Virginia Woolf

The landmark study of Woolf and her world, a classic of contemporary life-writing.

‘A lasting, and even a great book’ - Michael Cunningham, author of The Hours

Hermione Lee’s Virginia Woolf is a great writer, a subversive thinker, and a vital figure for our times. Lee tells a richly-detailed life story, and asks crucial questions of her subject, probing the impact of Woolf’s childhood, her mental illness and suicide, her marriage and love affairs, her prejudices and obsessions.

This vivid, close-up portrait is replete with primary sources which destabilise received ideas about this iconic figure. It is a writer’s life, illustrating how the concerns of her work arise and develop, and a political life, which establishes Woolf as a radically sceptical, subversive, courageous feminist. Incorporating newly discovered sources and illustrated with photos and drawings never used before, this biography is a revelation - informed, intelligent and moving.

‘An outstanding achievement…superb’ Selena Hastings, Sunday Telegraph

‘Impressive…eloquent…powerful,’ Financial Times