The Ramsay family travels to Skye, a small Scottish island, in the summers, their large house bursting with childish games and guests invited to stay. Towards the end of their stay, unfortunately, six-year-old James has still not been to visit the lighthouse, but the visit is promised for the next day. That promise is not fulfilled until ten years later, in the final stage of the novel, where the nearly-adult James finally gets his chance to see the long awaited lighthouse, when everything in his life is completely different.
On its own merits, I loved this book. I really like the way Virginia Woolf writes. Maybe because I’d never heard enough about her to be intimidated, I fell in love with her writing style in Mrs. Dalloway and clearly that hasn’t changed with the passing of a few years. It takes a little more effort, but I find her writing to just flow perfectly in line with my own thoughts. I think she captures the vagaries of the human mind better than any other writer I’ve ever read. And the characterization here was so interesting – in so few pages she builds genuine feelings from all these characters towards one another. And the middle section – the way time moves on no matter what happens in people’s lives – is masterful and awe-inspiring.
I found it even more interesting, though, when I started reading Hermione Lee’s biography of Woolf. Much of this novel can be read as autobiographical, and apparently the author and her sister interpreted it precisely that way. I’ll have a lot more to say about that biography when I finish it, but I immediately wanted to start this over and look at it from that way. I can already tell that this is a book which will only improve on re-reading, now that I can pick up nuances and already know what happens. But I suspect all of Woolf’s writing will be like that.
This is only a short review, but it’s impossible to put all I felt about To the Lighthouse into words, honestly. Her work just feels so true to me. I immediately wanted to read it again – and I would definitely recommend it to anyone with a little patience to get used to her style.
I have not yet read any of Woolf’s writing – although that is not because I do not want to. I have Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse on my list and hope to have the opportunity to read them sometime soon.
I am glad to know that you did not find her writing intimidating. I hope that I have the same reading experience.
.-= Molly´s last blog ..WWW Wednesday – 3.10.10 =-.
I hope so too! I really had just heard her name but not really that she was difficult or anything like that, ignorance working to my advantage in this case. =)
I have quite a few books of Woolf’s at home but I have always been nervous to try them. You’re review has made me think that it won’t be as bad as I’ve anticipated!
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Book Review: Slam =-.
Vance has been reading Mrs. Dalloway this week to get a little bit ahead. I’m intimidated by Woolf – she’s one I really think I’m not smart enough to understand.
Like Kathy above, Woolf intimidates me but it seems that everyone who participated in Woolf in Winter really loved reading her. So, maybe I should give her a whirl. I want to try her Orlando first, I think.
.-= Aarti´s last blog ..Review: The Wee Free Men =-.
I am such a chicken because I’m intimidated by Virginia Woolf. I don’t know if I’d even get her! This might be a good start.
.-= Julie P.´s last blog ..Book Club Exchange – Michele Scott & Giveaway =-.
I am one of the people who has never read Woolfe because her writing intimidates me, though your review has me intrigued about this book. I do love beautiful and lyrical writing, and this is one thing that definitely inspires me about trying this one out. Very nice review, it has made me think twice about Woolfe!
.-= zibilee´s last blog ..Raven Stole the Moon, Review and Giveaway** by Garth Stein – 464 pgs =-.
Very interesting! I’ve gotten into debates with English lit majors before about interpreting books autobiographically–apparently that’s frowned upon in English studies (?). In art history the artist’s bio is one of the first things you look at, even when the art really doesn’t have that much to do with their life.
.-= heidenkind´s last blog ..The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson =-.
Someone just recommended this to me actually It’s funny that you’ve just reviewed it. I guess all signs popint to my obtaining a copy soon!
.-= Pam´s last blog ..Perfect Life ~ Jessica Shattuck =-.
I need to stop being so scared of Woolf and actually read her! Well, I’ve already read Orlando, so that’s progress, only everyone tell ms that’s an “easy” one
I think I could love her others too if I give them a proper chance though.
.-= Nymeth´s last blog ..Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers =-.
I didn’t enjoy Mrs.Dalloway as much as I expected I would. Partly because I kept waiting for some kind of dramatic denouement tjhat just did not happen.
Now that I know what to expect with her novels, I would definitely like to give To the Lighthouse a try
.-= Nishita´s last blog ..Showing Some Cover Love… =-.
This was my favourite of all the Woolfs we’ve read in Woolf in Winter. Like you, I felt her to be so true here.
.-= claire´s last blog ..I am loving =-.
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