A Room of One's Own

Synopsis

In a landmark work that transformed literary criticism and feminist thought, Virginia Woolf asks a deceptively simple question: what does a woman need in order to write? Drawing on history, fiction, autobiography, and razor-sharp observation, she argues that creative freedom depends not only on talent, but on financial independence and the space to think, imagine, and create. Along the way, Woolf invents the unforgettable figure of Judith Shakespeare, exposing the countless brilliant women whose voices were lost to history.

Elegant, witty, and remarkably modern, A Room of One's Own is far more than a literary essay. It is a meditation on art, power, education, class, and the conditions that shape who gets to tell stories. Nearly a century after its publication, Woolf's luminous prose and fearless questioning continue to inspire readers, writers, and thinkers around the world. This Penguin Classics edition features a new introduction by Xochitl Gonzalez and scholarly notes by Michèle Barrett.

About the Author

Virginia Woolf (1882–1941) was an English novelist, essayist, and one of the central figures of literary modernism. A founding member of the Bloomsbury Group, she revolutionized the novel through works such as Mrs Dalloway, To the Lighthouse, Orlando, and The Waves. Her essays, particularly A Room of One's Own, remain foundational texts in literature and feminist criticism. This edition includes a new introduction by Pulitzer Prize finalist Xochitl Gonzalez and editorial notes by Michèle Barrett.

Publisher

Penguin Classics

Publication Date

July 8, 2025

Format

Paperback

Pages

144

Subjects

Literary Essays · Feminism · Literary Criticism · Women's Studies · Modern Classics · Nonfiction

ISBN

9780143138907