She once told us that if a woman wants to write fiction there are two things that she needs: money and a room of her own. She’s also the woman who completely revolutionised English literature and helped to propel it into the twentieth century.
We can only be talking about the incredible Virginia Woolf. Widely considered to be one of the foremost modernist writers, Virginia was a major figure on the London literary society.
Her novels are deep, full of haunting words and beautiful imagery and though many have tried to copy her over the years, no one has managed to capture her unique voice.
Today marks the anniversary of Virginia’s death. If you’ve never picked up one of her books before, here are five must-reads that will change the way you view the written word forever…
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Must-read #1: “Mrs Dalloway”
Published in 1925, Mrs Dalloway is widely considered to be Woolf’s masterpiece. The novel is full of rich writing, amazing characters and that wonderful attention to detail that Woolf is known for.
The book itself focuses on the character of Clarissa Dalloway, a high-society woman who loves in post-World War I England. The story outlines a single day in life of the socialite as she organises a party. This novel is full of shocking twists and turns and will stay with you long after you put it down. A gorgeous read.
Must-read #2: “Orlando”
Okay, we’ll be completely honest: this is a tough book to read. However, with that being said, it’s also great if you can stick with it and follow the narrative.
First published in 1928, Orlando is a semi-biographical novel that is based on the life of Woolf’s lover, a woman called Vita Sackville West. It’s all about the life of a young man, Orlando. One morning, he wakes up and discovers that he’s after becoming a woman. After that, everything changes.
Must-read #3: “A Room of One’s Own”
Published in 1929, A Room of One’s Own is an extended essay all about women writers and female characters in fiction. Based on a series of lectures that she delivered to two women’s colleges, this essay is written more like a story. If you’re interested in Woolf, writing or feminism, this is worth a read.
Must-Read #4: “To The Lighthouse”
To The Lighthouse is considered to be one of the best English-language novels of the 20th century. This book has everything that you’d expect from Woolf: complex characters, a beautiful flow of narrative and some achingly wonderful prose.
A short read, it follows the Ramsay family as they holiday on the Ise of Skye. Part II of the novel, entitled Time Passes, is worth reading alone, it’s that beautiful.
Must-read #5: “The Waves”
Published in 1931 this is Woolf’s most experimental novel. It’s made up of six ‘voices’ from six of the novel’s main characters. There is a seventh character but he never speaks directly – all we know about him is what we hear from the others.
The book follows the six narrators from childhood as they grow up and deal with life’s challenges. Critics and writers alike have described this as being a “beautiful novel with language and imagery unmatched in 20th century English literature.”
