Best Selling Books by Virginia Woolf

Adeline Virginia Woolf (1882 – 1941) is considered one of the most important modernist 20th-century authors and a pioneer in the use of stream of consciousness as a narrative device and for a demonstration of the sheer vitality of Virginia Woolf''s writing, Orlando is unsurpassed. The novel is a provocative exploration of gender and history, as well as of the nature of biography itself; perhaps surprisingly, given these highly intellectual concerns, it was highly popular when first published. Following Orlando over a 400-year life full of adventure, love, and a shift in gender, the character was apparently based on Woolf''s lover, Vita Sackville-West. In the court of Elizabeth I, Orlando is a dazzlingly handsome sixteen-year-old nobleman. There follows a frost fair on the Thames, at which a love affair with a Russian princess begins, only to end in heartache. Later Orlando is sent by Charles II as ambassador to the Ottoman court in Constantinople, where he becomes a woman, before returning to England to reside in the company of Pope and Dryden. A marriage in the nineteenth century leads to a son and a career as a writer, and the story ends in 1928, as Woolf''s text was published. This extraordinary tale is augmented by a series of writerly flourishes, questioning our conception of history, of gender, and of biographical "truth." If these are constructs, then who constructs them? What do they mean for individuals living and telling their lives? Woolf uses a series of devices to facilitate this kind of speculation: clothes are prominent, as is their role in shaping perceptions of gender; the narrative voice, too, is brilliantly conscious of itself, and of us as readers. It is a remarkable text

The story of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s cocker spaniel—by Virginia Woolf, who has “made him a real and vivid personality . . . in her most delightful style” (Kirkus Reviews). Wanting to “ease [her] brain” after writing The Waves, Virginia Woolf turned to the correspondence between poets Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning—and found in their love letters an unexpected inspiration in their shared joy and affection for Flush, their cocker spaniel. As she put it, “the figure of their dog made me laugh so I couldn’t resist making him a Life.” Here Flush tells his story as well as the love story of Robert Browning and his wife, complete with horrid maids, bullying fellow dogs, mysterious illnesses, and clandestine romance. Along the way, plenty of other topics are explored, including the barriers between man and animal, the miseries of London, and the oppression of women by “father and tyrants.” Imbued with Woolf’s philosophical views about the repressive Victorian mindset, Flush is a unique and imaginative story of a dog, of what it means to love—spiritually, emotionally, and unconditionally—and of what it means to human. A unique literary treat, it is “a brilliant biographical tour de force” (The New York Times) and “a canine classic” (The Guardian).

The delicate artistry and lyrical prose of Woolf''s novels have established her as a writer of sensitivity and profound talent. Virginia Woolf displays genuine humanity and concern for the experiences that enrich and stultify existence.

One of Woolf''s most experimental novels, The Waves presents six characters in monologue - from morning until night, from childhood into old age - against a background of the sea. The result is a glorious chorus of voices that exists not to remark on the passing of events but to celebrate the connection between its various individual parts.

A poignant portrayal of the thoughts and events that comprise one day in a woman''s life.

Heralded as Virginia Woolf''s greatest novel, this is a vivid portrait of a single day in a woman''s life. When we meet her, Mrs. Clarissa Dalloway is preoccupied with the last-minute details of party preparation while in her mind she is something much more than a perfect society hostess. As she readies her house, she is flooded with remembrances of faraway times. And, met with the realities of the present, Clarissa reexamines the choices that brought her there, hesitantly looking ahead to the unfamiliar work of growing old. "Mrs. Dalloway was the first novel to split the atom. If the novel before Mrs. Dalloway aspired to immensities of scope and scale, to heroic journeys across vast landscapes, with Mrs. Dalloway Virginia Woolf insisted that it could also locate the enormous within the everyday; that a life of errands and party-giving was every bit as viable a subject as any life lived anywhere; and that should any human act in any novel seem unimportant, it has merely been inadequately observed. The novel asan art form has not been the same since. "Mrs. Dalloway also contains some of the most beautiful, complex, incisive and idiosyncratic sentences ever written in English, and that alone would be reason enough to read it. It is one of the most moving, revolutionary artworks of the twentieth century." --Michael Cunningham, author of The Hours

Contains forty-five selections of her short stories and sketches presented chronologically.

Virginia Woolf''s "To the Lighthouse" is a seminal work of modernist literature, distinguished by its innovative narrative techniques and profound exploration of time, memory, and the complexities of human relationships. Set against the backdrop of an artistically rendered Scottish coastline, Woolf employs stream-of-consciousness to delve deep into the inner lives of its characters, most notably Mrs. Ramsay and her husband, reflecting broader questions about gender roles, creative ambition, and the nature of reality. The novel''s divided structure, capturing a span of a decade through its three parts, ingeniously contrasts the fleeting nature of life with the enduring power of art, culminating in a poignant meditation on absence and presence. Woolf, a central figure in the modernist movement, was influenced by her own experiences as a woman in a patriarchal society, as well as her interactions within the Bloomsbury Group, which emphasized artistic freedom and intellectual exploration. Her astute observations of social dynamics, coupled with her struggle against the constraints placed upon women, informed the creation of this introspective narrative, reflecting her belief in the transformative potential of literature to illuminate the human experience. I highly recommend "To the Lighthouse" for anyone seeking a profound literary experience that challenges conventional storytelling. Woolf''s exploration of time and consciousness invites readers to reflect on their own lives, while her lyrical prose serves as a testament to the artistry of the written word. This novel is not just a story; it is an invitation to engage with the subtleties of existence and to appreciate the beauty that permeates the ordinary.

In "Virginia Woolf: The Moment & Other Essays," Woolf showcases her acute insights into the interplay between time and human experience, employing a modernist literary style marked by stream-of-consciousness and introspective reflection. The collection, comprising both personal and critical essays, traverses a myriad of subjects''Äîranging from the nature of art to the societal constraints faced by women. Woolf''s innovative narrative techniques and rich prose captivate her readers, while her exploration of fleeting moments reveals a profound understanding of how nuances shape our lives, evoking themes of mortality and memory against the backdrop of early 20th-century Britain. Virginia Woolf, a central figure in the modernist movement, was profoundly influenced by her personal experiences, including the struggle for women''s rights and her own challenges with mental health. These elements informed her writing, imbuing her work with authenticity and depth. Through her keen observations and transformative style, Woolf sought to illuminate the complexities of inner life, ultimately drawing from her own quest for meaning amidst the chaos of existence. This collection is highly recommended for both scholars and casual readers alike, providing a poignant glimpse into Woolf''s intellectual landscape. The essays not only resonate with contemporary issues but also offer timeless reflections on life and the artistic process, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the fleeting moments that define our humanity.

Clarissa Dalloway goes around London in the morning, getting ready to host a party that evening. The nice day reminds her of her youth spent in the countryside in Bourton and makes her wonder about her choice of husband; she married the reliable Richard Dalloway instead of the enigmatic and demanding Peter Walsh, and she "had not the option" to be with Sally Seton. Peter reintroduces these conflicts by paying a visit that morning. Septimus Warren Smith, a First World War veteran suffering from deferred traumatic stress, spends his day in the park with his Italian-born wife Lucrezia, where Peter Walsh observes them. Septimus is visited by frequent and indecipherable hallucinations, mostly concerning his dear friend Evans who died in the war. Later that day, after he is prescribed involuntary commitment to a psychiatric hospital, he commits suicide by jumping out of a window. Clarissa''s party in the evening is a slow success. It is attended by most of the characters she has met in the book, including people from her past. She hears about Septimus'' suicide at the party and gradually comes to admire this stranger''s act, which she considers an effort to preserve the purity of his happiness.

A Room of One''s Own is an extended essay by Virginia Woolf. First published on the 24th of October, 1929, the essay was based on a series of lectures she delivered at Newnham College and Girton College, two women''s colleges at Cambridge University in October 1928. While this extended essay in fact employs a fictional narrator and narrative to explore women both as writers and characters in fiction, the manuscript for the delivery of the series of lectures, titled Women and Fiction, and hence the essay, are considered nonfiction. The essay is seen as a feminist text, and is noted in its argument for both a literal and figural space for women writers within a literary tradition dominated by patriarchy. Three Guineas: The author received three separate requests for a gift of one guinea-one for a women’s college building fund, one for a society promoting the employment of professional women, and one to help prevent war and “protect culture, and intellectual liberty.” This book is a threefold answer to these requests-and a statement of feminine purpose.

The annotated, authorized edition of Virginia Woolf''s celebrated Mrs. Dalloway, named one of Time''s 100 Best Novels, features commentary by Women''s Studies professor Bonnie Kime Scott. In this vivid portrait of a single day in a woman’s life, Mrs. Clarissa Dalloway is preoccupied with the last-minute details of preparation for a party while in her mind she is something much more than a perfect society hostess. As she readies her house for friends and neighbors, she is flooded with remembrances of the past—the passionate loves of her carefree youth, her practical choice of husband, and the approach and retreat of war. And, met with the realities of the present, Clarissa reexamines the choices that brought her there, hesitantly looking ahead to the unfamiliar work of growing old. From the introspective Clarissa, to the lover who never fully recovered from her rejection, to a war-ravaged stranger in the park, the characters and scope of Mrs. Dalloway reshape our sense of ordinary life making it one of the most “moving, revolutionary artworks of the twentieth century” (Michael Cunningham). This authorized edition from the Virginia Woolf library features: Biographical Preface Chronology Introduction to the text Extensive notes Suggestions for further reading This annotated edition is the perfect companion to more fully understand Mrs. Dalloway, its importance in twentieth century literature, and Virginia Woolf''s world.

Set in the summer home of an English family, the novel unfolds through shifting perspectives of each character''s stream of consciousness, recalling childhood emotions and highlights of adult relationships. Shifts occur even mid-sentence, and in some sense they resemble the rotating beam of the lighthouse. A landmark of high modernism and one of Woolf''s best works. To the Lighthouse features the serene and maternal Mrs. Ramsay, the tragic yet absurd Mr. Ramsay, and their children and assorted guests who are on holiday on the Isle of Skye. From the seemingly trivial postponement of a visit to a nearby lighthouse, Virginia Woolf constructs a moving examination of the complex tensions and allegiances of family life and the conflicts within a marriage.

Slowly welling from the point of her gold nib, pale blue ink dissolved the full stop; for there her pen stuck; her eyes fixed, and tears slowly filled them. The entire bay quivered; the lighthouse wobbled; and she had the illusion that the mast of Mr. Connor''s little yacht was bending like a wax candle in the sun. She winked quickly. Accidents were awful things. She winked again. The mast was straight; the waves were regular; the lighthouse was upright; but the blot had spread. "... nothing for it but to leave," she read. "Well, if Jacob doesn''t want to play" (the shadow of Archer, her eldest son, fell across the notepaper and looked blue on the sand, and she felt chilly—it was the third of September already), "if Jacob doesn''t want to play"—what a horrid blot! It must be getting late. "Over there—by the rock," Steele muttered, with his brush between his teeth, squeezing out raw sienna, and keeping his eyes fixed on Betty Flanders''s back. "Ja—cob! Ja—cob!" shouted Archer, lagging on after a second. The voice had an extraordinary sadness. Pure from all body, pure from all passion, going out into the world, soli-tary, unanswered, breaking against rocks—so it sounded. Steele frowned; but was pleased by the effect of the black—it was just THAT note which brought the rest to-gether. "Ah, one may learn to paint at fifty! There''s Ti-tian..." and so, having found the right tint, up he looked and saw to his horror a cloud over the bay.

Virginia Woolf''s short story The New Dress was written in 1924. The story was published in the May 1927; it is about the feelings of a woman towards herself and her reaction to the behaviors of others when they meet her. It is also about the agonies and human experience in fashion.

Love. Hate. Peace. Three emotions made the ply of human life.Between the Acts takes place on a June day in 1939 at Pointz Hall, the Oliver familys country house in the heart of England. In the garden, everyone from the village has gathered to present the annual pageantscenes from the history of England starting with the Middle Ages. As the story of England unfolds, the lives of the villagers also take shape. The past blends with the present and art blends with life in a narrative full of invention, affection, and lyricism.Through her characters'' passionate musings and private dramas, and through the enigmatic figure of the pageant''s author, Miss La Trobe, Virginia Woolf''s final novel both celebrates and mocks Englishness. Even so, the coming of war looms over the whole community, heralding a new act.

A Room of One''s Own is an essay by Virginia Woolf, first published in 1929. The title comes from the author''s theory that ''a woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction''. It''s considered an important feminist text and discusses how woman have been historically kept from writing because of constraints imposed upon them by the dominant patriarchy. The essay is based on a couple of lectures that Woolf gave at two women''s colleges at the University of Cambridge. This book has 85 pages in the PDF version, and was originally published in 1929.

Between the Acts is the last novel by Virginia Woolf, and it was published in 1941 shortly after her suicide at the age of 59. The story takes place just before the Second World War, in a small English village. An annual pageant is due to take place in the grounds of a house owned by Bartholomew Oliver, and the book consists of the days events leading up to the pageant. This book has 135 pages in the PDF version, and was originally published in 1941.