Orlando

By: Virginia Woolf

Narrated by: Clare Higgins

Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Exclusively from Audible

Fantasy, love and an exuberant celebration of English life and literature, Orlando is a uniquely entertaining story. Originally conceived by Virginia Woolf as a playful tribute to the family of her friend and lover, Vita Sackville-West, Orlando's central character, a fictional embodiment of Sackville-West, changes sex from a man to a woman and lives throughout the centuries, whilst meeting historical figures of English literature.

The book opens with Orlando as a young nobleman in Elizabethan England who finds love with a Russian princess. During Charles II's reign, he is an ambassador to Constantinople and becomes a Duke. Orlando then goes on to wake as a beautiful woman, exploring the roles of women in the 18th and 19th centuries. Eventually becoming a wife and mother the tale ends in the year 1928, a year consonant with full suffrage for women. Upon plans to publish her 1588 poem 'The Oak Tree', written in the opening of the book, she reflects on her centuries of adventure.

An exploration of androgyny and the creative life of a woman, it is considered a feminist work. Arguably one of Woolf's most popular stories, it marked a turning point in her career, departing from her more introspective works. Receiving both critical and financial success, it guaranteed Woolf's financial stability.

There have been many adaptations made, including a 1992 film starring Tilda Swinton and an opera by composer Peter Aderhold which premiered at the Braunschweig State Theatre in in 2016.

Narrator Biography

Clare Higgins is an accomplished actress of screen and stage, winning three Olivier Awards for Best Actress for her roles in Sweet Bird of Youth (1995), Vincent in Brixton (2003) and Hecuba (2005). With a long and successful career in British and American theatre, she has also been a regular feature on our television screens. Her recent roles have included Miss Cackle in The Worst Witch (2017), Ohila in Doctor Who (2013 and 2015), Hazel Warren in EastEnders (2015) and Vivian in Rogue (2014).

Claire Higgins is probably best known for her memorable and sinister performance as Julia in the horror films Hellraiser (1987) and Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988), with other film appearances including The Golden Compass (2007) and Small Faces (2006). With a voice and timing perfect for audio she has narrated many audiobooks, including Nick Hornby's How to Be Good and Joanna Trollope's The Best of Friends, and in 2009 portrayed Margaret Thatcher in the BBC Radio 4 drama A Family Affair.

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Clare Higgins's supple, silky voice does justice to Woolf's literary landmark. The language of Orlando, peppered with alliterative phrases, flows effortlessly with perfect pacing by Higgins, and Woolf's dry wit shines through her performance." ( AudioFile)

ugh

The narrator barely differentiated between different characters' voices. I found myself having to go back and re-listen to parts when I kept losing the thread of the narrative.

A landmark book and fantastic reading

So ahead of its time it reads unlike anything else written in the 20s. This book is one of the best novels I’ve read. Delving deep into the transgender experience before we even had the word, Orlando is a phenomenal exploration of gender and self identity wrapped up in gorgeous poem like writing and exciting adventure. Give it a listen, especially if you are questioning your gender or sexuality. One of the most relatable characters I’ve ever read about!

Excellent

There has never been anyone like Virginia Woolf. Such eloquence! Such manic flare! Such astute observation! Such intelligence! Clare Higgins does an outstanding job in her interpretation. Oh so very highly recommended! Bravo!

Quotable

I found tons of delightful quotes about love and on the complications of being a woman.

Great Book

Found it to be a good listen.

Overrated

This book has classic - must read status. I don't believe it deserves this distinction. Clearly it was controversial subject matter when it was written. And the premise of the book is interesting. But mostly it's just boring and a big waste of time. But I'm not an academic or a scholar so I could be completely wrong. I had to struggle to listen to this book to the end. I read the SparkNotes for the story and tried to get into it and to understand the characters and the story. It just didn't work for me.

love

After reading this book I have a love for Virgina Wolfe. I want to read all of them.

Outstanding!

I sometimes have a very difficult time with the depth the great writers put in their books. This book opened my world to tackling more great literature.

Fantastic story

It’s hard to believe this is Virginia Woolf! It is so entertaining! An absolute delight. Excellent narration from Clare Higgins!

not for me

i had to read this for one of my classes, and i could never get into it. the plot was so back and forth. the story is never stable enough to follow through on what is going on