Orlando - Virginia Woolf

Category: Classic, Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Language: English
Keywords: Gender Identity Naxos Roman à Clef Satire Sexuality

Written by Virginia Woolf
Read by Juliet Stevenson, Laura Paton
Format: MP3
Bitrate: Mixed

Published in 1928, Orlando is a fictional biography that spans several centuries and follows the protagonist, Orlando, an Elizabethan nobleman who undergoes a mysterious gender transformation.

The novel explores themes of gender identity, fluidity and the constraints imposed by societal norms. It challenges traditional notions of gender roles and raises questions about the nature of identity and the passage of time.

Orlando is widely regarded as one of Virginia Woolf’s most innovative and influential works. It is known for its lyrical prose and experimental narrative style, blending historical fiction, fantasy and satire. The book is often celebrated for its contribution to feminist literature.

Included are two Naxos productions of the title:

Laura Paton narration, released August 1994
2 hrs and 28 mins (abridged with musical interludes)

Juliet Stevenson narration, released January 2024
9 hrs and 16 mins (unabridged)