Opening with an evocation of Virginia Woolf's last days before her suicide in 1941, the novel imagines the literary idol back to life - back to a gray suburban London morning in 1923 when she awakens from a dream that soon leads to Mrs. Dalloway. Artfully intertwining her story with that of Clarissa Vaughan, a present-day book editor planning a party for her oldest love - a poet who has just won a major literary award and is dying of AIDS - and Laura Brown, a distraught housewife living in postwar Los Angeles and ...
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Opening with an evocation of Virginia Woolf's last days before her suicide in 1941, the novel imagines the literary idol back to life - back to a gray suburban London morning in 1923 when she awakens from a dream that soon leads to Mrs. Dalloway. Artfully intertwining her story with that of Clarissa Vaughan, a present-day book editor planning a party for her oldest love - a poet who has just won a major literary award and is dying of AIDS - and Laura Brown, a distraught housewife living in postwar Los Angeles and obsessively reading Mrs. Dalloway as she tries to prepare for her husband's birthday, the novel moves with graceful ease, eventually merging the three womens' lives in one unexpected and heartbreaking moment. Passionate, profoundly moving, and written with an ear to Woolf's lyrically shimmering prose, Cunningham's homage to Woolf's talent and humanity is a literary tour de force.
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Seller's Description:
Good. 6 AUDIO CDs published by Books on Tape in the clamshell case withdrawn from the library collection. Library sticker and marking to the case and the CDs. Some shelf wear and edge wear to the box. The AUDIO CDs are in individual slots, protected and clear sounding. Enjoy this AUDIO CD performance!
It wasn't poorly written it was just boring. Three interwoven stories come together to make the reader realize they could have read something much better. A woman planning a party for her dying friend. A hausfrau with a shocking secret (oh my!) and sad sack Virgina Woolfe in all her pity before completion of "Mrs. Dalloway". This book much like the movie acted like a sedative for me. Both had the power to put me to sleep.
Since so much was made about Virginia Woolfe at the time of the film release and then greater interest in the book it did inspire me to read "Mrs. Dalloway". Much to my horror in the first few pages I was having deja-veu of "The Hours" all over again. I'm surprised Ms. Woolfe's estate didn't sue for copyright infringement.
bevans605
Jul 11, 2008
A Day Inspired by Woolf
Cunnigham's novel relies heavily on context and events from Woolf's novel, Mrs. Dalloway, which is being written in The Hours. If I had not already read Mrs. Dalloway, I would have missed many references and allusions to the novel made by Cunnigham and perhaps not appreciated or understood the presence of certain plot elements; nevertheless, knowledge of Woolf's work is not requisite to enjoy The Hours. The portraits of the characters, especially Woolf's, are intriguing, and Cunnigham adeptly delves into the minds of his heroines. While some may say that the characters seem too similar, I would suggest that some of the beauty of the work comes from the realisation that these women, despite their many differences, experience the same confusions and emotions. While I did enjoy and would recommend this book to friends, it is not a light or uplifting book. In any case, it's a fast read, so if you don't like it, it won't take up too much of your time. A good choice for fans of Virginia Woolf.
flickburns
Dec 1, 2007
wonderful read
I really loved this book! it is beautifully written, poetic & totally engrossing.
Selina
Sep 16, 2007
Stale
It sounded like a man wrote it. All the characters sounded the same. This is a one time read at best. I doubt anyone could read it for a second time. There was very little to hold the reader's attention.
