Books

1928. New York: Crosby Gaige. 1928. 8vo. Original black cloth, spine lettered and decorated in gilt, top edge gilt, publishers image of a ram in gilt on front cover, retaining the original, very rare, black glassine wrapper; pp. 333, untrimmed and partly unopened throughout, with 8 half-tone photographic illustrations; a few very minor scuffs to boards, spine of wrapper detached from front panel at hinge with loss to spine, else near fine; author's signature in purple ink to verso of half title; contemporary bookseller's ticket 'The Holliday Bookshop … New York' to rear pastedown. First edition, number 352 of 800 copies signed by the author in her distinctive purple ink, from a limited edition of 861 copies. Orlando, an experimental biographical novel and feminist classic was inspired by Woolf's intimate friend Vita Sackville-West, to whom the book is dedicated and who appears in three of the book's photographic illustrations. The character of Orlando is based on Vita and the…

"Orlando: A Biography" by Virginia Woolf is a groundbreaking and imaginative novel that defies traditional narrative forms and explores themes of gender, identity, time, and literary history. Published in 1928, the novel traces the life and adventures of its protagonist, Orlando, across several centuries and continents. The story begins in Elizabethan England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Orlando, a young nobleman, is portrayed as a handsome and romantic figure who aspires to become a poet. As the narrative unfolds, Orlando's life undergoes a remarkable transformation: he mysteriously stops aging and changes gender, becoming a woman while retaining his memories and identity. The novel follows Orlando through various historical periods, including the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and the Victorian era. As he navigates these different epochs, Orlando encounters key historical figures and witnesses significant social and cultural changes. Through Orlando's experiences, Woolf explores the fluidity of gender and the constructed nature of identity, challenging conventional notions of masculinity and femininity. In addition to its exploration of gender and identity, "Orlando" is also a meditation on the nature of time and the passage of history. Woolf's narrative blurs the boundaries between past and present, reality and fantasy, as Orlando's long life allows him to witness centuries of human history while remaining fundamentally unchanged. One of the novel's most striking features is its metafictional elements, as Woolf frequently interrupts the narrative to comment on the process of storytelling and the relationship between author and character. Through these self-reflexive moments, Woolf invites readers to reflect on the nature of fiction and the ways in which literature shapes our understanding of the world. "Orlando" is also celebrated for its lush prose and vivid imagery, as Woolf demonstrates her mastery of language and narrative technique. The novel's rich descriptions of landscapes, interiors, and characters create a vibrant and immersive world that captivates the reader from beginning to end. At its core, "Orlando" is a celebration of the power of imagination and the possibilities of literature to transcend the limitations of time, gender, and identity. Through its innovative narrative structure and thought-provoking themes, Virginia Woolf's novel continues to captivate readers and inspire generations of writers to explore new forms of storytelling.