Virginia Woolf is one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. Her contributions to modernist literature are many, starting from narrative, language, and time treatment experiments. This article shares the best books by Virginia Woolf you should read for the best reading experience.
Best Virginia Woolf Books
Mrs. Dalloway (1925)
In Mrs. Dalloway, Woolf tells the story of a day in the life of a wealthy Londoner woman named Clarissa Dalloway. This novel is plotless, and all action is in Clarissa’s consciousness. The book deals with the lead character’s ability to deal with change, including war and peace, aging, and life in general.
To the Lighthouse (1927)
The plot follows the Ramsay family in their summer house on the Scottish coast. To the Lighthouse explores the purpose of art, life, death, and perception. If you’re into psychological realism, you’ll enjoy reading this book. In essence, it’s also about the feminine vs. masculine principles reigning in the world and how they confront each other.
A Room of One’s Own (1929)
In A Room of One’s Own, Woolf explores popular women’s topics like women’s status, artists, and success. The core idea of the non-fiction work is that a woman who wants to write needs to have her own space and money. The plot leads the reader into the minds of different individuals in a big city, with a particular focus on Mary.
Orlando (1928)
Orlando: A Biography is a fictional biography about a poet who changes gender from male to female and lives for centuries, from the Elizabethan era to the 20th century. Wool drew inspiration for this work from Vita Sackville-West, her lover and friend in real life. During the 400 years of his life, Orlando meets important English literary figures. Many feminists celebrate this book because it shows the character’s gender transformation from male to female as a positive move.
The Waves (1931)
The Waves is one of the most poetic books Woolf has ever written, and it’s a must-read for first-time Woolf readers. The book consists of soliloquies of six children who play by the sea and ends with them in their adulthood. Throughout the novel, readers can follow their life experiences from love, friendship, and death.
The Years (1937)
This novel traces the life of the Pargiter family over 50 years. The plot starts in the 1880s and ends in 1930, with every chapter focusing on a particular day in the year. This novel was her most famous work during the author’s lifetime.
The Voyage Out (1915)
The first novel Woolf published follows the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Ambrose and their niece on a sea trip from Britain to South America. This work follows the usual Woolf style with a stream of consciousness, making it possible to tie together small details in unpredicted ways.
Between the Acts (1949)
The final novel by Virginia Woolf was published posthumously. The plot covers a single day in an England country house before WWII. The story moves between local villagers and a large family. The novel can be considered a celebration but also an elegy.
Jacob’s Room (1922)
Written in an experimental form, this novel focuses on Jacob Flanders, a charming man with an immense love of Classical culture living in a chaotic WWI society. He can’t synthesize the two despite his efforts. Most of the story shows other people’s impressions of the protagonist.
Three Guineas (1938)
In Three Guineas, one of the author’s longest essays, Woolf critiques patriarchal life. The author compares patriarchy to fascism. Three Guineas attempts to show that domestic life is a direct reflection of women’s rights in society.
Night and Day (1919)
In Night and Day, Woolf takes the reader to Edwardian London on an examination of love, happiness, marriage, and success. The plot follows two acquaintances, Mary Datchet and Katherine Hibery, on their path to a successful life full of uncertainties.
About Virginia Woolf
Adeline Virginia Woolf was born on January 25, 1882, in London. She was best known for her specific nonlinear writing style. Woolf was a successful author of pioneering essays treating women’s writing, power politics, literary history, and artistic theory.
Virginia was a member of the Bloomsbury group, which brought together some of the most influential artists, intellectuals, and writers of the first half of the 20th century.
Much of the author’s work was published by Hogarth Press, a publishing house Woolf started with her husband, Leonard Woolf. Other than novels, Woolf also published numerous short stories like Kew Gardens, The Mark on the Wall, An Unwritten Novel, and A Haunted House.
Woolf was also known for her diaries, where she wrote portraits of Katherine Mansfield and T. S. Eliot, commented on book sales and reviews, and tracked important events from her life. The diaries come in a five-volume set.
Woolf’s essays about society and feminism have made her a frequent object of study.
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FAQ
What Virginia Woolf should I read first?
If you haven’t read Woolf’s works before, our book recommendation is Mrs. Dalloway or The Waves. If you’re afraid of Virginia Woolf topics, you can explore a non-serious book named Flush. The novel tells the love story of Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning from the point of view of Victorian poet Elizabeth’s dog.
What is Virginia Woolf’s masterpiece?
The Waves is often considered Virginia Woolf’s masterpiece. Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse are some of her bestsellers today.
How many books did Virginia Woolf write?
Woolf has written 14 books and dozens of short stories and essays. Many of her essays are published as essay collections.
What was Virginia Woolf’s first novel?
The Voyage Out is Virginia Woolf’s first novel.
