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Summary: Woolf challenges gender roles and Empire
Review: This complex book can be read on many levels, but it is enjoyable on all. On the surface, Clarissa Dalloway, the main character, comes off as a shallow, upper-class Londoner. However, Clarissa has an inner life rich with thought. She and the novel's other figures refuse to be classified or labelled. Like real people, they all have innner contradictions such as the outwardly Conservative Richard who has strangely Liberal views, or Septimus, the World War I "hero" who suffers from "cowardly" fits of tears and madness. Whether the reader sees Woolf primarily examining gender roles, politics, the effects of World War I and the British Empire on the English psyche, or the multiple complexities of human thought, this book will definitely satisfy connoissuers of the English novel.
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Summary: Hard to follow
Review: I began the book having never read anything by Virginia Woolf, but had heard she was great. I also had only heard of Mrs. Dalloway but did not know the story line. So, going into it blind I am certain handicapped my apppreciation for the work. Virginia Woolf uses eloquent words in Mrs. Dalloway. Unfortunately I found that it was a bit difficult to follow. There were several passages I had to read twice to understand where she jumped from one idea/topic/person to another. Half way in the frustration overtook me and I stopped reading. Having since seen the movie I understand the story much better and may give the book another go. If you do not already understand what is going to happen and are unfamiliar with this style of writing I suggest viewing the movie first.
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Summary: Just Couldn't Get into It
Review: I'm embarrassed to say, I just couldn't get into it. Beautiful writing, but I was not in the mood for the triviality that is Clarissa Dalloway. I'm sure I'll read it some other time and love it.
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Summary: Woolf's dazzling ability with language........
Review: .....is never more evident than in "Mrs.Dalloway", the story of a single day in the life of a young English socialite who is planning a party. The "plot" itself will not amaze or thrill you, for this is a lyrical novel, but I can assure you that Woolf's beautiful creation of images and phenomenal use of metaphor will. Her rhythms, sensory impressions and creation of mood are commanding and brilliant. The writing becomes almost poetry as you read Woolf's words. This is where her talent truly lay: in her ability to bring us right to the place where her character is. We become part of the moment and not mere observers. We see, hear, smell, taste and feel what Mrs. Dalloway does. Her experience is ours. This book is for you if you love fine writing and literature. If you are looking for adventure, a fast pace, or gripping plot, this book is not for you.
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Summary: A single June day
Review: The greatest uniqueness of this novel is that everything happened in a single day in June of 1923. Clarissa Dalloway, a classy high society English lady is orgainizing a party. It turned out to be a extraordinary day of her life. Filled with ups and downs.
Following her traces throughout the day beginning with her morning shopping, she relived her past and the biggest what-ifs of her life because she met her suitor,Peter Walsh. She began wondering did she make the right decision 30 years ago when forwent an could be adventuerous life with Waslsh and chosen a scatheless one with Richard Dalloway. This eventful day also included some other special occurrences.. she met and took pity to a pathetic shell-shocked stranger and she also try to understand her daughter. Virginia Woolf wrote with intense sensory and encyclopedic psychological specification. A great read and a evergreen English literature.
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Summary: INTERESTING STYLE
Review: Long have I heard of the brilliance that was Virginia Woolf. As a precusor to reading, "The Hours" by Michael Cunningham which pays homage to this book, I read "Mrs. Dalloway." The novel is quite breathy, long in sentence and vocabulary. Since I have learned of Woolf's diagnosis of manic depression, I realize her style of writing proves that out. At times, you want to beg for periods,and finished thoughts. The characters are rich, though somewhat trite, with Septimus being the exception. I would recommend reading this and then the brilliant tribute novel, "The Hours." Neither is quite complete without the other.
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Summary: One of the best ever....
Review: No, this book is not pulp fiction, nor will it ever show up on anyone's summer reading list, but it is, given time and patience, one of the all time best examples of the written word at it's very zenith. I read the book in college and then re-read it right after finding Michael Cunningham's THE HOURS and seeing Vanessa Redgrave in the movie. Clarissa Dalloway is one of the most carefully developed characters in fiction. Additionally, Woolf's detailed and exquisite interiors are worth savoring -- almost word by word. Woolf was one of the great voices of the English language. Her work compels the reader to slow down and feel the words. Enjoy!
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Summary: A book to slowly savour
Review: Hard to believe I've never read Virginia Woolf before this, and now I know I've been missing true greateness, indeed! Mrs. Dalloway is a book to savour, every sentence, every phrase. A quick read it is not, even if quite a short novel! A few pages at a time is best, I found, to let it drift slowly into my soul. It's like a long narrative poem, with exquistely perfect descriptions (what verbs!), dreamy stream-of-consciousness meanderings, and sudden cut-to-the-quick action. I found the sudden shifts into various character's points of view a little disconcerting at first -- whose head am I in now? -- but soon came to realize the distinctive voices. Unfolding over one hot summer day in London, we gradually ease closer and closer to Clarissa Dalloway's grand party. Flashing back to holiday scenes at Bourton, we learn about the tangled relationships between the young Clarissa, her n'er-do-well fiancé Peter Walsh, her wild and sensual girlfriend Sally Seton, and her eventual Member of Parliament husband Richard Dalloway. Peter Walsh, who has been away in India some 25-30 years, turns up on Clarissa's doorstep the morning of the party. Sally Seton, now Lady Rosseter, unexpectedly waltzes onto the scene that evening. How do those sensual relationships of youth translate into a sophisticated party scene decades later, with the Prime Minister and much of upper crust London in attendance? (I won't give that away!) As counterpoint to London high society, we have two other important characters, Septimus Warren Smith and his Italian milliner wife Rezia. Septimus suffers post-World War I shellshock, and we follow his descent into suicidal madness. The paths of Septimus and Rezia touch those of the other characters' ever so tangentially, little more than a quick brush in the street. Yet Woolf has seamlessly woven them together. Altogether this is a hauntingly beautiful novel, one that will continue to reverberate through you.
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Summary: Virginia Woolf
Review: This is the first book I read by Virginia Woolf. Characters are complete, real, deep. After reading this novel or "To the Lighthouse" it may be difficult to enjoy and get to know characters created by other writers. I also recommend To the Lighthouse by Wolf.
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Summary: THE NOVEL THAT PROVED MS. WOOLF'S BRILLIANCY..
Review: A story of immense porportions to be celebrated and admired by countless future generations. I believe this novel is one of the few that has the amazing ability to be deemed a masterpiece hundreds of years after it is created. It also is one that has more to offer upon every reading. The novel is so complex and challenging that although I enjoyed it immesly the first time- the second and third I was able to associate the deeper meanings and appreciate the artistic, innovative writting style. The first book I had read by this author (To the Lighthouse) left me much dissapointed with Ms. Woolfe. But I started to read 'The Hours' (which you must read if you have read this!) and found to best appreciate that book, I had to read this one first. I was pleasantly surprised to find such a unique and touching novel. I related to it on so many different levels; to so many different characters. Being a woman, I empathized with the struggle of Clarissa in her day of preparation and understood the insecurities she may have felt with her life choices but never would display to others. The authors clever writting style and literary genius was evident in this novel. I know there may be many that don't appreciate Ms. Woolfe's talent= but if nothing else one must ascede that her manipulation of language is extraordinary. Ms. Dalloway is almost sung off the pages of the book, I felt like I was getting a buetiful renoir painted before my eyes when reading. I admit, that it is a book best enjoyed upon re-reading but it is so worth the investment! After this, I am excited to go back and read the dreaded 'To the Lighthouse' and maybe find somethings with in that I may have missed. I would definitley suggest reading this book first as it wasn't as monotnous and may better aquaint you with Ms. Woolf's style in order to better understand other works. And don't forget- if you liked this book- you will really enjoy 'THE HOURS'
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