As I listened to Michael Cunningham read The Hours, I found my opinion of the book changing to a more positive one as I finished each of the six discs. Because the audio version of the book does not have clearly defined chapter breaks, I at first found it difficult to keep the three stories that Cunningham alternates separated in my mind. But as I grew more and more comfortable with the three main characters and their separate storylines, I began to realize what a well-constructed piece of writing The Hours is.
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Tuesday, October 23, 2007
The Hours
As I listened to Michael Cunningham read The Hours, I found my opinion of the book changing to a more positive one as I finished each of the six discs. Because the audio version of the book does not have clearly defined chapter breaks, I at first found it difficult to keep the three stories that Cunningham alternates separated in my mind. But as I grew more and more comfortable with the three main characters and their separate storylines, I began to realize what a well-constructed piece of writing The Hours is.
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I haven't read the book (and do not intend to) but I hated hated hated the movie. What a bunch of whiners these women are! If Laura Brown didn't want to be Mrs Brown, she should not have married Mr Brown. I despised almost all the characters and have not trusted a Kenneth Turan movie review since.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen the movie, factotum, and likely never will. I have to admit that I didn't "like" any of the characters in the book, including Virginia Woolf. I did, however, find them to be interesting people. What impressed me about the book was the way that the stories intertwined and came together in such a neat package at the end. I was impressed with the writing because I usually don't enjoy a book whose characters turn me off as much as most of the ones in this book managed to do.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I've had this book for ages. But I've never been able to drum up enough desire to read it!! Maybe I will now!
ReplyDeleteStephanie, I'd seen it around for a long time but didn't own a copy. When I found the audio book in the library I decided to give it a shot. I'm glad I did.
ReplyDeleteI loved the movie so much I bought it on DVD. And then ran out and bought the book, which I loved even more.
ReplyDeleteI am a big fan of Virginia Woolf's fiction (not her more traditional novels like "Mrs. Dalloway," but her experimental novels like "The Waves," etc.). Like I said, I loved the movie, but had even more praise for Cunningham when I began to read the book and realized he was writing it in the same style and voice that Virginia Woolf uses in her novels. So "The Hours" is written as if Virginia had written it herself. Amazing!
Interesting, Laura. I've only read a little of Virgina Woolf but I found Cunningham's writing style to be much more accessible than hers.
ReplyDeleteI actually got bogged down in Mrs. Dalloway and never did finish it.
I agree. I disliked "Mrs. Dalloway" too, and couldn't finish it either.
ReplyDeleteTry "The Waves." It is what I call a modern masterpiece. It is an experimental novel written entirely in the thoughts of the main characters from the time they are about 5 years old until old age and death (for some). It is very poetic and quite an amazing achievement. I have read it several times. I don't know if you like experimental formats, but if you do you'll like this one. I have also heard "Orlando" is outstanding and very experimental too.
I have also read "To the Lighthouse," and it is more traditional, only much better than "Mrs. Dalloway." I have never been able to understand why that particular Woolf novel (MD) is so famous. IMO it pales in comparision to many of her others.
Thanks, Laura, I'll have to give those a try. I have to be in the right mood for the more "experimental" prose, so I'll pick my time carefully. They do sound interesting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that review. I think I'll read it.
ReplyDeleteI hope that you enjoy it, Sheila. Let me know what you think.
ReplyDelete