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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I can tell she said some really profound things about literature and poetry I just didnt put enough energy into reading this to understand them… will need to read it again and actually pay attention
The book could have been halved but there was good parts
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I've read Orlando for the first time about a decade ago, during my English Studies adventure. However, since, apparently, I'm in a Virginia Woolf mood this year, I thought re-reading this one will be interesting.
I shouldn't be surprised by this, but it read completely differently, and I paid attention to different aspects of the novel than I did a decade ago.
The last time I've read it, I focused most of my attention on the characters, their relationships, as well as on the imagery. The characters are still as frustrating as they're interesting, that didn't change, and the novel is still a great commentary and criticism of British society and its expectations throughout history and back when the novel was published.
This time, however, I paid more attention to the novel's commentary on literature, writing, as well as on famous writers. Christopher Marlowe, William Shakespeare, John Donne, Alexander Pope, and many others were referenced in a conversation about literary criticism and how opinions on different literary forms change overtime. I have to admit, Orlando's interactions with Nicholas Greene and their conversations about literature and poetry might be my favourite parts this time around.
That being said, some aspects of the novel did not age well, and it was a lot more racist than I remember it being, which made re-reading it difficult. Additionally, the style of writing was as challenging as it is in Woolf's other works, and I had to re-read some parts to realize what was going on.
Still, I do appreciate Orlando and what it brought to conversation about literature, as well as about gender and sexuality.
I shouldn't be surprised by this, but it read completely differently, and I paid attention to different aspects of the novel than I did a decade ago.
The last time I've read it, I focused most of my attention on the characters, their relationships, as well as on the imagery. The characters are still as frustrating as they're interesting, that didn't change, and the novel is still a great commentary and criticism of British society and its expectations throughout history and back when the novel was published.
This time, however, I paid more attention to the novel's commentary on literature, writing, as well as on famous writers. Christopher Marlowe, William Shakespeare, John Donne, Alexander Pope, and many others were referenced in a conversation about literary criticism and how opinions on different literary forms change overtime. I have to admit, Orlando's interactions with Nicholas Greene and their conversations about literature and poetry might be my favourite parts this time around.
That being said, some aspects of the novel did not age well, and it was a lot more racist than I remember it being, which made re-reading it difficult. Additionally, the style of writing was as challenging as it is in Woolf's other works, and I had to re-read some parts to realize what was going on.
Still, I do appreciate Orlando and what it brought to conversation about literature, as well as about gender and sexuality.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism
Moderate: Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Xenophobia, Cultural appropriation, Classism
Minor: Animal death, Homophobia, Pregnancy, War
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Orlando is one of those books that lives in the conceptual. I found myself having to pause to understand what is actually happening, since it was almost hidden between analogies or poetic language. It's an interesting concept and I believe one of the few trans stories of the time, but I found myself wishing it was a little more straightforward in writing.
medium-paced
woolf at her wittiest (and that is saying a LOT!) very funny and very very resonant
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes