Second paragraph of third chapter: Orlando’s day was passed, it would seem, somewhat in this fashion. About seven, he would rise, wrap himself in a long Turkish cloak, light a cheroot, and lean his elbows on the parapet. Thus he … Continue reading →

Second paragraph of third chapter: Orlando’s history plays with the notion that genetic inheritance can be pooled (just as sexual orientations can be crossed) in the identity of one person. So, after living for generations, Orlando is both an exceptional … Continue reading →

I thought this was really excellent – a short novel written and set just before the second world war, published shortly after the author’s death by her own hand; on the surface, it’s a story of manners about a village … Continue reading →

A classic selection of non-fiction by Woolf, in four sections: writing about literature, writing about life and death, writing about women, and observational pieces. It’s all very good, and each section has a standout piece. “Character in Fiction” has a … Continue reading →

I must say I was very glad to be completely unspoilered for this before I read it. S P O I L E R S It took me a few pages to work out what was going on, but once … Continue reading →

Some day, or set of days, I shall have a nice long holiday in a temperate climate without too many distractions, and immerse myself in Proust, Ulysses and Virginia Woolf. As predicted when I read Mrs Dalloway, I very much … Continue reading →