paul_isper's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
4.0
el_36's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
thomasinmunro's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
nina_wintermeyer's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
gabedon's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
ceydddaaaa's review against another edition
3.0
This book was both beautiful and confusing.
It is the first Woolf book i’ve read and it was an interesting experience - difficult read - but interesting.
I knew prior to reading that this was the beginning of Woolf’s experimentalist style, so I assume this isn’t as refined as some of her other proceeding books.
I did, for this reason, find it hard to get through. I didn’t mind too much that there was no overarching plot, but the book was so dense that I couldn’t place any interest in the characters. Whilst I can appreciate stream of consciousness, i did find it overwhelming at times.
That being said, the writing is just brilliant. There is some beautiful prose, and some of the reflections on life was stunning.
I also, contrary to a lot of people, liked how detached we were from Jacob. Though i would’ve enjoyed a more cohesive plot, seeing Jacob through the eyes of other characters, especially women, was a very unique and interesting take.
I do want to revisit this book in the future and hopefully give it a higher rating, and I definitely will be reading more of Woolf in the future.
It is the first Woolf book i’ve read and it was an interesting experience - difficult read - but interesting.
I knew prior to reading that this was the beginning of Woolf’s experimentalist style, so I assume this isn’t as refined as some of her other proceeding books.
I did, for this reason, find it hard to get through. I didn’t mind too much that there was no overarching plot, but the book was so dense that I couldn’t place any interest in the characters. Whilst I can appreciate stream of consciousness, i did find it overwhelming at times.
That being said, the writing is just brilliant. There is some beautiful prose, and some of the reflections on life was stunning.
I also, contrary to a lot of people, liked how detached we were from Jacob. Though i would’ve enjoyed a more cohesive plot, seeing Jacob through the eyes of other characters, especially women, was a very unique and interesting take.
I do want to revisit this book in the future and hopefully give it a higher rating, and I definitely will be reading more of Woolf in the future.
t_thekla's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.0
this is what it was like to be gay in the 20s (not fun)
nathaliaborghi's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
rita0nthemoon's review against another edition
3.0
Out of the 7 works by Virginia Woolf that I have read so far, this is the one I've enjoyed the least. As one of the first books she wrote earlier in her literary career, I think it is clear that her experimental writing style was still in process of being fully developed and experimented with, which left a somewhat chaotic, boring book. It has some insightful moments and I can understand how someone could rate it 5 stars; it was also interesting that a few characters which would be further developed later in The Waves appear in this novel as well. However, and for as much as I love Virginia Woolf to death (lol), I was left overall disappointed.