To the Lighthouse Audiobook By Virginia Woolf cover art

To the Lighthouse

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To the Lighthouse

By: Virginia Woolf
Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
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To the Lighthouse is Virginia Woolf's most accomplished novel, and her most autobiographical. It tells of one summer spent by the Ramsay family and their friends in their holiday home in Scotland. Offshore stands the lighthouse, remote, inaccessbile, an eternal presence in a changing wolrd. A projected visit to the lighthouse forms the heart of this extraordinary novel which, through the minds of the various characters, explores the nature of time, memory, transience and eternity. The style has the clarity of a diamond which shimmers in the mind, making To the Lighthouse one of the most unforgettable novels of the 20th century.

Download the accompanying reference guide.(P)1995 NAXOS AudioBooks Ltd.; ©1995 NAXOS AudioBooks Ltd. Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction

Editorial reviews

This classic character study takes on new life with Juliet Stevenson's masterful narration. She lends cohesion to the stream-of-consciousness passages, making them easier to follow. As Mrs. Ramsay and Lily Briscoe explore life's questions, Stevenson applies vocal traits to each character, reflecting personality and values. Both women speak in clear, kind tones, while gruffness captures Mr. Ramsay's essence and sarcasm dominates Mr. Tansley's. Light, airy notes accompany the children's words. Stevenson exhibits her critically acclaimed qualities - her lovely voice, perfect enunciation, earnestness and musical phrasing. She not only understands, but communicates with precision the overt and subtextual meaning of Woolf's prose.

Critic reviews

"British actress Juliet Stevenson makes for a better reader of Woolf's words than Nicole Kidman's Oscar-winning turn as Woolf in The Hours...Her reading is quietly, carefully precise, and that precision is a solid complement to Woolf's own measured, inward-looking prose." ( Publishers Weekly)
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I love *To The Lighthouse* and have read it several times, so when I decided to listen to it I thought of it only as an old friend to revisit while flying. But it turned out to be very much more.

Some books are harder to follow listening. This one was clarified as I listened. The narration is so well done that I never confused the different characters, which I easily do when reading it myself. And the relationships in all their subtleties seem clearer.

I'm going right back for another listen!

Better heard than read!

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Beautifully put together words to form a great novel. I just could picture the background scenes and the people as I was standing there with them. I can only say that one of her other novels "Orlando" can match it in my judgement.
I would add one other thought in case someone has not read anything by her. Mrs. Woolf's style of writing, was liberal, and kinda risky during her years of living. She kept that style thru her career.

ONE OF HER BEST

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The reader of this book is outstanding and brought the characters to life. If, like me, you like lots of bang for your buck then pay attention to the length of the book; it is very short. It is a sort of slice of life book, which I enjoy, and well-written, but it is so short it is not very satisfying to listen to. I think this book is better read in hard copy.

Short Book!

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The crystal clear beauty of Woolf's prose is what really makes this book stand out. I thought the reading was also very good, as it added warmth and sincerity to the words without distracting one from the writer's text.

very enjoyable and satisfying

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The audio of this was more rewarding than the printed version for me too. I'd read her memoir Moments of Being (and loved it) so I'm sure that influences how much connection I had with this book. Her fiction is not about action and plotlines; it is about 'moments' experienced and described with such depth. I am left with a much richer ability to savor a single moment after reading her. I realize that Woolf is not everyone's choice but her work is more accesible if you know what is particular about her fiction.

Yes to this too

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Great writing and insights but hard to stay concentrated due to the lack of story line.

Amazing book

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I nice audiobook, but it is abridged and the story is reather boring (Woolf's fault.) I'm glad I got it too help reading it in class, but I would now choose this as a free read, if you do, God speed!

Mehhh

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Don't do it. It has no plot, no point. Impossible to read. The book goes nowhere.

No

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