Orlando, A Biography

Orlando: A Biography is a book by Virginia Woolf, first published in 1928. Orlando follows the extraordinary life of its singular protagonist, Orlando, whose story unfolds across more than three centuries. Beginning as a young nobleman in Elizabethan England, Orlando moves through courtly intrigue, diplomatic life, and literary pursuits, while the novel skims changing fashions, politics, and social mores. Woolf’s playful yet sharp prose turns historical sweep into a personal odyssey, making this a must-read for anyone searching for classic modernist literature that experiments with form and time. At the heart of the novel is Orlando’s inner life — restless, poetic, and observant — and Woolf uses this consciousness to explore identity, creativity, and the constraints of society. A central, unforgettable episode is Orlando’s mysterious transformation, which Woolf treats with wit and subtlety rather than sensationalism; that metamorphosis reframes everything that follows and opens the book into questions of gender, selfhood, and belonging. For collectors and students of twentieth-century English literature, Orlando remains a vital, frequently taught classic that rewards re-reading and discussion.