In 'The Waves', Virginia Woolf crafts a lyrical exploration of six friends as they navigate the complexities of life, love, and self-identity. The narrative unfolds through soliloquies that reveal their innermost thoughts, seamlessly weaving together their experiences from childhood to adulthood. Through the ebb and flow of their connected lives, Woolf delves into the nature of time and existence, reminiscent of the rhythmic tides of the sea. Each character grapples with their individual struggles, creating a rich tapestry of human emotion and connection. Prepare to be immersed in a poetic journey that challenges the boundaries of traditional storytelling.
By Virginia Woolf
Published: 2018
"I am made and remade continually. Different people draw different words from me."
The Waves is a 1931 novel by Virginia Woolf. It is considered her most experimental work, and consists of soliloquies spoken by the book's six characters: Bernard, Susan, Rhoda, Neville, Jinny, and Louis. Also important is Percival, the seventh character, though readers never hear him speak in his own voice. The soliloquies that span the characters' lives are broken up by nine brief third-person interludes detailing a coastal scene at varying stages in a day from sunrise to sunset. As the six characters or "voices" speak Woolf explores concepts of individuality, self and community. Each character is distinct, yet together they compose (as Ida Klitgård has put it) a gestalt about a silent central consciousness. In a 2015 poll conducted by BBC, The Waves was voted the 16th greatest British novel ever written.
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“I am made and remade continually. Different people draw different words from me.”
The Waves
By Virginia Woolf
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Virginia Woolf (1882-1941) was an influential English writer and a key figure in modernist literature. Known for her innovative narrative techniques and exploration of the inner thoughts of her characters, Woolf's work often challenges traditional structures. Her notable works include "Mrs. Dalloway," "To the Lighthouse," and "Orlando," which showcase her stream-of-consciousness style and themes of feminism, identity, and the passage of time. Her essays, such as "A Room of One's Own," continue to inspire discussions about women's rights and literary criticism.
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