Author
Virginia Woolf
1882-1941
Virginia Woolf (1882-1941) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
WikipediaSubjects
Books by Virginia Woolf
Mrs. Dalloway
"Mrs. Dalloway" by Virginia Woolf is a novel published in 1925. It follows a single day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway, an upper-class woman in post-World War I London, as she prepares to host an evening party. Through stream of consciousness narration, the story weaves between present moments and memories, exploring Clarissa's past relationships and choices. A parallel narrative follows Septimus Warren Smith, a war veteran struggling with trauma, whose fate will unexpectedly touch Clarissa's world by day's end.
The Voyage Out
"The Voyage Out" by Virginia Woolf is a novel published in 1915. Rachel Vinrace embarks on a sea voyage to South America aboard her father's ship, launching a journey of self-discovery among a mismatched group of Edwardian passengers. As Rachel travels from her sheltered London life toward intellectual freedom and awakening consciousness, Woolf satirizes society while exploring themes of feminine identity, sexuality, and mortality. This debut novel contains the seeds of Woolf's later innovative style and introduced the character Clarissa Dalloway, who would become central to a future masterpiece.
Monday or Tuesday
"Monday or Tuesday" by Virginia Woolf is a short story collection published in 1921. The book contains eight experimental stories that capture the fleeting impressions and sensations of ordinary life. Printed by The Hogarth Press with woodcuts by Vanessa Bell, the collection includes previously published pieces like "The Mark on the Wall" and "Kew Gardens" alongside new works. The title reflects Woolf's belief that fiction should illuminate the continuous stream of impressions that shape everyday experience, whether Monday or Tuesday.
The Common Reader
"The Common Reader" by Virginia Woolf is a collection of essays written in the early 20th century. The book is a thoughtful examination of literature through the lens of the ordinary reader, emphasizing the value of reading for pleasure and the unique perspective that non-experts bring to literary criticism. Woolf's exploration includes both historical and contemporary figures in literature, focusing on the experiences, thoughts, and opinions of the common reader in relation to the complexities of literary appreciation. The opening of "The Common Reader" begins with a quote from Dr. Johnson that sets the tone for Woolf’s reflection on the role of the common reader, who, unencumbered by academic prejudice, has a genuine intuition towards what constitutes good poetry and literature. Woolf contrasts the common reader with critics and scholars, suggesting that the former possess a unique insight born from personal engagement with texts. She introduces this theme by discussing the history of the Paston family and their correspondence, which encapsulates the everyday aspirations, concerns, and lives of individuals from a particular era, highlighting how these narratives shape the larger tapestry of literary history.
Night and Day
"Night and Day" by Virginia Woolf is a novel published in 1919. Set in Edwardian London, it follows two women—Katharine Hilbery and Mary Datchet—as they navigate love, marriage, and personal freedom. Katharine, from a literary family, secretly prefers mathematics while wrestling with romantic entanglements involving William Rodney and Ralph Denham. Mary works for women's suffrage but struggles with unrequited love. The novel asks whether marriage is necessary for happiness and whether love and duty can coexist in a changing world.
Mrs Dalloway in Bond Street
"Mrs Dalloway in Bond Street" by Virginia Woolf is a short story written in the early 20th century. This piece follows the character Clarissa Dalloway as she navigates the streets of London, reflecting on life, society, and her place within it. The story encapsulates themes of memory, identity, and the passage of time, highlighting Woolf's signature stream-of-consciousness style. In the narrative, Mrs. Dalloway embarks on an outing to buy gloves, but her journey becomes much more than a simple shopping trip. As she walks through the city, she ruminates on her childhood, the people she encounters, and the contrasts between her own life and the lives of others. The story immerses readers in her thoughts, revealing her contemplations about loss, societal expectations, and connection. Through her interactions and reflections, Woolf paints a vibrant portrait of early 20th-century London while exploring the profound complexities of human experience and emotion.
Jacob's Room
"Jacob's Room" by Virginia Woolf is a novel published in 1922. The story follows Jacob Flanders from childhood through Cambridge and into adulthood in pre-war England, but with a radical twist: Jacob himself remains elusive, known only through the impressions of others. Women in his life—including the reserved Clara Durrant and bohemian artist Florinda—provide glimpses of a man who exists more as absence than presence. This experimental modernist work haunts readers with its void at the center, presenting a protagonist through memories and sensations rather than concrete reality.
Two Stories
"Two Stories by Virginia Woolf and Leonard Woolf" is a collection of short stories written in the early 20th century by influential British authors, Virginia Woolf and her husband, Leonard Woolf. The book features two narratives: "Three Jews" by Leonard Woolf and "The Mark on the Wall" by Virginia Woolf. The collection delves into the complexities of human experience, identity, and the subtleties of perception, reflecting the modernist literary movement's preoccupations with subjective reality and social commentary. In "Three Jews," Leonard Woolf presents an encounter on a spring day between the narrator and a Jewish man, exploring themes of identity, religion, and belonging in a changing world. The dialogue reveals the inner thoughts of both characters as they reflect on their heritage and the tension between tradition and modernity. Virginia Woolf's "The Mark on the Wall" narrates the protagonist's musings triggered by a mark on her wall, leading to a stream of consciousness that traverses personal reflections, societal norms, and existential questions about life and reality. Both stories evoke a rich tapestry of thoughts that challenge readers to ponder identity, connection, and the nature of existence amidst the backdrop of their respective eras.
Mr. Bennett and Mrs. Brown
"Mr. Bennett and Mrs. Brown" by Virginia Woolf is an essay published in 1924 that explores the arrival of modernism in literature. Written as a rebuttal to critic Arnold Bennett's dismissal of her work, Woolf argues that human character fundamentally changed around 1910, requiring writers to evolve their methods. She challenges Bennett's notion of "reality" in fiction, contrasting traditional Edwardian approaches with new Georgian sensibilities. Through the imagined figure of Mrs. Brown, Woolf defends modernist writing as impressionistic truth-telling for a transformed world.