tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463216142910370346.post162707245533384075..comments2023-12-28T15:17:59.287-05:00Comments on Fresh Ink Books : Mrs. Dalloway by Virgina WoolfSandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06265301061583417768noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463216142910370346.post-72383544618194741452010-07-23T13:04:45.470-05:002010-07-23T13:04:45.470-05:00Great choice for a review - thanks for sharing you...Great choice for a review - thanks for sharing your thoughts on it.Tribute Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16959016294721462184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463216142910370346.post-88946897718159344122010-02-01T09:05:06.394-05:002010-02-01T09:05:06.394-05:00Good brief and this mail helped me alot in my coll...Good brief and this mail helped me alot in my college assignement. Say thank you you seeking your information.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463216142910370346.post-18317689837360825382010-01-25T19:47:44.982-05:002010-01-25T19:47:44.982-05:00i had to read this for school. it was difficult to...i had to read this for school. it was difficult to get through but well worth it. completely fascinating and the story sticks with you for always.Vittoriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07132052239945693148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463216142910370346.post-37462917493896693722010-01-21T14:26:13.622-05:002010-01-21T14:26:13.622-05:00It was interesting to read your thoughts and John ...It was interesting to read your thoughts and John Mutford's review on 'Mrs.Dalloway'. It reminded me of my own experience of reading Roberto Bolano's 'The Savage Detectives'. 'The Savage Detectives' started with some kind of plot, but after that the majority of the story is a set of monologues of many characters who talk about a few characters we encountered in the first part of the book. It was quite distracting when one wanted to find out what happened next. But after I got over the initial distraction, I actually liked the book very much. I haven't tried reading Woolf before. Maybe I will give it a try.Vishyhttp://vishytheknight.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463216142910370346.post-3888067376432058522010-01-21T06:16:32.446-05:002010-01-21T06:16:32.446-05:00Over the last 3 days I have read three reviews on ...Over the last 3 days I have read three reviews on the book and all have been totally by accident. All three reviews gave three different points of view which is I suppose the whole meaning of a review! It made for very interesting reading (the reviews I mean). I am just halfway through the book and liking it so far.Mysticahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10941269615559681014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463216142910370346.post-11259233138895514542010-01-19T02:13:35.103-05:002010-01-19T02:13:35.103-05:00I definitely think rereading it in the future woul...I definitely think rereading it in the future would be something you'd enjoy. I read it once and I think I was trying too hard to find the importance of it all that I overlooked the simplicity of it: the inner monologue that we all have, and how it can be true at times but also false.<br /><br />I read it again about a year later and enjoyed it much more. Focusing purely on her and not Peter, and trying to imagine all the little details (the flowers!!!) made it more enjoyable. Woolf seems to make people want to analyze her for more meaning than they should (sometimes). <br />I found To The Lighthouse much more annoying.Amyhttp://www.theblacksheepdances.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463216142910370346.post-61591832034666436612010-01-18T17:47:31.901-05:002010-01-18T17:47:31.901-05:00What a great idea to include John's perspectiv...What a great idea to include John's perspective, too! This is definitely all about character, and not much plot.... a change of pace for me. I do plan to reread it in the not too distant future,JoAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463216142910370346.post-11749348759606860922010-01-17T18:49:34.563-05:002010-01-17T18:49:34.563-05:00Personally, I have to admit, it is the "the a...Personally, I have to admit, it is the "the appeal of being let into someone else's world and the realization that most thoughts are actually quite mundane" that most often draws me into a story, and not necessarily the story itself. I think I can actually read any story, so long as it's writing is something that can make me feel like I'm floating in cloud of words. It's the beauty of language that I more often focus on when I read, so I think I'll love this book.<br /><br />I'll try to catch up with the group for the second book :)Mark Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00191881042368314958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463216142910370346.post-44297044138843356232010-01-17T15:14:16.025-05:002010-01-17T15:14:16.025-05:00Sandra, I really enjoyed your point on whether or ...Sandra, I really enjoyed your point on whether or not Clarissa and Peter have changed by the end of the story and John's point about the importance of Peter as a character. Regardless of whether or not one agrees with your particular reactions, I think those are key questions for anyone to consider when trying to come to grips with the novel. For my part, I love <em>Mrs. Dalloway</em>'s perfectly-worded last line for its ambiguous "answer" to these sorts of questions AND Woolf's inventiveness in telling a story with multiple points of view and such a clever use of time (i.e. although the "action," such as it is, only seems to take place in a single day, the characters' reflections on that day actually take the narrative back years and years and then back again). Anyway, thanks for the two reviews--I look forward to following along with you here during the rest of the readalong!Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463216142910370346.post-21257519519915052282010-01-17T12:43:46.182-05:002010-01-17T12:43:46.182-05:00After reading your review and all of these great c...After reading your review and all of these great comment debates I am unsure as to whether to read Mrs. Dalloway or not! However, I wish I had before so I could have participated in this discussion! It's like being back in college - love it!Amusedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12657337249497691366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463216142910370346.post-11340025708355431512010-01-17T12:22:24.790-05:002010-01-17T12:22:24.790-05:00Much as I love experimental Modernist literature, ...Much as I love experimental Modernist literature, I too had trouble getting into this book, although I ended up enjoying it. Regarding your reply to Emily, I think you are absolutely correct: this book has to be read very slowly and/or more than once. I like to read fast and I was in a hurry to finish this by Friday, so I think that's where I ran into trouble.Eileenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11058705381647529328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463216142910370346.post-53534365017168300282010-01-17T12:13:59.788-05:002010-01-17T12:13:59.788-05:00Thank you for stopping over and leaving a comment ...Thank you for stopping over and leaving a comment I feel like you no longer left out. I've known of Woolf since my years in school and even tried to read her, but never got very far. I agree that we all ponder the what ifs and the different paths we would have trod. I agree with your guest, Mrs Dalloway is an interesting choice for the central character.<br /><br />ChristyLilbitbrithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09477302589982766792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463216142910370346.post-56174690889837440052010-01-17T02:14:22.752-05:002010-01-17T02:14:22.752-05:00Thanks for stopping by and leaving such an encoura...Thanks for stopping by and leaving such an encouraging comment. I actually visited most of the linked sites and read all of the comments at Sandra's site and at Claire's. Your post was among the first posts I read. The posts were well written and thought provoking. I must admit to being a little fearful about posting my own opinion for fear I would sound ignorant. However, I felt I wouldn’t be true to myself if I posted something else.<br /><br />I have learned a lot reading the reviews and comments. There were a number of reviewers that said they had to read the book several times before they enjoyed it. I especially liked the way Claire compared the book to a song. It did have a lyrical feel to it and there were many phrases, sentences and paragraphs that I enjoyed immensely. If that is the readers’ intent then the book is perfect. But even after studying the spark notes and reading about characters, motifs, symbols and such, I still can't see the point of the book. The only symbol that I got and really enjoyed was Big Ben tolling the hour and marking time. One cannot escape the passage of time, as all of the characters in Mrs. Dalloway discovered. I also like the fact that the story ended where it began, with Mrs. Dalloway as the central figure—symbolizing the futility of all our worry. <br /><br />I really enjoyed participating in the reading group. This was my primary reason for joining up. I think it is great fun to share thoughts about a book with other people. I would like to join up with more people conducting reading groups. And I do plan on continuing with this group at least through the next book. I just hope it has a plot :)kayerjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08479123027080062607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463216142910370346.post-79240330239383273492010-01-16T23:57:47.858-05:002010-01-16T23:57:47.858-05:00I have always felt like I should read some Woolf. ...I have always felt like I should read some Woolf. After reading this I'm afraid it would be a slow go for me.I will pick up one of her books one of these days, thanks for the review.Sharonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15947271410329103836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463216142910370346.post-20159663450093308872010-01-16T17:17:16.197-05:002010-01-16T17:17:16.197-05:00I'm always impressed when people read Woolf fo...I'm always impressed when people read Woolf for pleasure. She is high on my list of authors to avoid although it's probably split evenly between enjoyed and not enjoyed if I think truthfully about the works of hers that I've read to date. My biggest problem is that stream-of-consciousness generally makes me want to poke myself in the eye with a sharp and pointy stick. And that's a hard thing to get over. ;-) I do recognize her influence on the world of letters and appreciate her very feminist leanings but just can't make myself read her with any joy. Ah well. I'm glad others do.Kristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07651401312450990123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463216142910370346.post-90012749407071860002010-01-16T15:30:10.725-05:002010-01-16T15:30:10.725-05:00Now I'm really tossed up. I read another revie...Now I'm really tossed up. I read another review this week that raved about the book. I didn't realize it was stream-of-consciousness writing. That could be a sticking point with me as I don't particularly care for it. In The Lie by Fredrika Wagman, that style made me want to screech by the end or maybe it was just that book. Anyway, thanks for another very insightful review.Kayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10282803815704229945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463216142910370346.post-28696778863120924782010-01-16T14:32:05.326-05:002010-01-16T14:32:05.326-05:00This was my first time reading her, too, and certa...This was my first time reading her, too, and certainly missed so much of the nuances. After reading everyone's posts, I found so much more than I initially saw. I did love the language though, and wasn't thinking of the plot as I was enjoying the prose so much. I hope you find To the Lighthouse much more enjoyable now that you've gained much insight from the other readers. THanks for reading along, Sandra! (And thanks to John, too, for his thoughts.)clairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14397226316253896335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463216142910370346.post-64027566724459967402010-01-16T12:00:25.963-05:002010-01-16T12:00:25.963-05:00I've never read Virginia Woolf, and have been ...I've never read Virginia Woolf, and have been hoping to find some reviews of her books. I appreciate this review, because it tells me definitely where NOT to start. This was a great review, too. Hearing from two very different people gave me a better perspective on how it reads. Both sets of comments were helpful and on point.<br />Thank you so much for this post. I enjoyed it very much.Teri Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03999534282021701036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463216142910370346.post-77598811696764167622010-01-16T10:01:43.313-05:002010-01-16T10:01:43.313-05:00Reading your post is like having Cliff Notes befor...Reading your post is like having Cliff Notes before I try to read this!! I thank you kindly!!Stacihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07600979915661464945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463216142910370346.post-37467836803260977982010-01-16T09:49:06.866-05:002010-01-16T09:49:06.866-05:00I would have to say that anyone looking for plot s...I would have to say that anyone looking for plot should look elsewhere :) I really enjoyed the stream of consciousness style. I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it as much, but as Eva said, good for you for giving it a try!Rebecca Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06062252252301802298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463216142910370346.post-31172128481878541872010-01-15T21:14:22.150-05:002010-01-15T21:14:22.150-05:00I loved that line about pessimistic book with nary...I loved that line about pessimistic book with nary a plot to be found...I think reading Woolf may be a bit of an acquired taste, of which I'm only recently acquiring after reading everyone's reviews today. I must admit, after the first read, I wasn't terribly impressed...all that stream of consciousness writing was a hair too self-absorbed for me at the beginning. Now I can let myself go in the description and mood.<br /><br />One more thought: I'd have loved the story to be told through Sally's eyes. In my mind, she was a fascinating character. I'd love to be her friend in real life.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463216142910370346.post-85783551560491255172010-01-15T19:39:43.237-05:002010-01-15T19:39:43.237-05:00I've been trying to remember if I'd read t...I've been trying to remember if I'd read this book. I swear I have but I didn't remember a thing about it. Maybe I did read it and felt the same way as you did and that's why I don't remember it.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05554217416500328610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463216142910370346.post-29412970000482583732010-01-15T17:28:35.973-05:002010-01-15T17:28:35.973-05:00I think we are quite alligned in our thoughts on t...I think we are quite alligned in our thoughts on this one. I think the technique and writing were brilliant, the rest just didnt quite do it for me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463216142910370346.post-57837711330884765302010-01-15T16:46:21.411-05:002010-01-15T16:46:21.411-05:00Like you, I think a second reading will add a lot ...Like you, I think a second reading will add a lot more to the book, for, after reading so many reviews today, I feel like i've missed out on some subtleties. <br /><br />This was my first Woolf, and I'm hoping to try another sometime in the near future. <br /><br />Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and, for the wonderful guest post! The pivotal character, for me, was Septimus, just because I thought he gave the book a kind-of depth that just Clarissa's party would've lacked. With the diametrically opposite Clarissa and Septimus, the book gives us an insight into two people who make choices, that literally define the line between life and death.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463216142910370346.post-89119122742927814252010-01-15T15:33:18.085-05:002010-01-15T15:33:18.085-05:00Awww; I'm sorry that you didn't enjoy this...Awww; I'm sorry that you didn't enjoy this as much as I did! But good for you giving Woolf a shot. :) I suppose, for me, while Clarissa is the same person from beginning to end, I know so much more about her by the end of the book...so while her character doesn't changed, a lot more of it is revealed.Evahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06703372903532502944noreply@blogger.com