To the Lighthouse is a luminous masterpiece of modernist literature, exploring the inner lives of the Ramsay family and their guests during a summer holiday on the Isle of Skye. Woolf’s narrative, interweaving consciousness, time, and perception, transforms ordinary events—like the postponed visit to the lighthouse—into profound meditations on life, memory, and human connection.
The novel is anchored by the serene and maternal Mrs. Ramsay, the intellectual yet vulnerable Mr. Ramsay, and their children, whose varying perspectives illuminate the tensions and alliances of family life. Woolf’s prose is at once poetic and exacting, capturing the ephemeral beauty of daily moments while questioning the nature of reality itself.
Author: Virginia Woolf
Introduction: Eudora Welty
Publisher: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, December 27, 1989
Format: Paperback, Unabridged
Pages: 209
ISBN-10: 9780156907392
ASIN: 0156907399
Rating: 4.4/5 stars (Amazon, 890 ratings), 3.8/5 stars (Goodreads, 211,046 ratings)
Why this edition stands out:
-
Eudora Welty’s introduction provides valuable insight, framing Woolf’s novel as a “vision of reality” that is severe and uncompromising in its artistry.
-
The unabridged text preserves the integrity of Woolf’s original work.
-
Compact paperback edition (0.56 × 5.31 × 8 inches) makes it accessible for both study and leisure reading.
Critical Reception:
-
Greta Gerwig praises it for reshaping the mind with its prose.
-
Alison Bechdel calls it revolutionary and “alive,” with each rereading offering fresh insights.
-
Margaret Drabble hails it as one of the greatest elegies in the English language.
In summary:
To the Lighthouse is not just a novel; it’s an immersive experience in modernist storytelling. It challenges and rewards readers, offering both an emotional and intellectual journey. For anyone interested in literary fiction, family dynamics, or the exploration of consciousness, this edition is an essential addition to your library.
Overall rating: ★★★★☆ 4.4/5
No comments:
Post a Comment