Looking Back... In an effort to transfer my book journal entries over to this blog, I'm going to attempt to post (in chronological order) an entry every Friday. I may or may not add extra commentary to what I jotted down in these journals.
Fiction
1925
Finished on April 1, 2002
Rating: 2/5 (Fair)
Publisher's Blurb:
Heralded as Virginia Woolf's greatest novel, this is a vivid portrait of a single day in a woman's life. When we meet her, Mrs. Clarissa Dalloway is preoccupied with the last-minute details of party preparation while in her mind she is something much more than a perfect society hostess. As she readies her house, she is flooded with remembrances of faraway times. And, met with the realities of the present, Clarissa reexamines the choices that brought her there, hesitantly looking ahead to the unfamiliar work of growing old.
My Original Thoughts (2002):
My first time reading something by Virginia Woolf. It took me some time to get used to her style (stream of consciousness), but once I did, I got caught up in the narrative (surprisingly!). There were several slow spots, but overall it wasn't terrible. I'd like to see a film version of the story, and am even a little bit interested in reading something else by Woolf. OK, but don't recommend.
My Current Thoughts:
My rating and my journal notes don't seem to mesh. Today, I'd probably give the book 3/5 stars. I remember, though, how frustrating it was to read this novel. I might have enjoyed it more had I read it after reading Michael Cunningham's book, The Hours.
I have this one on my classics list to knock off. Good to know ahead of time it's stream of consciousness writing when I get to it.
ReplyDeleteTina, if you haven't read The Hours (or seen the movie), I recommend starting with that before reading Mrs. Dalloway. I think it will help you understand what's going on.
DeleteThanks for the advice. I have not read either and didn;t know there was a movie. Will grab The Hours first.
DeleteTina, I'm terrible with buddy reads, but let me know when you plan to read The Hours and maybe I'll join you.
DeleteI was going to say that your rating didn't match your notes. I think our ratings often reflect our mood at the moment and then as we write about it we remember more detail than a rating can show.
ReplyDeleteHelen, I agree. Ratings can be so subjective to the timing of the review.
DeleteI think I liked this book more than you did, but am pretty sure I paired it with The Hours. One of the years I'll read To the Lighthouse.
ReplyDeleteJoAnn, I either read or watched a film of To the Lighthouse. I keep meaning to re-watch The Hours, which I loved.
DeleteI did read Mrs. Dalloway after I read The Hours. I thought they were both amazing stories.
ReplyDeleteDeb, they certainly beg to be read back-to-back! Maybe I'll read them both again someday.
Delete