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Virginia Woolf: Lesbian Readings
The last two decades have seen a resurgence of critical and popular attention to Virginia Woolf's life and work. Such traditional institutions as The New York Review of Books now pair her with William Shakespeare in promotional advertisements; her face is used to sell everything from Barnes & Noble books to Bass Ale.
Virginia Lesbian Readings represents the first book devoted to Woolf's lesbianism. Divided into two sections, Lesbian Intersections and Lesbian Readings of Woolf's Novels, these essays focus on how Woolf's private and public experience and knowledge of same-sex love influences her shorter fiction and novels. Lesbian Intersections includes personal narratives that trace the experience of reading Woolf through the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. Lesbian Readings of Woolf's Novels provides lesbian interpretations of the individual novels, including Orlando, The Waves , and The Years .
Breaking new ground in our understanding of the role Woolf's love for women plays in her major writing, these essays shift the emphasis of lesbian interpretations from Woolf's life to her work.
Virginia Lesbian Readings represents the first book devoted to Woolf's lesbianism. Divided into two sections, Lesbian Intersections and Lesbian Readings of Woolf's Novels, these essays focus on how Woolf's private and public experience and knowledge of same-sex love influences her shorter fiction and novels. Lesbian Intersections includes personal narratives that trace the experience of reading Woolf through the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. Lesbian Readings of Woolf's Novels provides lesbian interpretations of the individual novels, including Orlando, The Waves , and The Years .
Breaking new ground in our understanding of the role Woolf's love for women plays in her major writing, these essays shift the emphasis of lesbian interpretations from Woolf's life to her work.
306 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 9, 2020
I am so glad my friend pointed me in the direction of this incredible book of essays, and my gratitude to the wonderful women who were involved in the creation of such an insightful and remarkable book is overwhelming. Despite how obvious I believe it is upon studying her life and work, Virginia Woolf’s lesbianism has historically been, and continues to be, erased or dismissed, or at least patronised even by biographers. It was a breath of fresh air to read a book where it was up front and centre – and have acknowledged what I have thought to myself time and time again: within all of her work, the themes of lesbianism and the condemnation/rejection of marriage and heterosexual patriarchy as an institution are omnipresent. As far as I’m concerned, if you’re a fan of Woolf and you care to delve deeper, this should be required reading!
May 14, 2024
“A remembrance of things past.”
“The Years.”
I was wholly and entirely happy. If you could have uncored me - you would have seen every nerve running fire - intense, but calm.
A sensation I get only from you… physically stimulating, restful at the same time I feel supple and anointed. I felt the spring beginning, & Vita’s life so full & flush; & all the doors opening.
What is to be has to be.
The flesh and blood of the world was dead and only the skeleton was left, until suddenly the sun rose again elsewhere. Light and shadow went traveling over the hills and over the valleys. With a sense of rejuvenescence and recovery, the land itself, singing to itself, a chorus, alone.
“The Years.”
I was wholly and entirely happy. If you could have uncored me - you would have seen every nerve running fire - intense, but calm.
A sensation I get only from you… physically stimulating, restful at the same time I feel supple and anointed. I felt the spring beginning, & Vita’s life so full & flush; & all the doors opening.
What is to be has to be.
The flesh and blood of the world was dead and only the skeleton was left, until suddenly the sun rose again elsewhere. Light and shadow went traveling over the hills and over the valleys. With a sense of rejuvenescence and recovery, the land itself, singing to itself, a chorus, alone.
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April 7, 2025I read this once, but in order to leave a proper review with rating I feel I would need a re-read!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews