418. Between the Acts

Between the Acts
Virginia Woolf

1941
Around 225 pages

We've finally done with Virginia Woolf, which is very sad considering her ending. And it's hard not to view this through the eyes of her demise, since this was published in the months following her suicide. Not sure how I feel about that.

The story takes place in a town in England, where an annual pageant is being held. This is shortly before World War II, but the show must go on. One of our leading characters is Giles, which pleases me to no end as a Buffy fan. Giles' wife Isa is attracted to a local farmer Rupert Haines (more Buffy!). Miss La Trobe 

is the spinster hellbent on making sure the pageant goes perfectly.

Much of this novel is written in verse, and I was never a fan of super lyrical Woolf. But if you accept it for what it is, it flows. 

Now for the official Virginia Woolf ranking:

1. Mrs. Dalloway
2. Night and Day

3. The Voyage Out

4. Orlando

5. To the Lighthouse
6. Between the Acts

7. The Years
8. Jacob's Room

9. The Waves

RIP.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

The Woolfs' London homes had been destroyed in The Blitz in September and October. 

Woolf fell into a depression before her suicide on 28 March 1941, and the novel was published posthumously later that year.

UP NEXT: Hangover Square by Patrick Hamilton