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  • Summary

  • A spirited new version of Virgina Woolf’s Orlando adapted with a distinctly queer point of view. This adaptation revels in the origin of the story as a love letter from Woolf to Vita Sackville West.

    Beginning the story as a young 16th century nobleman, Orlando’s life spans centuries, continents, lovers and genders in a sumptuous celebration of what it means to explore one’s own identity.

    Lettie Precious celebrates this gender fluid masterpiece as a progressive tale in the context of its own time, while also bringing a distinctly 21st century lens to the issues of gender, sexuality, privilege and race raised by the text. A love letter to a love letter.

    This is an Audible Original Podcast. Free for members. You can download all 4 episodes to your Library now. 
    ©2021 Audible, Ltd (P)2021 Audible, Ltd
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Episodes
  • Ep 4

    Ep 4
    Mar 2 2021

    Orlando arrives in Constantinople. 
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    44 mins
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  • Ep 3

    Ep 3
    Mar 2 2021

    Orlando falls into a deep sleep and awakes changed. 
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    43 mins
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  • Ep 2

    Ep 2
    Mar 2 2021

    A great frost descends on the city of London. 
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    42 mins
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Historical Fiction
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What listeners say about Orlando

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Dan Sands

Orlando

Great perfornance, brilliant background music and effects and the way in which the novel has here been adaptated into a four-episode podcast was great but listeners should be aware that this is not the novel in it's entirety; it is probably closer to the novel with regards to its content than is the movie starring Tilda Swinton, however.

Orlando: A Biography is a difficult enough read if one has not read Woolfs previous novels such as Mrs Dalloway and To The Lighthouse and Woolf herself struggled with the writing of it past the point of the protagonist's transformation (see Sexual Personae by Camille Paglia for more on this).

Nevertheless, the essense of the story is here captured and made accessible.

4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for Sutica

Delightful

Exceptional performance, sublime story, otherworldly author. I cannot fathom to understand how daring must have been anting to publish this kind of work. My applause to Virginia Woolf. Enchanted by this adaptation.

3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for jrv

Wonderful production...

A truly enchanting production of an ageless classic, that you could listen to again and again.

2 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for Helen SJ

I try real hard to appreciate Woolf!

Alas, I still struggle greatly to enjoy any of her work. This novel was very inciteful, fun to listen to the Muses but that is were it ends with me.

2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for TheZee

Powerful

My first Virginia Woolf book. The dramatisation is powerful. The subject matter is so beautifully treated and I am going to listen to this again and again.

2 people found this helpful

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Profile Image for Amazon Customer

Excellent

It is more a play than an audible. It goes beyond functional. A charming production.

2 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for Ashley Filkin

Orlando is spoiled by woke commentary

Could do without the woke dialogue. it doesn't need it. Let it stand as it should.

2 people found this helpful

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Profile Image for Fifee

Stunning

Beautifully played, modernised but only just enough not to lose the original story. Will be relistening.

1 person found this helpful

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Profile Image for cwellard

21st Century woke politics added

Makers telling you what to think and feel is insulting to the listener and unnecessary

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Profile Image for Martin D.

Really engaging, and fun.

Great combo of voices and production bringing thus story alive. I definitely recommend it. Enjoy.