46 pages 1 hour read

Jean Rhys

Voyage In The Dark

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1934

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Jean Rhys's Voyage in the Dark, eighteen-year-old Anna Morgan transitions from her childhood in the West Indies to adulthood in England, finding it cold and harsh. As a chorus girl on tour, she becomes involved with the wealthy Walter Jeffries and is eventually abandoned by him. Struggling with depression and dwindling resources, Anna navigates her hardships and faces significant life decisions. Sensitive topics include abortion and depression.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Voyage In The Dark by Jean Rhys is lauded for its evocative prose and strong emotional resonance, capturing the alienation and vulnerability of a young woman in a patriarchal society. Critics appreciate Rhys's exploration of identity and displacement but note the novel's bleak tone and episodic structure, which may not appeal to all readers. The richly detailed, semi-autobiographical narrative remains hauntingly immersive.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Voyage In The Dark?

Readers who appreciate Voyage In The Dark by Jean Rhys are drawn to introspective narratives that explore themes of identity, dislocation, and vulnerability. Similar to fans of Wide Sargasso Sea by Rhys or The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, they seek poignant, character-driven stories with a contemplative and often melancholic tone.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Classic Fiction

Education

British Literature

Themes

Life/Time: Aging

Period

The Lost Generation

Topics

Education

History: World