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Between the Acts

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( 8,750 ratings, 818 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Between the Acts by Virginia Woolf is set in a peaceful English village just before the outbreak of World War II. The novel unfolds over a single summer day during which the villagers prepare for an annual pageant held at a country house. Through its portrayal of diverse characters, the book delves into themes of art, history, and human connection.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might like this book if you enjoy exploring themes of transformation and society through the lens of lyrical prose. Virginia Woolfโ€™s work offers a poignant reflection on the contrast between personal desires and societal expectations, all set against the backdrop of an English village play. Her rich characterisation and innovative narrative techniques provide a deep dive into the complexities of human nature and connection.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Between the Acts is Virginia Woolf's final novel, now featured in Penguin Black Classics.

Outwardly, it is a novel about life in a country house where a pageant is to be held in the grounds. However, it is also a striking evocation of the English experience in the months leading up to the Second World War.

Through dialogue, humour, and the passionate musings of the characters, Woolf explores how a community is formed and scattered over time. The pageant, consisting of a series of scenes from English history, is closely interlinked with the private dramas that occur between the acts. Through the character of Miss La Trobe, the pageant's author, Woolf questions imperialist assumptions while simultaneously recreating the elusive role of the artist.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Between the Acts by Virginia Woolf is widely appreciated for its exploration of complex themes such as the passage of time and the interplay between personal and historical narratives. Critics often praise Woolf's lyrical language and innovative narrative techniques. The book's portrayal of English society on the brink of World War II, combined with its rich character development, has garnered admiration for its depth and poignancy.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241372500

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 May 2019

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

  • Introduction by Gillian Beer
  • Edited by Stella McNichol
  • Notes by Gillian Beer
  • Edited by Stella McNichol

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 11.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 148g

Pages: 192

About the Author

Virginia Woolf, born in 1882, was the major novelist at the heart of the inter-war Bloomsbury Group. Her early novels include The Voyage Out, Night and Day and Jacob's Room. Between 1925 and 1931 she produced her finest masterpieces, including Mrs Dalloway, To the Lighthouse, Orlando and the experimental The Waves. Her later novels include The Years and Between the Acts, and she also maintained an astonishing output of literary criticism, journalism and biography, including the passionate feminist essay A Room of One's Own. Suffering from depression, she drowned herself in the River Ouse in 1941.

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