Why people recommend it
The Hours by Michael Cunningham is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that weaves together the lives of three women across different eras, deeply connected to Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway. On an episode of The Book Review titled "Richard Powers on ‘Bewilderment’" released on July 18, 2024, host Pamela Paul shared a personal anecdote about introducing the novel to her sixteen-year-old daughter. Paul explained that she had her daughter read Cunningham's book first before suggesting she subsequently read Mrs. Dalloway, creating a reverse-chronological literary journey. Separately, in the episode titled "What Big Books Have Yet to Come Out in 2023?" released on the same date, Jumana Katib mentioned Cunningham's acclaimed work while introducing the author's newer literary projects, noting that he was best known for this defining novel. Together, these mentions highlighted the enduring legacy of Cunningham's book as both a modern classic in its own right and a vital bridge to earlier modernist literature, resonating with both seasoned readers and new generations.
Who recommended it
- Jumana Katib Discussed
- Pamela Paul Recommended
Jumana Katib — 1 mention
“he's best known for the hours”
Pamela Paul — 1 mention
“I did something sneaky with my 16-year-old daughter which was I had her read Michael Cunningham's the hours first and then I said oh maybe you should also read Mrs delaway now after it”
Also mentioned in the same episodes
- A Motor-Flight Through France
- A Swim in a Pond in the Rain
- Absolution
- American Carnage
- Bewilderment
- But Beautiful
Other mentions (2: passing, ad reads, own books)
“you look at Michael Cunningham's the hours about Virginia wolf or Colm toyin's novel about Henry James”
“You might also think of Michael Cunningham and the hours and there and it's just it's beautifully written”