Winner of Pulitzer Prize. Having seen the film version of this book, I was surprised that I was able to read it until the end. It is well written novel about three women whose lives are entwined. It is sad and uplifting at same time because it allows women space to be different from the "normal" version of women. There is an element of Lesbianism in all these women's lives although it is not made the most significant element of the novel.

1999 Pulitzer Prize and 1999 Pen/Faulkner award. This treasure inspired me to try to read all Pulitzer award-winning novelists' work (I'm still reading, of course). The movie was very enjoyable, but the book was even more profound. The language is beautiful and takes on a life of its own. The book will certainly have a special place on my bookshelf - among my favorites.

Absolutely beautiful. A good novel doesn't get any better than this! I love the writing, the characters, the romance, the tragedy, the literary life. This guy is a genius.

This book is a Pulitzer Prize winner and a great read. The story of 3 women envelope you during this read. I felt real empathy for the characters and could relate to many of the feelings so eloquently expressed in the book. A great opportunity to reflect on our own lives.

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A beautifully written book which links the stories of three women together. Virginia Woolf, the author, who writes of Mrs. Dalloway, first name Clarissa; Clarissa Vaughan, nicknamed Mrs. Dalloway by her friend and ex-lover, Richard; and Richard's mother, Laura, who is reading the book. This moves through different times and interweaves the stories. Very lyrical with wonderful characters that you feel for.

My advice before you read this: first read Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf. The three intersecting lives in "The Hours" are alternately about a modern day NYC literary type nicknamed Mrs. Dalloway, a 1950s suburban housewife reading Mrs. Dalloway, and a day in the life of the author when she was writing Mrs. Dalloway. Although the stories take place in different times and places, they weave together, puzzle-piece style. Structurally, I thought this time-jumping, literary-centric approach worked better in A.S. Byatt's "Posessession" (as they say: if you liked Possession, try The Hours!!) but it's still a good read, with some gorgeously-written passages and insights that make you say ah-ha. What I related to the most is the characters' sense of dislocation, where it can feel like you're an actor in your own life, waiting in the wings and about to go on, despite being underdressed and ill-rehearsed.

A very beautiful and compelling book. I admit that I may not have read this book on my own, but I studied it in a class about texts derived from other texts. I read the book way ahead of class schedule, unable to put it down. The stories of each of the women are wonderful, I love the time periods represented, and how they weave together so seamlessly. Another reviewer complained that this is an imitation of Mrs. Dalloway and that it would be better to just read the original. I read Mrs. Dalloway in conjuction with this book and really Cunningham's work enriches the discussion that Woolf began. It's amazing how he has re-imagined and shaped the tale. We do the same thing with myths and folk tales all the time: old human stories re-cast by our present experiences. When done well, the story resonates with us in both familiar and unfamiliar ways, and that is ultimately enjoyable. Cunningham succeeded doing just that in this novel.

Deep, a bit slow, but glad I read it.

But a pale shadow of the work from which it draws. Why not read Virginia Woolf instead? It seems to me that she did the work and he got the credit.

Well written book about 3 very different women, better than the movie!

Perhaps one of the best books I've read, EVER!

I have not had time to read this one so I cannot rate this book yet.

This book was very well written although abit slow in places it was overall a good read

I really enjoyed this book.

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