Tips for Reading TO THE LIGHTHOUSE - Better Book Clubs

[@hiheyhaylee]

As a non-native English speaker, this video really helped a lot! I was a bit disheartened and thought I was struggling because my English proficiency wasn’t enough. I’m relieved to know that it’s a difficult read for native speakers as well! It also prepared me to read with a different mindset. Thank you for this video:)

[@BetterBookClubs]

You're welcome! Definitely tough for native speakers, too!

[@Simpaulme]

Rereading books is always so surprising!

[@ioana7929]

Something clicked in my brain after watching this video and the text is so incredibly much easier to get through now. Thank you!

[@BetterBookClubs]

That's great! You're welcome. :)

[@andreluissoriano]

Thank you so much for this. I loved Orlando and have picked up To The Lighthouse as my 2nd Woolf. I haven’t gotten far yet, but indeed I’m finding it a hard read. But very rewarding! It is physically short but I imagine will take me days to finish.

[@BetterBookClubs]

I ultimately found Orlando harder going. That's one novel I'd like to go back and reread!

[@mansivyas131]

It's such a hard read!! Thank you for the video.

[@BetterBookClubs]

It is! I think the fact that it's short disarms people, and they don't expect it to be so difficult!

[@Simpaulme]

Agreed. Maybe time to revisit. I always have a feeling she was trying to keep up with James Joyce.

[@bobdal1946]

Excellent review.

[@mayabeck7750]

I stumbled across To the Lighthouse on a whim. My library had a short audiobook version (voiced by Juliet Stevenson, who did an amazing job); at first, I was confused, but mesmerized by how I could see the structure of some of my own thoughts so clearly transmuted onto the page. I looked up a few videos to help but what kept me glued to it was the sound of the language, like you said, the beauty alone is enough for the book to last. I think maybe it’s meant to be read aloud, sort of like Shakespeare. Also I listened to that particular audiobook two more times, then found out the (2hr) audiobook was some sort of condensed version 😣 the regular version is more like 7hrs… still short but that’s nearly half as much more. so I felt like I missed a lot of good quotes. Tried reading the unabridged book and it’s great but now I’m so used to the book that I got Lighthouse Fatigue.

[@BetterBookClubs]

I love that idea that you could "see the structure of some of [your] own thoughts so clearly transmuted onto the page." Wow.

[@davidc6997]

Great analysis

[@reemyland]

I wanted to try reading a Virginia wolf book just to widen my bookology knowledge so i bought To The Lighthouse and i admit i couldn't go through the very first pages don't know why ( lots of characters i lost my way) and am a daily reader but after watching your vid am definitely giving it a try again 👍

[@BetterBookClubs]

Excellent! Good luck, and hang in there. I don't remember if I said this in the video, but it does help to set aside a chunk of time to get started. Reading this one in small bits makes it harder for sure.

[@rei-zk5ti]

I read the waves and I enjoyed it. I understood it even though It was a bit confusing. I thought To The Lighthouse would be easier because its shorter but I was wrong. Thanks for this.

[@BetterBookClubs]

You're welcome!

[@anuraktaray4255]

Just started reading the book and was struggling. The suggestions are really helpful. I had been keeping a list of the characters as it's quite confusing, seems ,I'm not the only one 😅.

[@BetterBookClubs]

Glad it was helpful!

[@philliplipple1799]

I have read it: no wonder people are afraid of Virginia Woolf. So many words, so little plot..

[@BetterBookClubs]

It's true LOL. You don't go to To the Lighthouse if you're looking for a plot.

[@andyiswonderful]

So, one expectation I have with a book is that it will be interesting, and not a goddam bore. I've heard how wonderful this book is, so I picked it up, and am now 1/3 of the way through. It is so boring. I do not care about Mrs. Ramsay, or her boring observations about her husband, or her kids, or her life.

[@BetterBookClubs]

It's definitely not for everyone! I definitely found her more interesting when I read her as a middle-aged woman myself LOL.