"Orlando" by Virginia Woolf, published in 1928, is a semi-biographical novel that explores the themes of gender, identity, and the nature of art through the life of its protagonist, Orlando. The novel spans over three centuries, beginning in the Elizabethan era and ending in the 1920s. Orlando, who starts the novel as a young nobleman in the court of Queen Elizabeth I, undergoes a mysterious transformation into a woman midway through the book, living on through various historical periods while barely aging.

The narrative is notable for its lyrical prose, playful tone, and speculative approach to history and biography. Woolf uses Orlando's unique experiences to critique societal norms, particularly those relating to gender and sexuality, and to question the constraints these norms impose on individuals' lives. The novel also reflects on the nature of writing and literature, as Orlando aspires to be a poet, struggling with literary creation across centuries.

"Orlando" is considered a pioneering work in the genre of gender-fluid and transgender literature, and it has been celebrated for its ahead-of-its-time commentary on gender roles and identity. It was inspired by Woolf's close friend and lover, Vita Sackville-West, and can be seen as a love letter to Vita, exploring themes of androgyny and the complexity of human relationships. The novel remains a significant work in Woolf's oeuvre and in the broader landscape of 20th-century literature, admired for its innovative narrative technique and its bold examination of identity and artistic expression.

Next time anyone tries to tell you – as people often do – that Virginia Woolf was a cold fish, just direct them to her seductive writing about winter. It warms the heart.