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Mrs. Dalloway

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1925

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Book Brief

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Virginia Woolf

Mrs. Dalloway

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1925
Book Details
Pages

224

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

London • 1920s

Theme
Publication Year

1925

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Taking place over a single day in June 1923, Mrs. Dalloway follows Clarissa Dalloway as she prepares for an evening party and intertwines with the experiences of various characters, reflecting on their past, present, and future. The narrative explores themes of mental health and loneliness amid ordinary activities like buying flowers, culminating at the evening party. The book contains discussions of mental health crises and trauma experienced by a veteran.

Contemplative

Melancholic

Bittersweet

Mysterious

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

4.0

323,229 ratings

64%

Loved it

24%

Mixed feelings

12%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf is lauded for its innovative stream-of-consciousness technique and rich character exploration, showcasing Woolf's literary prowess. However, some reviewers find its intricate prose challenging to navigate. Despite this, it remains a seminal work that profoundly captures the complexity of human emotions and societal norms.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Mrs. Dalloway?

Readers who appreciate introspective psychological novels and stream-of-consciousness techniques will enjoy Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf. Fans of Woolf's contemporaries, such as James Joyce's Ulysses or Marcel Proust's In Search of Lost Time, will find similar literary styles and themes in this work.

4.0

323,229 ratings

64%

Loved it

24%

Mixed feelings

12%

Not a fan

Character List

Clarissa Dalloway

The protagonist of *Mrs Dalloway*, she is a middle-aged Londoner planning a party while delving into her rich inner life, reflecting on her past and the complexities of her affluent lifestyle.

Clarissa’s old suitor who has been living abroad in India. He remains attached to Clarissa despite their past and is emotionally ambivalent about his young fiancée, Daisy.

An old friend from Clarissa’s past, remembered for her vivacious personality and a spontaneous kiss shared with Clarissa. She appears at Clarissa’s party, symbolizing freedom and counter-culture.

Clarissa’s steady husband, embodying traditional values and working for the government in London. He contrasts with Peter Walsh in his emotional restraint and commitment to English tradition.

The daughter of Clarissa and Richard, she represents the youth questioning traditional lifestyles but is constrained by societal expectations. She contemplates future independence yet is cautious in her rebellions.

A shell-shocked working-class veteran of World War I, struggling with trauma and exploring themes of mental health. His experiences and fears serve as a contrast to Clarissa’s upper-class life.

Septimus’s devoted Italian wife, who suffers alongside him from his war-induced trauma. She endeavors to support him despite feeling isolated and away from her family in Milan.

Book Details
Pages

224

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

London • 1920s

Theme
Publication Year

1925

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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