Mrs. Dalloway was the first book I read from my summer reading list. This was the first Virginia Woolf book I’ve ever read, and I’ll admit – I struggled a bit. It was hard for me to adjust to her style. I had to re-read many sections over again because my eyes glazed over while I was reading and I didn’t remember what was going on.
However, I am glad that I read it. There were parts that were incredibly beautiful. I’ll try To the Lighthouse by her as well. I’d also like to read The Hours soon, and see the movie.
Here are my favorite lines:
For they might be parted for hundreds of years, she and Peter; she never wrote a letter and his were dry sticks; but suddenly it would come over her, If he were with me now what would he say? – some days, some sights bringing him back to her calmly, without the old bitterness; which perhaps was the reward of having cared for people; they came back in the middle of St. James Park on a fine morning – indeed they did. (page 7)
And it was awfully strange, he thought, how she still had the power, as she came tinkling, rustling, still had the power as she came across the room, to make the moon, which he detested, rise at Bourton on the terrace in the summer sky. (page 47)
Well, I’ve had my fun; I’ve had it, he thought, looking up at the swinging baskets of pale geraniums. And it was smashed to atoms – his fun, for it was half made up, as he knew very well; invented, this escapade with the girl; made up, as one makes up the better part of life, he thought – making oneself up; making her up; creating an exquisite amusement, and something more. But odd it was, and quite true; all this one could never share – smashed to atoms. (page 54)
(Page numbers referenced are from my edition, the Harcourt edition copyright 1981.)
If you’ve read it, I’d love to know what you think of it!
