Mrs. Dalloway by the quintessential woman writer of the last century is about a woman trying to buy flowers for her party. The books dives headfirst into the thought processes of Mrs. Dalloway. There is no form as thoughts are not subjected to thesis sentences and chapters.
Mrs. Dalloway is now enjoying a renewed interest as per the movie based on Woolf and the effect the book has on two women in the movie The Hours. However, it must be noted that this outwardly simple looking book which is tame on size, is overpowering in content.
It’s free format might have been a precursor to the beat movement writers such as Kerouac and Cassidy. I suggest that a guidebook be used to handle any confusion the reader may have, but don’t abuse the guidebook as a substitute for the actual novel. Substance is the essence of this novel.
While Woolf is a interesting character to read in her own right, her life’s chaos seeps through in Dalloway. This is not just a rich vacuous woman who can’t decide on flowers; this is a woman on the verge of an epitome... is her life really what she believed it to be, or is it a facade?
Suggestions to survive this book: Keep a mental of physical record of memories you are reminded by while reading. For the those of us that aren’t willing to be so involved and prolong the end- drink some wine...relax.
Good Luck