It took me at least three attempts, before I finally made it all the way through Mrs Dalloway. It was worth the effort, because I ended up loving it. Recently, I heard a booktuber talking about a similar experience. So I am not alone.
When I started To the Lighthouse, I felt hopeful it would be enjoyable in the first go. After all, I was now familiar with Woolf’s overlong sentence construction and stream-of consciousness writing.
But no. The first attempt left me feeling rather flat. I could see how well Woolf captured the essence of the characters, but it didn’t enthral me the same way as Mrs Dalloway.
Did I give it up as a bad job? Of course not. I had a distinct feeling, there was more to this book. So I decided to give it another try.
For my first attempt I read the ebook. I was afraid Woolf’s long sentences couldn’t hold my attention on audio. Also, details such as Woolf’s use of brackets, which have a separate meaning, don’t come across on audio. For my second attempt I tried the audiobook, which others had recommended. And then it clicked!
Somewhere during part one, I found myself transcending into Woolf’s world, where everything but her beautiful prose disappeared around me.
It didn’t last all the way through. But the thing is: when it was good, it was really good; very few authors manage to speak to me the way Woolf does.
To the Lighthouse is structured in three parts, where part one and three are brief moments in time, following the Ramsay family and their summer visitors over a day a so. The short interlude marks the passing of time.
According to the introduction, Woolf doubted if the portrayal of the characters and their interactions was enough. She added the three-part structure and the passing of time chapter to make it more literary, but it was always the personal perspective she was interested in. The Ramsay family was very much inspired by her own family, especially Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay, who bear a strong resemblance to Woolf’s own parents.
In my view she could easily have stuck to the character focus. Her grasp on the subtle details in the daily interactions and the underlying psychology which drives us humans is just so clever, nuanced and spot-on. Whilst I can appreciate the time perspective adding another dimension to the character portrayal, I would probably have enjoyed it just as much, if she had left it out.
The reading experience made me wonder. Is it a good book, if you have to read it 2-3 times before enjoying it? Or is it a positive sign, because it indicates you can keep rereading and still discover more depth and nuance? I’m leaning towards the latter. At least I feel certain, I’m going to read Woolf’s novels again.
Do you have examples of books, which strongly benefitted from a reread? Or do you always DNF or get rid of the book, if it doesn’t work the first time?
For me it’s rare to reread a book, I didn’t love. However, with Woolf’s novels I had a strong feeling there was more to come. Turned out I was right.
Title: To The Lighthouse [1927] Author: Virginia Woolf Format: eBook and audiobook, narrated by Ruth Wilson Genre: Classics
To the Lighthouse is number 2 on BBC’s list of Best British Books. I gave it 3 stars when I first read it, 4 big stars when I reread. It wouldn’t surprise me, if I bump it up to 5 stars, when I pick it up again in the future.
You encourage me. I too have been daunted by this book, and didn’t persist. This was years ago, however. Time to make a further effort!
I seem to remember reading an advice about not trying too hard, just relax and embrace the experience, ideally on audio. That is exactly what I did the second time around and it worked. I know you don’t enjoy audiobooks, but maybe try that approach whilst reading?
Fair point. Also, taking it slowly, just a chapter or two at a time, no pressure to finish any time soon is working for me with War and Peace.
War and Peace!! Not sure, I will ever get through that, however slowly I am taking it. If there are a lot of names and the characters are called different names throughout the book (I think that is quite common in Russian lit?) taking it slowly is not an advantage, at least not when you have a memory (or lack of) like me…
I know what you mean. I’m doing two or three chapters a day, so even my memory can cope. It’s not getting under my skin, but 700 pages in, I’m sort of committed to finishing.
I can understand that, 700 pages is an investment. For the fun of it, I just looked up the audiobook. 60 hours and 14 minutes!
Aaaaagh!
First of all, kudos to you for hanging in there with books that have some literary heft. I rarely reread but am tackling those classics from high school that i professed to loathe at the time. Life experience changes your perspective and so far it’s working. I also don’t DNF (only one to date and it was a Pulitzer, Angle of Repose.
Great review and perspective, Stargazer💜
I rarely DNF as well and I actually think my experience with Mrs Dalloway is one of the reasons for that. I found it so difficult to read. In the beginning, I could barely take in her long, meandering sentences. And yet, I ended up loving it. Very true, I think rereading classics we read in school can be a completely different experience when returning to them as an adult. Thanks Jonetta!
Nope, I’m afraid if a book doesn’t work for me first time, it’s highly unlikely to get a second chance – too many other books out there that haven’t yet disappointed me. Well done for your perseverance, though, especially since it has worked out well. The idea of reading Wolfe once is quite nightmarish enough for me… 😉
It is highly unusual for me as well, but I think the likelihood is slightly higher with classics. Rebecca is another one I gave up on at first, but ended up enjoying (although I didn’t love it). Haha, yes I did remember you are not a fan of her. 🙂
I have always felt that I wouldn’t like Woolf’s books and your comments here reinforce that. But, your questions piqued my interest. I often reread books I liked. Why? Because I read books I like fast to see what happens and then reread to truly absorb the beautiful writing and the subtle details (“Fragile Beasts” for one example). I do not force myself to read a book I can’t “get into.” The only book I ever tried to read more than once and failed each time to get past the first couple of chapters was “Don Quixote.”
Yes, I 100% agree about your reasons for rereading books you like. I reread books for that reason as well. Although I don’t find books that often, which are good enough to tempt me to reread. You are brave to even attempt Don Quixote. Books of that length scare me!! 😁 In most cases, nothing good comes out of forcing yourself to keep going with a book, you don’t enjoy. But I’ve had a few examples by now, where it worked. They were all very short books, which makes it a lot easier to persist.
I’ve never managed to click with Woolf’s work, but I’m definitely still intrigued enough to come back to her at some point in the future.
Her writing style is quite unique, so it makes sense not everyone gets on with it. For me it’s close to being impenetrable, but when I succeed, I really enjoy it.
I think it’s about the writing, with Woolf it’s all about the writing and structure so it’s well worth re reading (in my humble opinion!) I love the way I’ve responded completely differently to Mrs Dalloway each time I’ve read it. If it’s a plot based novel and I’m not interested first go then I’ll give up on it. I’ve only read To the Lighthouse once and found it difficult, I’m planning on a re read soon and I’m encouraged by your example thanks!
Yes, you are right, it’s all about the writing and structure. I think her novels are easier to enjoy the second time around, because you did all the hard work the first time. Does that make sense? I didn’t try to analyse or think too much about it, when rereading, I just went with the flow. Seemed to work well. Hope you will have a similar experience, if you decide to read it again.
It makes perfect sense, I have my copy all lined up so hopefully soon I’ll get around to it!
I look forward to hear what you make of it!
I’m with you on this. I’ve tried the audio version of To the Lighthouse several times and not got through it but I am determined that I’ll reach the end of the book one way or another so I’ll try again soon with a hard copy. I’ve read Mrs Dalloway at least three times and every time has been a different experience.
In a way it’s annoying that her prose is so impenetrable. On the other hand, I suppose, the reward is bigger when you finally “get it”? I am glad, I gave it a second try, but timing is probably important as well. I would recommend to read it at a time where you don’t have too much going on and can give the book and the prose your full attention!
I’m currently hanging in the same situation as you were. I started reading Mrs Dalloway but somehow I couldn’t through the writing and so I just left it for later. I will go back to it sometime in future, I’m not sure when though.
Great review btw!
Well, it took me many years from I first tried, before I finally managed to get through Mrs Dalloway. So don’t rush it! Also, I think it might be easier to read, when you are a bit older, although I know many people have to read it in school. Thanks!
I’ve heard so much about this Woolf novel and I’m glad to hear how your perseverance ended up being rewarded. The structure and style does seem like a challenge but if forewarned, it seems like there might be some merit in giving it a try! 😀 Great thoughts!
Thanks Lashaan, I normally don’t enjoy, when you have to work this hard to get into a novel, but I guess Woolf is one of the few exceptions, where it’s worth it. And I guess, there is a reason her books have become classics.
I admire your tenacity! I don’t think I’ve ever reread a novel that I didn’t enjoy the first time. I think it’s possible over time because taste and appreciation alters but in a short span of time I don’t see that happening with me. Thanks for sharing your experience with this Woolf novel!
Haha, I think it has happened 3-4 times in my entire life and always with short books! Very true that our taste and experience change over time, but with so many books out there, why reread something you don’t like? I’ve only done it with classic and in cases where I really felt, there was more to the book that I managed to capture the first time around.
I consider good a bookworm that keeps you going. Yes, sometimes you have to wrk for it. Because sometimes it is the book, some other is the moment, and some more is just you. But if it keeps you trying… sounds like a great book to me!
About rereads: The stranger (or The outsider) by Albert Camus. Love it, reread it for times now. Also Demian by Hermann Hesse (this one changes every time I read it, three in total now).
Oh, I meant “I consider good a book”, not a “bookworm” 😛
I guessed that! 😁
Yes, that is very true. I guess, it’s more frequent with classics, that you get the urge to keep trying. I am glad you liked The Outsider so much. Come to think of it, Camus is another one I struggled with. The Myth of Sisyphus was so difficult to get through, even if I’ve read many original philosophy texts. I kept going, but can’t say I enjoyed it. His thoughts were interesting though and I will probably reread at some point. Hopefully it will be easier the second time.
If you really want to get closer to Camus, I recommend to you A happy death. The myth of Sisyphus is pretty heavy (the heaviest of all because is an essay, gets harder). A happy death is Camus’ first work, it is a short novel, pretty simple and always flowing. But it gives you a better guide of what Camus was interested for.
Thanks so much, that sounds like good advice! I am keen to read more Camus, but I guess my struggle with Sisyphus has put a dampener on my enthusiasm.
I agree Virginia Woolf is not easy to read. I’ve read one of her books but it was so long ago – now I can’t recall if it was Mrs. Dalloway or To the Lighthouse … but I think it was the former. Like you, I usually will attempt to reread a classic if it proves difficult or not clicking on the first try. I often don’t give contemporary books the same patience. But sometimes a classic will have more value to them … even if their story is not that exciting … whether it’s the history of the times or a theme or the intrinsic value … I’m one of those readers who doesn’t like to DNF … when it’s something I want to tackle. I was impressed by your perseverance.
Very good point about reading classics to get insight into the history of the times. Also, with the very big names like Woolf, which everyone refers to (at least here in the UK), it’s nice to have an idea of what people are talking about and to be able to spot the references to or inspiration from the author in modern literature. Of course, that is a minor concern relative to actually enjoying the book, but it stills give a little extra incentive to making an effort.