A Room of One’s Own

Author: Virginia Woolf

Genre: Non-fiction, Classics, Feminism

Originally Published: 1929

Format: Kindle (116 pages)

Goodreads:    Book       Author

Synopsis: Based on a series of lectures delivered by author Virginia Woolf at women’s colleges, A Room of One’s Own is an essay that calls out for a broader representation of women writers in the literary world of Woolf’s time. Heralded as a call to action for women writers to carve out space both mentally and physically for their artistic endeavours, Woolf’s essay has become a cornerstone for modern feminism.

My Rating: ★★★★

I’ve never read anything by Virginia Woolf before, although I’ve always been aware of her influence. I’m really glad this was the first piece I read as I feel it gives a really good insight into her views and motivation. As someone who has always had an interest in feminism, this was a really interesting and inspirational read. Woolf raises some really interesting points of view on the treatment of women, but she also doesn’t completely slate men. At times, she blames women just as much as men for the fact that women hadn’t reached their full potential. This lecture focused in particular on women and their literature. My only wish is that I could have seen Woolf delivering this lecture, I can only begin to imagine the spark of passion and inspiration she must have ignited in these young women.

Memorable Quotes

“A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction.”

“Lock up your libraries if you like; but there is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind.”

“Anything may happen when womanhood has ceased to be a protected occupation.”

“All women together ought to let flowers fall upon the tomb of Aphra Behn, for it was she who earned them the right to speak their minds.”

Final Thoughts

I recommend this to absolutely everyone, I really feel that it is essential reading, particularly for anyone who has even the slightest interest in feminism.

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