77 pages • 2 hours read
Virginia WoolfOrlando
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1928A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Orlando: A Biography by Virginia Woolf narrates the adventures of Orlando, a noble born male in 16th century England who mysteriously transforms into a woman at the age of 30 and lives for centuries without aging. The story captures Orlando's experiences in high society, literary circles, and eventual marriage to the gender-nonconforming Shel. The novel humorously critiques biographical conventions while exploring gender identity through Orlando's timeless journey.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Virginia Woolf's Orlando garners praise for its innovative narrative, spanning centuries and tackling gender fluidity with wit. Critics admire Woolf's lyrical prose and imaginative scope. However, some find the plot meandering and the pacing uneven. Overall, it's celebrated for its daring exploration of identity and time.
Who Should Read Orlando?
Readers who would enjoy Orlando by Virginia Woolf are typically fans of literary modernism, lyrical prose, and explorations of gender and identity. Similar to those who appreciate James Joyce's Ulysses or Marcel Proust's In Search of Lost Time, they value innovative narrative techniques and profound character studies.