44 pages • 1 hour read
Virginia WoolfBetween The Acts
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1941A 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
Between the Acts by Virginia Woolf is set on a June afternoon in 1939 at the Pointz Hall estate, as World War II looms. The plot centers on the Oliver family's preparations for their village’s annual pageant, featuring an author named Miss La Trobe who presents a unique, artistic interpretation of British history. The narrative explores themes of fantasy, distraction, and triviality amidst personal and global crises. The book includes depictions of strained relationships and wartime anxiety.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Virginia Woolf’s Between the Acts combines evocative prose and a reflective narrative to capture pre-World War II English life. Critics acclaim its lyrical and experimental approach but note its fragmented structure can alienate readers. Themes of time, art, and community are richly explored. Some find the novel’s pace sluggish, but its vivid characterizations and poetic style are praised.
Who Should Read Between The Acts?
A reader who enjoys Between The Acts by Virginia Woolf appreciates rich, introspective narratives and complex character studies. They are likely fans of Woolf's other work, such as To the Lighthouse and Mrs. Dalloway, and might also enjoy James Joyce's Ulysses and E.M. Forster's A Room with a View for their modernist themes and innovative narrative styles.