Virginia Woolf, one of the most renowned female authors of all time, was a central figure in the modernist literature movement of the early 20th century. Her distinct and innovative writing style, characterized by stream-of-consciousness narrative and introspective focus, has left an indelible mark on literature.
In her honour, we present ten of her best works that have made significant contributions to English literature. As usual, you can drop your thoughts in the comments below:
‘To the Lighthouse’
First published on May 5, 1927, “To the Lighthouse” is widely considered a masterpiece of Woolf’s oeuvre. The novel explores the lives and perspectives of three members of the Ramsay family living in a house on the Scottish coast. Woolf’s impeccable prose and profound understanding of human emotions make this novel deeply impactful. She effectively delves into the human fear of change, rendering it in a compelling novelistic form.
Her vivid descriptions bring to life the characters and their experiences, making the book hard to put down. This book firmly established Woolf as one of the leading voices of modernism.
‘Mrs. Dalloway’
If you’re just starting to explore Woolf’s remarkable body of work, “Mrs. Dalloway”, first published in 1925, is one of the best books to begin with. The narrative brings to life a day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway, a high-society English woman living in post-World War I London.
As Clarissa prepares for a party she will host in the evening, Woolf paints an evocative image of society at the time. The novel employs a stream-of-consciousness narrative, immersing readers into the inner world of its protagonist. Its influence on literature is such that it was adapted into a film in 1997.
‘Orlando’
“Orlando: A Biography”, published in 1928, is another notable work in Woolf’s collection. Not strictly a novel, this ‘biography’ straddles the line between fiction and non-fiction to create a unique narrative experience. It tells the story of the eponymous character who embarks on a journey through centuries of English history.
Orlando is a work that defies conventions and constantly challenges reader expectations. It is seen as another testament to Woolf’s groundbreaking narrative techniques and her ability to experiment with literary forms.
‘A Room of One’s Own’
Published in 1929, “A Room of One’s Own” is an influential feminist text that explores the societal obstacles women face in expressing their creativity and genius. In this essay, Woolf argues for the necessity of a woman having her own money and space – a room of her own – to be able to write.
To illustrate her point, Woolf creates an imaginary character, Shakespeare’s sister, who, despite possessing a talent equivalent to her brother’s, ultimately commits suicide out of frustration with her stifled creativity in a male-dominated world. This work remains a must-read for feminist scholars and readers interested in gender studies.
‘The Waves’
“The Waves”, another of Woolf’s highly acclaimed works, further cemented her status as a leading modernist writer. Much like her other works, this novel showcases Woolf’s characteristic stream-of-consciousness narrative and her focus on internal psychological perspective rather than linear plot development.
The book’s innovative structure and its exploration of complex topics such as individual identity and the nature of human relationships make it a challenging yet rewarding read.
‘Jacob’s Room’
“Jacob’s Room”, Woolf’s third novel, was published in 1922. Following the success of her short story collection ‘Monday or Tuesday,’ Woolf wrote “Jacob’s Room” to test if she could translate her impressionistic style to a full-length novel. The book follows Jacob Flanders’ life from childhood to maturity, but its unconventional narrative technique makes it a classic example of Woolf’s unique storytelling style.
Despite a seemingly conventional plot, the novel is far from traditional and is pure Woolf in its execution.
‘Between the Acts’
“Between the Acts”, Woolf’s last work, was published posthumously. Set against the backdrop of looming World War II in an unspecified location in England, the novel revolves around a village hosting its annual show where villagers enact important moments of English history.
Here, Woolf cleverly uses a play-within-a-play structure to explore various themes, prominently the rise of fascism. This topic was of particular significance to Woolf, given her husband’s Jewish heritage and her inclusion in Hitler’s UK blacklist.
‘The Voyage Out’
Published in 1915, “The Voyage Out” marked the beginning of Woolf’s illustrious writing career. While more conventional than her later works, this novel still bears Woolf’s signature style of introspective narration and rich character development.
It also provides early insights into Woolf’s evolving narrative style, making it an interesting read for those keen on studying her creative growth.
‘Night and Day’
“Night and Day”, Woolf’s second novel published in 1919, offers a fascinating look at her earlier, more traditional narrative style.
Despite being less experimental than her later novels, its insightful exploration of love, marriage, and the role of women makes it a valuable addition to any Woolf reading list.
‘The Years’
Last but not least, “The Years” is the longest novel by Woolf and was the best-selling book during her lifetime. Published in 1937, it traces the lives of the Pargiter family from the 1880s to the ‘present day’ in the mid-1930s.
Although less experimental in form than her other works, the novel is still marked by Woolf’s penetrating examination of characters and her sharp critique of society.
There we have it, our list 0f 10 best books by Virginia Woolf. What do you think about our picks? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below: