YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

In Woolf's final novel, villagers present their annual pageant, made up of scenes from the history of England, at a house in the heart of the country as personal dramas simmer.

Between the Acts is also a striking evocation of English experience in the months leading up to the Second World War. Through dialogue, humour and the passionate musings of the characters, Virginia Woolf explores how a community is formed (and scattered) over time. The tableau, a series of scenes from English history, and the private dramas that go on between the acts are closely interlinked. Through the figure of Miss La Trobe, author of the pageant, Virginia Woolf questions imperialist assumptions and, at the same time, re-creates the elusive role of the artist.

Just read the first chapter (?) of this and I have to say I feel a bit lost. We're sort of seeing a collection of people lounging around talking about something, but their conversations don't seem to have much substance - or maybe that's the point? I'll need to read further to find out more.

The prose in this one feels almost absurdist in how messy it is, flitting from one character to the next, one observation to the next, with only a very very loose overarching plot tying everything together. It's the kind of story t hat I'd want to go look up on Sparknotes after I'm done because I don't feel like I'm fully understanding what Woolf is trying to do here.

The pageant has started and they seem to be putting on skits. I thought it'd be to do with the history of England but they all seem to be... really random? Gosh, this book makes me feel rather dumb and like I'm majorly missing the point.

I'm done with the book and really am on Sparknotes to make heads or tails of this thing. I'm so confused!! I feel like I only have the barest idea of what just happened, but I guess I'll get started on my review...

First quarter - (view spoiler)[I'm really enjoying this one, so far. It is very slow paced and focused entirely on the interactions between different family members in a grand house. Through their dialogue you can see generational differences as well as newer differences, due to the impact of war.


I adore Woolf's prose and how her sentences evoke feeling into even the most seemingly mundane of things. This was one of my favourite quotes:

"The nurses after breakfast were trundling the perambulator up and down the terrace; and as they trundled they were talking not shaping pellets of information or handing ideas from one to another, but rolling words, like sweets on their tongues; which, as they thinned to transparency, gave off pink, green, and sweetness." (hide spoiler)]

Mandy wrote: "Just read the first chapter (?) of this and I have to say I feel a bit lost. We're sort of seeing a collection of people lounging around talking about something, but their conversations don't seem ..."

It does seem rather pointless but, I agree, I think that is the point. At least that is what I am gathering from this, so far. (view spoiler)[Their inane conversations and painting a picture of their life together and how it has so recently been altered, on a very small scale, by the looming war. (hide spoiler)]

Amazing, you're picking out great stuff there. I was confused as heck from this book but I've always thought it was more of my problem than the book's.

Second quarter - (view spoiler)[I'm starting to understand what the title means. Or, at least, I think I am. I'm never 100% sure of anything with Woolf. Or maybe it is super obvious and I'm overthinking it. I think the title refers to how these seemingly innate observations of domestic life are what is occurring either off stage or between moments of history. The interactions between the family members aren't going to be remembered years from now and are not notable but for that they tell us something of this time period.

Also, there is the literal play occurring in the text. I enjoyed this segment far less and found it far more abstract than what came previously. (hide spoiler)]

Mandy wrote: "The pageant has started and they seem to be putting on skits. I thought it'd be to do with the history of England but they all seem to be... really random? Gosh, this book makes me feel rather dumb..."

(view spoiler)[I didn't really understand or enjoy the pageant, too. It was very disjointed. (hide spoiler)]

Mandy wrote: "Amazing, you're picking out great stuff there. I was confused as heck from this book but I've always thought it was more of my problem than the book's."

I'm definitely getting more confused as I continue, haha!

Dannii wrote: "(view spoiler)[I think the title refers to how these seemingly innate observations of domestic life are what is occurring either off stage or between moments of history. The interactions between the family members aren't going to be remembered years from now and are not notable but for that they tell us something of this time period. (hide spoiler)]"

I thought something along these lines but I just got more and more confused as the book went on.

Seriously, this was the sort of book that I had to consult Sparknotes on after I was done because I was really left scratching my head after the last page.

Mandy wrote: "Dannii wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

I thought something along these lines but I just got more and more confused as the book went on.

Seriously, this was the sort of book that I had to consult Spar..."

I've read almost all of Woolf's novels by now and I have had to consult Sparknotes for every single one. So much happens underneath what is occurring on the surface level and I inevitably miss a lot of it.

Third quarter - (view spoiler)[I felt sorry for Isa as she seemed constrained by her husband's attitude. I didn't expect her to disappear with William during the interval, however, although it wasn't explained if anything actually occurred between them or not.

The play is as confusing as ever. (hide spoiler)]

Fourth quarter - (view spoiler)[I didn't love any of this has much as the initial quarter. The play went a little over my head, which I guess aligned me with the audience as they seemed astonished by it too. Now I've looked up some more notes on it I can, as with all of Woolf's work, appreciate it far better. The sections within the play still weren't my favourites to read about and felt too jarring and disjointed, however. (hide spoiler)]