The next Literary Masters meeting will be October 17. The book will be Orlando by Virginia Woolf.

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Literary Masters Meeting Notes

The Literary Masters group met on Thursday October 17at the home of Vivien Lane. 8 members showed up to discuss and analyze the book “Orlando: A Biography” by Virginia Woolf. Although the book was published in 1928 it seems to be so “modern”. The book is partially bio- graphical and mostly fantasy and based on the life of Woolf’s lover Vita Sackville West. Our main character changes from man to woman and travels through time (over 300 years) and meets literary figures from the Elizabethan and Victorian periods, as well as the beginnings of the twentieth century.

Although the novel is ostensibly a biography it is really more of parody of the genre. It takes a look at taboo subjects of the time such as homosexuality, female sexuality, the role of women in society. It gives a very critical view of the role that was assigned to women not only in society at large, but also in the literary world. The book has been called a “high-spirited romp” – humorous and beautifully written. Literary Masters will be meeting on November 21 to finish analysing the book.

If you have read the book and would like to join us, please write to uwcstudygroups@gmail.com Kathleen Hall