Tash, I'm so impressed with this first post, which now has me sweating and looking for my old, page worn copy (smile). I'm just so excited about this! And I must say, it's also impressive that you are citing all these quotes (as a teacher, you have to know what a turn on it is to see that anyone still cares about such documentation)! And you do a fabulous job of outlining Woolf's process, insights, perceptions, and genesis of this amazing novel. I'm counting down the days, dear lady!
My desk is piled high with VW diaries, VW biographies, VW novels and a Norton Critical Edition of To the Lighthouse. I'm ready! Looking very forward to reading with you Nancy!
I'm about halfway through Hermione Lee's biography of Virginia Woolf and have reached the point where she and Leonard have just established Hogarth Press. What I've read so far has helped illuminate some aspects of "Mrs. Dalloway", particularly with respect to the pervasive effects of the Great War on British society. It's also interesting to read VW's reaction to changes in her world; for example, she was startled by the first appearance of motor cars in the streets of London, as it was so strange to see a vehicle moving on its own without a horse in front of it. Anyway, I'm looking forward to our trip "To the Lighthouse".
If you're halfway through Hermione Lee's biography, you must be approaching the chapter on To the Lighthouse. Very well planned, Tom! I'm also looking forward to our trip TTL.
Oh my, you just sent me on a quest for the perfect edition (Norton Critical Anything is always top-notch), but have you seen the cover to the Penguin? I recently saw and HELD a first edition copy from Hogarth press. (I live up the hill from a very dusty antiquarian bookstore). Alas, it would blow all my Christmas money for the next 50 years! So, I'm settling on a nice, simple Everyman’s edition.
I’m looking forward to a reread (my third) with you. This is one of the few books that I hope to keep rereading for as long as I am able to do so. I can’t imagine ever being done with it 💙
It is such an incredible novel. I agree with everything you say! You can really re-read as many times as you like - there are new angles, new highlights, things you missed, things you didn't miss but are just as profound the second and third times around.
I’m in! And I found a copy in the far corner of a bookshelf, dated inside (as I’ve a tendency to do) March ‘97. I’m so ready for a re-read. Thank you Tash!
Excellent! And that's a lovely thing to do - date your books (is that when you acquire the book or when you read it?). Look forward to reading with you Margaret!
I date usually when I acquire a book, but usually I'm also reading it close enough to that date. I'm thinking I should enter the date of re-reading too!
Thank you for the analyses and I'm amazed at how much heart you bring to this process. I couldn't keep up with the reading, even though I'd read it recently and thought I'd be able to breeze through. Hope to get back to it later. Looking forward to your next one!
Thank you Poonam! Don't worry about keeping up! All the posts and podcasts are up on substack now so you can come to them whenever you like. (And thanks again for sharing those photos of Talland House and Julia Stephen. Great find and fascinating!)
Oops! I missed your note Aloysha. There was a chat (here: https://substack.com/chat/2538573) but most of the discussion has been in the comments section. All the posts and podcasts are up now and I continue to monitor comments because many people are still reading :)
I loved your reflections and Nancy’s on how VW’s work (and all literature) reads differently to us at different ages. I was just young Clarissa’s age when I read Dalloway for the first time, and just older Clarissa’s age when I began teaching it to high school seniors. Looking forward to meeting Lilly and Mrs. Ramsay again after all these years…
I loved what Nancy said too. I'm tuning into Mrs Ramsay a lot more on this reading - I think because I'm reading with the mindset of a mother now. I hope you enjoy revisiting this beautiful book.
I read To The Lighthouse at School, I only half got it, but the writing and the flow of the novel really sunk into my bones and I always have a soft spot for it. I still have my old 70s schoolbook copy on my shelf and will dig it out to join you. How wonderful to know I will be reading in good company.
Tash, I'm so impressed with this first post, which now has me sweating and looking for my old, page worn copy (smile). I'm just so excited about this! And I must say, it's also impressive that you are citing all these quotes (as a teacher, you have to know what a turn on it is to see that anyone still cares about such documentation)! And you do a fabulous job of outlining Woolf's process, insights, perceptions, and genesis of this amazing novel. I'm counting down the days, dear lady!
My desk is piled high with VW diaries, VW biographies, VW novels and a Norton Critical Edition of To the Lighthouse. I'm ready! Looking very forward to reading with you Nancy!
I'm about halfway through Hermione Lee's biography of Virginia Woolf and have reached the point where she and Leonard have just established Hogarth Press. What I've read so far has helped illuminate some aspects of "Mrs. Dalloway", particularly with respect to the pervasive effects of the Great War on British society. It's also interesting to read VW's reaction to changes in her world; for example, she was startled by the first appearance of motor cars in the streets of London, as it was so strange to see a vehicle moving on its own without a horse in front of it. Anyway, I'm looking forward to our trip "To the Lighthouse".
If you're halfway through Hermione Lee's biography, you must be approaching the chapter on To the Lighthouse. Very well planned, Tom! I'm also looking forward to our trip TTL.
Oh my, you just sent me on a quest for the perfect edition (Norton Critical Anything is always top-notch), but have you seen the cover to the Penguin? I recently saw and HELD a first edition copy from Hogarth press. (I live up the hill from a very dusty antiquarian bookstore). Alas, it would blow all my Christmas money for the next 50 years! So, I'm settling on a nice, simple Everyman’s edition.
You held a first edition?! With the beautiful Vanessa Bell cover art?! Amazing!
I had been postponing reading VW for a long time.
Now, I can put this book on my desk and take an extra step, motivated and inspired by this post.
Oh good!!
I’m looking forward to a reread (my third) with you. This is one of the few books that I hope to keep rereading for as long as I am able to do so. I can’t imagine ever being done with it 💙
It is such an incredible novel. I agree with everything you say! You can really re-read as many times as you like - there are new angles, new highlights, things you missed, things you didn't miss but are just as profound the second and third times around.
A book of mine selling 3,160 copies makes me about £3160 (before tax). Could buy a pretty fancy electric bike...
Not quite the same purchasing power. Perhaps you should set up your own printing press. Ha. (Though e-bikes are rather good fun.)
The butterfly!! 😍 Has to be a good omen for a readalong journey / flight with Woolf
I know!! I think so too.
I’m in! And I found a copy in the far corner of a bookshelf, dated inside (as I’ve a tendency to do) March ‘97. I’m so ready for a re-read. Thank you Tash!
Excellent! And that's a lovely thing to do - date your books (is that when you acquire the book or when you read it?). Look forward to reading with you Margaret!
I date usually when I acquire a book, but usually I'm also reading it close enough to that date. I'm thinking I should enter the date of re-reading too!
Thank you for the analyses and I'm amazed at how much heart you bring to this process. I couldn't keep up with the reading, even though I'd read it recently and thought I'd be able to breeze through. Hope to get back to it later. Looking forward to your next one!
Thank you Poonam! Don't worry about keeping up! All the posts and podcasts are up on substack now so you can come to them whenever you like. (And thanks again for sharing those photos of Talland House and Julia Stephen. Great find and fascinating!)
love this!!! is there a chat where we can discuss together? i love the community-ness of it all ❤️
Oops! I missed your note Aloysha. There was a chat (here: https://substack.com/chat/2538573) but most of the discussion has been in the comments section. All the posts and podcasts are up now and I continue to monitor comments because many people are still reading :)
I loved your reflections and Nancy’s on how VW’s work (and all literature) reads differently to us at different ages. I was just young Clarissa’s age when I read Dalloway for the first time, and just older Clarissa’s age when I began teaching it to high school seniors. Looking forward to meeting Lilly and Mrs. Ramsay again after all these years…
I loved what Nancy said too. I'm tuning into Mrs Ramsay a lot more on this reading - I think because I'm reading with the mindset of a mother now. I hope you enjoy revisiting this beautiful book.
I am so glad i happened upon this substack! Im getting my copy of TTL out. Thank you. Very happy to be here.
Oh good! So pleased you found us, Kathryn!
My favorite Woolf. And I just sourced a copy of the Pan Macmillan edition through my fave local bookstore.
Oh good! Yes, also my favourite, perhaps tied with The Waves. Re-reading (as I am now in preparation for February) has been an absolute joy.
It'll be a fine day once we begin. My old Lighthouse flaked away so I have a newish copy.
It will! Time to crack the spine of that new copy.!
I read To The Lighthouse at School, I only half got it, but the writing and the flow of the novel really sunk into my bones and I always have a soft spot for it. I still have my old 70s schoolbook copy on my shelf and will dig it out to join you. How wonderful to know I will be reading in good company.
I'm impressed you read TTL at school! I wasn't advanced enough to read VW as a teen. So glad you can join us!
Excited to read this!
Good! Me too. Actually, your profile pic perfectly captures my anticipatory mood. Nothing like a bit of Anne-with-an-E passion :)