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Literary Fiction· United States

The Hours

by Michael Cunningham
Aggregate Editorial Score70/100
★Pulitzer Prize
Published 1999230 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

Published in 1999, The Hours established Michael Cunningham as one of the defining voices in literary fiction. Three women in different eras—Virginia Woolf in 1920s Richmond, a housewife in 1950s Los Angeles, and a New York editor in the 1990s—are all connected by Mrs Dalloway, the Woolf novel one of them is writing and the others are reading. Cunningham's Pulitzer winner is an elegant meditation on creativity, death, and the choices that shape a life. Themes of creativity, mortality, Virginia Woolf run through the work. The book has received recognition from Pulitzer Prize 1999.

Book Details

AuthorMichael Cunningham
Published1999
Country of Origin🇺🇸 United States
LanguageEnglish
Pages230
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780312243029
Editorial Score70/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇺🇸 United States

This book is part of United States's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from United States →

Editorial Assessment

Michael Cunningham published The Hours in 1999, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of literary fiction from United States. The book's treatment of creativity, mortality, Virginia Woolf, womanhood accounts for much of its enduring reputation. The book's place in the literary record rests on its presence across major prize lists and critical surveys. Among its recognitions: Pulitzer Prize 1999. Its aggregate editorial score of 70/100 reflects recognition from 1 independent editorial sources, from international prizes to specialist critical journals. What distinguishes The Hours is how it handles its central concerns — creativity, mortality, Virginia Woolf, womanhood — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. Within United States's literary landscape, Michael Cunningham occupies a significant position. The Hours is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Pulitzer Prize
winner · national
199958
✍️
About the Author
Michael Cunningham
United States
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Michael Cunningham is a celebrated author from United States known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Hours about?

Three women in different eras—Virginia Woolf in 1920s Richmond, a housewife in 1950s Los Angeles, and a New York editor in the 1990s—are all connected by Mrs Dalloway, the Woolf novel one of them is writing and the others are reading. Cunningham's Pulitzer winner is an elegant meditation on creativity, death, and the choices that shape a life.

Who wrote The Hours?

The Hours was written by Michael Cunningham, from United States. First published in 1999.

What awards has The Hours won?

The Hours has received the following awards and honours: Pulitzer Prize 1999.

Is The Hours worth reading?

The Hours is a well-regarded book with solid critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 58/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in creativity, mortality, Virginia Woolf.

Where can I buy The Hours?

You can buy The Hours on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Hours?

The Hours is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is The Hours from?

The Hours originates from United States's literary tradition. Explore more books from United States on our country page.

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