A Room of One's Own

By: Virginia Woolf

Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson

Length: 5 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

A Room of One's Own, based on a lecture given at Girton College Cambridge, is one of the great feminist polemics. Woolf's blazing polemic on female creativity, the role of the writer, and the silent fate of Shakespeare's imaginary sister remains a powerful reminder of a woman's need for financial independence and intellectual freedom.

©2011 CSA Word (P)2011 CSA Word

Big Bad Woolf

I can not express how much I loved this book , there are no words that do not pale in comparison to the strength,integrity and humor of this delight.
I fell I'm tarnishing the alphabet by writing this review but I need to say that one Juliet Stevenson should read every book she is amazing ,her voice gives such gravity to Virginia wisdom and two the fact that a woman was fighting for her sex's rights back in her day and age makes me proud to be a woman and a feminist . In my time where the word feminism has become something to hide or be ashamed take strength form this book , it will make you scream your a feminist from the roof tops ..

A classic every woman should read

Would you listen to A Room of One's Own again? Why?

I'd knew Virginia Woolf mainly by reputation and knew I should read her. I was right. She has a message for today's women and despite the time that has passed, it is still relevant. This was a perfect book for listening. The narrator was clear and the book was informative. Listening to it was the perfect way to approach Woolf.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Room of One's Own?

My most memorable phrase is that women need support in order to achieve and that only comes with the ability to earn a living.

A MISOGYNIST SEA

Virginia Woolf is a woman outside of time. As Woolf implies in the early twentieth century, women are drowning in a misogynist sea. Woolf is born when female inequality breaches that existential threat with a first wave; i.e. American Women’s Suffrage in 1920 and British Women’s Suffrage in 1928. The preeminent feminist, Betty Friedan, is just born (actually, 1921). (Friedan later writes “The Feminine Mystique”–published in 1963.)

“A Room of One’s Own” contemplates –“why women are not great poets or fiction writers?” With the exception of Harriet Beecher Stowe, there are no 19th century women renowned for fiction. Apocryphally, the unlikely story of Lincoln saying “So you’re the little woman who wrote the book that made this Great War” is an apt coda for the public’s view of women writers.

Woolf’s point is that women had no money because they were dependent on men or family inheritance. Often, young ladies are discouraged from college by their families who feel marriage and bearing children are their primary duties. Without educational support and few opportunities for gainful employment, women (on their own) had little money. Without money, there is little opportunity for independence; without money, there is little chance of having “A Room of One’s Own”.

Misogyny still roils the sea but more women writers have a room of their own. The second wave is forty years in the future but Friedan steadies the helm-bearing toward equality. At $.79 cents to the dollar in 2016, there is still a long way to go. As Aristotle once said, contemplation is the highest form of activity for the soul. Woolf implies great literature; great fiction, and poetry come from authors who have money and a room of their own.

Beautiful. Expressive. Accurate.

Juliet Stevenson's rendition brings the text to life. Extremely helpful to work out the long, complicated syntax Woolf employs. It feels as is if a friend is making a point to you over coffee. However, not a single comma or inflexion is missed. Awesome, all around.

A stunning performance of Woolf’s excellent writing

Juliet Stevenson is a treasure. This is the first of Woolf’s writings that I’ve read, and Stevenson gave such spirit to this masterfully written essay.

Loved my first Virginia Woolf

I've been somewhat fascinated with Virginia Woolf since first seeing "The Hours". I finally decided it was time to actually read something by Virginia and "A Room of One's Own" was my first choice. It did not disappoint! I loved this book! Her perspective is spot on and by the end, I so badly wished Virginia could see what women have accomplished to date. Her words are true inspiration, and I cannot say enough about Juliet Stevenson's performance. Dear Juliet, please read all my books to me! Such feeling and impeccable poetic melodies draw you in and literally pull you into the inner thought of Virginia Woolf herself. This is a must listen for all women!

Perfect blend of content and narration

Like Mrs. Dalloway (also read by Juliet Stevenson), this is a magical blend of wonderful writing and fabulous narration that makes this a joy to listen to. This began as an address on women in fiction, both as characters and writers, but it became so much more as the story of Woolf's thoughts and research move into the lives of women and their place in English society over history, in relation to men and outside of men.

A classic well read - if you haven't read it, you must, and if you have, you should enjoy the narration.

A Piece of Magic from Shakespeare's Sister

How was it for Leonard Woolf to have such an outspoken female wife? I never have given much time to Leonard but I found myself wondering over him while I read this beautiful piece by the brilliant Virginia. I revel in her examination of male versus feminine value, how common it was for patriarchy to place value on a subject of war and to devalue the subject of the drawing room. Woolf did not have an ordinary mind or a normal one.

Anyway, read this and you will still already have read it too late. Nevertheless, read it! Listen to it. Soak it in!!!

incredible

for years I have heard of this book. so glad I finally picked it up!

No Intro from Ali Smith

I keep waiting for it, but it wasn't included. A shame. Posting so others will know.