hearken back to the past, we gradually learn her life's story, even as participants in that story make appearances in "real time". Peter, just back from India, still has strong feelings about her, despite the many years since she broke off their love affair. Sally, the brazen, independent woman who Clarissa so much admired, also puts in an unexpected appearance, and some may wonder if a romantic attachment might have also played a role in their relationship. Clarissa's husband Richard is something of disappointment, neither as successful as his contemporaries or as passionate as the now-unattached Peter. Will this confluence of faces from her past be enough to shake Clarissa out of her despondency? A major sub-plot revolves around a young WWI veteran named Septimus who is also obsessed by the past. Seeing visions of his late comrade-in-arms, Septimus finds it difficult to deal with the realities of everyday life. His wife, tormented by his inexplicable behavior, wants to get him medical help, but her husband fears these threats to his freedom even more than death. Will her love be enough to save him? The intersection of these two plots is not overly dramatic, but in light of the facts of Woolf's own demise, the effect of one upon the other should not be overlooked. The novel bears more than a hint of social criticism, blaming the patriarchal culture for Clarissa's lack of choices, but even more than that it is a cry for help from an author who was plagued by her own fears and doubts. As characters, the women are better realized than the men, and apart from the over-critical Peter and the intellectual light-weight Richard, most of the men are pretty unpleasant. As such, women will probably enjoy this book more than men. Casual readers be forewarned: the stream-of-consciousness technique makes for a very difficult read, particularly in the early pages, before we know who's who. There's not a lot of plot; this book is primarily a character study of some fairly unhappy people. For devotees of great literature, this novel is essential to understanding the author and the untold numbers of lost souls like her. For everyone else, this is a very challenging novel about how we perceive others and ourselves, and not exactly a light entertainment.
Rating:
Summary: Ol' Guts and Glory Does It Again
Review: This no-holds-barred tale of struggle and bravery had me hooked from page 1. The raw emotions, the vivid scenes of battle, the intrigue and the romance, all bring this intense historical drama to life in a way that no other author can match. You go, girl!
Rating:
Summary: A Literary Masterpiece
Review: I read this book several years ago on a whim. Now, a junior in college, I've just finished reading it for a Virginia Woolf seminar course. It's much better the second time around; the deft characterization and swiftly moving prose transport one into the different mindsets presented throughout. This is almost "Ulysses" light; Woolf's stream-of-consciousness in a day is much more palatable than Joyce's monstrosity. Which is not to say that "Mrs. Dalloway" is simplistic; it is one of the more challenging--and worthwhile--novels I've read in some time. Woolf's use of Septimus as her alter ego is a very bold literary move; most would assume that Clarissa is, in fact, a representation of Woolf. Instead, it is the shellshocked, suicidal, conflicted Septimus, a victim of World War I, who spends a good portion of his page time seeing his dead friend Evans. Septimus shoulders the blame for Evans' death, and Septimus imagines that he is on trial, oftentimes muttering about his "crime" and "guilt." His only escape is suicide. He is the only character whom Clarissa does not meet; this furthers the story and will perhaps muddle the novel for some.
Clarissa herself goes through her day in the life preparing for a party, running into old friends and remembering old ghosts. The fact that she is an unhappy housewife questioning her choices makes the novel and the ultimate resolution all that more emotional and impactful. This is one of the most overlooked books in America today; it is a work of genius from an author whose talent is terribly underrated. This is the American, feminine, and more realistic "Ulysses;" a treasure that has gone unnoticed for too long. This is literature, but it is enjoyable literature, not merely for high school seniors forced to endure another "dusty classic," but for anyone who wishes to read a true classic worthy of that honorific.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant!
Review: When I started reading it, I found it quite difficult, especially since the presentation is complex, using her acclaimed 'stream of consciousness' technique, which follows the abstract thought processes of the various characters, which can be very discontinuous.
However, it is only when you close the book that you realize the author's genius, since many of the happenings and thoughts seem to be similar to what you think; and when you do, you are instantly reminded of the story, which, I feel, is quite rare.
Virginia Woolf is, indeed, one of the greatest writers you can ever find.
Reading the book may be a bit tedious; just persevere.It is worth it.
Rating: 
Summary: Wait a minute people
Review: Since i am an author im sensitive to the fact that Well i think some of you neglected a few things. For those of you who dont read biographies of the greats hers a quickie. Virinia woolf was a self published author, indeed she was a disturbed woman and had a unque and disturbing childhood. If your doubting the application of this to her writing dont as every writer and critic knows everything is applicable to art. This is indeed a unique work and she is listed as a great and in my opinion of the greats and most recent next to joyce hemingway and updike (forgive me but i will throw mr king in to lol) This may not be a read for you recreational comtemporary fans of simplistic fast past arbitrary fiction but its indeed a masterpiece and she did well. Its a shame we lost her to suicide.
Rating:
Summary: Buy this book!
Review: As soon as I finished MRS. DALLOWAY the first time, I picked it back up and read it straight through again because I couldn't believe how good it was: how funny at times, how tragic at others, how vividly and sharply the characters are drawn. All of the figures in the book "revolve" around Mrs. Clarissa Dalloway; they are, in some way, connected to her.
Septimus Smith, for example, is encountered "by accident" by Clarissa, and he becomes the book's tragic, highly emotional center, just as she is the novel's still, unemotional center. He is a veteran--and victim--of WWI, which has left him shell-shocked. He retreats into himself due to his increasing madness, just as Mrs. Dalloway has retreated into herself by keeping her emotional attachments almost non-existent due to childhood experiences. Although very little "happens" in the book, except to Septimus, this is a very moving work of literary art. The "action" is kept intriguing because it gives us insight into the minds and emotional lives of people. We come to know so much about why the characters are the way they are that we cannot help but sympathize with and come to appreciate them. Along with this book I recommend another recent Amazon purchase, THE LOSERS' CLUB by Richard Perez
Rating: 
Summary: It was...okay...
Review: Wow, you know, I thought I would love this book because the Hours was my favorite book, but I really thought it was average. I can't even remember most of it. I've blocked it out of my memory somewhat, without even trying. It was a little boring. I plan on reading it again when I'm not so preoccupied and then I'll write another review. But right now, I would recommend it to some, but not all. Very well written though. Virginia Woolf is definately a great author.
Rating: 
Summary: As bad as Faulkner
Review: I had been warned about Woolf, but I just can't accept the fact that I don't appreciate her writing and keep coming back for more. I may not be giving it a fair review since I only made it to page 65 before throwing in the towel, but after pages and pages of surreal metaphors that go on for 10 paragraphs and nonsensical semi-flashbacks, I just couldn't follow it any more. I kept losing track of which character was musing about nothing. The book just does not make any sense. After 65 pages I still could not discern the point of anything I'd read.
I suppose Woolf is considered a genius since she was apparently a cavalier writer of her generation, but I'm grateful that contemporary writers can at least string together 2 sentences that follow one another in a logical sequence.
I tried, I really did; My suggestion: just watch The Hours - you'll get all the beauty and none of the confusion.
Rating: 
Summary: A bit of a wade....
Review: Like many others i am sure, the reason for reading this was the Hours - i haven't seen the movie, don't plan to, but at the time i wanted to know what the fuss was about. And the fuss is about a arather boring stream of consiciousness style ramble about a pretenious, boring upper-class woman living in London and a (mentally) battle scarred man also living in London, with brief crossings of their tangents here and there. There are a few sentences of particularly lyrical writing, but the main impression is "And the point is?" The narrative is practically non-existent (not always a hindrance, but it is in this book). The characters are boring, except for the wife of Septimus, the man mentioned above - she is not given the room she is due. If this is classic Woolf, i will have to avoid her work in future - Orlando was bearable, but i could not see the point of this. Stick to The Hours - it is a much better book!
Rating:
Summary: Like Eating Bran Cereal...
Review: You hear you should read this book, and you do. Then you wonder why everyone raves so. Kind of like bran cereal. Something this bad just cannot be good for you. If you have already purchased this book, use it as a means to prop up your lopsided sofa leg, or maybe use a hardcover edition to hold open a window in need of weights... whichever you decide, I would not waste my time reading something which was written, I believe, to impress rather than to relate. Kind of like F Scott Fitzgerald... I just don't get it. DO read "The Hours", you will be impressed.
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