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The Voyage Out is Virginia Woolf's debut novel, a rich and introspective exploration of youth and self-discovery, centring Rachel Vinrace, a young woman embarking on a journey of both physical and emotional awakening.
Aboard her father's ship, the
Euphrosyne, Rachel sets sail from England to South America, where she is introduced to a diverse group of travellers, each with their own ideals, passions, and struggles. The ship's passage is wracked by storms and although Rachel is accompanied by her father, uncle, and aunt, she spends the journey feeling alone as she explores her ichanging perception of the world. As the ship reaches its destination, the passengers settle in the fictional town of Santa Marina, where Rachel sets off alone and begins to better understand her place in society.
First published in 1915 and written with Woolf's characteristic depth and sensitivity,
The Voyage Out introduces the feminist themes that would define her later works. Through its vivid descriptions and keen psychological insight, Woolf's first novel offers a compelling portrait of a young woman's journey towards self-understanding.
About the author
Virginia Woolf (1882-1941) was an English writer, born in South Kensington, London. Known for her feminist writings and pioneering work with the narrative style of stream of consciousness, Woolf is widely considered to be one of the most influential modernist writers of the 20th century. Some of her most famous works include Mrs. Dalloway, 1925, To the Lighthouse, 1927, and A Room of One's Own, 1929.
