"The Hours" is a novel by Michael Cunningham that intertwines the lives of three women across different time periods. The story explores the impact of Virginia Woolf's writing on their lives, particularly her novel "Mrs. Dalloway." Each character grapples with their own struggles, reflecting themes of mental illness, identity, and the search for meaning. The narrative follows Virginia Woolf in the 1920s, Laura Brown in the 1950s, and Clarissa Vaughan in the early 2000s. Their stories converge as they each confront personal challenges and the societal expectations of their respective eras, ultimately revealing the timeless nature of their experiences.