Publisher's Synopsis
Virginia Woolf was one of the great literary figures of the first half of the twentieth century. She wrote twenty major works, but this one was the last. This book is unusual because there are no chapters. It is just one story, straight through from beginning to end.
The story in "Between the Acts" takes place on a June day in 1939 at Pointz Hall, the Oliver Family's country house in the heart of England. As the title implies, a performance is taking place. In the garden everyone from the village has gathered to present the annual pageant - scenes from the history of England, beginning with the Elizabethan Age and ending with "ourselves". As the story of England unfolds, the lives of the villagers also take shape. Between acts we learn of the strained relationship between Isa Oliver and her fetching husband, Giles, that neither will confront nor can ignore. This is complicated by the presence of Mrs. Manresa, a flirtatious woman who takes liking to Giles. As a storm rushes in and hastens the conclusion of the play, the performers and the audience take their leave to resume their ordinary lives and Giles and Isa are left to deal with matters of the heart on their own.
We know already from this that the plot will involve in some way the question of whether Giles will stick with his wife or will he sneak off for a tryst with Mrs. Manresa. Naturally, we know that men and women do these things in real life.
