Orlando

Book 0: Penguin Vitae

by Virginia Woolf

Genres: Classics

Synopsis

Orlando follows the eponymous hero over three centuries of his lifetime, during which he ages only thirty-six years. In a setting that combines history and fantasy, Orlando falls into numerous adventures, including an affair with the elderly Queen of England and a passionate tryst with a Russian princess. Perhaps the most notable period of Orlando’s life, though, is when he falls into a deep sleep and wakes up days later as a woman.

Orlando is a semi-autobiographical historical novel based on the life Virginia Woolf’s lover, Vita Sackville-West. Woolf dedicates the novel to Sackville-West, and through it explores the concept of gender roles and the human condition. Orlando has been adapted for both theatre and film, most notably in the 1992 feature film starring Tilda Swinton in the role of Orlando.

HarperPerennial Classics brings great works of literature to life in digital format, upholding the highest standards in ebook production and celebrating reading in all its forms. Look for more titles in the HarperPerennial Classics collection to build your digital library.

Release date: September 24, 2024

Publisher: Penguin Classics

Print pages: 336