First published in 1928, "Orlando: A Biography" is Virginia Woolf's sixth novel. Inspired by the life of Woolf's friend and sometimes lover, Vita Sackville-West, the novel chronicles the several century long life of its titular character, Orlando, a man living in Elizabethan times, who through some mysterious process changes gender at age thirty. Possibly as a byproduct of the sex change, Orlando lives for another three hundred years into modern times. Through the adventures of the poet Orlando, Woolf creates a satirical history of English Literature. An instant commercial success, "Orlando" was not originally recognized as great literature, but rather as a gossipy roman à clef of Sackville-West. However, in the many decades since its first publication, Woolf's short novel has become recognized as an important feminist classic, often part of many gender studies curriculum, as well as an important contribution to the modernist literature movement. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.
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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