The Waves
- First published 1975
- 224 pages
- English
- Classic
Virginia Woolf's The Waves charts the lives of six friends - Bernard, Susan, Rhoda, Neville, Jinny, and Louis - from their childhood through old age. The novel unfolds as a series of soliloquies, presenting each character's inner thoughts and perceptions of themselves and one another. These individual voices are interwoven with nine lyrical interludes describing the sun's journey across a coastal landscape from dawn to dusk, mirroring the passage of time in the characters' lives.
Through this experimental narrative, the book explores the formation of identity, the shifting nature of human consciousness, and the profound interconnectedness of individual experiences. It delves into themes of friendship, love, loss, and the persistent search for meaning within a constantly changing world, inviting readers to witness the intricate tapestry of human existence.
Through this experimental narrative, the book explores the formation of identity, the shifting nature of human consciousness, and the profound interconnectedness of individual experiences. It delves into themes of friendship, love, loss, and the persistent search for meaning within a constantly changing world, inviting readers to witness the intricate tapestry of human existence.
- Themes
- Friendship Identity & belonging
- Where and when
- England 20th century
- Style
- Form: NovelForm: Poetry
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Details & editions
- This edition
- William Collins, 2022
- ISBN
- 9780008542108
- Language
- English
Original edition The Waves Originally published in 1975 · English · Penguin Books, Penguin Modern Classics








