'A good essay must draw its curtain round us, but it must be a curtain that shuts us in, not out.' According to Virginia Woolf, the goal of the essay 'is simply that it should give pleasure...It should lay us under a spell with its first word, and we should only wake, refreshed, with its last.' One of the best practitioners of the art she analysed so rewardingly, Woolf displayed her essay-writing skills across a wide range of subjects, with all the craftsmanship, substance, and rich allure of her novels. This selection brings together thirty of her best essays, including the famous 'Mr Bennett and Mrs Brown', a clarion call for modern fiction. She discusses the arts of writing and of reading, and the particular role and reputation of women writers. She writes movingly about her father and the art of biography, and of the London scene in the early decades of the twentieth century. Overall, these pieces are as indispensable to an understanding of this great writer as they are enchanting in their own right. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
Virginia Woolf
Virginia Woolf was a prominent English writer and modernist literary figure. Known for her stream-of-consciousness writing style, she challenged traditional narrative structures and explored themes of gender, class, and mental health in her works. Some of her most notable works include "Mrs. Dalloway," "To the Lighthouse," and "Orlando." Woolf's contributions to literature include her innovative approach to character development and narrative technique, as well as her exploration of the inner lives of her characters. Her most famous work, "Mrs. Dalloway," is considered a masterpiece of modernist literature and a reflection of Woolf's unique literary voice. Woolf's impact on the literary genre is undeniable, as she paved the way for future generations of writers to experiment with form and style in their own works.
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