Where to Start with Virginia Woolf | The New York Public Library

5 must-read books by Virginia Woolf

Essential Books By Virginia Woolf You Should Read

Where to start with Virginia Woolf

9 Virginia Woolf Books to Dive Into - TCK Publishing

The story revolves around a speaker, who could take on any name, as she grapples with the theme of women and fiction. She proposes a belief that for a woman to effectively produce fiction, she requires wealth and a personal space. This concept is presented through a semi-fictional account of the mental journey that led to its development.

The speaker embarks on an exploratory journey commencing at Oxbridge College. Here, she deliberates on the varied educational experiences offered to the two genders as well as significant disparities in their lifestyles. She devotes a day at the British Library, examining scholarly works on women, intriguingly all penned by men and all seemingly written in a state of vexation. She turns to history and in the absence of substantial information on women's daily life, she resolves to imaginatively recreate their life. She projects a character named Judith Shakespeare, representing the tragic destiny an extraordinarily intelligent woman would have faced in those times. With this historical context, she evaluates the works of prominent female novelists from the 19th-century and muses on the role of tradition for a budding writer.

She then proceeds to examine the present state of literature by perusing the debut novel of one of her contemporaries. The speaker concludes her discussion by urging her female audience to seize the tradition that had been painstakingly passed on to them and to enrich the inheritance for their future generations.

A Room of One's Own

Una habitación propia

A Biography

Una Biografía

Orlando

The story commences immediately prior to the First World War, with the Ramsay family, Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay and their eight children, vacationing at their summer residence in Hebrides, islands located west of Scotland. A large lighthouse stands across the bay from their house and young James Ramsay is eager to visit it. Despite his mother's promise of a visit, his father dampens his spirits by predicting bad weather. The family hosts several guests, among them, Charles Tansley, who admires Mr. Ramsay's philosophy work, and Lily Briscoe, a painter working on a portrait of Mrs. Ramsay. The day is filled with activities, with Paul Rayley proposing to Minta Doyle, Lily starting on her painting and Mrs. Ramsay calming a resentful James. The evening's dinner party has its share of ups and downs but ends up being a memorable one. As the night ends, Mr. Ramsay's insecurities disturb the peace, leaving him wanting his wife to profess her love for him, which she does in her own unique way.

Following this, the narrative speeds up as war engulfs Europe. Tragedy strikes the Ramsay family as Mrs. Ramsay passes away suddenly, their eldest son Andrew is killed in battle, and their daughter Prue succumbs to a childbirth-related illness. Their summer house, now abandoned, falls into ruin. A decade passes before the family returns, and the house is restored to order by the housekeeper Mrs. McNab and her helpers. Lily Briscoe is among the returnees.

The final part of the story sees a shift back to a slower pace and changing perspectives. Mr. Ramsay decides to journey to the lighthouse with James and his daughter Cam. However, his temper flares due to delays, causing distress. Despite their father's temper and constant self-pity, the children experience a moment of fondness for him during the trip, especially James, who earns his father's praise for his sailing skills. Back at the house, Lily manages to finish the painting she abandoned on her last visit, achieving her vision on the canvas with a final decisive stroke.

To The Lighthouse

Al faro

The Waves

Las Olas

The narrative revolves around a day in the life of an elite household woman, Clarissa Dalloway, who trots around her London vicinity to arrange the evening party she will host. Upon her return from procuring flowers, she receives an unexpected visit from Peter Walsh, an old friend and previous romantic interest. Despite their consistent critical view of each other, their present encounter mingles with reminiscences of the past, particularly Clarissa's rejection of Peter's marriage proposal, which he has never quite reconciled with. Peter queries Clarissa about her satisfaction with her husband, Richard, but their conversation is cut short by their daughter, Elizabeth's entrance. Peter then departs to Regent’s Park, still hung up on Clarissa’s past refusal. 

Next, the focus shifts to Septimus, a shell-shocked World War I veteran who was wounded in trench warfare. Together with his Italian wife, Lucrezia, he spends time in Regent’s Park, awaiting his appointment with a renowned psychiatrist, Sir William Bradshaw. Prior to the war, Septimus exhibited promise as a young poet and was an ardent fan of Shakespeare; he volunteered for the war fuelled by romantic patriotic sentiments. However, he was desensitized by the gruesome realities of war, and the death of his friend, Evans, evoked little grief. Septimus, having lost his will to live and seeing no value in the society he fought to protect, contemplates suicide. Yet, Sir William disregards Septimus's woes, attributing his issues to “a lack of proportion,” and decides to isolate Septimus, intending to send him to a mental facility.

Meanwhile, Richard Dalloway returns from lunch with members of the upper crust, intending to declare his love to Clarissa but finds himself unable, a result of long unspoken affection. Clarissa reflects on the emotional divide between individuals, even in marriage, cherishing her personal space but disturbed by the secrets she still holds from Richard. As Elizabeth and her tutor, Miss Kilman, depart for shopping, Clarissa grapples with her dislike for Miss Kilman and her perceived influence over Elizabeth. Concurrently, Septimus and Lucrezia share a peaceful spell before he is whisked away to the asylum. Fearing the impending visit from Dr. Holmes, one of his physicians, and the potential harm to his spirit, Septimus dives out of a window to his death. Clarissa learns of Septimus's suicide at her party. She retreats to ponder his death, empathizing with his struggle, and feels partly responsible for his demise as a socialite. The party concludes with Peter struck by a wave of excitement upon Clarissa's entry.

Mrs. Dalloway

La señora Dalloway

Between the Acts

Entre los Actos

6 Best Virginia Woolf Books of All Time

A Room of One's Own

Orlando

A Biography

To The Lighthouse

The Waves

Mrs. Dalloway

Between the Acts

Sources

What To Read Next

6 Best Virginia Woolf Books of All Time

A Room of One's Own

Orlando

A Biography

To The Lighthouse

The Waves

Mrs. Dalloway

Between the Acts

Sources

What To Read Next

Share this page