Scan barcode
A review by amaustin
Night and Day by Virginia Woolf
4.0
This book started out dreadfully slow. Though it was quite different from Virginia Woolf's other novels, I approached this novel with a similar sort of skepticism that I did her others. It is hard for me to look at any of Woolf's novel and see a clear "point" that is not buried under deflection or prose. Surprisingly this novel is very clear--and that was refreshing. Without worrying about missing or misunderstanding, I was able to enjoy the plot, the beautiful prose. I felt that of all her novels I've read thus far (Voyage out, Mrs. Dalloway, To the Lighthouse), the characters in this one were true characters with complexities and good points and faults, not just caricatures designed to symbolize some abstract purpose.
So to my surprise, I really enjoyed this book, particularly the latter half. I came to actually like Kathrine, though she is not a particularly sympathetic heroine, and I really liked Mary and Ralph. Even William, despite his many faults.
Overall, a good story with some of the most beautiful English prose I've ever read. She has a way of writing that captures the wild mess of human existence perfectly and in the way I feel it.
So to my surprise, I really enjoyed this book, particularly the latter half. I came to actually like Kathrine, though she is not a particularly sympathetic heroine, and I really liked Mary and Ralph. Even William, despite his many faults.
Overall, a good story with some of the most beautiful English prose I've ever read. She has a way of writing that captures the wild mess of human existence perfectly and in the way I feel it.