68 pages • 2 hours read
The Hours
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Book Brief
230
Novel • Fiction
New York City • 1990s
1998
Adult
18+ years
960L
Super Short Summary
The Hours by Michael Cunningham follows three women across different decades, each deeply influenced by Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway: Woolf herself as she begins writing the novel in 1923, housewife Laura Brown in 1949 Los Angeles, and 1990s New York City publisher Clarissa Vaughan who mirrors Woolf's character. The narrative addresses themes including marginalized sexual orientations, mental illness, and existential crises. Contains discussions of suicide.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Emotional
Mysterious
Reviews & Readership
146,666 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Michael Cunningham's The Hours is lauded for its intricate narrative structure and profound character exploration. Critics praise its homage to Virginia Woolf, though some find it overly complex and dense. The novel’s richly emotional prose captivates many, despite occasional criticisms of its pacing. Overall, a compelling, if challenging, read.
Who Should Read The Hours?
A reader who would enjoy The Hours by Michael Cunningham is likely drawn to complex, layered narratives and character-driven stories. They may appreciate literary fiction akin to Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway and Ian McEwan's Atonement, given Cunningham's intertextual homage and exploration of intertwining lives and emotional depth.
146,666 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Laura Brown (née Zielski)
Laura Brown (née Zielski)
A suburban housewife in 1949 Los Angeles who struggles with her role as a mother and wife while harboring a deep love for literature and exploring her complex emotions.
Virginia Woolf (née Stephen)
Virginia Woolf (née Stephen)
A writer residing in Richmond, 1923, who battles migraines and auditory hallucinations while crafting her novel Mrs. Dalloway, capturing her literary vision and personal struggles.
Richard Brown
Richard Brown
A distinguished poet in 1990s New York City, grappling with AIDS-related illness and reflecting on his life's accomplishments and relationships, especially with his childhood memories and Clarissa.
230
Novel • Fiction
New York City • 1990s
1998
Adult
18+ years
960L
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