Orlando

One of the BBC's '100 Novels That Shaped Our World'. HarperCollins is proud to present our range of timeless literary classics. ‘The flower bloomed and faded. The sun rose and sank. The lover loved and went. And what the poets said in rhyme, the young translated into practice.’ Written for her lover Vita Sackville-West, ‘Orlando’ is Woolf’s playfully subversive take on a biography, here tracing the fantastical life of Orlando. As the novel spans centuries and continents, gender and identity, we follow Orlando’s adventures in love – from being a lord in the Elizabethan court to a lady in 1920s London. First published in 1928, this tale of unrivalled imagination and wit quickly became the most famous work of women’s fiction. Sexuality, destiny, independence and desire – all come to the fore in this highly influential novel that heralded a new era in women’s writing.

One of the BBC's '100 Novels That Shaped Our World'. HarperCollins is proud to present our range of timeless literary classics. ‘The flower bloomed and faded. The sun rose and sank. The lover loved and went. And what the poets said in rhyme, the young translated into practice.’ Written for her lover Vita Sackville-West, ‘Orlando’ is Woolf’s playfully subversive take on a biography, here tracing the fantastical life of Orlando. As the novel spans centuries and continents, gender and identity, we follow Orlando’s adventures in love – from being a lord in the Elizabethan court to a lady in 1920s London. First published in 1928, this tale of unrivalled imagination and wit quickly became the most famous work of women’s fiction. Sexuality, destiny, independence and desire – all come to the fore in this highly influential novel that heralded a new era in women’s writing.

Orlando, a young nobleman and one of Queen Elizabeth I’s court favourites, is the object of many ladies’ attentions, but after suffering heartbreak he prefers literary pursuits to entertaining any thoughts of marriage. Having obtained an ambassadorial post in Constantinople, Orlando falls into a long sleep and wakes up suddenly transformed into a woman. Also blessed with the gift of never ageing, she embarks on adventurous travels throughout Europe and the following centuries, observing what it is like to be female. A “fantastical biography” inspired by the life of the flamboyant writer Vita Sackville-West, Orlando is an amusing and eccentric jeu d’esprit, as well as a groundbreaking exploration of gender issues.

One of the BBC's '100 Novels That Shaped Our World'. HarperCollins is proud to present our range of timeless literary classics. ‘Orlando had become a woman – there is no denying it. But in every other respect, Orlando remained precisely as he had been. The change of sex, though it altered their future, did nothing whatever to alter their identity.’ Boisterous and defiant, Virginia Woolf’s queer classic subverts restraints of genre, time and gender. Traversing the complexities of human emotion and society’s obsession with conformity, the wild adventures of Woolf’s gender fluid hero begin in Elizabethan England and end in 1928 – yet Orlando ages just 36 years. A satirical romp that spans over three hundred years of history, Woolf’s fantastical biography was decades ahead of its time.

Orlando, a young nobleman and one of Queen Elizabeth I’s court favourites, is the object of many ladies’ attentions, but after suffering heartbreak he prefers literary pursuits to entertaining any thoughts of marriage. Having obtained an ambassadorial post in Constantinople, Orlando falls into a long sleep and wakes up suddenly transformed into a woman. Also blessed with the gift of never ageing, she embarks on adventurous travels throughout Europe and the following centuries, observing what it is like to be female. A “fantastical biography” inspired by the life of the flamboyant writer Vita Sackville-West, Orlando is an amusing and eccentric jeu d’esprit, as well as a groundbreaking exploration of gender issues.

One of the BBC's '100 Novels That Shaped Our World'. HarperCollins is proud to present our range of timeless literary classics. ‘Orlando had become a woman – there is no denying it. But in every other respect, Orlando remained precisely as he had been. The change of sex, though it altered their future, did nothing whatever to alter their identity.’ Boisterous and defiant, Virginia Woolf’s queer classic subverts restraints of genre, time and gender. Traversing the complexities of human emotion and society’s obsession with conformity, the wild adventures of Woolf’s gender fluid hero begin in Elizabethan England and end in 1928 – yet Orlando ages just 36 years. A satirical romp that spans over three hundred years of history, Woolf’s fantastical biography was decades ahead of its time.

'I feel the need of an escapade after these serious poetic experimental books...I want to kick up my heels & be off.' Orlando tells the tale of an extraordinary individual who lives through centuries of English history, first as a man, then as a woman; of his/her encounters with queens, kings, novelists, playwrights, and poets, and of his/her struggle to find fame and immortality not through actions, but through the written word. At its heart are the life and works of Woolf's friend and lover, Vita Sackville-West, and Knole, the historic home of the Sackvilles. But as well as being a love letter to Vita, Orlando mocks the conventions of biography and history, teases the pretensions of contemporary men of letters, and wryly examines sexual double standards. This new edition discusses Woolf's stylistic aims, the biographical parallels, and the work's literary context, and includes the original illustrations. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

'I feel the need of an escapade after these serious poetic experimental books...I want to kick up my heels & be off.' Orlando tells the tale of an extraordinary individual who lives through centuries of English history, first as a man, then as a woman; of his/her encounters with queens, kings, novelists, playwrights, and poets, and of his/her struggle to find fame and immortality not through actions, but through the written word. At its heart are the life and works of Woolf's friend and lover, Vita Sackville-West, and Knole, the historic home of the Sackvilles. But as well as being a love letter to Vita, Orlando mocks the conventions of biography and history, teases the pretensions of contemporary men of letters, and wryly examines sexual double standards. This new edition discusses Woolf's stylistic aims, the biographical parallels, and the work's literary context, and includes the original illustrations. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

‘I’m sick to death of this particular self. I want another.’ In the sixteenth century, Orlando enjoys life as a nobleman – including a fleeting yet deep love affair with a Russian princess, and an eventful stint in Constantinople as an ambassador. However, one day, Orlando awakes as a woman. She relishes her new life, but everything has irrevocably changed. Galloping through centuries and embarking on new life experiences, Orlando follows one person’s captivating journey about identity. About The Virginia Woolf Collection: The Virginia Woolf Collection is comprised of six thought-provoking works. Classics such as Mrs Dalloway , Orlando , To the Lighthouse and many more delve into the historical, political and feminist issues prominent in the twentieth century. Woolf altered the course of modernist writing.

'A fantasy, impossible but delicious ... an exuberance of life and wit' The Times Literary Supplement First masculine, then feminine, Orlando begins life as a young sixteenth-century nobleman, then gallops through the centuries to end up as a woman writer in Virginia Woolf's own time. Written for the charismatic, bisexual writer Vita Sackville-West, this playful mock biography of a chameleon-like historical figure is both a wry commentary on gender and, in Woolf's own words, a 'writer's holiday' which delights in its ambiguity and capriciousness. Edited by Brenda Lyons with an Introduction and Notes by Sandra M. Gilbert

'A fantasy, impossible but delicious ... an exuberance of life and wit' The Times Literary Supplement First masculine, then feminine, Orlando begins life as a young sixteenth-century nobleman, then gallops through the centuries to end up as a woman writer in Virginia Woolf's own time. Written for the charismatic, bisexual writer Vita Sackville-West, this playful mock biography of a chameleon-like historical figure is both a wry commentary on gender and, in Woolf's own words, a 'writer's holiday' which delights in its ambiguity and capriciousness. Edited by Brenda Lyons with an Introduction and Notes by Sandra M. Gilbert

Brought to you by Penguin. This Penguin Classic is performed by Audie-Award Winner Pippa Nixon Pip pa Nixon, known for her roles in Unforgotten, John Carter and Mother Father Son. Once described as the 'longest and most charming love-letter in literature', Virginia Woolf's Orlando is edited by Brenda Lyons with an introduction and notes by Sandra M. Gilbert in Penguin Classics. Written for Virginia Woolf's intimate friend, the charismatic writer Vita Sackville-West, Orlando is a playful mock 'biography' of a chameleonic historical figure, immortal and ageless, who changes sex and identity on a whim. First masculine, then feminine, Orlando begins life as a young sixteenth-century nobleman, then gallops through three centuries to end up as a woman writer in Virginia Woolf's own time. A wry commentary on gender roles and modes of history, Orlando is also, in Woolf's own words, a light-hearted 'writer's holiday' which delights in ambiguity and capriciousness.'Woolf's stream-of-consciousness asides are like cheeky, intimate confidences in your ear ... it's a far more entertaining companion to travel to work with than Twitter. What a treat, and a revelation.' - i News

‘I’m sick to death of this particular self. I want another.’ In the sixteenth century, Orlando enjoys life as a nobleman – including a fleeting yet deep love affair with a Russian princess, and an eventful stint in Constantinople as an ambassador. However, one day, Orlando awakes as a woman. She relishes her new life, but everything has irrevocably changed. Galloping through centuries and embarking on new life experiences, Orlando follows one person’s captivating journey about identity. About The Virginia Woolf Collection: The Virginia Woolf Collection is comprised of six thought-provoking works. Classics such as Mrs Dalloway , Orlando , To the Lighthouse and many more delve into the historical, political and feminist issues prominent in the twentieth century. Woolf altered the course of modernist writing.

'A fantasy, impossible but delicious ... an exuberance of life and wit' The Times Literary Supplement First masculine, then feminine, Orlando begins life as a young sixteenth-century nobleman, then gallops through the centuries to end up as a woman writer in Virginia Woolf's own time. Written for the charismatic, bisexual writer Vita Sackville-West, this playful mock biography of a chameleon-like historical figure is both a wry commentary on gender and, in Woolf's own words, a 'writer's holiday' which delights in its ambiguity and capriciousness. Edited by Brenda Lyons with an Introduction and Notes by Sandra M. Gilbert

Brought to you by Penguin. This Penguin Classic is performed by Audie-Award Winner Pippa Nixon Pip pa Nixon, known for her roles in Unforgotten, John Carter and Mother Father Son. Once described as the 'longest and most charming love-letter in literature', Virginia Woolf's Orlando is edited by Brenda Lyons with an introduction and notes by Sandra M. Gilbert in Penguin Classics. Written for Virginia Woolf's intimate friend, the charismatic writer Vita Sackville-West, Orlando is a playful mock 'biography' of a chameleonic historical figure, immortal and ageless, who changes sex and identity on a whim. First masculine, then feminine, Orlando begins life as a young sixteenth-century nobleman, then gallops through three centuries to end up as a woman writer in Virginia Woolf's own time. A wry commentary on gender roles and modes of history, Orlando is also, in Woolf's own words, a light-hearted 'writer's holiday' which delights in ambiguity and capriciousness.'Woolf's stream-of-consciousness asides are like cheeky, intimate confidences in your ear ... it's a far more entertaining companion to travel to work with than Twitter. What a treat, and a revelation.' - i News

'Nothing is any longer one thing.' From a teenage encounter with Elizabeth I, through infatuations, voyages and even a change of gender, Orlando lives out five centuries of life and love before they finally find the courage to truly be themselves. Neil Bartlett's sparkling adaptation of Virginia Woolf's famous fantasy finds powerful contemporary relevance in her vision of equal rights to love for bodies of every kind – and brings it to life on the stage with a kaleidoscope of theatrical styles, overseen by the haunting figure of Woolf herself. It premiered at the Garrick Theatre in London's West End in November 2022, in a production directed by Michael Grandage and starring Emma Corrin in the title role. Written for a diverse ensemble of nine or more actors, this adaptation will appeal to any theatre or company looking to entertain their audiences with a bold new take on this iconic tale of love and transformation.

'Nothing is any longer one thing.' From a teenage encounter with Elizabeth I, through infatuations, voyages and even a change of gender, Orlando lives out five centuries of life and love before they finally find the courage to truly be themselves. Neil Bartlett's sparkling adaptation of Virginia Woolf's famous fantasy finds powerful contemporary relevance in her vision of equal rights to love for bodies of every kind – and brings it to life on the stage with a kaleidoscope of theatrical styles, overseen by the haunting figure of Woolf herself. It premiered at the Garrick Theatre in London's West End in November 2022, in a production directed by Michael Grandage and starring Emma Corrin in the title role. Written for a diverse ensemble of nine or more actors, this adaptation will appeal to any theatre or company looking to entertain their audiences with a bold new take on this iconic tale of love and transformation.

“Virginia Woolf’s Orlando can be daunting for new and experienced readers alike, but its pleasures await those willing to immerse themselves in this elusive and highly allusive text. This much-needed and long-awaited edition will prove a boon to readers, offering both useful textual annotations and informative contextual readings. Madelyn Detloff’s critical selections help to make this challenging text more accessible and provide an instructive framework for gaining a greater understanding of Woolf’s gender- and genre-bending novel.” —Ana R. Rojas, University of San Francisco “The Norton Critical Edition of Orlando is a tour de force, guiding readers through the dazzling world of Virginia Woolf’s novel with a range of important critical perspectives and their relevant archives. Detloff’s brilliant editorial vision tackles some of the most difficult topics surrounding Orlando and its adaptations across media, while doing justice to the ongoing revelations inspired by Woolf’s most audacious masterpiece.” —Amy E. Elkins, Macalester College

The beautiful Everyman gift edition in hardback. The Lord Orlando's country seat has 365 rooms. An exquisitely beautiful youth, he is a favourite of the ageing Queen Elizabeth and enjoys all that Court and tavern have to offer. He falls passionately in love with the intriguing Sasha, an androgynous Russian princess, who jilts him. Stricken, he takes up Literature, penning huge quantities of poems and plays, 'all romantic, and all long'. A few decades later a still youthful Orlando is appointed ambassador to Constantinople by Charles II. Here he wakes up one day and finds he has the body of a woman. "Different sex, same person", she observes, unphased. In London, it is the eighteenth century, and she can hobnob with "men of genius" Pope and Swift, Johnson and Boswell. She has affairs with both women and men, but before long it is the nineteenth century, oppressively gloomy and moral and probably time to find a husband. Fortunately, in a Brontësque moment on a moor, the gender- nonconforming Marmaduke Bonthrop Shelmerdine, newly back from Cape Horn, gallops past and scoops her up into bliss. Woolf's most unusual and joyous novel was inspired by her affair with the dashing author and aristocrat, Vita Sackville West.

The beautiful Everyman gift edition in hardback. The Lord Orlando's country seat has 365 rooms. An exquisitely beautiful youth, he is a favourite of the ageing Queen Elizabeth and enjoys all that Court and tavern have to offer. He falls passionately in love with the intriguing Sasha, an androgynous Russian princess, who jilts him. Stricken, he takes up Literature, penning huge quantities of poems and plays, 'all romantic, and all long'. A few decades later a still youthful Orlando is appointed ambassador to Constantinople by Charles II. Here he wakes up one day and finds he has the body of a woman. "Different sex, same person", she observes, unphased. In London, it is the eighteenth century, and she can hobnob with "men of genius" Pope and Swift, Johnson and Boswell. She has affairs with both women and men, but before long it is the nineteenth century, oppressively gloomy and moral and probably time to find a husband. Fortunately, in a Brontësque moment on a moor, the gender- nonconforming Marmaduke Bonthrop Shelmerdine, newly back from Cape Horn, gallops past and scoops her up into bliss. Woolf's most unusual and joyous novel was inspired by her affair with the dashing author and aristocrat, Vita Sackville West.

A Penguin Classics Deluxe editon of Virginia Woolf’s pioneering novel, with a new foreword by Andrea Lawlor, author of Paul Takes the Form of a Mortal Girl First masculine, then feminine, Orlando is a young sixteenth-century nobleman who gallops through the centuries, from Elizabethan England and imperial Turkey to Virginia Woolf’s own time. Will he find happiness with the exotic Russian princess Sasha? Or is the dashing explorer Shelmerdine the ideal man? And what form will Orlando take on the journey – a nobleman, traveller, writer? Man or . . . woman? Written for the charismatic, bisexual writer Vita Sackville-West, Orlando is one of Woolf’s most popular and accessible novels, a playful mock biography of a chameleon-like historical figure that is both a wry commentary on gender and, in Woolf’s own words, a 'writer’s holiday' that delights in its ambiguity and capriciousness.

A Penguin Classics Deluxe editon of Virginia Woolf’s pioneering novel, with a new foreword by Andrea Lawlor, author of Paul Takes the Form of a Mortal Girl First masculine, then feminine, Orlando is a young sixteenth-century nobleman who gallops through the centuries, from Elizabethan England and imperial Turkey to Virginia Woolf’s own time. Will he find happiness with the exotic Russian princess Sasha? Or is the dashing explorer Shelmerdine the ideal man? And what form will Orlando take on the journey – a nobleman, traveller, writer? Man or . . . woman? Written for the charismatic, bisexual writer Vita Sackville-West, Orlando is one of Woolf’s most popular and accessible novels, a playful mock biography of a chameleon-like historical figure that is both a wry commentary on gender and, in Woolf’s own words, a 'writer’s holiday' that delights in its ambiguity and capriciousness.

“Virginia Woolf’s Orlando can be daunting for new and experienced readers alike, but its pleasures await those willing to immerse themselves in this elusive and highly allusive text. This much-needed and long-awaited edition will prove a boon to readers, offering both useful textual annotations and informative contextual readings. Madelyn Detloff’s critical selections help to make this challenging text more accessible and provide an instructive framework for gaining a greater understanding of Woolf’s gender- and genre-bending novel.” —Ana R. Rojas, University of San Francisco “The Norton Critical Edition of Orlando is a tour de force, guiding readers through the dazzling world of Virginia Woolf’s novel with a range of important critical perspectives and their relevant archives. Detloff’s brilliant editorial vision tackles some of the most difficult topics surrounding Orlando and its adaptations across media, while doing justice to the ongoing revelations inspired by Woolf’s most audacious masterpiece.” —Amy E. Elkins, Macalester College

Virginia Woolf's dazzling, time-defying novel of love, identity and transformation, brought to life with breathtaking interior art by Varvara Alay. Different though the sexes are, they intermix. In every human being a vacillation from one sex to the other takes place, and often it is only the clothes that keep the male or female likeness, while underneath the sex is the very opposite of what it is above. Orlando is a charming nobleman, a poet, and a vessel through which truth is exposed. Born in Elizabethan England, his life spans across centuries. He observes the shifting landscapes of history and time, noting these changes as they come. But one morning, he transforms into a woman. What begins as a fantastical romp through time becomes a profound meditation on gender, freedom and the fluidity of identity. With wit, lyricism and dazzling imagination, Orlando crafts a gender-defying portrait of a soul unbound by society's labels - a bold rebellion against life's binaries that remains radically modern today.

A gorgeous clothbound edition of Woolf's fantastical and enchanting novel, designed by the acclaimed Coralie-Bickford Smith. Orlando has always been an outsider... His longing for passion, adventure and fulfilment takes him out of his own time. Chasing a dream through the centuries, he bounds from Elizabethan England and imperial Turkey to the modern world. Will he find happiness with the exotic Russian Princess Sasha? Or is the dashing explorer Shelmerdine the ideal man? And what form will Orlando take on the journey - a nobleman, traveller, writer? Man or... woman? A wry commentary on gender and history, Orlando is also, in Woolf's own words, a light-hearted 'writer's holiday' which delights in ambiguity and capriciousness. This clothbound Penguin edition is edited by Brenda Lyons with an introduction and notes by Sandra M. Gilbert. 'I read this book and believed it was a hallucinogenic, interactive biography of my own life and future' Tilda Swinton

Virginia Woolf's dazzling, time-defying novel of love, identity and transformation, brought to life with breathtaking interior art by Varvara Alay. Different though the sexes are, they intermix. In every human being a vacillation from one sex to the other takes place, and often it is only the clothes that keep the male or female likeness, while underneath the sex is the very opposite of what it is above. Orlando is a charming nobleman, a poet, and a vessel through which truth is exposed. Born in Elizabethan England, his life spans across centuries. He observes the shifting landscapes of history and time, noting these changes as they come. But one morning, he transforms into a woman. What begins as a fantastical romp through time becomes a profound meditation on gender, freedom and the fluidity of identity. With wit, lyricism and dazzling imagination, Orlando crafts a gender-defying portrait of a soul unbound by society's labels - a bold rebellion against life's binaries that remains radically modern today.

The fictional portrait of Woolf’s close friend and lover Vita Sackville-West, the hero Orlando is a young nobleman in Elizabethan England, a dreamy and romantic youth who wakes up one day to find himself transformed, astonishingly, into a woman. Over the span of three centuries, Orlando will fall in love many times and rub shoulders with the great artists and writers—and observe how differently history treats men than women. Bold and tender, Orlando is a truly multi-faceted work that has been hailed as a satire of biography, a queer classic, and a loving portrait of an irrepressible spirit.

The fictional portrait of Woolf’s close friend and lover Vita Sackville-West, the hero Orlando is a young nobleman in Elizabethan England, a dreamy and romantic youth who wakes up one day to find himself transformed, astonishingly, into a woman. Over the span of three centuries, Orlando will fall in love many times and rub shoulders with the great artists and writers—and observe how differently history treats men than women. Bold and tender, Orlando is a truly multi-faceted work that has been hailed as a satire of biography, a queer classic, and a loving portrait of an irrepressible spirit.

A gorgeous clothbound edition of Woolf's fantastical and enchanting novel, designed by the acclaimed Coralie-Bickford Smith. Orlando has always been an outsider... His longing for passion, adventure and fulfilment takes him out of his own time. Chasing a dream through the centuries, he bounds from Elizabethan England and imperial Turkey to the modern world. Will he find happiness with the exotic Russian Princess Sasha? Or is the dashing explorer Shelmerdine the ideal man? And what form will Orlando take on the journey - a nobleman, traveller, writer? Man or... woman? A wry commentary on gender and history, Orlando is also, in Woolf's own words, a light-hearted 'writer's holiday' which delights in ambiguity and capriciousness. This clothbound Penguin edition is edited by Brenda Lyons with an introduction and notes by Sandra M. Gilbert. 'I read this book and believed it was a hallucinogenic, interactive biography of my own life and future' Tilda Swinton

Ny udgave. Virginia Woolfs stilistisk virtuose roman om Orlando, der lever over fem århundreder og skifter køn undervejs, men forbliver ung. Med dette greb undersøger Woolf, hvordan man forholder sig til sin tid og til sit køn, og hvordan de traditionelle kønsroller er begrænsende for begge køn. Romanen hævdes at være en biografi om forfatteren Vita Sackville-West. Orlando fødes som dreng i London i midten af det 16. århundrede. Ved fortællingens begyndelse er han en 16-årig skønhed, en del af den britiske adel og drømmer om at blive forfatter. Han forelsker sig ulykkeligt i en russisk prinsesse og flytter til Konstantinopel som ambassadør. I Konstantinopel skifter Orlando pludselig køn og bliver kvinde. I kraft af dette kønsskifte har Orlando nu begge køns bevidstheder, og herefter udfoldes en emotionel og intellektuel refleksion over kønsroller gennem tiden. Orlando lever en tid med sigøjnere, hvorefter hun vender tilbage til London og tilpasser sig sit nye liv som kvinde. Hun føler sig ensom og skriver digte, hun aldrig bliver tilfreds med. Under en gåtur, nu i det 19. århundrede, bevæger hun sig hurtigere og hurtigere, falder og bliver reddet af en sømand, som hun forelsker sig i og gifter sig med. Sammen får de i starten af det 20. århundrede en søn, og Orlando får udgivet et digt, som hun vinder en pris for. Fortællingen slutter den 11. oktober 1928, samme dag som romanen Orlando udkom.

A beautiful deluxe gift edition of Woolf's delightful, boundary-pushing classic, with foiled covers, marbled endpapers, sprayed edges, beautiful paper and finished with a silk ribbon. As his tale begins, Orlando is a passionate young nobleman whose days are spent in rowdy revelry, filled with the colourful delights of Queen Elizabeth’s court. By the close, he will have transformed into a modern, thirty-six-year-old woman and three centuries will have passed. Orlando will not only witness the making of history from its edge, but will find that his unique position as a woman who knows what it is to be a man will give him insight into matters of the heart. This hardback is part of VINTAGE COLLECTOR’S CLASSICS, a series of luxurious books especially crafted for collectors and fans of beautiful special editions. Sumptuous design meets the highest quality production. Discover timeless classics beautifully bound for every bookshelf.

A beautiful deluxe gift edition of Woolf's delightful, boundary-pushing classic, with foiled covers, marbled endpapers, sprayed edges, beautiful paper and finished with a silk ribbon. As his tale begins, Orlando is a passionate young nobleman whose days are spent in rowdy revelry, filled with the colourful delights of Queen Elizabeth’s court. By the close, he will have transformed into a modern, thirty-six-year-old woman and three centuries will have passed. Orlando will not only witness the making of history from its edge, but will find that his unique position as a woman who knows what it is to be a man will give him insight into matters of the heart. This hardback is part of VINTAGE COLLECTOR’S CLASSICS, a series of luxurious books especially crafted for collectors and fans of beautiful special editions. Sumptuous design meets the highest quality production. Discover timeless classics beautifully bound for every bookshelf.

A collectible hardcover edition of Virginia Woolf's pioneering novel about a time-traveling sixteenth-century nobleman who wakes up in the body of a woman, with a new foreword by Andrea Lawlor, author of Paul Takes the Form of a Mortal Girl "A brilliant book that teaches you so much about identity and love--all these fundamental questions that we ask ourselves." --Emma Corrin "I read this book and believed it was a hallucinogenic, interactive biography of my own life and future." --Tilda Swinton A Penguin Vitae Edition First masculine, then feminine, Orlando is a young sixteenth-century nobleman who gallops through the centuries, from Elizabethan England and imperial Turkey to Virginia Woolf's own time. Will he find happiness with the exotic Russian princess Sasha? Or is the dashing explorer Shelmerdine the ideal man? And what form will Orlando take on the journey--a nobleman, traveler, writer? Man or . . . woman? Written for the charismatic, bisexual writer Vita Sackville-West, Orlando is one of Woolf's most popular and accessible novels, a playful mock biography of a chameleon-like historical figure that is both a wry commentary on gender and, in Woolf's own words, a "writer's holiday" that delights in its ambiguity and capriciousness. This edition is collated from all known proofs, manuscripts, and impressions to reflect the author's intentions, and includes an illuminating introduction and notes by the distinguished scholar and coauthor of The Madwoman in the Attic Sandra M. Gibert. Penguin Vitae--loosely translated as "Penguin of one's life"--is a deluxe hardcover series from Penguin Classics celebrating a dynamic and diverse landscape of classic fiction and nonfiction from seventy-five years of classics publishing. Penguin Vitae provides readers with beautifully designed classics that have shaped the course of their lives, and welcomes new readers to discover these literary gifts of personal inspiration, intellectual engagement, and creative originality.

"[ Orlando is] a brilliant book that teaches you so much about identity and love--all these fundamental questions that we ask ourselves." - Emma Corrin "I read Orlando and believed it was a hallucinogenic, interactive biography of my own life and future." - Tilda Swinton The graphic novel adaptation of Virginia Woolf's feminist classic, which tells the story of a passionate young nobleman traveling through time in the body of a woman. Virginia Woolf's Orlando has long stood as a dazzling landmark in feminist and queer literature. In this vivid adaptation by Susanne Kuhlendahl, Woolf's fantastical biography comes to life anew: the tale of a passionate young nobleman who defies time and convention. Orlando begins his journey in the Elizabethan court and lives for over three centuries--transitioning along the way from a man into a woman, and from a restless youth into a self-assured figure of modernity. As eras shift and empires rise and fall, Orlando remains, navigating identity, desire, and the elusive nature of love. With a foreword by Virginia Woolf scholar Anna Snaith, King's College London