It was a great day, and I'm sure we all appreciate your work, Henry - not the most comfortable day for crossing London!
I am to 'Mrs Dalloway' through a circuitous route: I heard the opera based on 'The Hours' which led me to watching the film on iPlayer, so when the opportunity to have a guided read of the novel came up, count me in!
The book seems much darker to me than the film - although the Septimus and Rezia story is intact, the film didn't seem to have Clarissa's reflections on death and suicide (or I don't remember them). Vanessa Redgrave's Clarissa is, for me, more likeable than the one on the page.
My initial view was that Clarissa was a snob - but, having had time to think about, I would now describe her as shallow. Snobbery might be part of that, but it feels like a symptom rather than the underlying issue. Her reaction to Septimus's death - it's ruined my party - is pretty much the most selfish possible, even if she then considers him in more detail.
What did surprise me was all of the thoughts about death and suicide. It's hard not to make the links between Clarissa and Woolf herself - and to try to understand how troubled she must have been (something the opera did well), and the impact on those around her.
The only difficulty with reading it in a day was I think I may have missed some of the detail, so this will go on my re-read list. When Clarissa is working the room, Woolf seems to be poking fun at her but also to have a measure of admiration for her skills (quite right too: networking is a real skill) and I think a reread will bring out that complexity. And there may be so much more.
I often cut through Tavistock and Russell Square on my way to/from St Pancras, and I think I'll now see them in a different light. Thanks again, Henry.
I wasn’t expecting you to walk the route but that only highlighted how many places are visited in the course of the day! I enjoyed seeing the streets and places in question.
It was marvellous that you did this Henry. Thanks so much. I am full of awe for your approach and was able to “join” retrospectively. Will try to participate more actively. In the meantime reading avidly, to catch up!
It was a great day, and I'm sure we all appreciate your work, Henry - not the most comfortable day for crossing London!
I am to 'Mrs Dalloway' through a circuitous route: I heard the opera based on 'The Hours' which led me to watching the film on iPlayer, so when the opportunity to have a guided read of the novel came up, count me in!
The book seems much darker to me than the film - although the Septimus and Rezia story is intact, the film didn't seem to have Clarissa's reflections on death and suicide (or I don't remember them). Vanessa Redgrave's Clarissa is, for me, more likeable than the one on the page.
My initial view was that Clarissa was a snob - but, having had time to think about, I would now describe her as shallow. Snobbery might be part of that, but it feels like a symptom rather than the underlying issue. Her reaction to Septimus's death - it's ruined my party - is pretty much the most selfish possible, even if she then considers him in more detail.
What did surprise me was all of the thoughts about death and suicide. It's hard not to make the links between Clarissa and Woolf herself - and to try to understand how troubled she must have been (something the opera did well), and the impact on those around her.
The only difficulty with reading it in a day was I think I may have missed some of the detail, so this will go on my re-read list. When Clarissa is working the room, Woolf seems to be poking fun at her but also to have a measure of admiration for her skills (quite right too: networking is a real skill) and I think a reread will bring out that complexity. And there may be so much more.
I often cut through Tavistock and Russell Square on my way to/from St Pancras, and I think I'll now see them in a different light. Thanks again, Henry.
I wasn’t expecting you to walk the route but that only highlighted how many places are visited in the course of the day! I enjoyed seeing the streets and places in question.
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
It was marvellous that you did this Henry. Thanks so much. I am full of awe for your approach and was able to “join” retrospectively. Will try to participate more actively. In the meantime reading avidly, to catch up!
July 3rd and I sipped this in over the last 3 days. This was an amazing way to experience this book and I thank you!
This is wonderful! I would love to follow your tour in person next time I’m in London and tread in Clarissa’s footsteps. Thank you.
Love this! It's been years since I revisited Clarissa and I am so glad you reminded me to return.