Mrs. Dalloway

By: Virginia Woolf

Narrated by: Hannah Dorma

Length: 6 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

Mrs. Dalloway is a novel by Virginia Woolf, published in 1925, that details a day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway, a fictional upper-class woman in post-First World War England. It is one of Woolf's best-known novels.

The book describes Clarissa's preparations for a party she will host in the evening, and the ensuing party. With an interior perspective, the story travels forwards and backwards in time, to construct an image of Clarissa's life and of the inter-war social structure. The novel addresses the nature of time in personal experience through multiple interwoven stories.

In October 2005, Mrs. Dalloway was included on Time Magazine's list of the 100 best English-language novels.

Public Domain (P)2021 Hexagon Tech

Ignore the other versions and purchase this narration

I appreciate that audible allows you to sample the narration before purchasing. This is far and away the best I heard for Mrs. Dalloway. Woolf isn’t remembered for being compliant to her period of history but rather for being outside of and transcending it. The highly exaggerated British drawls employed by most narrators only detract from this work and sound vaguely absurd. The one with the Americanized accent hurts my ear drums (and I’m American). In contrast, this narrator did it beautifully. Not overly dramatic in inappropriate places, a pleasant voice and timing that respected the work. Narration is at least 50% when listening to lit rather than reading. This narrator did the work proud. Beautiful job.

Such an excellent reading!

Virginia Woolf follows her reputation as the queen of stream of consciousness but she cannot be read as one reads just any book. Hannah Dorma? Who are you? Where did you come from and why have you only read this one book?

There is only one other narrator I have heard that can read Virginia Woolf with the lithe and meandering tones she must be read in. Nichole Kidman read To The Lighthouse as you read Mrs. Dalloway. Your tones, breaks, drifting suspensions of thought, gently parenthetical intrusions, embody the emotion our dear Virginia was so tortured with and so faithful to write. Hannah, your theatrical interpretation is stunning. The only constructive addition I can add to your narration is that your skills deserve the best recording and editing equipment so your perfectly fitted voice for this author is consistent and equalized to the rich dulcet tones it deserves.

Please help the world hear Virginia Woolf as she would read her own, in her many otherwise difficult to read books.

Thank you so much for your contribution.