An extraordinary edition of a classic
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Woolf's mastery of the stream of consciousness technique certainly is something to be admired, but that being said, I still find the novel rather boring and written (deliberately, I believe) in a way not particularly easy to read. Just like this sentence, actually.
I really wanted to write this review, however, to praise this particular edition (Oxforld World's Classics) for including the most ingenious notes I have ever seen. They are obviously very painstakingly researched, incredibly detailed and astonishingly pointless. When a character looks at a picture of Vesuvius exploding, an asterisk encourages the reader to read the appropriate note which is a comprehensive list of all Vesuvius eruptions from 1850 to 1920 (pointing out the most likely one). Upon Mr Ramsey being likened to a walrus, the note helpfully identifies (by name!) a walrus Virginia Woolf could have seen in the London Zoo, complete with his dates of birth and death. Sometimes the note directs you to a relevant passage elsewhere in the book; in one case, this relevant passage (quoted in full in the note, by the way) is as far as three lines away. And the list could go on and on.
Either the notes are an elaborate joke or a clear proof that Oxford professors are rather curious people. Either way, they are hilarious. I never thought I would laugh out loud reading a Woolf novel.
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Great minds against themselves conspire
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Why anybody talks about a storyline when reviewing Woolf is beyond me. TTL doesn't dress up its themes in a storyline. The book is a reflection on those things in life (both tragic and miraculous) which are on the lowest plain of being yet on a higher plane of detection (if that makes any sense to anyone else!).
The middle section is amazingly beautiful. Her insight into life was like reading what I had been trying to put into words for so long. She gives life to those things I couldn't pin down before.
I really can't praise this book enough. It was my first venture into Woolf and it's not as difficult to read as people make out; just plow on through it and everything will come together as you go.
This is also a good edition as the notes are very concise and give a better overall feel for the background of the novel.
Just read it.
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Not easy reading*
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This is not a review about the novel written by Woolf. *It's about this edition being very hard reading, because the book has been shortened down to just 154 pages (other editions have as much as up to 300 pages). This means that the typing used are very small, there are almost no air between the lines, and A LOT of text printed on each page. I think this might be for consideration for students, like myself. On the other hand, this edition is cheaper than other versions. Now knowing the reason.
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The best book I have ever read
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Is it a cliche to argue that books can alter your life? I firmly believe that 'To The Lighthouse'(TTL) does. I first read this when I was 14 and rather uneducated Literature wise, but I believe this book is what sparked off my interest in Literature, and I've gone back to read TTL repeatedly and I am yet to be bored by it.
The plot is basic. It centers around the lives of a family who holiday up in Skye one long summer. The book is split up into 3 sections. There is relatively little action in the whole of the novel. In fact, I'd say about 50% of the novel is in 1 day or afternoon, and about 10% of the novel skips time about 10 years.
To really get to grips with TTL it is essential you come to the novel with an open mind. Really appreciate the focalisation on individuals. Woolf is famous for her place in the stream of conciousness movement which included Joyce etc. The beauty of this novel comes from the interactions between different characters. She can focus on the thoughts of the young son in the family, then she can zoom out and focus on the reactionary thoughts of the mother who is engaged in conversation with her son.
Moments like these are what makes TTL a masterpiece. If you haven't read any Woolf then I would recommend TTL as a good initiation. You could read 'Mrs Dalloway' which receives more publicity, but frankly I find it slightly dull.
TTL, however, is far from it and I firmly believe that this will be a book that comes back to haunt you long after you close it.
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Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf? ...Virginia Woolf?
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I do not usually like novels (ghastly teacher in the 70s, though grade A at O level, just to spite the Frankenstein monster film reject)and for the first page found it, like another reviewer, heavy going and almost unreadable; however, I re-read the page and was then delighted by it. At times disturbing, recall that the lady suffered from childhood from bouts of madness, and that this work is apparently fairly autobiographical; though fortunately she does not dwell on that side of things.
I found it far superior to "The Waves", which to my mind has such a repetetive rhythm (the waves I take it) that it is unpleasant to read, though I did finish it.
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