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There are currently 38 reader reviews for The Hours
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Natalia
(09/07/02)
The Hours is a delightfully written book with a twist of suspense and mystery. This story, about the lives of 3 women from completely different lifestyles and generations, kept me entretained the whole way through. Cunningham's writting style along with his beautiful use of word choice made this book a definite number one on my list. Although the plot was a little shaky in the end, it did finally all come together to form one of his best works yet.
Anton Ivanitski
(09/03/02)
My bio was "against" the novel. Because it is written in English. Because my major is French literature. Because I am a political journalist. Because I had read "Home At the End of The World" and thought I would never read anything better.
Still I found "The Hours" marvellous!
The whole plot is that of Hugo's tradition. However, you don't have to break through the "letters" - the style is plain and doesn't make you struggle through.
Yes, it is an intelligent novel. Yes, the author is sincere. Anyhow, the main thing is the fact that the writer has a lot to say - and that is the "purpose" of art. The characteristic, unfortunately, lost in the world of WinWords, Xerox-machines and scaners where only a lazy one doesn't involve himself or herself into creative-writing.
P.S. I have read the novel in Russian, since I live in the "post-Evil" Empire.
Gary
(04/17/02)
I was blown away by the remarkably sensitive and insightful language and character portrayals in the book. He also takes seemingly disparate characters and closes the loop beautifully and unexpectedly at the end. Congratulations to Mr Cunningham for his achievement!I knew nothing of Virginia Woolf or Mrs Dalloway before but have been fascinated by what I learned.
Carol
(04/12/02)
I delayed reading this book for years because I am a lifelong Virginia Woolf fan, and I didn't want to be disappointed. When I read it, I was just amazed! It said so much about life and death and living in the twentieth century. Like Cunningham (who I suppose must be around my age), I was raised in Los Angeles, but I spend time every year in both New York and London. The richness of detail as to place and time was quite remarkable. The subliminal things it said about Viriginia Woolf's world, and my world, and my parents' world really cut to the bone. It said the things I've thought but didn't put into words; I'm filled with admiration!
(08/12/01)
Barb
Of nine book club members, five liked the book, The Hours. To prepare for our discussion, we all viewed the Mrs. Dalloway video. We enjoyed comparing Woolf and Cunningham's stories. One big puzzlement that we found was that we weren't quite sure who Laura Brown was. Two people did not think that she was Richard's mother. Another two people insisted that she was his mother, but also was the lady across the way who rearranged her window figurines. Our book club likes discussions best when we disagree!
(08/12/01)
M. Hookey
This book was selected for discussion by the book group to which I belong. It is beautifully and cleverly written. I have to say, however, and I am speaking for myself alone, that the book comes together for me since we read Mrs. Dalloway as last month's selection. I would recommend that if it has been a while since you read Mrs.D, or if you have never read Virginia Woolf's very fine novel, you might want to give some consideration to reading it as a companion piece. But the bottom line is Mr. Cunningham has done a fine job of bringing all of these complex and fascinating characters together. A source of great pleasure; I enjoyed it immensely.