My first encounter with “Mrs. Dalloway” was some years ago when I was working as a child protection worker for an agency responsible for a largely rural county in southeastern Ontario, Canada. To make the most of the hours I spent driving over the countryside, I often listened to audiobooks. One of the audiobooks I selected from my local library one day was “Mrs. Dalloway”. I had read some of Virginia Woolf’s essay collections years earlier, and thought that I really ought to read one of her novels.
But I found myself totally defeated by “Mrs. Dalloway” as an audiobook. No matter how carefully I listened—and I did have to pay some attention to the road and other vehicles even on backcountry roads, not to mention deer, turtles, and wild turkeys—and no matter how many times I restarted CD1, I could never figure out exactly what Mrs. Dalloway was up to apart from going out to buy flowers. I finally gave up the effort and decided that “Mrs. Dalloway” was one of those novels that demanded to be read sitting down, undisturbed, and with the reader’s full and complete attention.
So, being now retired, about a year ago I splurged on a copy of “The Annotated ‘Mrs. Dalloway’”, edited by Merve Emre. In terms of annotations, Ms. Emre really gives you your money’s worth, in addition to an introductory essay and plenty of photos, maps, and illustrations to accompany the text. The only trouble was that the extra material, instructive as it was, bogged down my reading of the novel, so I resolved that one day I would reread “Mrs. Dalloway”, this time paying attention to the text alone.
When one of my favourite Booktubers, Alyssa the Nerdy Nurse—whom I highly recommend—mentioned in her most recent newsletter that The Virginia Woolf Reading Group was taking a look at “Mrs. Dalloway”, I figured this was as good a time as any to seize the carp and join in, though this is my first experience being involved in such an internet group as I tend to be a little wary of the online jungle.
Glad you're joining us (and thanks Alyssa!) Yes, I'm also reading the text straight - my edition has no annotations - though I've had the Merve Emre edition recommended to me and do intend to track down a copy.
Last year I went looking for a copy of "Mrs. D." at my local used bookstore, but came up empty. That's when I went searching online and came across Merve Emre's annotated edition, which I promptly ordered, as one tends to do when shopping online. Ms. Emre has a brief introductory bio of VW, followed by a description of how she came to write "Mrs. D.", using excerpts from VW's diary, letters, and other sources. As far as the text goes, Ms. Emre provides lots of illustrations, photos, maps, advertisements, etc. to help the reader imagine the London of 1925 that Clarissa and Peter live in. Although there is some analysis of the text provided, Ms. Emre doesn't venture very far into literary criticism. Rereading "Mrs. D." this time around, I'm just as happy to ignore the distractions of the sidebar explanations.
Just finished To the Lighthouse as it happens. And planning to write about VW's last (or second to last) story The Symbol on my About Mountains Substack in a couple of weeks. I'll download Mrs Dalloway now and apply the Vanessa Bell cover pic. I last read it about 1970 so surely due for a reread...
Oh, I’m thrilled to have found your Substack and this reading group! I’ve just read A Room of One’s Own and I’m looking forward to reading more Woolf. I won’t be able to join the Mrs. Dalloway schedule as I will be reading The Count of Monte Cristo in June, but count me in for To The Lighthouse!
I'm on board and wouldn't mind promoting this at Deeper Stories where I'm analyzing the stories of her collection, Monday or Tuesday (along with Dubliners). I'll message you about another possibility.
Fun! I've been meaning to read Woolf forever.. and have not yet. Happy to jump in here!
Excellent!
My first encounter with “Mrs. Dalloway” was some years ago when I was working as a child protection worker for an agency responsible for a largely rural county in southeastern Ontario, Canada. To make the most of the hours I spent driving over the countryside, I often listened to audiobooks. One of the audiobooks I selected from my local library one day was “Mrs. Dalloway”. I had read some of Virginia Woolf’s essay collections years earlier, and thought that I really ought to read one of her novels.
But I found myself totally defeated by “Mrs. Dalloway” as an audiobook. No matter how carefully I listened—and I did have to pay some attention to the road and other vehicles even on backcountry roads, not to mention deer, turtles, and wild turkeys—and no matter how many times I restarted CD1, I could never figure out exactly what Mrs. Dalloway was up to apart from going out to buy flowers. I finally gave up the effort and decided that “Mrs. Dalloway” was one of those novels that demanded to be read sitting down, undisturbed, and with the reader’s full and complete attention.
So, being now retired, about a year ago I splurged on a copy of “The Annotated ‘Mrs. Dalloway’”, edited by Merve Emre. In terms of annotations, Ms. Emre really gives you your money’s worth, in addition to an introductory essay and plenty of photos, maps, and illustrations to accompany the text. The only trouble was that the extra material, instructive as it was, bogged down my reading of the novel, so I resolved that one day I would reread “Mrs. Dalloway”, this time paying attention to the text alone.
When one of my favourite Booktubers, Alyssa the Nerdy Nurse—whom I highly recommend—mentioned in her most recent newsletter that The Virginia Woolf Reading Group was taking a look at “Mrs. Dalloway”, I figured this was as good a time as any to seize the carp and join in, though this is my first experience being involved in such an internet group as I tend to be a little wary of the online jungle.
Tom, your first experience with Mrs Dalloway sounds very similary to mine! (I wrote about it here - https://virginiawoolfreadinggroup.substack.com/p/from-inauspicious-beginnings-my-relationship)
Glad you're joining us (and thanks Alyssa!) Yes, I'm also reading the text straight - my edition has no annotations - though I've had the Merve Emre edition recommended to me and do intend to track down a copy.
Last year I went looking for a copy of "Mrs. D." at my local used bookstore, but came up empty. That's when I went searching online and came across Merve Emre's annotated edition, which I promptly ordered, as one tends to do when shopping online. Ms. Emre has a brief introductory bio of VW, followed by a description of how she came to write "Mrs. D.", using excerpts from VW's diary, letters, and other sources. As far as the text goes, Ms. Emre provides lots of illustrations, photos, maps, advertisements, etc. to help the reader imagine the London of 1925 that Clarissa and Peter live in. Although there is some analysis of the text provided, Ms. Emre doesn't venture very far into literary criticism. Rereading "Mrs. D." this time around, I'm just as happy to ignore the distractions of the sidebar explanations.
Just got my copy! Love that first line already. Haha can’t help but think of Flowers by Miley Cyrus “i can buy myself flowers” 💐
Just finished To the Lighthouse as it happens. And planning to write about VW's last (or second to last) story The Symbol on my About Mountains Substack in a couple of weeks. I'll download Mrs Dalloway now and apply the Vanessa Bell cover pic. I last read it about 1970 so surely due for a reread...
Excellent! Vanessa Bell's covers are beautiful.
I’m in. Been meaning to read my copy 😊 different versions should be an interesting wrinkle for a book without divisions!
Great! Yeah, I'm hoping we'll manage alright - but things might be a bit loose at times...
Oh, I’m thrilled to have found your Substack and this reading group! I’ve just read A Room of One’s Own and I’m looking forward to reading more Woolf. I won’t be able to join the Mrs. Dalloway schedule as I will be reading The Count of Monte Cristo in June, but count me in for To The Lighthouse!
Great! To the Lighthouse is the best!
I have this copy! I love the cover so much. ❤️
Looks cool.
I think I may see you on 7 June.
I'm on board and wouldn't mind promoting this at Deeper Stories where I'm analyzing the stories of her collection, Monday or Tuesday (along with Dubliners). I'll message you about another possibility.
Great! I'll have to stop by your substack - I'm reading Dubliners right now.
I am in for a reread in company. My first readings are always too fast to fully take in a book.
Reading together with others is always very nourishing I find.
I already have the book at home but haven't read it! This is perfect!
Perfect!