Virginia Woolf

Virginia Woolf was an English writer, considered one of the most important modernist 20th-century authors and a pioneer in the use of stream of consciousness as a narrative device. She was born on January 25, 1882, and died on March 28, 1941. Woolf was a central figure in the Bloomsbury Group of intellectuals. Her most famous works include the novels 'Mrs. Dalloway', 'To the Lighthouse', and 'Orlando', as well as the book-length essay 'A Room of One's Own'.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. To the Lighthouse

    This novel is a pioneering work of modernist literature that explores the Ramsay family's experiences at their summer home on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. The narrative is divided into three sections, focusing on a day in the family's life, a description of the house during their absence, and their return after ten years. The book is known for its stream of consciousness narrative technique and its exploration of topics such as the passage of time, the nature of art, and the female experience.

  2. 2. Mrs. Dalloway

    The novel chronicles a day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway, a high-society woman in post-World War I England, as she prepares for a party she is hosting that evening. Throughout the day, she encounters various characters from her past, including a former suitor and a shell-shocked war veteran. The narrative jumps back and forth in time and in and out of different characters' minds, exploring themes of mental illness, existentialism, and the nature of time.

  3. 3. Orlando: A Biography

    The novel follows the life of a young nobleman in Elizabethan England who inexplicably transforms into a woman at the age of 30 and lives on for three centuries without aging. Throughout the centuries, the protagonist experiences various historical events, engages in relationships with both men and women, and explores the complexities of gender identity and sexuality. The book is an exploration of the fluidity of gender and time, as well as a critique of societal norms and expectations.

  4. 4. A Room of One's Own

    This book is an extended essay that explores the topic of women in fiction, and the societal and economic hindrances that prevent them from achieving their full potential. The author uses a fictional narrator and narrative to explore the many difficulties that women writers faced throughout history, including the lack of education available to them and the societal expectations that limited their opportunities. The central argument is that a woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction.

  5. 5. The Waves

    "The Waves" is a novel that follows the lives of six friends from childhood to old age, using an innovative narrative style that intertwines their individual voices into a collective stream of consciousness. The novel explores themes of individual identity, the passage of time, and the human condition, presenting a unique and poetic meditation on the nature of life and death.

  6. 6. A Writer's Diary

    This book is a collection of entries extracted from the personal diaries of a prominent 20th-century British novelist, providing readers with a unique glimpse into her artistic process, literary ambitions, and the daily preoccupations that influenced her work. Spanning over two decades, the diary entries offer an intimate portrait of her struggles with mental health, her opinions on contemporary literature, and her insights into the craft of writing. The book serves as a valuable resource for understanding the mind of a literary genius and the internal and external factors that shaped some of the most innovative fiction of the modernist era.

  7. 7. Three Guineas

    The book is a passionate treatise on the oppressive nature of patriarchy and the societal mechanisms that perpetuate war. Through a series of letters responding to a man's request for a donation to prevent war, the author delves into the interconnectedness of gender inequality, education, and militarism. She argues that the education and empowerment of women is essential to breaking the cycle of conflict, advocating for a new social order where women's perspectives and experiences are valued equally. The work is a critical examination of the roles and expectations of women in society and a call for fundamental change to achieve peace and equality.

  8. 8. The Voyage Out

    "The Voyage Out" is a novel that follows the journey of a young woman who embarks on a sea voyage to South America, where she experiences a series of personal and philosophical awakenings. While on the trip, she encounters a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique perspectives and experiences. Through these interactions, she begins to question the societal norms and expectations that have shaped her life, leading to a profound transformation of her identity and understanding of the world.