The Waves

Synopsis

'I, who would wish to feel close over me the protective waves of the ordinary, catch with the tail of my eye some far horizon.' Intensely visionary yet absorbed with the everyday; experimental, daring and challenging, The Waves is regarded by many as Virginia Woolf's greatest achievement. It follows a set of six friends from childhood to middle age as they experience the world around them and explore who they are and what it means to be alive. As the contours of their lives are revealed, a unique novel is slowly unveiled. Enfolded within Woolf's lyrical and mysterious language, the mundane takes on a startling new significance while distant pasts are no less in play than the clamorous sounds and kaleidoscopic sights of the modern city. Yet precisely where the alluringly enigmatic pages of The Waves are leading, and what deeper meanings are held within its undulant chapters and shimmering interludes, are questions that have never ceased to enthral readers and critics alike. In this new edition David Bradshaw considers the spellbinding oddness and originality of The Waves, helping the reader to negotiate a way though this most poetic and haunting of novels. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Summary

Chapter 1

Introduces six childhood friends: Bernard, Susan, Rhoda, Neville, Jinny, and Louis. Their perspectives intertwine, presenting their thoughts and feelings as they experience their formative years.

Example: "Jinny had a round mouth and wide eyes. She was one of those people who can't bear to be alone. She had to be surrounded by noise and movement."

Chapter 2

The children grow older and begin to explore the complexities of adolescence. They experience the joys of friendship, but also the challenges of love, loss, and the search for identity.

Example: "Susan felt a strange pull towards Rhoda. She wanted to be with her, to touch her, to possess her, to be possessed by her."

Chapter 3

The friends enter adulthood, facing different trials and tribulations. Bernard struggles with depression and existential angst. Susan pursues a career as a writer, while Neville becomes a doctor.

Example: "Bernard sat alone, staring into the fire. He felt an emptiness inside him, a longing for something he could not name."

Chapter 4

The characters reflect on their lives and the choices they have made. They realize that time is fleeting and that they must find meaning in their existence.

Example: "Susan realized that she had spent her life chasing after love, but had never stopped to ask herself what she truly wanted."

Chapter 5

The friends reunite for a final gathering, where they confront their mortality and the legacy they will leave behind.

Example: "They sat in silence, listening to the waves crash against the shore. They knew that this was the end of their time together, but they also knew that they would always be connected in some way."

Chapter 6

The book concludes with a poignant and poetic meditation on the nature of life and the human experience.

Example: "The waves break on the shore, and the shore is washed away. The waves break on the shore, and the shore is still there. And we are the waves, and we are the shore."