Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
Key Details
- Genre: fiction
- Sub-Genres: literary fiction
- Publication Date: 1925
- Pages: 211
- Themes: identity, time, mental health, class, social expectations, human connection, feminism
- Accolades: included on TIME Magazine’s list of the 100 best English-language novels
My Rating
While Mrs. Dalloway was a middle-of-the-road read for me, I love how it takes place in the course of just one day. This is always an intriguing literary device for me, especially when the passage of time is a theme, as it is here.
Gilmore Girls Episodes
| Season 2, Episode 4 (“Road Trip to Harvard”) | Rory reads Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf at her grandparents’ house. |
Best Quote
“Fear no more, says the heart, committing its burden to some sea, which sighs collectively for all sorrows, and renews, begins, collects, lets fall.”
Book Review
Description
Mrs. Dalloway follows Clarissa Dalloway as she prepares for a party in post–World War I London, reflecting on her past, her choices, and the passage of time.
Parallel to her story is that of Septimus Smith, a war veteran struggling with trauma and mental illness. Their lives never directly intersect, but their inner experiences highlight the fragility of human connection.
Why It Matters on Gilmore Girls
Rory’s reading of Mrs. Dalloway is evidence of her love of both classics and books about feminism, which she often reads throughout the show.
Who It’s Best For
Like Rory, this book is best for fans of classics and books about feminism.
Reading Tips
- Pair it with 2002’s The Hours, starring Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, and Meryl Streep. It was based on this book. It’s a highly acclaimed award winner and was very good!
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