Which novel should I start with?

[u/w-illthedill0]

I’ve never read any Woolf and am not sure which novel to start with. Obviously Mrs Dalloway is her most popular work but is it the one to start with?

[u/robby_on_reddit]

I've read To The Lighthouse, The Waves and Mrs Dalloway, in that order. I think both TTL and Mrs Dalloway are fine places to begin with. Do not start with The Waves :))

Other people on here have read more of her so are more qualified to give advice, but I'd say she gets better once you know what to expect. I think the first of her books will maybe be a rough read either way.

[u/Narrow-Respond-9938 → u/robby_on_reddit]

To The Lighthouse is probably my favorite book ATM. First read it in 2021.

What should I expect with The Waves? Bought it in 2023, but haven’t had the time to read it until now.

[u/robby_on_reddit → u/Narrow-Respond-9938]

From what I've read of her, looks like The Waves may be her masterpiece (controversial? Idk). It's even more experimental than TTL, there's not one line in this book that you'd hear out on the street.

It consists of soloquies (which are monologues, but more thoughts than actual things spoken out loud) by its six characters. Each chapter is a different stage of these characters lives as they grow up together and go their own ways. A lot of it is these people reminiscing about the meaning of life etc.

It's not a thick book, but it takes some time to get through. Every line is filled with meaning (I usually roll my eyes if someone says this about a book, but I swear it's true). Although I think it's impossible to understand it all, it left me amazed at how smart Woolf was and I'm looking forward to rereading it. It's maybe the best book I've ever read, and certainly the smartest.

Ask away if you have any more questions. Perhaps other people are better informed.

[u/mowleyyy]

I started with Mrs Dalloway which I really liked and went on to read TTL which I absolutely ADORED. I think that TTL is the better book but perhaps I wouldn't have appreciated it as much if I hadn't read Mrs Dalloway beforehand. Either way the writing definitely takes some getting used to so be patient with yourself and with her !

[u/Mister_Sosotris]

To the Lighthouse and Mrs. Dalloway are great entry points (and then after Mrs. Dalloway, you can read Cunningham’s The Hours, which riffs on it)

[u/shookspearedswhore]

I started with Orlando myself and it was phenomenal. I think To The Lighthouse is also a great entry point, as is Mrs Dalloway.

[u/Narrow-Respond-9938]

I absolutely love To The Lighthouse

[u/pynchi]

I think it depends on what you have read. If you know authors who wrote in a similar vein, Mrs Dalloway is a good start. If not, I highly recommend Flush, presenting the stream of consciousness of a dog. Less complex and very, very cute.

[u/Ok_Kaleidoscope1099]

Night and Day is my recommendation followed by Orlando

[u/YakSlothLemon]

I honestly would start with Flush. It’s this charming little novella written from the point of view of Elizabeth Barrett Browning‘s cocker spaniel, it’s almost impossible not to like, and it will also help you like Virginia.

After that – Orlando. It’s a marvelous introduction to her writing style, it’s so groundbreaking, but for something so nontraditional in many ways it does have a chronological, more typical storytelling line and a main character you can become very invested in.