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To the Lighthouse cover art

To the Lighthouse

By: Virginia Woolf
Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
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Summary

To the Lighthouse is a landmark work of English fiction. Virginia Woolf explores perception and meaning in some of the most beautiful prose ever written, minutely detailing the characters thoughts and impressions. This unabridged version is read by Juliet Stevenson.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2008 Naxos Audiobooks (P)2008 Naxos Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"British actress Juliet Stevenson makes for a better reader of Woolf's words than Nicole Kidman's Oscar-winning turn as Woolf in The Hours...Her reading is quietly, carefully precise, and that precision is a solid complement to Woolf's own measured, inward-looking prose." (Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about To the Lighthouse

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

An interesting book

An interesting book but not very easy to follow since it is written in the form of "stream of consiousness" or "interior monologue", meaning that the narrator depicts the multitudinous thoughts and feelings which pass through the mind of the characters- but Juliet Stevenson's reading renders the task much easier and even more enjoyable. She changes her voice in a way which makes it easy for the reader to know who is talking (sometimes it can be very hard to guess!). The difficulty of Virginia Woolf's writing, however, makes it necessary to stop and reread some passages. The book tells the story of Mrs Ramsay, a submissive wife and mother of eight children, who believes men to be intellectually superior to women "this admirable fabric of masculine intelligence", and who is constantly sympathizing with her tyranical husband and pitying men, especially the unmarried among them. She tries to marry Lily Briscoe, a young promising painter to Mr Bankes. but the former turns out to be a truly uncoventional woman who refuses to marry and who questions and internally rebells against Mrs Ramsay's utterly conventional and submissive attitude towards men.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Not an easy read

This is really hard going. I kept going until the end as I know it is a classic but most of it went over my head. The story is incredibly difficult to follow and there is no real point to it.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Little happens with little purpose

This is a novel where very little happens and it is difficult to find a story or a purpose.
The book is set in the early 20th century and follows the Ramsay family, a couple with eight children, and their friends at their summer home on the Isle of Skye. He is a tense Philosophy Professor and she is beautiful and wise. There is a repeated request by the children to visit the lighthouse the next day, but the weather never permits this. Mr Ramsay is reluctant to make the trip but Mrs Ramsay is more optimistic.
In the second part of the book, ten years have passed, the First World War has come and gone. Mrs Ramsay and two of the children are dead and Mr Ramsay is struggling to come to terms with the loss of his wife, particularly her encouragement for his work.
In the final section some of the remaining family and friends finally take the trip to the Lighthouse. The adult children see their father in a more sympathetic light and he is more caring. There is some fishing and the completion of a painting but this is all very obtuse.
This novel may be about the complexity of human relationships and unresolved conflict but it is all very middle class, themes are generally eluded to rather than explored and much of the time the novel is ....boring. However, the saviour is Woolf's writing which is multi-layered and well crafted indicating that she could write brilliantly. Maybe she achieved this in her other novels like Mrs Dalloway and Orlando., but she doesn't do it here.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Brilliant Author, Brilliant Narrator

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would, recommend this audiobook to others, and I have. I believe that I read To The Lighthouse many years ago, but its impact was greater hearing it read.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The narrative is weighted down by the effect of the parents, the power characters, on their children. This sense of claustraphobia infiltrates the book.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

pure magic...

am I surprised? absolutely not.
another combination of Woolf and Stevenson in this most fluid of flow of consciousness and what you get is naturally, pure magic.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Simply lovely

Woolf's writing is a joy and Ms Stevenson's performance is perfect. A sublime indulgence. Timeless

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Wonderfully read by Juliet Stevenson

Such beautiful writing, beautifully read. The story slightly peters out towards the end, but still really enjoyed it. Virginia Woolf has true insight.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Is there a sentiment Ms. Woolf couldn't describe?

Exactly as wonderful as I remembered. Or maybe even more now when I'm better equipped to appreciate its slow, uneven progress.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

introspective in such a depressing way about the characters and life. Beautifully read, however

Some descriptive passages, marred by constant cynical undertones. Only listen to this if you are not at risk of feeling down about life!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A great rendition of a great book

A very interested and engaging book which is still relevant today, brought to life by Juliet Stevenson. Highly recommended.

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