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.

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.

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.

Melancholic / Contemplative / Bittersweet / Emotional / Mysterious

- The Hours is inspired by Virginia Woolf's novel Mrs. Dalloway, and its structure mirrors the interconnected lives portrayed in Woolf's work.
- The novel won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction in 1999, marking it as a critical success.
- In adaptation to film, The Hours garnered widespread acclaim and resulted in an Academy Award-winning performance by Nicole Kidman as Virginia Woolf.

**Clarissa Vaughan**  
A 52-year-old publisher in New York City, sharing character traits with Mrs. Dalloway, who navigates life with her partner Sally while reminiscing about her youthful kiss with Richard.

**Laura Brown (née Zielski)**  
A suburban housewife in 1949 Los Angeles who struggles with her role as a mother and wife while harboring a deep love for literature and exploring her complex emotions.

**Virginia Woolf (née Stephen)**  
A writer residing in Richmond, 1923, who battles migraines and auditory hallucinations while crafting her novel Mrs. Dalloway, capturing her literary vision and personal struggles.

**Richard Brown**  
A distinguished poet in 1990s New York City, grappling with AIDS-related illness and reflecting on his life's accomplishments and relationships, especially with his childhood memories and Clarissa.

Michael Cunningham

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Overview

Get ready to explore The Hours and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Hours Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue-Chapter 3

The Hours Prologue-Chapter 3 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 4-6

The Hours Chapters 4-6 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 7-9

The Hours Chapters 7-9 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 10-13

The Hours Chapters 10-13 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 14-17

The Hours Chapters 14-17 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 18-20

The Hours Chapters 18-20 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 21-22

The Hours Chapters 21-22 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

The Hours Character Analysis

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Themes

The Hours Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Hours Symbols & Motifs

Literary Devices

The Hours Literary Devices

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Important Quotes

The Hours Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

The Hours Essay Topics

The Hours Further Reading & Resources

The Hours

Before You Read

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Who Should Read The Hours?

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