The Waves by Virginia Woolf

Links to free online copies of the text will be provided shortly before our start time. Check the comments section of this event page, below.

WELCOME to our in-session reading and discussion of literature by and near Virginia Woolf, every Tuesday evening.

Tonight we continue our several-months-long journey through the most experimental, and most poetically beautiful, of Woolf's nine novels. This is a slow reading group, so please don't hesitate to jump in "midstream". We focus on a few pages at a time.

Blurb: "The power of communicating with profound insight and discriminating exactness experiences which are widespread and produce in the reader a sense of recognition is an essential part of Virginia Woolf’s creative gift, though it is not the whole. It is developed to its fullest extent in The Waves." In other words, Virginia Woolf knows what humans have in common, and is a genius at expressing same. Often while reading someone will say, “I didn’t realize other people felt this way too; and she expresses it so artistically.” The book is about the way we affect each other, and how the passage of time changes everything.

In addition to reading and discussing the text itself, we will deepen our understanding by reading excerpts from Woolf's relevant letters and diaries, and by tracing her friends' and family's lives which are woven through the characters, as well as other biographic information. Prior familiarity with the material is not necessary to enjoy these evenings. Taking turns, we read aloud during the session, discovering and discussing as we go. Of course you are welcome to pre-read and even read ahead if you like. Free copy of The Waves: https://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks02/0201091h.html

Aim: To have fun! A deep dive, to gain some degree of understanding and appreciation of the text.
Who: We are mostly non-professional readers, learners and enthusiasts. All ages, gender orientations, ethnicities. Friendly people, mindful of each others’ experience in the session.
Where: Zoom. The link becomes visible when you rsvp.
How to prepare: No prep necessary. We do our reading IN the sessions, out loud, taking turns.
What to bring: An open mind and a sense of humor. The text will be provided free of charge during the zoom via pdf or screen share.
Format: We take turns, with each person reading a page or two out loud, pausing for discussion as we go. Speaking is not required. It is fine to simply listen; most people do discover that they love reading aloud.

PLEASE NOTE:

• We begin on time. If you need to arrive later, log in to the zoom waiting room and we will try to integrate you into the group if we come to a natural stopping point.
• Links to free online copies of the night’s reading will be provided every Tuesday in the comments section of the event page below.
• Please open the pdf and find the starting point as you are logging in, so you will be ready to go.