Discover a new way to read classics with Quick Read.
This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter.
- Reading time of the complete text: about 5 hours
- Reading time of the summarized text: 10 minutes
"Jacob's Room" is the third novel by Virginia Woolf, published in 1922. The story revolves around the life of the protagonist, Jacob Flanders, but is primarily presented through the perspectives of other characters. The novel lacks a traditional plot or background, focusing instead on character study. The theme of emptiness and absence permeates the narrative, creating an elegiac atmosphere. Jacob is portrayed as a collection of memories and sensations rather than a concrete reality. The story begins in Jacob's childhood and follows him through college and adulthood, with a significant portion set in London. The novel is considered a departure from Woolf's earlier works, showcasing her experimental writing style. For further reading, there is a scholarly book exploring the affectivity in "Jacob's Room." External links to the novel and reviews are also provided.
Discover a new way to read classics with Quick Read.
This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter.
- Reading time of the complete text: about 13 hours
- Reading time of the summarized text: 20 minutes
"The Voyage Out" is the debut novel by Virginia Woolf, published in 1915. Woolf began working on the novel around 1910 and finished an early draft by 1912. The novel explores themes of feminine consciousness, sexuality, and death, which would become prominent in Woolf's later works. In 1981, an alternate version of the novel titled "Melymbrosia" was published, featuring more candid political commentary on issues such as homosexuality and colonialism. The plot follows Rachel Vinrace as she embarks on a journey to South America, experiencing self-discovery and encountering a diverse group of passengers. The novel introduces Clarissa Dalloway, a central character in Woolf's later novel "Mrs Dalloway." The book received critical acclaim for its unique and inspired storytelling, with E. M. Forster praising its unity and Phyllis Rose highlighting its portrayal of youth and the excitement of life. Woolf's review copies for the USA publication are held in private collections and the University of Sydney. Overall, "The Voyage Out" is a significant work that showcases Woolf's early brilliance and sets the stage for her future literary achievements.
Discover a new way to read classics with Quick Read.
This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter.
- Reading time of the complete text: about 15 hours
- Reading time of the summarized text: 32 minutes
"Night and Day" is a novel by Virginia Woolf that delves into the lives and romantic entanglements of two women, Katharine Hilbery and Mary Datchet, set in Edwardian London. The story explores themes of love, marriage, happiness, and success. The main characters include Katharine, who is engaged to William Rodney but later agrees to marry Ralph Denham, and Mary, who works for women's suffrage and experiences unrequited love for Ralph. William Rodney, a frustrated poet, is initially attracted to Katharine but becomes engaged to her cousin, Cassandra Otway. The novel also features minor characters who appear at various tea parties. Throughout the story, Woolf references the works of William Shakespeare, particularly "As You Like It." The narrative is rich with motifs such as stars, the River Thames, and walks. The novel raises questions about the coexistence of love and marriage and the necessity of marriage for happiness.
