Orlando by Virginia Woolf (World’s Classics)

Description

“Orlando: A Biography” is a novel written by the British author Virginia Woolf, first published in 1928. The novel is known for its innovative and playful exploration of gender identity and the passage of time.

The story of “Orlando” spans over four centuries, beginning in the Elizabethan era and continuing into the 20th century. The protagonist, Orlando, starts as a young nobleman in the court of Queen Elizabeth I but mysteriously transforms into a woman at the age of 30 and subsequently lives for centuries without aging. The novel follows Orlando’s adventures and experiences as both a man and a woman.

“Orlando” is a literary and historical fantasy that combines elements of biography and satire. It’s a novel that challenges conventional notions of gender and identity, as Orlando’s transformation allows Woolf to explore the fluidity of gender roles and the ways in which society perceives and treats individuals based on their gender.

Throughout the novel, Woolf provides commentary on the changing roles of women in society and the constraints placed on them by gender norms. She also uses “Orlando” to examine the passage of time, the immutability of literature and art, and the relationship between the author and their characters.

The novel is notable for its lyrical and poetic prose, as well as its humor and wit. It’s considered one of Virginia Woolf’s most accessible works and has been celebrated for its exploration of gender and its imaginative storytelling.

“Orlando” was inspired by Woolf’s close friend and lover, Vita Sackville-West, and the character of Orlando is often seen as a literary reflection of Sackville-West. The novel’s blend of history, fantasy, and social commentary has made it a classic of modernist literature and continues to be studied and appreciated for its bold exploration of gender and identity.