Mrs Dalloway

 

Virginia Woolf

 

Being my first Woolf novel I was excited to read this through a recommendation.

A quick read reminiscent of old London life during the 1920’s.

 

This book was a pleasure to read and beautifully written. The novel details a day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway, making the preparations for a party she is hosting later that evening. The other part of the story involves Septimus Smith planning a death. The two stories are told side by side without either of them meeting each other.

 

I myself have very fond memories of walking Regent’s park and this is where the story starts – I was hooked instantly. With the story going back and forth in time, it gives us a chance to learn more about some of the guests attending the party. The characters were so well-drawn I easily engaged with them throughout. Woolf includes some surprising (and somewhat controversial for that time) events including Dalloway having feelings for a woman and Smith’s struggle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after returning from the War. I love the honestly told throughout by various characters. Their raw struggles give the book depth. It’s not easy to make a party preparation day exciting and enticing, but Woolf has aced it.

 

It’s such a tragedy Woolf left us so early, having battled with mental illness for many years. This gave her the perspective to write Smith though, opening up conversation of getting the support necessary to help people with mental illness.