Book –Orlando

Book –Orlando

Alternative title: Orlando :  biography 

(chosen image is not the book cover, to avoid any kind of spoilers)

Author : Virginia Woolf 

Score: 9/10* 

Year: 1928 (original)  ; 2000 (present edition)

Publisher: Oxford University Press

ISBN 9780192834737

Pages  399* (see at bottom) 

Language: English  

Tell us what you really think about gender identity, sexuality, gender norms and society, Virginia! 

V. Woolf outdid herself in this novel, where she jutxaposes gender identity and societally expected gender roles of both men and women ; oppositing the brutality and forecefullness and emotional reserve expected from men, to how society assigned women gentleness, kindness and expressing emotions, in a controlled and so-called dignified way - contrary to men, not supposed to cry or show tenderness, but only the most aggresive 

This is, however, a bit more than a novel, or fake-biography as can be seen by comparing the sub-title and then reading the story. Virginia was actually using this excercice as a satire and this part can be heard through the numerous jokes and humour jives throughout the story. 

In Orlando, Virignia was ahead of her time. She showed through the dualities of the sexes as seen in her period, and their expressions throughout this novel, wishes for more equality and swapping those gender norms, including down to sexuality and atire. 

Virginia Woolf disposes with  great intelligence social commentaries about gender norms and idenity, all the whilst criticizing society at large for these norms, and the High Society of her period, with a good dose of humour. For example, how a certain Mrs so & so in Society only said 3 bits of witticism in 50 years of continuous talk... 

Orlando is a perfect companion to Virginia's short story A society from 1921, and her essay, A room of one's own, from 1929 and which was based on lectures she'd given.  Orlando explores gender in avant-garde, unexpected ways.  In those, she even addresses what we'd label nowdays as LGBT topics, in an unappologetic tone. 

This novel is both very similar and yet differs from most of Woolf's writings. Indeed, it is composed in a stream of consciousness as always, but not as erratic as most ; yet, it becomes it again in the 6th, last chapter. Most stories take place in a very short amount of time, but this one spans an unsual length, to show, that in the case  gender norms and especially in the case of women's societal roles, they didn't really change all that much in its entire period. 

Virginia uses several devices for the passage of time, with great eloquence as to its relativity (not in a scientific theory, mind you, just in relative human observance and experience of it), especially in regards to her main characters, and to the art of writing poems, for instance. She also tells aspects discussed at length in her essay mentioned above (A Room of one's own) about women's place as writers and as persons in a society that requires so much of them - especially to be quite, demure, baring children and not tryng to rock the societal boat of gender norms... 

Virginia describes at great length certain processes and also knows how to announce, via the voice of Orlando's biographer, the narrator of this novel, that some details may not be necessary to unfold over many pages, and cuts short, to concentrate on essentials, and on known historical facts of Orlando's life - which intesects other peoples, now and then. 

Despite the chapter lengths, I was able to read this entire story in just a few sittings, in a very fluid way, and very consistently. 

In a way, however, Orlando is more than one character and could be substituted to any man or any woman, and may also refer to one person, with many facets, as shall be read in the ultimate, 6th chapter. Existential and identity questions are present throughout, with inner thoughts and feelings described from the characters, or from the biographer/narrator alike.  

Orlando certainely stands the test of time ; some of its questions and truths still pervade our modern society, 91 years after its publication, and likely to last quite a while longer. 

Critics have been either divided, or concentrated on one aspect or another of this novel, ever since. Many interpretations can be derived, based on your own reading and interprative grid. It is, however, a must-read, at least once in your life! 

Below is an explanation about the pages and contents of the book. 

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On the page numbers, I'll refer you to the table of content as follows 

Acknowledgements (p. vi)

Biographical Preface (vii) by Frank Kermode sums up Virginia's life, her writing and struggles with mental illnesses ;

Introduction (xii) should actually be an outro, not Intro. One has to read this after, or else be totally spoiled as to the nature of the story and all the background information pertaining to its composition, as well as its initial critical responses. 

Notes on the text and illustrations (xlviii) is just that, half a page explaing the 8 black & white illustrations included between pages 166 and 167, which I suggest looking only after having read the story. 

A chronology of Virginia Woolf (lii - lviii) innovative concept, showing side by side VW's life events with social and historical context. It's too bad the fonts aren't bigger and to spread the content an extra couple pages for an easier reading, than having to use a magnifying glass in my case. 

Orlando 1 

Exlanatory Notes 318, they give background information about specific passages in the novel, organized in order of pages where they appear ; they are either about Virginia's life or her friends/family, or about literary/historical references. 

List of Names 341-345 are various relatives, friends or simply other people who lived at the same time as Virginia Woolf. 

A further division of Orlando must be seen with these pages:

Preface (5-7) by Virginia herself, thanking all involved in helping her**, followed by 6 chapters starting on pages 13, 63, 115, 147, 217 and 251, ending on 314.

The score 9/10 applies both to the novel, and to this present edition. Indeed, as you saw abobe, the chronology section's fonts are far too small to be usefull for me, though the concept was innovative. Also, everything that is offered before the novel should have been placed after i, alongside the Notes and Names. I think this was a poor editorial choice for anyone who hadn't been exposed to Orlando before.  If you don't want spoilers, read the story first, and then everything else. 

The book ends with 12 additional, un-numbered pages with a selection of other books in the Oxford World's Classics series.