68 pages • 2 hours read
Michael CunninghamThe Hours
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1998A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Hours by Michael Cunningham follows three women across different decades, each deeply influenced by Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway: Woolf herself as she begins writing the novel in 1923, housewife Laura Brown in 1949 Los Angeles, and 1990s New York City publisher Clarissa Vaughan who mirrors Woolf's character. The narrative addresses themes including marginalized sexual orientations, mental illness, and existential crises. Contains discussions of suicide.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Michael Cunningham's The Hours is lauded for its intricate narrative structure and profound character exploration. Critics praise its homage to Virginia Woolf, though some find it overly complex and dense. The novel’s richly emotional prose captivates many, despite occasional criticisms of its pacing. Overall, a compelling, if challenging, read.
Who Should Read The Hours?
A reader who would enjoy The Hours by Michael Cunningham is likely drawn to complex, layered narratives and character-driven stories. They may appreciate literary fiction akin to Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway and Ian McEwan's Atonement, given Cunningham's intertextual homage and exploration of intertwining lives and emotional depth.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
960L