Virginia Woolf's Afterlives: The Author as Character in Contemporary Fiction and Drama

This book explores how Virginia Woolf is portrayed in contemporary biographical novels and drama, examining how her physical and psychological features are magnified, reinforced, or distorted to serve the authors' specific agendas. It surveys various portraits of Woolf as a feminist, pacifist, troubled genius, gifted innovative writer, treacherous, competitive sister, tragic, suicidal character, or caricatural comic spirit, contributing to her continuous reinvention and reinforcing her literary status in the twenty-first century.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 09 January 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the captivating world of Virginia Woolf's afterlives, as explored through contemporary biographical novels and drama. It presents an in-depth analysis of a diverse range of literary creations, where Virginia Woolf emerges as a fictional character or a dramatic persona. Through meticulous examination, the study uncovers how Woolf's physical and psychological traits, as well as the principles she upheld, are amplified, reinforced, or twisted to align with the author's distinct agendas.

Beyond the broader theoretical discussions surrounding this flourishing genre, this study raises thought-provoking questions regarding the literary and cultural significance of Woolf's fictional representations. These contemporary narratives not only shed light on Woolf's iconic status but also mirror our current literary, cultural, and political concerns. By meticulously examining twenty-five works published between 1972 and 2019, the book offers a comprehensive survey of various portrayals of Woolf. These portrayals range from feminist icon to pacifist visionary, troubled genius to gifted innovative writer, treacherous competitor to tragic, suicidal figure, or even caricatural comic spirit, inspirational figure, and astute amateur sleuth. By resurrecting Virginia Woolf in contemporary biofiction, whether to enhance or debunk historical stereotypes, the authors studied herein contribute to her ongoing reinvention. Their diverse fictional portraits serve as a means to reinforce Woolf's literary stature, re-evaluate her work, rejuvenate critical interpretations, and enhance her cultural capital in the twenty-first century.

Weight: 485g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367550738