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"It would take decades for the singular, gender-evasive 'they' to take hold in the lexicon . . . and for the culture to catch up to
Orlando's casual claim that 'in every human being a vacillation from one sex to the other takes place.'" --
Vulture Virginia Woolf's satirical, prescient novel, published in 1928, is a groundbreaking work that explores themes of gender, identity, and time. The narrative features a nobleman named Orlando who lives over three centuries, beginning in the Elizabethan era and ending in the twentieth century, and changes from a man to a woman at the midpoint. With its fusion of masculinity and femininity, this transformation allows Woolf to critique societal norms and expectations tied to gender and class in different periods. Woolf suggests that gender is not fixed or binary, challenging traditional concepts of gender roles and stereotypes. Complex and multilayered,
Orlando is lauded for its rich prose and pioneering representation of queer identity.
About the author
English author Virginia Woolf (1882-1941) ranks among the foremost writers of the modern era. A pioneer of the stream-of-consciousness narrative, she had a profound effect on other writers of the 1920s and 30s, and her influence endures to the present day. Many scholars still examine her work for their themes on gender and sexuality. Her works include novels such as Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse, as well as the nonfiction book A Room of One's Own.
(Adapted from an earlier thrift bio)
Summary
Published in 1928, this "biography," follows Orlando, a young nobleman in the prime of his life, as he begins his life in the court of Elizabeth I. Through unknown means, Orlando does not age past his prime, but instead goes through radical transformations, ending the book in the twentieth century as a woman. Orlando's story focuses on love, purpose, the difficulty in understanding one's place in the world. Woolf's most unique work, Orlando remains an influential work in gender and sexuality studies.
Foreword
Useful for Gender and Sexuality studies courses and teachers
