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floatwiththesticks's review against another edition
Ms Virginia’s writing is ALWAYS a five star but this book became so strange, so drenched in metaphor, I am left with a feeling I can’t decipher.
Was definitely more engaged, both in narrative and character, with the first few chapters, pre the Thing Happening - no doubt intentional and another layer to this ONION of a novel.
(Her prose actually makes me scream though and the fact she wrote this for her fellow writer sapphic lover: my literary crush forever).
Was definitely more engaged, both in narrative and character, with the first few chapters, pre the Thing Happening - no doubt intentional and another layer to this ONION of a novel.
(Her prose actually makes me scream though and the fact she wrote this for her fellow writer sapphic lover: my literary crush forever).
ellipsiscool's review against another edition
5.0
Oh how do I rate this delightful novel?
The reason why I read it at this particular time actually has to do with another book that I read recently, "The Silkworm" by Robert Galbraith. There is a character in it named Orlando and the reasoning is Virginia Woolf's completely original novel. I also recently read her husband's novel "The Village in the Jungle." So I was interested. Then I read the back of the book and knew that I had never read anything like it.
I'm not sure the above description on Goodreads is a very accurate. Orlando does not, in fact, change sex at will. There is only one true sex change in the book. Later she dresses as a man when it suits her. She's familiar with socializing in both circles (male and female) and takes advantage of that.
The commentary on literature and writers was a riot and the introspection into a creative mind was truly fascinating.
The progression of time (400 years or so) really was my favorite part. It was very neat to take a ride through so many years through such a flamboyant and interesting character. The "ages" in England are really defined by the monarchs. The story begins in Elizabethan times and ends in Edwardian times and I think the most interesting thing was when Orlando reaches Edwardian times and everything begins to change. She thinks about how up until this age, everyone knew how everything was done. Now she's riding trains, driving cars, and using elevators without a clue to how they worked. The present time was more invasive in the thought process and yet eluded reason.
"Orlando" was my first Virginia Woolf and probably won't be my last. I will be thinking about it for quite a long time.
The reason why I read it at this particular time actually has to do with another book that I read recently, "The Silkworm" by Robert Galbraith. There is a character in it named Orlando and the reasoning is Virginia Woolf's completely original novel. I also recently read her husband's novel "The Village in the Jungle." So I was interested. Then I read the back of the book and knew that I had never read anything like it.
I'm not sure the above description on Goodreads is a very accurate. Orlando does not, in fact, change sex at will. There is only one true sex change in the book. Later she dresses as a man when it suits her. She's familiar with socializing in both circles (male and female) and takes advantage of that.
The commentary on literature and writers was a riot and the introspection into a creative mind was truly fascinating.
The progression of time (400 years or so) really was my favorite part. It was very neat to take a ride through so many years through such a flamboyant and interesting character. The "ages" in England are really defined by the monarchs. The story begins in Elizabethan times and ends in Edwardian times and I think the most interesting thing was when Orlando reaches Edwardian times and everything begins to change. She thinks about how up until this age, everyone knew how everything was done. Now she's riding trains, driving cars, and using elevators without a clue to how they worked. The present time was more invasive in the thought process and yet eluded reason.
"Orlando" was my first Virginia Woolf and probably won't be my last. I will be thinking about it for quite a long time.
notyourvegetable's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs
obviously_lene's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
beckiesophie11's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
1.5
seapotatohowisitalrtaken's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
suryanii's review against another edition
3.0
what is tilda swinton yammering about in the introduction. good book though!
automne's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
laurenmckane's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
spicycheesecake's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Ermmmmm.... what the sigma? Why did Woolf write this book
Weird ass book. No clue what was going on half the time
But I did feel that things got better as the book progressed. I was able to pick up more info, understand things, but also come to terms with the fact that maybe not everything is going to be understandable. Weirdly enough I felt really good as I was reading the book, even though I often hate the feeling of being confused.
Also kinda random, but I found chapter 5 to be the easiest to read. Not sure if it's was because I gained "Woolf XP" or because I was listening to a good as hell playlist
I will say that the weirdness of this book wasn't appalling at all, the confusion I felt made me want to read even MORE. Thank you Virginia Woolf for blessing me with the habit of reading daily!
As my first Woolf book, I am proud to announce that this will be my last Woolf book.
I'll rate it 2.9999 stars for the book overall. And 0.0001 stars for getting me back into reading routinely.
3 stars total ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Weird ass book. No clue what was going on half the time
But I did feel that things got better as the book progressed. I was able to pick up more info, understand things, but also come to terms with the fact that maybe not everything is going to be understandable. Weirdly enough I felt really good as I was reading the book, even though I often hate the feeling of being confused.
Also kinda random, but I found chapter 5 to be the easiest to read. Not sure if it's was because I gained "Woolf XP" or because I was listening to a good as hell playlist
I will say that the weirdness of this book wasn't appalling at all, the confusion I felt made me want to read even MORE. Thank you Virginia Woolf for blessing me with the habit of reading daily!
As my first Woolf book, I am proud to announce that this will be my last Woolf book.
I'll rate it 2.9999 stars for the book overall. And 0.0001 stars for getting me back into reading routinely.
3 stars total ⭐ ⭐ ⭐