Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die discussion

I bought this book years ago and never read it (I think I read the first chapter or so and then set it down, failing to ever pick it back up). My question is whether I should read Mrs. Dalloway first if I want to get the most out of The Hours. My hunch is yes, but I'd like to hear from people who have read one or both to confirm... I've never read any Virginia Woolfe.

Here is some thoughts on both books:
http://www.johnbillingsley.net/Book%2...

I've never read any Virginia Woolf, but didn't feel like I was missing anything substantial while reading The Hours. Though the more I hear about Mrs. Dalloway the more I think I should have read it first as there appear to be a lot of parallels between the two.

I read and loved The Hours so much that I was inspired to go back and reread Mrs. Dalloway. Unfortunately, I was so irritated by the tragic abuse of semicolons in Mrs. Dalloway that I barely made it to the end. UGH...

I loved The Hours and need to read more Woolf.

I was also inspired to read Mrs. Dalloway after reading The Hours. I had such a hard time finishing Mrs Dalloway that I put it aside for a while and came back to it. I hate to admit that I am kind of nervous about attempting anymore Woolf.

I read Dalloway specifically because I was going to read The Hours. I could barely make it through Woolf's book and couldn't tell you what it was supposed to be about. (I'm kind of a lightweight when it comes to reading heavy literature.) But Dalloway made so much more sense while I was reading The Hours. There were dozens of "A ha!" moments in The Hours when I realized what Dalloway was trying to say put into a less stream-of-conscious, more recognizable situation. Regardless, I think you could read and enjoy The Hours without reading Mrs. Dalloway.

I appreciate Mrs. Dalloway more than I enjoy it. It's dense and difficult, but there really is a lot of good stuff in there. I don't think it's mandatory to read Mrs. Dalloway before picking up The Hours, but you'll see more character arch and thematic relations between the two if you do.

Also, I'm brand new to the group and to the website in general, so I just want to say hi to everyone!

i really loved The Hours but i did not read mrs dalloway first. you probably should, but its not nessesary. but this is a book you have to consentrate on when you are reading.

but it is a must read book!!!!

What a timely thread. I'm currently reading Mrs. Dalloway...49 pages to go. I read To the Lighthouse a few years ago, so I had some idea of Woolf's style going in. She certainly writes in her own voice but I don't find it all that difficult...the reader has to sort of flow along with the story. Her writing is simply breathtaking I think. However, you may never want to see another semicolon when you finish it!

I wasn't planning to read The Hours...but now my interest is sparked...I think I'll put in a request at the library.

I would also suggest reading Doris Lessing's short story "To Room Nineteen." It does not play as big of a part in The Hours, but the fact that I had read that short story added to my enjoyment of The Hours more than the fact that I had read Mrs. Dalloway.

OK, with 49 pages of Mrs. Dalloway to go, I started reading The Hours. I read the first few chapters of The Hours, then finished Mrs. Dalloway. I suppose you do not have to read Mrs. Dalloway first but reading them together was a FUN experience for me. I would certainly recommend reading them in tandum.

Christine - Thanks for mentioning the Lessing story. I noticed Cunningham put the Golden Notebook in The Hours, which made me smile...so I will reach for To Room Nineteen tonight...I think I have it, but if not the library is just a mouse click away.

Thanks, Christine -- I will do likewise. And Ivy -- The Hours and Mrs. Dalloway make a truly great tandem reading experience in my opinion. I had read Mrs. D. a couple of times before The Hours arrived on the scene but our ConstantReader group read the two and discussed them in tandem which was fantastic. I think I may be repeating myself with this -- if so forgive me.

By all means, read 'mrs.dalloway' first. It is a fine book. But just like one of those optical illusions, give yourself time to 'get' into the story. Your brain needs to adjust to the pace of the plot. Woolf doesn't make it easy, but please don't be put off by it. It's one of the most extraordinary books you'll ever read. You won't regret it - just give it time, don't be scared by the language.

Then watch the movie of course... :) It does justice to the novels. Well I thought to anyway!

Then read The hours... and you'll see what the fuss is about.