TO THE LIGHTHOUSE by VIRGINIA WOOLF

“What is the meaning of life? That was all- a simple question; one that tended to close in on one with years, the great revelation had never come. The great revelation perhaps never did come. Instead, there were little daily miracles, illuminations, matches struck unexpectedly in the dark; here was one.”.....page 186

Virginia Woolf wrote this experimental thoughtpiece at the same time painters were coming up with avant-garde cutting edge modernist styles using emotions and chromatic metaphorical constructs to capture thoughts and feelings rather than the traditional linear shapes.

The cover of the book (above) was designed by Virginias sister , the painter Vanessa Bell.Using words as a Palette , the book is also like a painting , freeing the page from place and chronology to create kaleidoscopic  relationships that criss cross time to make an emotional tapestry flucuating from Children to Adult relationships and back with subtle ease.

Vanessa thought the Character of Mrs.Ramsey brought their mother to life.

In this video we have the Professor of English Reynolds Price discussing the contents and value of this work.

You can find out more about Virginia Woolf and her contribution to literature in this 3 part documentary called "The Mind and Times of Virginia Woolf".